The health question box

Enlarged Neck Glands Q. What causes enlarged glands in a child's neck? A. The usual cause is tuberculosis. In many instances the infection is derived from infected milk. Enlarged tonsils or adenoids may be the cause.

Hip Disease Q. What is the proper treatment for hip disease in boy ten years old? A. The boy should be put under the care of a reliable surgeon who has had experience in similar cases. Different stages of the disease require different treatment. In many cases rest in bed is necessary. A short, cold, rubbing bath of some sort should be administered twice daily. The application should be brief, the water quite cold. The best method is the cold mitten fric­tion, shower bath, or cold wet-hand rub.

The Cause of Colic Q. Why should a child of six weeks have colicky pains one or two hours daily? A. Probably there is something wrong with the mother's dietary . There may be some hereditary weakness of the stomach . It is likely the bowels are constipated. Children often have colic from over-feeding or taking nourishment too rapidly.   A teaspoonful of mineral oil emulsion twice a day will relieve the constipation. A warm enema may be given for temporary relief. A hot bag over the abdomen will be found useful.

The Proper School Age Q. At what age should a child be sent to school? A. It depends upon the child, his health and mental and bodily development, and upon the school and its environments. No child ought to be deprived of ample opportunity for growth and health of body for the sake of mental culture in his early years . A sound body is the first consideration. With the school course of study for a guide, an apt mother can teach her boy in an hour or two a day what he would be a whole school day in acquiring under a teacher who has a roomful to attend to.

Increasing a Child's Height Q. What will make a child grow taller? A. The child should exercise the legs par­ticularly. As much time as possible should be spent in the open air. One of the best exercises is swimming, which combines excellent movements of the arms and legs with the tonic effect of cold water.

Cleft Palate Q. If a child is born with cleft palate, can it be cured, or remedied by operation? A. It can be greatly helped by an operation; perhaps entirely cured. It is just as well to wait until the child is six or eight years of age for such an operation. It is caused by deficient development, and if allowed to go without attention will affect the speech, and be a great handicap.