View report page

118
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON.
THE CONTROL OF RHEUMATIC FEVER.
Rheumatic attacks in children are very easily overlooked, as the
outward symptoms are usually quite trifling and likely to escape the
notice of parents. At the same time these slight attacks may permanently
damage a child's heart and produce very serious results in
later life. Hence it is very important that treatment should be secured
immediately for rheumatism in its earliest stages and mildest forms.
Symptoms which suggest that a child is suffering from the
rheumatic poison:—
(1). Growing pains—especially pain in the hamstrings.
(2). Attacks of irritability, night terrors, twitching of face or fingers,
or clumsiness in children not usually troubled in these ways.
(4). Certain rashes.
Precautions that should be taken with rheumatic children:—
(1). Keep limbs and body warmly but lightly clothed, particularly
with woollen underclothing. See leaflet on clothing.
(2). Put child to bed, and obtain medical advice whenever
feverishness, growing pains, sore throat or other symptoms of
rheumatism are noticed.
(3). Enlarged tonsils are better removed if a child suffers from
repeated sore throats.
H. MEREDITH RICHARDS, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Public Health Department,
Croydon.
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON.
CHILDREN'S TEETH.
1. The Teeth must be kept clean.
2. Use a small tooth-brush with stiff bristles. Use a little soap
and some precipitated chalk. Rinse the mouth several
times with cold water.
3. Brush all the teeth thoroughly, especially the back ones.
Brush the top and both sides of the teeth.
4. Clean the teeth immediately before going to bed. Take no
food of any sort afterwards. Clean the teeth again in
the morning.