cluding the examination
of the blood where the offending organism is seen in the red blood
cells. We recently saw a little girl who happened to have an earache
and was about to be operated on for ear trouble, when examination of
the blood revealed the fact that she was suffering from malaria.

TUBERCULOSIS

In the routine examination of adult patients, the X ray observations
of the lungs often reveal deposits of lime salts which tell the story
of a successful fight against tuberculosis (Fig. 16). And while it may
seem surprising, we believe beyond a doubt that most of us have had
some varying degree of tuberculosis while young--the unrecognized
battle has been fought--and these small monuments of lime salts alone
remain to tell the interesting story.

The pity of it is that whole armies of little folks fall in this
struggle against disease, for it is one of the common and fatal
diseases of childhood. Fresh-air schools, playgrounds, and free school
lunches are saving hundreds of children from the ravages of this
disease each year.

Tuberculosis is strictly a house disease, hence the little tubercular
patient must seek outdoor life. All avoidable exposure to the disease
must be denounced, and public sentiment must continue to be aroused to
the hygienic betterment of the tenement districts and basement homes.
The sanitary drinking cup and the bubble fountain must be encouraged,
as must also the proper ventilation of all places where crowds
assemble, be it the schoolroom, the theater, or the church.

SYPHILIS

While tuberculosis is known as the "great white plague," syphilis and
gonorrhea constitute the "great black plague," which seen in the
little folks is pitiable indeed, leading us to realize that surely
"the children's teeth have been set on edge" because of the careless
eating of sour grapes by the parents. Syphilitic parents who have not
been properly treated, should think many times before they take upon
themselves the awful responsibility of bringing into the world a
tainted child. Proper mercurial treatment should be instituted at once
not only for the child but also in the case of both parents.

[Illustration: Fig. 16. X ray Showing Tuberculosis of the Lung]

CHAPTER XXXIV

ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES

In this chapter we wish to instruct the mother or the caretaker in
doing the one thing needful for every one of the more common household
accidents and emergencies while waiting for the docto