To bring down a fever naturally, Dr. Ni recommends a tea made of boiled gypsum.
Measles : There are two distinct strains in the measles family: rubella and rubeola. They are viruses and need not cause serious illness if the child's immnue system is strong. They can be treated like any other viral infection. Rubeola : Rubeola, or hard measles, is still around despite the shots to protect children against it. It is severe in those with a debilitated immune system, but extra Vitamin C can limit it to a minor irritation, says Dr. Smith. The disease begins with a slight fever and dry cough that accelerates over five days, a rash breaking out at the height of the cough and fever along with red rims around the eyes. The rash begins at the head and reaches the feet within 24 hours. When the fever falls the rash fades. Ear infections, bronchitis and bleeding in the skin are possible complications. " Large doses of Vitamin A for a short period of time can be protective", says Dr. Smith, " but one must be careful to avoid Vitamin A toxicity. Be sure to consult a health care provider for the correct dosage." Rubella : Rubella, also called German or Three day measles, is a mild viral infection. It is of serious consequences only to unborn babies whose mothers contract the disease in the first trimester of pregnancy, before all the organs are formed, causing birth defects. Rubella is caracterized by a low grade fever, red cheeks, and a fine rash all over the body. The lymph glands located behind the ears will usually be swollen. Like other viral infections, the body's response to measles is to get rid of the virus by running a high fever and producing the rashes. Dr. Sodhi recommends that the best thing for parents to do is to ride out the cycle of the virus while making the child as comfortable as possible. To this end, Dr. Sodhi suggests that his young patients drink allot of ginger or clove tea to hasten the progress of the disease. Dr. Moskowitz is opposed to measles vaccinations for children. In fact, he feels that the best way to handle illnesses such as the measles is to exopose the children to them when they are about 5 or 6 years old. At this age, children will come down with the illness and their immnue system will be strengthened at an age where the potential side effects are relatively minor. Measles become more dangerous in adolescents and young adults, and poses the most serious threat to women of child-bearing age. If measles are contracted in the first few months of a mother's pregnancy, there is a possible risk of deafness to the baby. Vaccinations given to young children have a ten year life span and so may not protect children when they reach the age of greatest risk. He feels measles is an example of a disease that helps to build a child's immune system for later life. The ability of the body to mount and recover from an illness such as the measles is the prime way the immune system matures in a healthy child, according to Dr. Moskowitz. He feels a disservice is done to the child by not allowing that natural process to happen. In treating children with a disease like the measles, Dr. Moskowitz will take notes on the "totality" of the symptoms and the way in which the individual responds. This response will dictate the homeopathic remedy appropriate for that child. However, a common homeopathic remedy for the measles is Pulsatilla. Dr. Sodhi recalls treating a fourteen month old child who was suffering from a full-blown case of the measles and had a temperature of 105 - 106 F. His parents had taken him to a doctor who had prescribed anti-histamines and anti-biotics, but the child was so sick that he could not swallow his medication and would vomit whenever it was administered. In desperation, they called Dr Sodhi. Upon examining the child Dr. Sodhi recommended a concoction containing the herb Khubkalan (one teaspoon to every two cups water) combined with raisins, to be boiled and taken every hour. He also told the parents to soak the child in a bath of lukewarm water to which 1/2 cup baking soda was added, to reduce the itching. Following this regiment immediately produced marked results. Within one day, the child's rash had begun to improve, his fever was down, and he was sleeping properly. In addition, the child never developed a secondary infection, which is very common with a disease like measles. Stay tuned for part three : chicken pox, mumps and childhood parasites.