CHAPTER XIV.. Section I.

SECTION I. CHOLERA INFANTUM VERSUS STARVATION.

If cholera of infants can be reckoned as a distinct disease, then can starvation. Whether starvation causes two-thirds of all the infantile mortalities, during the latter part of summer and the first part of autumn, or not, the symptoms indicate much the same treatment as in cholera. This statement can only be proved by close unbiased observations; books can never do it.

We will first notice some of the symptoms of starvation which may be present in real consumptive babes, also the signs of starvation that may develop in cholera; after which I shall endeavor to describe the symptoms of cholera as viewed in the light of a disease.

Starvation of a child is seldom detected by friends who may be constantly caring for it, but the eye of a practitioner cannot fail to do so at once, assisted by the required information. Notwithstanding, a physician may permit doubts to enter the mind, or through over cautiousness conceal the real opinion.

SIGNS OF STARVATION.

A child may be apparently well and hearty at birth, may thrive even at the breast for a few months; then all at once seem to fail. It may be fed on whatever is ordered if not at the breast from the first; yet barely live on for months, whining, drooping, and struggling, as it were, to live. Such patients lay awake, listen, and watch the motion of passing objects; when spoken to, will try to indicate something, look pitiful, act intelligent concerning wearing apparel or toys. In fact such a child is termed cross. It will cry after everything it sees, and that it don’t see; will slap things, such as cake or crackers, out of your hand. Nothing offered is welcomed as a relish. The bowels are generally loose, the urine copious; yet in many cases the water is voided in large quantities, while the bowels are dry. The eyes retain their brightness, as if to invite attention to the fact, “I would thrive if I had what I need.” The patient may drink half a gallon a day without the least sign of satisfaction.

Starvation may begin with the fœtal development either from lack of nourishment from the system of the parent, or by reason of repeated attempts at abortion; either of which is sufficient to blunt the vitality of the germ. Such children are likely to “hang on,” perhaps till the period of youth, and with good care may arrive to manhood or womanhood. The most doubtful cases are those that have a dry cough, eat a great deal, yet are never content, bloat at certain times, and grow more stupid; the body becoming a mere skeleton, and with difficulty kept warm. The new being is dependent upon the state of the parent’s blood from the moment of conception till weaned from the breast. If the food upon which a child is fed is the cause of the trouble, it should be changed as soon as possible. If from other causes there are medicines which can in a measure supply the needed basis. But generally the real cause is not known or even suspected until too late to repair the injury, and the patient dies after having exhibited all signs of consumption. Children born of consumptive parents may come out quite bright in some branches of thought, yet be quite delicate, seldom passing the flower of youth in life.

I feel incompetent to decide whether a consumptive mother had better nurse her child, and thus fasten the germ of disease upon it, with a view to prolonging her own life; or whether it is best for her to yield to her fate, and substitute some different food for the chance of her child’s life.