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AFFECTIONS OF THE HEART.
Affections of the heart were noted in 69 children. Many were
simply the result of debility, but others were due to injury from
rheumatism. Appropriate advice was given in either case. Most
of the heart trouble in children and young adults is due to
inflammation of rheumatic origin. Unfortunately, rheumatic fever
in young children is very insidious, and in consequence is often
overlooked by parents. In order to systematise the advice given
when rheumatism is diagnosed I prepared the following leaflet,
which is given to the parents and explained by the medical officers
and health visitors. It has also been arranged with the attendance
officers that parents may use their discretion in keeping rheumatic
children from school when they have aches or pains if they are
provided with one of these warning notices.
COUNTY BOROUGH OF CROYDON.
Control of Rheumatic Fever.
Rheumatic attacks in children are very easily overlooked
as the outward symptoms are usually quite trifling andlikely 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). Repeated sore throat or tonsillitis.
(3). 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,
preferably with woollen underclothing. See
leaflet on clothing.
(2). Put child to bed, and obtain medical advice
ever 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.M.R.
Public Health Department,
Croydon.