Fantasy Feudalism: Villager's Health Care

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HD52
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Fantasy Feudalism: Villager's Health Care

Post by HD52 » Thu Oct 06, 2016 3:23 pm

The following is a collection of basic notes spread through poorer or non-modernized areas to improve health care and health knowledge. The information given is in no way preferable to visiting a skilled doctor.

Full Table of Contents
  • 1.1 Determining Health Needs
    1.2 Where to Begin
    1.3 Medicinal Plants
    2.1 Sicknesses, Two Groups
    2.2 Non-Infectious Diseases
    2.3 Infectious Diseases
    2.4 Examining a Sick Person
    2.4a Questions
    2.4b General Condition of Health
    2.4c Temperature
    2.4d Breathing
    2.4e Pulse
    2.4f Eyes
    2.4g Ears, Throat & Nose
    2.4h Skin
    2.4i Abdomen
    2.4j Muscles & Nerves
    3.1 Caring for the Sick
    3.2 Caring for the Extremely Sick
    3.3 Signs of Dangerous Illness
    4.1 Natural Healing
    4.2 Healing with Water
    4.3 Uses of Water
    5.1 Moving a Badly Injured Person
    5.2 Common Fever
    5.3 What to Do When Breathing Stops
    5.4 Drowning
    5.5 Heat Emergencies
    5.6 Nosebleeds
    5.7 Cuts, Scrapes, Small Wounds
    5.8 Bandages
    5.9 Infected Wounds
    5.10 Burns
    5.11 Strains and Sprains
    5.12 Poisoning
    5.13 Snakebite
    5.14 Scorpion Sting
    6.1 Prevention
    6.2 Personal Cleanliness (Hygiene)
    6.3 Public Cleanliness (Sanitation)
    6.4 Home Cleanliness
    6.5 Cleanliness in Eating & Drinking
    6.6 Children's Health and Prevention
1.1 Determining Health Needs

By answering the listed questions, individuals can determine the health needs of an area and tackle the immediate situation.
  • Housing & Sanitation
    1. What are houses made of? Are they kept clean? Where is cooking done? How does smoke get out? What do people sleep on?

    2. Is a specific pest (such as flies, fleas, bedbugs or rats) a problem? What do people do to control them?

    3. Is food protected from the elements? How is it protected?

    4. What animals (dogs, chickens, pigs, etc.) are allowed in the house? What problems do they cause?

    5. What are the common diseases of animals? How do they affect people's health?

    6. Where do people get their water? Is it safe to drink? What precautions are being taken?

    7. How many houses have latrines? Do these families use them properly?

    8. Is the settlement clean? Where do people put garbage? Why?
    Population
    1. How many people live in the community? How many are under 15yrs old?

    2. How many can read and write? Is there schooling in the area? How else do the children learn?

    3. How many babies were born this year? How many people died? Of what? At what ages? Could their deaths have been prevented? How?

    4. Is the population increasing or decreasing? Does this cause any problems?

    5. How often do different people get sick in a given year? How many days are they sick? What sickness or injuries do each of them have? Why?

    6. How many people have chronic illnesses? What are they?

    7. How many children do most parents have? How many children died? Of what? At what ages?
    Nutrition
    1. What are the settlement's main sources of food? Where do they come from?

    2. Do people make good use of all foods available?

    3. How many children are underweight/showing signs of poor nutrition?
    Land & Food
    1. Does the land provide enough food for each family? How long will it continue to produce enough food if families keep growing?

    2. How is farmland distributed? How many people own their land?

    3. What efforts are being made to help the land produce more?

    4. How are crops and food stored? Is there predictable damage or loss of resources? Why?
1.2 Where to Begin

Based on the answers provided, the decision must be made on which things are more important to handle first. Typically, the highest regard is given to nutrition, as poor nutrition directly leads to many health problems. Below is a list of examples to work toward better nutrition in a community.
  • Family gardens
    Contour ditches (to prevent soil from washing away)
    Crop rotation (plant crops that return strength to the soil every other planting season)
    Irrigation of land
    Fish breeding
    Beekeeping
    Better food storage
1.3 Medicinal Plants

Many plants have curative powers, but some can be poisonous if taken in more than the recommended dose. Following are the most common examples of medicinal plants.

Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia arborea): The leaves of this and certain other members of the nightshade family contain a drug that helps to calm intestinal cramps, stomachaches and gallbladder pain.

Grind up 1-2 leaves of angel's trumpet and soak them for a day in 7 tbsp. (100 ml.) of water. Dosage is 10-15 drops ever 4 hours. Adults only. Angel's trumpet is very poisonous if more than the recommended dose is taken.

Corn Silk (Zea mays): A tea made from corn silk makes a person pass more urine. This can help reduce swelling of the feet, especially in pregnant women.

Boil a large handful of corn silk in water and drink 1-2 glasses. It is not dangerous.

Garlic (Allium sativum): A drink made from garlic can often assist in getting rid of pinworms.

Chop finely, or crush, 4 cloves of garlic and mix with 1 glass of water, juice, or milk. Drink 1 glass daily for 3 weeks.

Cardon Cactus (Pachycereus pringlei): Cactus juice can be used to clean wounds when there is no boiled water and no way to get any. Cardon cactus also helps stop a wound from bleeding as the juice makes the cut blood vessels seal shut.

Cut a piece of cactus with a clean knife and press firmly against the wound. When the bleeding is controlled, tie a piece of the cactus to the wound with a strip of cloth. After 2-3 hours, take off the cactus and clean the wound with boiled water and soap.

Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller): Aloe vera can be used to treat minor burns and wounds. The thick, slimy juice inside the plant calms pain and itching, aids healing, and helps prevent infection.

Cut off a piece of the plant, peel back the outer layer, and apply the fleshy leaf or juice directly to the burn or wound.

Aloe can also help treat stomach ulcers and gastritis. Chop the spongy leaves into small pieces, soak them in water overnight, and then drink one glass of the bitter liquid every 2 hours.

Papaya (Carica papaya): Ripe papayas are rich in vitamins and aid digestion. Eating them is especially helpful for weak or old people complaining of upset stomach when they eat meat, chicken or eggs. Papaya makes these foods easier to digest.

Papaya can also help get rid of intestinal worms. Collect 3-4 tsp. (15-20 ml.) of the "milk" that comes out when the green fruit or tree's trunk is cut. Mix with an equal amount of sugar or honey and stir it into a cup of hot water. Or, dry and crush to a powder the papaya seeds. Take 3tsp. (15 ml.) mixed with 1 glass of water or some honey 3 times a day for 7 days.

Papayas can also be used for treating pressure sores. The fruit contains chemicals that softens dead flesh and makes it easier to remove. Clean and wash out a pressure sore containing dead flesh. Soak a sterile cloth of gauze with the milk of the papaya fruit or trunk and pack this into the sore. Repeat cleaning and repacking 3 times a day.
Last edited by HD52 on Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Re: Fantasy Feudalism: Villager's Health Care

Post by HD52 » Thu Oct 06, 2016 4:01 pm

  • 2.1 Sicknesses, Two Groups
    2.2 Non-Infectious Diseases
    2.3 Infectious Diseases
    2.4 Examining a Sick Person
    2.4a Questions
    2.4b General Condition of Health
    2.4c Temperature
    2.4d Breathing
    2.4e Pulse
    2.4f Eyes
    2.4g Ears, Throat & Nose
    2.4h Skin
    2.4i Abdomen
    2.4j Muscles & Nerves
2.1 Sicknesses, Two Groups

When considering how to prevent or treat different sicknesses, one must remember that at their core they belong to one of two groups: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious diseases spread from one person to another, and healthy people must also be protected from people with these sicknesses. Non-infectious diseases do not spread from person to person and often have an outer cause.

2.2 Non-Infectious Diseases

Non-infectious diseases have many different causes, but are never spread from one person to another. Below are examples of non-infectious diseases.
  • Caused by "worn-out" organs or inner-body issues: Rheumatism, heart attack, epileptic fits, stroke, migraine headaches, cataract, cancer

    Caused by outside harms or troubles of the body: Allergies, poisons, snakebite, cough from heavy smoke, stomach ulcer, alcoholism

    Caused by a lack of bodily needs: Malnutrition, anemia, pellagra, cirrhosis of the liver (note: part of the cause)

    Caused by birth: Harelip, crossed/wall-eyes (a squint), epilepsy (some kinds), retardation, birthmarks

    Caused by a problem in the mind: Fear that something is harmful when it is not (paranoia), nervous worry (anxiety), uncontrolled fear (hysteria)
2.3 Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by bacteria and other organisms that harm the body, and are spread in many ways. Below is a list of the most important kinds of organisms that cause infections and examples of the sicknesses they cause.
  • Bacteria (microbes/germs)
    Tuberculosis; spread through the air
    Tetanus; spread through dirty wounds
    Some diarrheas; spread through dirty fingers/water/flies
    Some pneumonias; spread through the air
    Gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphillis; spread through sexual contact
    Earache; accompanies a cold
    Infected wounds; spread through contact with dirty things
    Sores with pus; spread through direct contact by touch
    Virus (germs smaller than bacteria)
    Colds, flu, measles, mumps, thickenpox, infantile paralysis, virus diarrhea; spread from someone who is sick through the air via coughing, flies, etc.
    Rabies; spread through animal bites
    Warts; spread through touch
    Fungus
    Ringworm, athlete's foot, "jock itch"; caused by touch or from clothing
    Internal parasites
    Worms, amebus (dysentery) in the gut; spread by feces-to-mouth, lack of cleanliness
    Malaria in the blood; spread by mosquito bite
    External parasites
    Lice, fleas, bedbugs, scabies; spread by contact with infected persons or their clothes
2.4 Examining a Sick Person

To find out the needs of a sick person, one must ask important questions and examine him carefully. Look for signs and symptoms that show how ill the person is and what kind of sickness he may have. Always examine the person where there is good light, preferably in the sunlight - never in a dark room.
2.4a Questions
  • What bothers the person most right now?
    What makes the person feel better or worse?
    How and when did the person's sickness begin?
    Has the person had this same trouble before; or has anyone else in the family or area had it?

    Continue with other questions in order to learn the details of the illness. As example, below are listed questions to ask if the sick person has pain.

    Where does it hurt?
    Does it hurt all the time, or off and on?
    What is the pain like? Is it sharp? Dull? Burning?
    Can you sleep with the pain?

    If the sick person is a baby who still does not talk, look for signs of pain by noticing his movement and how he cries. For example, a child with an earache may rub the side of his head or pull at his ear.
2.4b General Condition of Health
Next, one must take note of the sick person's general condition of health. Before touching him, look at him carfully and observe how ill or weak he looks; the way he moves; how he breathes; and how clear his mind seems. Look for signs of dehydration and of shock. Notice where the person looks well-nourished or poorly-nourished. Also note the color of the skin and eyes. These sometimes change when a person is sick. Also look at the skin when a light is shining across it from one side, as this can help show the earliest sign of measles rash on the face of a feverish child.

Paleness, especially of the lips and inside the eyelids, is a sign of anemia. Skin may also go lighter as a result of tuberculosis. Darkening of the skin may be a sign of starvation. Bluish skin, especially blueness/darkness of the lips and fingernails, may mean serious problems with breathing or with the heart. Blue-gray color in an unconscious child may be a sign of cerebral malaria. Gray-white coloring with cool moist skin often means a person is in shock. Yellow color (jaundice) of the skin and eyes may result from disease in the liver or gallbladder. It may also occur in newborn babies and children born with sickle cell disease.
2.4c Temperature
It is wise to take a sick person's temperature, even if he does not seem to have a fever. If the person is very sick, take the temperature at least 4 times a day and write it down. Without a thermometer, peasantry get an idea of the temperature by putting the back of one hand on the sick person's forehead and the other on one's own or that of another healthy person. If the sick person has a fever, one should feel the difference.

It is important to find out when and how the fever comes, how long it lasts, and how it goes away as this may help identify the disease. For example, the common cold and other virus infections usually have mild fevers. Typhoid causes a fever that goes on rising for 5 days. Tuberculosis sometimes causes a mild fever in the afternoon, but at night the person often sweats and the fever goes down.
2.4d Breathing
Pay special attention to the way the sick person breathes - the depth (deep or shallow), rate (how often breaths are taken) and ficculty. Notice if both sides of the chest move equally when the person breathes. If one has a way to measure time, count the number of breaths per minute when the person is quiet. 12-20 breaths per minute is normal for adults and older children. Up to 30 breaths a minute is normal for children, and 40 for babies. People with a high fever or serious respiratory illness breath more quickly than normal. More than 40 shallow breaths a minute in an adult, or 60 in a small child, usually means pneumonia.

Listen carefully to the sound of the breaths. A whistle or wheeze and difficulty breathing can mean asthma. A gurgling or snoring noise and difficult breathing in an unconscious person may mean the tongue, mucus (slime or pus) or something else is stuck in the throat. Look for "sucking in" of the skin between ribs and at the angle of the neck (behind the collar bone) when the person breathes in. This means air has trouble getting through. Consider the possibility of something stuck in the throat, pneumonia, asthma or bronchitis.

If the person has a cough, ask if it keeps him from sleeping. Find out if his coughs up mucus, how much, its color, and if there is blood in it.
2.4e Pulse
To take the person's pulse, put one's middle and index finger on the wrist towards the thumb; do not use one's thumb to feel for the pulse. If one cannot find the pulse in the wrist, feel for it in the neck beside the voicebox or put one's ear directly on the chest and listen for the heartbeat. Pay attention to the strength, the rate, and the regularity of the pulse. If able, count the pulses per minute. Normal pulses for adults at rest are 60-80 per minute; for children, 80-100; for babies, 100-140.

The pulse increases in speed with exercise and when a person is nervous, frightened, or has a fever. As a general rule, the pulse increases 20 beats per minute for each celcius-degree rise in fever.

When a person is very ill, take the pulse often and write it down along with the temperature and rate of breathing. It is important to notice changes in the pulse rate. A weak, rapid pulse can mean a state of shock. A very rapid, very slow, or irregular pulse could mean heart trouble. A relatively slow pulse in a person with a high fever may be a sign of typhoid.
2.4f Eyes
Examine the color of the white part of the eyes. It is normal, red, or yellow? Also note any changes in the sick person's vision. Have the person slowly move his eyes up and down and from side to side. Jerking or uneven movement may be a sign of brain damage. Pay attention to the size of the pupils. If they are very large, it can mean a state of shock. If they are very large or very small, it can mean poison or the effect of certain drugs.

Look at both eyes and note any difference between the two, especially in the size of the pupils. A big difference in the size of the pupils almost always dictates a medical emergency. For example, if the eye with the larger pupil hurts so badly it causes vomiting, the person may have glaucoma. If the eye with the smaller pupil hurts a great deal, the person may have iritis. Difference in the size of the pupils of an unconscious person or a person who has had a recent head injury may mean brain damage or stroke. Always compare the pupils of a person who is unconscious or has had a head injury.
2.4g Ears, Throat & Nose
Ears: Always check for signs of pain and infection in the ears, especially in a child with a fever or a cold. Pull the ear gently. If this increases pain, the infection may be in the tube of the ear (ear canal). Also look for redness or pus inside the ear, preferably with a small light. Never put a stick, wire or other hard object inside the ear.

See if the person hears well, or if one side is more deaf than the other. Rub your thumb and fingers together near the person's ear to see if he can hear it.

Throat/Mouth: With a small light, examine the mouth and throat. Hold down the tongue with a thin, flat tool or have the person say "Ahh". Notice if the throat is red and if the tonsils (the two lumps at the back of the throat) are swollen or spotted with pus. Also examine the mouth for sores, inflamed gums, sore tongue, and rotten or abscessed teeth.

Nose: Is the nose runny or plugged? Shine a light inside and look for mucus, pus, or blood. Also look for redness, swelling, or bad smell. Notice if and how a baby breathes through his nose. Check for signs of sinus trouble or hayfever.
2.4h Skin
It is important to examine the sick person's whole body, no matter how mild the sickness may seem. Babies and children should be undressed completely. Look carefully for anything that is abnormal, such as:
  • Sores, wounds, or splinters
    Rashes or welts
    Spots, patches, or any unusual markings
    Inflammation (sign of infection with redness, heat, pain, and swelling)
    Swelling or puffiness
    Swollen lymph nodes (little lumps in the neck, armpits, or groin)
    Abnormal lumps or masses
    Unusual thinning or loss of hair, or loss of its color or shine
    Loss of eyebrows
2.4i Abdomen
If a person has pain in the belly, try to find out exactly where it hurts by first asking the person to point with one finger where the pain is; then, beginning on the opposite side from the spot where he has pointed, press gently on different parts of the belly to see where it hurts the most. Learn whether the pain is steady or whether it suddenly comes and goes, like cramps or colic. Look carefully for any unusual swelling or lumps.

See if the belly is soft or hard and whether the person can relax his stomach muscles. A very hard belly could mean an acute abdomen, appendicitis or peritonitis. Feel for any abnormal lumps and hardened areas in the belly. If the person has a constant pain in the stomach with nausea and has been unable to move his bowels, put an ear on the middle of his belly. Listen for gurgles in the intestines; if there is nothing after about two minutes, this is a sign of emergency.

Ulcers often cause pain in the "pit" of the stomach, directly below the ribcage at the center of the chest. Appendicitis first hurts in the center of the stomach, later traveling down to the lower side of the stomach. Gallbladder pain starts below the ribcage and often reaches to the back. Liver problems cause pain through the side of the stomach, and at times spreads to the chest. Trouble with the urinary system causes mid- or lower-back pain and often skirts the waist to the lower part of the belly. Inflammation or tumor of the ovaries (or an out-of-place pregnancy) hurts on one or both sides of the lower stomach and groin, sometimes spreading to the back.
2.4j Muscles & Nerves
If a person complains of numbness, weakness or loss of control in part of his body, notice the way he walks and moves. Have him stand, sit or lie completely straight, and carefully compare both sides of his body.

Face: Have him smile, frown, open his eyes wide, and squeeze them shut. Notice any drooping or weakness on one side. If the problem began more or less suddenly, consider a head injury, stroke, or Bell's palsy. If it came slowly, it may be a brain tumor. Also check for normal eye movement, size of pupils, and how well he can see.

Arms & Legs: Look for loss of muscle. Notice or measure difference in thickness of arms or legs. Have him squeeze your fingers to compare strength in his hands; and have him push and pull with his feet against your hand. Also have him hold his arms straight out and turn his hands up and down; then lie down and lift one leg, then the other. Note any weakness or trembling.

Watch how he moves and walks. If muscle loss or weakness affects the whole body, suspect malnutrition or a chronic illness such as tuberculosis. If muscle loss and weakness is uneven on one side, in children, consider first polio; in adults, consider a back problem, a back or head injury, or stroke.

Muscle Stiffness & Tightness: If the jaw is stiff or will not open, suspect tetanus or a severe infection of the throat or of a tooth. If the problem began after he yawned or was hit in the jaw, he may have a dislocated jaw.

If the neck or back is stiff and bent backwards in a very sick child, suspect meningitis; if the head will not bend forward or cannot be put between the knees, meningitis is very likely.

If a child always has some stiff muscles and makes strange or jerked movements, he may be spastic. If strange or jerked movements come suddenly, with loss of consciousness, he may have fits. If fits happen often, consider epilepsy. If they happen when he is ill, the cause may be high fever; dehydration; tetanus; or meningitis.

Loss of Feeling: To check for loss of feeling in the hands, feet or other parts of the body, have the person cover his eyes. Lightly touch or prick the skin in different places and have him say "yes" when he feels it. Loss of feeling in or near spots or patches on the body may be leprosy. Loss of feeling in both hands or feet may be due to diabetes or leprosy. Loss of feeling on one side could come from a back problem or injury.
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Re: Fantasy Feudalism: Villager's Health Care

Post by HD52 » Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:30 pm

3.1 Caring for the Sick
3.2 Caring for the Extremely Sick
3.3 Signs of Dangerous Illness

3.1 Caring for the Sick

Sickness weakens the body. To gain strength and get well quickly, special care is needed. This care is frequently the most important part of a sick person's treatment.

Comfort: A person who is sick should rest in a quiet, comfortable place with plenty of fresh air and light. He should keep from getting too hot or cold. If the air is cold or the person is chilled, cover him with a sheet or blanket. If the weather is hot or the person has a fever, do not cover him at all.

Liquids: In nearly every sickness, especially when there is fever or diarrhea, the sick person should drink plenty of liquids: water, tea, juices, broths, etc.

Personal Cleanliness: It is important to keep the sick person clean. He should be bathed every day. If he is too sick to get out of bed, wash him with a sponge or cloth and lukewarm water. His clothes, sheets, and covers must also be kept clean. Take care to keep crumbs and bits of food out of the bed.

Good Food: If the sick person feels like eating, let him; most sicknesses do not require special diets. Those that do are the following: stomach ulcers and heartburn; appendicitis, gut obstruction and acute abdomen (take no food at all); diabetes; heart problems; and gallbladder problems. A sick person should drink plenty of liquids and eat nourishing food.

If the person is very weak, give him as much nourishing food as he can eat through the day. If necessary, mash the foods or make them into soups or juices. Energy foods are especially important - for example, porridges of rice, wheat, oatmeal, potato or cassava. Adding a little sugar and vegetable oils will increase the energy. Also encourage the sick person to drink plenty of sweetened drinks, especially if he will not eat much.

3.2 Caring for the Extremely Sick

Special care is required for the very ill and is detailed below.

Liquids: It is extremely important that a very sick person drink enough liquid. If he only can drink a little at a time, give him small amounts often. If he can barely swallow, give him sips every 5-10 minutes. Measure the amount of liquids the person drinks each day. An adult needs to drink 2 liters or more every day and should urinate at least a cup (60 cc.) of urine 3-4 times daily. If the person is not drinking or urinating enough, or if he begins to show signs of dehydration, encourage him to drink more. He should drink nutritious liquids, usually with a little salt added.

Food: If the person is too sick to eat solid foods, give him soups, milk, juices, broths and other nutritious liquids. A porridge of cornmeal, oatmeal or rice is also good, but should be given together with body-building foods. Soups can be made with egg, beans, or well-chopped meat, fish, or chicken. If the person can eat only a little at a time, he should eat several small meals a day.

Cleanliness: Personal cleanliness is very important for a seriously ill person. He should be bathed every day with warm water. Change the bedclothes daily and each time they become dirty. Soiled or bloodstained clothes, bedding, and towels of a person with an infectious disease should be handled with care. To kill any viruses or germs, wash these in hot soapy water. It is a common choice to burn these items.

Changing Position in Bed: A person who is very weak and cannot turn over alone should be helped to change position in bed many times each day. This helps prevent bed sores. Frequent changing of the person's position also helps to prevent pneuomonia, a constant danger for anyone who is very weak or ill and must stay in bed for a long time. If the person has a fever, begins to cough, and breathes fast and shallow, he may have pneumonia.

Watching for Change: Watch for any change in the sick person's condition that may tell whether he is getting better or worse. Keep a record of his vital signs, and write down his temperature, pulse, and breathing 4 times a day. Also write down the amount of liquids the person drinks and how many times a day he urinates and has a bowel movement.

3.3 Signs of Dangerous Illness

A person who has one or more of the following signs may be in danger and too sick to be treated at home without skilled medical help.
  • Loss of large amounts of blood from anywhere in the body
    Coughing up blood
    Marked blueness of lips and nails (if it is new)
    Great difficulty in breathing; does not improve with rest
    The person cannot be wakened (coma)
    The person is so weak he faints when he stands up
    A day or more without being able to urinate
    A day or more without being able to drink any liquids
    Heavy vomiting/severe diarrhea that lasts for more than one day or more than a few hours in babies
    Black stools like tar, or vomit with blood or feces
    Strong, continuous stomach pains with vomiting in a person who cannot have a bowel movement
    Any strong continuous pain that lasts for more than 3 days
    Stiff neck with arched back, with or without a stiff jaw
    More than one fit (convulsions) in someone with fever or serious illness
    High fever (above 39C/102F) that cannot be brought down or lasts more than 4-5 days
    Weight loss over an extended time
    Blood in the urine
    Sores that keep growing and do not go away with treatment
    A lump in any part of the body that keeps getting bigger
    Problems with pregnancy and childbirth, such as:
    ... any bleeding during pregnancy
    ... swollen face and trouble seeing in the last few months
    ... long delay once waters have broken and labor has begun
    ... severe bleeding
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Re: Fantasy Feudalism: Villager's Health Care

Post by HD52 » Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:58 pm

4.1 Natural Healing
4.2 Healing with Water
4.3 Uses of Water

4.1 Natural Healing

For most sicknesses, no medicine is needed. The body has its own defenses to resist and fight disease; and in most cases, theese natural defenses are far more important to the body's health than medicine. To help the body fight off or overcome a sickness, often all that is needed is to keep clean, eat well, drink liquids, and get plenty of rest. Even in the case of more serious illness when medicines may be needed, it is the body that must overcome the disease; the medicine only helps it to do so.

4.2 Healing with Water

The body cannot survive without water, and the correct use of water can reduce the amount of sickness and death - especially of children - in a settlement. For example, correct use of water is basic both in the prevention and treatment of diarrhea, the most common cause of sickness and death in small children. An important part of the prevention of diarrhea and many other illnesses is to make sure that drinking water is safe. Protect wells and springs from dirt and animals by putting fences or walls around them. Use bricks or stone to provide good drainage around the well or spring, so that rain or spilled water runs away from it.

Where water may be contaminated, an important part of the prevention of diarrhea is to boil or filter the water used for drinking or for preparing foods. This is especially important for babies. Washing hands with soap and water after a bowel movement and before eating or handling foods is also important.

A common cause of death in children with diarrhea is severe dehydration, or loss of too much water from the body. By giving a child with diarrhea plenty of water (best with sugar or cereal and salt), dehydration can often be prevented or corrected. Giving plenty of liquids to a child with diarrhea is more important than any medicine or herbs.

4.3 Use of Water

Below is a list of times when the right use of water may do more good than medicines.
Prevention & Treatment
To help prevent...
  • Diarrhea, worms, gut infections: Boil or filter drinking water, wash hands, etc.
    Skin infections: Bathe often
    Wounds becoming infected; tetanus: Wash wounds well with soap and clean water
To treat...
  • Diarrhea, dehydration: Drink plenty of liquids
    Illnesses with fever: Drink plenty of liquids
    High fever: Remove clothing and soak body with cool water
    Minor urinary infections (common in women): Drink plenty of water
    Cough, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, whooping cough: Drink plenty of water and breathe hot water vapors (to loosen mucus)
    Sores, impetigo, ringworm of skin or scalp, cradle cap, pimples: Scrub with soap and clean water
    Infected wounds, abscesses, boils: Hot soaks or compresses
    Stiff, sore muscles and joints: Hot compresses
    Strains and sprains: The first day soak joint in cold water, then use hot soaks
    Itching, burning, or weeping irritations of the skin: Cold compresses
    Minor burns: Hold in cold water immediately
    Sore throat or tonsilitis: Gargle with warm salt water
    Acid, lye, dirt, or irritating substance in eye: Flood eye with cool water immediately, and continue for 30 minutes
    Stuffed-up nose: Sniff salt water
    Constipation, hard stools: Drink plenty of water (also, enemas are safer than laxative medicines and herbs; but do not overuse)
    Cold sores, fever blisters: Hold ice on blister for 1hr. at first sign
In each of the above cases (except for pneumonia) when water is used correctly, medicines are not needed. Medicines should only be used when absolutely necessary, as natural healing is important for the body's natural defenses and ability to recover.
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Re: Fantasy Feudalism: Villager's Health Care

Post by HD52 » Thu Oct 06, 2016 8:39 pm

This portion details basic first aid for minor and intermediate conditions.

5.1 Moving a Badly Injured Person
5.2 Common Fever
5.3 What to Do When Breathing Stops
5.4 Drowning
5.5 Heat Emergencies
5.6 Nosebleeds
5.7 Cuts, Scrapes, Small Wounds
5.8 Bandages
5.9 Infected Wounds
5.10 Burns
5.11 Strains and Sprains
5.12 Poisoning
5.13 Snakebite
5.14 Scorpion Sting

5.1 Moving a Badly Injured Person

With great care, lift the injured person without bending him anywhere. Take special care that the head and neck do not bend or tilt. Have another person put the stretcher or sled in place. With the help of all involved, place the injured person carefully on the stretcher or sled. If the neck is injured or broken, put tightly folded clothing or sandbags on each side of the head to keep it from moving. When carrying, try to keep the feet up, even on hills.

5.2 Common Fever

When a person's body temperature is too hot, he has a fever. Fever itself is not a sickness, but a sign of many different illnesses. However, high fever can be dangerous, especially in a small child. When a person has a fever, uncover him completely. Small children should be undressed completely and left naked until the fever goes down; to wrap up a child with fever is dangerous. Fresh air or a breeze will not harm a person with fever. On the contrary, a fresh breeze helps lower the fever.

Anyone who has a fever should drink lots of water, juices, or other liquids. For small children, especially babies, drinking water should be boiled first (and then cooled). Make sure the child passes urine regularly. If she does not pass much urine, or if the urine is dark, give more water. When possible, find and treat the cause of the fever.

5.3 What to Do When Breathing Stops

Common causes for breathing to stop are ...
  • ... something stuck in the throat
    ... the tongue or thick mucus blocking the threat of an unconscious person
    ... drowning, choking on smoke, or poisoning
    ... a strong blow to the head or chest
    ... a heart attack
A person can die within 4 minutes if he does not breathe, so mouth-to-mouth breathing should begin immediately. Quickly use a finger to remove anything stuck in the mouth or throat. Pull the tongue forward. If there is mucus in the throat, quickly try to clear it out. Gently lay the person face up, tilt his head back, and pull his jaw forward. Pinch his nostrils closed with two fingers, open his mouth wide and cover it with yours, and blow strongly into his lungs so that his chest rises. Pause to let the air come back out and blow again.

Repeat about once every 5 seconds. With babies and small children, cover the nose and mouth with yours and breath very gently about once every 3 seconds. Continue mouth-to-mouth breathing until the person can breathe by himself or until there is no doubt he is dead. Sometimes, one must keep trying for an hour or more.

5.4 Drowning

Start mouth-to-mouth breathing at once - if possible, even before the drowning person is out of the water, as soon as it is shallow enough to stand. Always start mouth-to-mouth breathing before trying to get water out of the drowning person's chest. If one cannot blow air into his lungs, upon reaching the shore, quickly put him on his side with his head lower than his feet. With the heel of your lower hand on his belly between the navel and ribs, make a quick, strong upward push. Resume mouth-to-mouth breathing and repeat.


5.5 Heat Emergencies

In hot weather, people who work hard and sweat a lot sometimes get painful cramps in their legs, arms, or stomach known as heat cramps. These occur because the body lacks salt. To treat, put 1tsp. salt in 1 liter of boiled water and drink it. Repeat once every hour until the cramps are gone. Have the person sit or lie down in a cool place and gently massage the painful areas.

A person who works and sweats a lot in hot weather may become very pale, weak and nauseous, and perhaps feel faint. The skin is cool and moist; the pulse is rapid and weak; yet the temperature of the body is usually still normal. This is called heat exhaustion. Have the person lie down in a cool place, raise his feet, and rub his legs. Give salt water (1tsp. of salt in 1 liter or water) to drink. Give nothing by mouth while the person is unconscious.

Heat stroke is not common, but is very dangerous. It occurs especially in older people and alcoholics during hot weather. The skin is red, very hot, and dry. Not even the armpits are moist. The person has a very high fever, typically around 40-42C (104-107F), and often he is found unconscious. The body temperature must be lowered immediately. Put the person in the shade, soak him with cold water (ice water, if possible) and fan him. Continue until the fever drops. Even if the fever does decrease, bring the injured person to a skilled medic.

5.6 Nosebleeds

To stop a nose bleed, sit quietly and blow the nose gently to remove mucus and blood. Pinch the nose firmly for 10 minutes or until the bleeding has stopped. If this does not control the bleeding, pack the nostril with a wad of cotton, leaving part of it outside the nose. If possible, first wet the cotton with cardon cactus juice; then, pinch the nose firmly again. Do not let go for 10 minutes or more. Do not tip the head back. Leave the cotton in place for a few hours after the bleeding stops; then take it out very carefully.

In older persons especially, bleeding may come from the back part of the nose and cannot be stopped by pinching it. In this case, have the person hold a cork, corn cob, or other object between his teeth and, leaning forward, sit quietly and try not to swallow until the bleeding stops. The cork helps keep him from swallowing, and that gives the blood a chance to clot.

5.7 Cuts, Scrapes, Small Wounds

To treat a wound, first wash one's hands very well with soap and water; then, wash the skin around the wound with soap and cool, boiled water. Now wash the wound well with cool, boiled water. Additionally use soap if the wound has a lot of dirt in it, but be prudent: soap helps clean, but can also damage the flesh.

When cleaning the wound, be careful to clean out all the dirt. Lift up and clean under any flaps of skin. One can use clean tweezers or a clean cloth or gauze to remove bits of dirt, but always boil them first to be sure they are sterile. Any bit of dirt that is left in a wound can cause an infection. Never put feces or mud on a wound, as these can cause dangerous infections such as tetanus. Never put alcohol directly into a wound, as doing so will damage the flesh and make healing slower.

After the wound has been cleaned, place a piece of clean gauze or cloth over the top. It should be light enough so that the air can get to the wound and help it to heal. Change the gauze or cloth every day and look for signs of infection.

Large cuts should be closed, as a recent cut that is very clean will heal faster if you bring the edges together so the cut stays closed. Close a deep cut only if all of the following are true: the cut is less than 12 hours old, the cut is very clean, and it is impossible to get a skilled medic to close it the same day. Before closing the cut, wash it very well with cool, boiled water (and soap, if the wound is dirty). Be absolutely sure that no dirt is left hidden in the cut.

Create "butterfly" bandages. Butterfly bandages are dubbed so for their similar appearance to a butterfly's wings. To prepare butterfly bandages, take your strip of cloth or gauze and fold so that the ends rest evenly atop each other. Cut a shallow triangle out of the cloth or gauze where it folds; repeat on the other side. Unfold and secure over the open wound; use two if necessary to hold it shut. An adhesive will be needed if the cloth or gauze does not have a sticky, sterilized salve applied.

5.8 Bandages

Bandages are used to help keep wounds clean. For this reason, bandages or pieces of cloth used to cover wounds must always be clean themselves. Cloth used for bandages should be washed and then dried in a clean, dust-free place. Sterilize the gauze or cloth by wrapped it in thick parchment and baking it for 20 minutes in an oven. If a bandage gets wet or dirt gets under it, take the bandage off, wash the cut again, and put on a clean bandage. Change the bandage every day. It is better to have no bandage at all than one that is dirty or wet.

For children, it is often better to bandage the whole hand or foot instead of one finger or toe, as the bandage will not come off as easily. Be careful that a bandage that goes around a limb is not so tight it cuts off the flow of blood. Many small scrapes and cuts do not need bandages. They heal best if washed with soap and water and left open to the air. The most important task is keeping them clean.

5.9 Infected Wounds

A wound is infected it it becomes red, swollen, hot and painful; it has pus; or if it begins to smell bad. The infection is spreading to other parts of the body if it causes fever, there is a red line above the wound, or if the lymph nodes (or glands) become swollen and tender. Swollen lymph nodes behind the ear are a sign of infection on the head or scalp, often caused by sores or lice. Swollen nodes below the ear and on the neck indicate infections of the ear, face, or head (or tuberculosis). Swollen nodes below the jaw indicate infections of the teeth or throat. Swollen nodes in the armpit indicate an infection or the arm, head, or breast. Swollen nodes in the groin indicate an infection of the leg, foot, genitals, or anus.

To treat infected wounds, put hot compresses over the wound for 20 minutes, 4 times a day; or, hold an infected hand or foot in a bucket of hot water. Keep the infected part at rest and elevated (raised above the level of the heart). If the wound has a bad smell, if brown or gray liquid oozes out, or if the skin around it turns black and forms air bubbles or blisters, this may be gangrene.

Wounds most likely to become dangerous infected are as follows:
  • Dirty wounds, or wounds made with dirty objects
    Puncture wounds and other deep wounds that do not bleed much
    Wounds made where animals are kept, such as in corrals or pig pens
    Large wounds with severe mashing or bruising
    Bites, especially from pigs, dogs, or people
To care for this type of "high risk" wound, wash it well with boiled water and soap. Remove all pieces of dirt, blood clots, and dead or badly damaged flesh. Cleanse it of all dirt and debris. Never close this type of wound with stitches of "butterfly bandages"; rather, leave the wound open. If it is very large, a skilled medic may be able to close it later.

5.10 Burns

1st degree burns are minor burns that do not form blisters. To help ease the pain and lessen the damage caused by a minor burn, put the burned part in cold water at once. No other treatment is needed.

2nd degree burns are burns that cause blisters. Do not break the blisters. If the blisters are broken, wash gently with soap and boiled water that has been cooled. Sterilize a daub of medical salve by heating it until it boils and spread it on a piece of sterile gauze; then, put the gauze on the burn. If there is no salve available, leave the burn uncovered. Never smear on grease or butter.

If signs of infection appear - pus, bad smell, fever, or swollen lymph nodes - apply compresses of warm salt water (1tsp. salt to 1 liter water) 3 times a day. Boil both the water and cloth before use. With great care, remove the dead skin and flesh.

3rd degree burns are deep burns that destroy the skin and expose raw or charred flesh and are always serious; as are any burns that cover large areas of the body. The person should be delivered to a skilled medical or medical facility at once; in the meantime, wrap the burned part with a very clean cloth or towel. If it is impossible to get medical help, treat the burn as described above.

If there is no salve available, leave the burn in the open air, covering it only with a loose cotton cloth or sheet to protect it from dust and flies. Keep the cloth very clean and change it each time it gets dirty with liquid or blood from the burn. Never put grease, fat, hides, coffee, herbs, or feces on a burn. Covering the burn with honey helps prevent and control infection and speed healing. Gently wash off the old honey and replace at least twice a day.

Any person who has been badly burned can easily go into shock because of combined pain, fear, and the loss of body fluids from the oozing burn. Comfort and reassure the burned person. Bathing open wounds in slightly salty water helps calm pain, putting 1tsp. of salt for each liter of cool, boiled water. Give the burned person plenty of liquid. It is important for persons who are badly burned to eat foods rich in protein. No type of food needs to be avoided.

When someone is badly burned between the fingers, in the armpit, or at other joints, pads of gauze with salve on them should be put between the burned surfaces to prevent them from growing together as they heal. Fingers, arms, and legs should be straightened completely several times a day while healing. This is painful, but helps prevent stiff scars that limit movement. While the burned hand is healing, the fingers should be kept in a slightly bent position.

5.11 Strains and Sprains

Many times it is impossible to know whether a hand or foot is bruised, sprained, or broken. Breaks and sprains are treated more or less the same. Keep the joint motionless. Wrap it with something that gives firm support. Serious sprains need at least 3-4 weeks to heal; broken bones take longer. To relieve pain and swelling, keep the sprained part raised high. During the first day or two, put ice wrapped in cloth or plastic, or cold, wet cloths over the swollen joint for 20-30 minutes once every hour. This helps reduce swelling and pain. After 24-48 hours when the swelling is no longer getting worse, soak the sprain in hot water several times a day.

Keep the twisted joint in the correct position for healing by using a cast or heavy bandage. Wrapping the foot and ankle with a bandage will also prevent or reduce swelling. Start from the toes and wrap upward, careful not to make the bandage too tight, and remove it briefly every 1-2 hours. If the pain and swelling do not decrease after 48 hours, seek skilled medical help. Never rub or massage a sprain or broken bone, as it does no good and can only cause more harm.

5.12 Poisoning

Children, especially, die from swallowing things that are poisonous; such as rat poison; poisonous leaves, seeds, berries, or mushrooms; spoiled food; or salt if too much is given to babies and small children.

If a child is suspected to be poisoned and is awake and alert, make him vomit by putting a finger in his throat, or make him drink water with mild soap or salt in it (6tsp. salt to 1 cup water). If you have it, give him a cup of activated charcoal or a tablespoon of powdered charcoal mixed into a glass of water. For an adult, give 2 glasses of this mixture.

(Rl Alert: Never make a person vomit if he has swallowed kerosene, gasoline, or strong acids or corrosive substances such as lye; or if he is unconscious. If he is awake and alert, give him plenty of water or milk to dilute the poison. For a child, give 1 glass of water ever 15 minutes.)

Cover the person if he feels cold, but avoid too much heat. If poisoning is severe, seek skilled medical aid.

5.13 Snakebite

When someone has been bitten by a snake, first find out if the snake was poisonous or harmless. Typically, most poisonous snakes will leave marks of the two fangs, sometimes joined by little marks made by other snakes; the bite of a non-poisonous snake leaves only two rows of teeth marks, but no fang punctures.

Stay quiet and do not move the bitten part: the more it is moved, the faster the poison will spread through the body. If the bite is on the foot, the person should not walk at all and a skilled healer should be sent for immediately.

Wrap the bitten area with a wide bandage or clean cloth to slow the spread of poison. Keeping the arm or leg very still, wrap it tightly, but not so tight it stops the pulse at the wrist or on top of the foot. If you cannot feel the pulse, loosen the bandage. Wind the bandage over the hand or foot and up the whole arm or leg, making sure one can still feel the pulse; then, put on a splint to prevent the limb from moving.

Carry the person, on a stretcher or sled if possible, to the nearest healer. If possible, also take the snake as different snakes may require different antivenoms. Poisonous snakebite is dangerous, and some treatments can cause infection or make the effects of the venom worse.

Do not...
  • ... cut the skin or flesh around the bite
    ... tie anything tight around the bite or the person's body
    ... put ice on or around the bite
    ... shock the person with electricity
    ... try to suck the blood or the venom out of the bite
    ... drink alcohol after being bitten
5.14 Scorpion Sting

Some scorpions are far more poisonous than others, but to adults, scorpion stings are rarely dangerous; it is typically an allergic reaction to the scorpion that can give reason for concern. Put ice on the sting to help calm the pain. For the numbness and pain that sometimes lasts weeks or months, hot compresses may be helpful.

To children under 5 years old, scorpion stings can be dangerous, especially if the sting is on the head or body. If scorpion antitoxin is available, it must be given within 2 hours after the child has been stung. If the child stops breathing, use mouth-to-mouth breathing. If the child who was stung is very young or has been stung on the main part of the body, or if the scorpion was of a deadly type, seek skilled medical aid.
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Re: Fantasy Feudalism: Villager's Health Care

Post by HD52 » Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:48 pm

6.1 Prevention

Before thirty, men seek disease. After thirty, diseases seek men.
- Chinese Proverb
Cleanliness is of great importance in the prevention of infection. Whether it be an infection of the gut; the skin; the lungs; or the whole body, personal cleanliness (or hygiene) and public cleanliness (or sanitation) are paramount in the prevention of disease.

For example, many common infections of the gut are spread from one person to another because of both poor hygiene and poor sanitation. Germs and worms (or their eggs) are passed by the thousands in an infected person's feces. These are carried from one person to the mouth of another by dirty fingers or contamination. Diseases that are transmitted by feces-to-mouth in this way include:
  • diarrhea and dysentery (caused by amoebas and bacteria)
  • intestinal worms (several types)
  • hepatitis, typhoid fever, and cholera
  • certain diseases, like polio, are sometimes spread this way
The way these infections are transmitted can be very direct. A child with worms, forgetting to wash his hands after a bowel movement, offers his friend a cracker. His fingers, still dirty with his own stool, are covered with hundreds of tiny worm eggs, some of which stick to the cracker. When his friend eats the cracker, he swallows the worm eggs too. Soon the friend will also have worms and both of them will be sick.

Livestock can also spread intestinal diseases! A man with diarrhea or worms has a bowel movement behind his home. A pig eats his stool, dirtying its nose and feet, and goes into the house. In the house a child is playing on the floor and the pig rubs his face with its snout. Later the child starts to cry and his mother takes him in her arms. The mother then prepares food, forgetting to wash her hands after handling the child. The family eats the food. Soon, the whole family has diarrhea or worms.

If any of the following precautions were used, the spread of the man's sickness could have been prevented:
  • if the man had used a latrine or outhouse,
  • if the family had not let the pig into the house,
  • if they had not let the child play where the pig had been,
  • if the mother had washed her hands after touching the child and before preparing food.
If there are many cases of diarrhea, worms and other intestinal parasites in a village, there's no doubt that the inhabitants are not being careful enough about cleanliness. If many children die from diarrhea, it's likely that poor nutrition is also part of the problem. To prevent death from diarrhea, both cleanliness and good nutrition are important.

6.2 Personal Cleanliness (Hygiene)
  • 1. Always wash your hands with soap when you get up in the morning, after having a bowel movement, and before eating. (Medieval soap was typically made with tallow, ash and beef/mutton fats or olive oil. In the Forgotten Realms, soap's base price is 5 silver pieces per pound.)

    2. Bathe often, or every day when the weather is hot. Bathe after working hard or sweating. Frequent bathing helps prevent skin infections, dandruff, pimples, itching, and rashes. Sick persons, including babies, should be bathed daily. (Lower-classmen may bathe using a basin and jug, whereas upper-classmen may have their own bath at home or attend public bath-houses.)

    3. In areas where hookworm is common, do not go barefoot or allow children to do so. These worms enter the body through the soles of the feet, causing severe anemia. (While nobility had a wide array of footwear to choose from, the lower class often wore shoes made from calf-, goat- or sheep-skin. Peasantry also repaired their own garments when they wore out. In the Forgotten Realms, it costs five silver pieces for a sewing needle and five copper pieces for fifty feet of thread.)

    4. Brush your teeth every day. If you do not have a toothbrush and toothpaste, rub your teeth with salt and baking soda. (Medieval dental care ranges from rubbing the teeth with a rough linen to rinsing with water or wine and chewing herbs, especially rosemary and mint. I suggest a spot of research and some creativity.)
6.3 Public Cleanliness (Sanitation)
  • 1. Keep wells and public water-holes clean. Do not let animals go near where people get drinking water. If necessary, put a fence around the place to keep animals out.

    2. Do not defecate or throw garbage near the water-hole. Take special care to keep rivers and streams clean upstream from any place where drinking water is taken.

    3. Burn all garbage that can be burned. Garbage that cannot be burned should be buried in a special pit or place far away from houses and the places where people get drinking waters.

    4. Build latrines (out-houses, toilets, covered pits) so pigs and other animals cannot reach human waste. A deep hole with a little building over it works well. The deeper the hole, the less problem there is with flies and smell. It helps to throw a little lime, dirt or ashes into the hole after each use to reduce the smell and keep flies away. They should be built at least 20 meters from homes or the source of water.
6.4 Home Cleanliness
  • 1. Do not allow livestock or other animals inside the house or places where children play.

    2. Do not let dogs lick children or climb up on beds as they can also spread disease.

    3. If children or animals have a bowel movement near the house, clean it up at once. Teach children to use a latrine or, at least, to go farther from the house.

    4. Hang or spread sheets and blankets in the sun often. If there are bedbugs, pour boiling water on the cots and wash the sheets and blankets on the same day.

    5. De-louse the whole family often. Lice and fleas carry many diseases. Dogs and other animals that carry fleas should not come into the house.

    6. Do not spit on the floor. When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth with your hand, a cloth or a handkerchief. Wash your hand before touching anything or anybody.

    7. Clean your house often. Sweep and wash the floors, walls and beneath furniture. Fill in cracks and holes in the floor or walls where roaches, bedbugs and scorpions can hide.
6.5 Cleanliness in Eating & Drinking
  • 1. Ideally, all water that does not come from a pure water system should be boiled, filtered or purified before drinking. This is especially important for small children and at times when there is a lot of diarrhea or cases of typhoid, hepatitis or cholera. However, to prevent disease having enough water is more important than having pure water. A low-cost way to purify water is to put it in a clear glass bottle and leave it in direct sunlight for a few hours. This will kill germs in the water.

    2. Do not let flies and other insects land or crawl on food. They carry germs and spread disease. Do not leave food scraps or dirty dishes lying around, as these attract flies and breed germs. Protect food by keeping it covered and stored appropriately.

    3. Before eating fruit that has fallen to the ground, wash it well. Do not let children pick up and eat food that has been dropped. Wash it first.

    4. Only eat meat and fish that is well-cooked. Be careful that roasted meat, especially pork and fish, do not have raw parts inside. Raw pork carries dangerous diseases.

    5. Chickens carry germs that cause diarrhea. Wash your hand after preparing chicken and before you touch other foods.

    6. Do not eat food that is old or smells bad- it may be poisonous! Be careful with chicken that has passed several hours since it was cooked. Before eating left-over cooked foods, heat them again. If possible, eat and give only foods that have been freshly prepared, especially to children; elderly people; and very sick people.

    7. People with tuberculosis, flu, colds or other infectious diseases should eat separately from others. Plates and utensils used by sick people should be boiled before being used by anybody else.
6.6 Children's Health and Prevention
  • 1. Sick children or children with sores, itchy skin, or lice should always sleep separately from those who are well. Children with infectious diseases like whooping cough, measles, or the common cold should sleep in separate rooms, if possible, and should not be allowed near babies or small children.

    2. Protect children from tuberculosis. People with long-term coughing or other signs of tuberculosis should cover their mouths whenever they cough. They should never sleep in the same room with children and should seek treatment as soon as possible.

    3. Bathe children, change their clothes, and cut their fingernails often. Germs and worm eggs often hide beneath long fingernails.

    4. Treat children who have infectious diseases as soon as possible so that the diseases are not spread to others.

    5. Be sure children get enough good food. Good nutrition helps protect the body against many infections. A well-nourished child will usually resist or fight off infections that can kill a poorly-nourished child.

    6. Follow all the guidelines of cleanliness mentioned above. Teach children to follow these guidelines and explain why they are important. Encourage children to help with projects that make the home or village a healthier place to live.
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