cially where the cases
are attended by a physician, the eyes of all newborn babies are
treated with either argyrol or silver nitrate. Just as soon as
defective sight is discovered in the child the eyes should be examined
at once and proper glasses fitted. While the glimmer and shimmer of
moving pictures may seriously interfere with the child's vision, on
the other hand, this very thing often discovers the defect in the
eyesight earlier than it would otherwise be found out.

RUNNING EARS

Inflammation of the ears was fully covered in our discussion of
adenoids and tonsils, but we would like to add at this time that under
no circumstances should a running ear be regarded lightly. A chronic
mastoiditis (inflammation of the middle ear) often follows measles,
scarlet fever, adenoid infection, and inflammation of the tonsils. The
attention of a specialist should be called to it and his instructions
most carefully carried out; for, when we have a sudden stopping of the
discharge from the ear with high fever and pain behind the ear,
sometimes an operation is imperative or the child may be lost.

CHAPTER XXIX

RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Next to digestive disturbances, babies suffer more frequently from
respiratory disorders--colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. In fact,
during very early infancy, pneumonia heads the list of infant deaths,
only to be displaced a few months later by that most dreaded summer
disease--diarrhea.

Little tiny babies are so helpless--they are so dependent upon their
seniors for life itself--that our responsibility is indeed great. We
should put forth our best endeavor to avoid and prevent common colds.
Among all the common maladies that afflict the human race "colds"
probably head the list; and, in the case of babies and the younger
children, the common colds often go on into coughs, croup, bronchitis,
and even pneumonia.

WHY BABIES CATCH COLD

1. Someone has brought the infection to him.
2. Somebody coughed in his face.
3. Germ-laden hands have handled the baby.
4. He has drunk from an "infected" glass.
5. There was not enough moisture in the air.
6. Somebody wiped his face with an infected towel.
7. Baby was allowed to play on the cold floor.
8. Baby's lowered vitality could not stand the combined strain
of overeating and clogged up bowels.
9. Baby was kissed in the mouth by a "cold-germ" carrier.
10. Baby was dressed too warmly--and then taken ou