,this file was produced from images generously made available by the ,canadian ,institute for ,historical ,microreproductions4 ,,advice ,,to ,a ,,mother ,,on ,,the ,,management ,,of ,,her ,,children ,,and ,,on ,,the ,,treatment ,,on ,,the ,,moment ,,of ,,some ,,of ,,their ,,more ,,pressing ,,illnesses ,,and ,,accidents ,,by ,,pye ,,henry ,,chavasse1 ,,fellow ,,of ,,the ,,royal ,,college ,,of ,,surgeons ,,of ,,england1 ,,fellow ,,of ,,the ,,obstetrical ,,society ,,of ,,london1 ,,formerly ,,president ,,of ,,queen',s ,,college ,,medico-,,chirurgical ,,society1 ,,birmingham4 ,lo1 children and the fruit of the womb are an heritage and gift that cometh of the ,lord4 ,,preface4 ,this ,book has been translated into ,french1 into ,german1 into ,polish1 and into ,tamil 7one of the languages of ,india72 it has been extensively published in ,america2 and is well-known wherever the ,english language is spoken4 ,the ,twelfth ,edition--consisting of twenty thousand copies--being exhausted in less than three years1 the ,,thirteenth ,,edition is now published4 ,one or two fresh questions have been asked and answered1 and two or three new paragraphs have ,i been added4 ,,pye ,,henry ,,chavasse4 #bad1 ,,hagley ,,road1 ,,edgbaston1 ,,birmingham1 ,june1 #ahgh4 ,,contents4 ,,part ,i--,,infancy4 ,,preliminary ,,conversation ,,ablution ,,management ,,of ,,the ,,navel ,,navel ,,rupture--,,groin ,,rupture ,,clothing ,,diet ,,vaccination ,,and ,,re-,,vaccination ,,dentition ,,exercise ,,sleep ,,the ,,bladder ,,and ,,the ,,bowels ,,ailments1 ,,disease1 ,,etc4 ,,concluding ,,remarks ,,on ,,infancy ,,part ,,ii--,,childhood ,,ablution ,,clothing ,,diet ,,the ,,nursery ,,exercise ,,amusements ,,education ,,sleep ,,second ,,dentition ,,disease1 ,,etc4 ,,warm ,,baths ,,warm ,,external ,,applications ,,accidents ,,part ,,iii--,,boyhood ,,and ,,girlhood ,,ablution1 ,,etc4 ,,management ,,of ,,the ,,hair ,,clothing ,,diet ,,air ,,and ,,exercise ,,amusements ,,education ,,household ,,work ,,for ,,girls ,,choice ,,of ,,profession ,,or ,,trade ,,sleep ,,on ,,the ,,teeth ,,and ,,gums ,,prevention ,,of ,,disease1 ,,etc4 ,,concluding ,,remarks ,,index ,,advice ,,to ,a ,,mother4 ,,part ,i4--,,infancy ,infant and suckling4--,i4 ,,samuel ,a rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded4--,,byron4 ,man's breathing ,miniature6--,,coleridge4 ,,preliminary ,,conversation #a4 ,i wish to consult you on many subjects appertaining to the management and the care of children2 will you favour me with your advice and counsel8 ,i shall be happy to accede to your request1 and to give you the fruits of my experience in the clearest manner ,i am able1 and in the simplest language ,i can command--freed from all technicalities4 ,i will endeavour to guide you in the management of the health of your offspring2--,i will describe to you the symptoms of the diseases of children2--,i will warn you of approaching danger1 in order that you may promptly apply for medical assistance before disease has gained too firm a footing2--,i will give you the treatment on the moment2 of some of their more pressing illnesses--when medical aid cannot at once be procured1 and where delay may be death2--,i will instruct you1 in case of accidents1 on the immediate employment of remedies--where procrastination may be dangerous2--,i will tell you how a sick child should be nursed1 and how a sick-room ought to be managed2--,i ,i will use my best energy to banish injurious practices from the nursery2--,i will treat of the means to prevent disease where it be possible2--,i will show you the way to preserve the health of the healthy1--and how to strengthen the delicate2--and will strive to make a medical man's task more agreeable to himself1--and more beneficial to his patient1--by dispelling errors and prejudices1 and by proving the importance of your strictly adhering to his rules4 ,if ,i can accomplish any of these objects1 ,i shall be amply repaid by the pleasing satisfaction that ,i have been of some little service to the rising generation4 #b4 ,then you consider it important that ,i should be made acquainted with1 and be well informed upon1 the subjects you have just named8 ,certainly6 ,i deem it to be your imperative duty to study the subjects well4 ,the proper management of children is a vital question1--a mother's question1--and the most important that can be brought under the consideration of a parent2 and1 strange to say1 it is one that has been more neglected than any other4 ,how many mothers undertake--the responsible management of children without previous instruction1 or without forethought2 they undertake it1 as though it may be learned either by intuition or by instinct1 or by affection4 ,the consequence is1 that frequently they are in a sea of trouble and uncertainty1 tossing about without either rule or compass2 until1 too often1 their hopes and treasures are shipwrecked and lost4 ,the care and management1 and consequently the health and future well-doing of the child1 principally devolve upon the mother1 for it is the mother after all that has most to do with the making or marring of the man4 ,footnote3 ,good ,words1 ,dr ,w4 ,lindsay ,alexander1 ,march #ahfa4 ,dr ,guthrie justly remarks that--,moses might have never been the man he was unless he had been nursed by his own mother4 ,how many celebrated men have owed their greatness and their goodness to a mother's training6 ,napoleon owed much to his mother4 ',the fate of a child1' said ,napoleon1 'is always the work of his mother2' and this extraordinary man took pleasure in repeating1 that to his mother he owed his elevation4 ,all history confirms this opinion444 ,the character of the mother influences the children more than that of the father1 because it is more exposed to their daily1 hourly observation4--,woman's ,mission4 ,i am not overstating the importance of the subject in hand when ,i say1 that a child is the most valuable treasure in the world1 that he is the precious gift of ,god1 that he is the source of a mother's greatest and purest enjoyment1 that he is the strongest bond of affection between her and her husband1 and that ,a babe in a house is a well-spring of pleasure1 ,a messenger of peace and love4--,tupper1 ,i have1 in the writing of the following pages1 had one object constantly in view--namely1 health-- ,that salt of life1 which does to all a relish give1 ,its standing pleasure1 and intrinsic wealth1 ,the body's virtue1 and the soul's good fortune--health4 ,if the following pages insist on the importance of one of a mother's duties more than another it is this1--that the mother herself look well into everything appertaining to the management of her own child4 ,blessed is that mother among mothers of whom it can be said1 that she hath done what she could for her child--for his welfare1 for his happiness1 for his health6 ,for if a mother hath not done what she could for her child--mentally1 morally1 and physically--woe betide the unfortunate little creature2--better had it been for him had he never been born6 ,,ablution #c4 ,is a new-born infant1 for the first time1 to be washed in warm or in cold water8 ,it is not an uncommon plan to use cold water from the first1 under the impression of its strengthening the child4 ,this appears to be a cruel and barbarous practice1 and is likely to have a contrary tendency4 ,moreover1 it frequently produces either inflammation of the eyes1 or stuffing of the nose1 or inflammation of the lungs1 or looseness of the bowels4 ,although ,i do not approve of cold water1 we ought not to run into an opposite extreme1 as hot water would weaken and enervate the babe1 and thus would predispose him to disease4 ,luke warm rain water will be the best to wash him with4 ,this1 if it be summer1 should have its temperature gradually lowered1 until it be quite cold1 if it be winter1 a dash of warm water ought still to be added1 to take oft the chill ,footnote3 ,a nursery basin 7,wedgwoode make is considered the best71 holding either six or eight quarts of water1 and which will be sufficiently large to hold the whole body of the child4 ,the baton is generally fitted into a wooden frame which will raise it to a convenient height for the washing of the baby4 7,by thermometer #ij to #ib degrees47 ,it will be necessary to use soap--,castile soap being the best for the purpose--it being less irritating to the skin than the ordinary soap4 ,care should be taken that it does not get into the eyes1 as it may produce either inflammation or smarting of those organs4 ,if the skin be delicate1 or if there be any excoriation or breaking-out on the skin1 then glycerine soap1 instead of the ,castile soap1 ought to be used4 #d4 ,at what age do you recommend a mother to commence washing her infant either in the tub1 or in the nursery basin8 ,as soon as the navel string comes away ,footnote3 ,sir ,charles ,locock strongly recommends that an infant should be washed in a tub from the very commencement4 ,he says1--,all those that ,i superintend begin with a tub4--,letter to the ,author4 ,do not be afraid of water1--and that in plenty1--as it is one of the best strengtheners to a child's constitution4 ,how many infants suffer1 for the want of water from excoriation6 #e4 ,which do you prefer--flannel or sponge--to wash a child with8 ,a piece of flannel is1 for the first part of the washing very useful--that is to say1 to use with the soap1 and to loosen the dirt and the perspiration2 but for the finishing-up process1 a sponge--a large sponge--is superior to flannel1 to wash all away1 and to complete the bathing4 ,a sponge cleanses and gets into all the nooks1 corners1 and crevices of the skin4 ,besides1 sponge1 to finish up with1 is softer and more agreeable to the tender skin of a babe than flannel4 ,moreover1 a sponge holds more water than flannel1 and thus enables you to stream the water more effectually over him4 ,a large sponge will act ,like a miniature shower bath1 and will thus brace and strengthen him4 #f4 ,to prevent a new-born babe from catching cold1 is it necessary to wash his head with brandy8 ,it is not necessary4 ,the idea that it will prevent cold is erroneous1 as the rapid evaporation of heat which the brandy causes is more likely to give than to prevent cold4 #g4 ,ought that tenacious1 paste like substance1 adhering to the skin of a new-born babe1 to be washed off at the first dressing8 ,it should1 provided it be done with a soft sponge and with care4 ,if there be any difficulty in removing the substance1 gently rub it1 by means of a flannel1 ,footnote3 ,mrs ,baines 7who has written so much and so well on the ,management of ,children71 in a ,letter to the ,author1 recommends flannel to be used in the first washing of an infant1 which flannel ought afterwards to be burned2 and that the sponge should be only used to complete the process1 to clear off what the flannel had already loosened4 ,she also recommends that every child should have his own sponge1 each of which should have a particular distinguishing mark upon it1 as she considers the promiscuous use of the same sponge to be a frequent cause of ophthalmia 7inflammation of the eyes74 ,the sponges cannot be kept too clean4 either with a little lard1 or fresh butter1 or sweet-oil4 ,after the parts have been well smeared and gently rubbed with the lard1 or oil1 or butter1 let all be washed off together1 and be thoroughly cleansed away1 by means of a sponge and soap and warm water1 and then1 to complete the process1 gently put him in for a minute or two in his tub4 ,if this paste like substance be allowed to remain on the skin1 it might produce either an excoriation1 or a breaking-out ,besides1 it is impossible1 if that tenacious substance be allowed to remain on it1 for the skin to perform its proper functions4 #h4 ,have you any general observations to make on the washing of a new-born infant8 ,a babe ought1 every morning of his life1 to be thoroughly washed from head to foot1 and this can only be properly done by putting him bodily either into a tub or into a bath1 or into a large nursery basin1 half filled with water4 ,the head1 before placing him in the bath1 should be first wetted 7but not dried71 then immediately put him into the water1 and1 with a piece of flannel well soaked1 cleanse his whole body1 particularly his arm pits1 between his thighs1 his groins1 and his hams1 then take a large sponge in hand1 and allow the water from it1 well filled1 to stream all over the body1 particularly over his back and loins4 ,let this advice be well observed1 and you will find the plan most strengthening to your child4 ,the skin must1 after every bath1 be thoroughly but quickly dried with warm1 dry1 soft towels1 first enveloping the child in one1 and then gently absorbing the moisture with the towel1 not roughly scrubbing and rubbing his tender skin as though a horse were being rubbed down4 ,the ears must1 after each ablution1 be carefully and well dried with a soft dry napkin1 inattention to this advice has sometimes caused a gathering in the ear--a painful and distressing complaint1 and at other times it has produced deafness4 ,directly after the infant is dried1 all the parts that are at all likely to be chafed ought to be well powdered4 ,after he is well dried and powdered1 the chest1 the back1 the bowels1 and the limbs should be gently rubbed1 taking care not to expose him unnecessarily during such friction4 ,he ought to be partially washed every evening1 indeed it may be necessary to use a sponge and a little warm water frequently during the day1 namely1 each time after the bowels have been relieved4 ,cleanliness is one of the grand incentives to health1 and therefore cannot be too strongly insisted upon4 ,if more attention were paid to this subject1 children would be more exempt from chafings1 breakings-out1 and consequent suffering1 than they at present are4 ,after the second month1 if the babe be delicate1 the addition of two handfuls of table-salt to the water he is washed with in the morning will tend to brace and strengthen him4 ,with regard to the best powder to dust an infant with1 there is nothing better for general use than starch--the old fashioned starch made of wheaten flour--reduced by means of a pestle and mortar to a fine powder1 or ,violet ,powder1 which is nothing more than finely powdered starch scented1 and which may be procured of any respectable chemist4 ,some others are in the habit of using white lead1 but as this is a poison1 it ought on no account to be resorted to4 #i4 ,if the parts about the groin and fundament be excoriated1 what is then the best application8 ,after sponging the parts with tepid rain water1 holding him over his tub1 and allowing the water from a well filled sponge to stream over the parts1 and then drying them with a soft napkin 7not rubbing1 but gently dabbing with the napkin71 there is nothing better than dusting the parts frequently with finely powdered ,native ,carbonate of ,zinc-,calamine ,powder4 ,the best way of using this powder is1 tying up a little of it in a piece of muslin1 and then gently dabbing the parts with it4 ,remember excoriations are generally owing to the want of water1--to the want of an abundance of water4 ,an infant who is every morning well soused and well swilled with water seldom suffers either from excoriations1 or from any other of the numerous skin diseases4 ,cleanliness1 then1 is the grand preventative of1 and the best remedy for excoriations4 ,naaman the ,syrian was ordered to wash and be clean1 and he was healed1 and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child and he was clean4 ,this was1 of course1 a miracle2 but how often does water1 without any special intervention1 act miraculously both in preventing and in curing skin diseases6 ,an infant's clothes1 napkins especially1 ought never to be washed with soda2 the washing of napkins with soda is apt to produce excoriations and breakings-out4 ,as washerwomen often deny that they use soda1 it can be easily detected by simply soaking a clean white napkin in fresh water and then tasting the water2 if it be brackish and salt1 soda has been employed4 ,footnote3 ,communicated by ,sir ,charles ,locock to the ,author4 #aj4 ,who is the proper person to wash and dress the babe8 ,the monthly nurse1 as long as she is in attendance2 but afterwards the mother1 unless she should happen to have an experienced1 sensible1 thoughtful nurse1 which1 unfortunately1 is seldom the case4 ,footnote3 ,the ,princess of ,wales might have been seen on ,thursday taking an airing in a brougham in ,hyde ,park with her baby--the future ,king of ,england--on her lap1 without a nurse1 and accompanied only by ,mrs ,brace4 ,the ,princess seems a very pattern of mothers1 and it is whispered among the ladies of the ,court that every evening the mother of this young gentleman may be seen in a flannel dress1 in order that she may properly wash and put on baby's night clothes1 and see him safely in bed4 ,it is a pretty subject for a picture4--,pall ,mall ,gazette4 #aa4 ,what is the best kind of apron for a mother1 or for a nurse1 to wear1 while washing the infant8 ,flannel--a good1 thick1 soft flannel1 usually called bathcoating--apron1 made long and full1 and which of course ought to be well dried every time before it is used4 #ab4 ,perhaps you will kindly recapitulate1 and give me further advice on the subject of the ablution of my babe4 ,let him by all means1 then1 as soon as the navel-string has separated from the body1 be bathed either in his tub1 or in his bath1 or in his large nursery-basin1 for if he is to be strong and hearty1 in the water every morning he must go4 ,the water ought to be slightly warmer than new milk4 ,it us dangerous for him to remain for a long period in his bath1 this1 of course1 holds good in a ten fold degree if the child have either a cold or pain in his bowels4 ,take care that1 immediately after he comes out of his tub1 he is well dried with warm towels4 ,it is well to let him have his bath the first thing in the morning1 and before he has been put to the breast1 let him be washed before he has his breakfast1 it will refresh him and give him an appetite4 ,besides1 he ought to have his morning ablution on an empty stomach1 or it may interfere with digestion1 and might produce sickness and pain4 ,in putting him in his tub1 let his head be the first part washed4 ,we all know1 that in bathing in the sea1 now much better we can bear the water if we first wet our head1 if we do not do so1 we feel shivering and starved and miserable4 ,let there be no dawdling in the washing1 let it be quickly over4 ,when he is thoroughly dried with warm dry towels1 let him be well rubbed with the warm hand of the mother or of the nurse4 ,as ,i previously recommended1 while drying him and while rubbing him1 let him repose and kick and stretch either on the warm flannel apron1 or else on a small blanket placed on the lap4 ,one bathing in the tub1 and that in the morning1 is sufficient1 and better than night and morning4 ,during the day1 as ,i before observed1 he may1 after the action either of his bowels or of his bladder1 require several spongings of lukewarm water1 for cleanliness is a grand incentive to health and comeliness4 ,remember it is absolutely necessary to every child from his earliest babyhood to have a bath1 to be immersed every morning of his life in the water4 ,this advice1 unless in cases of severe illness1 admits of no exception4 ,water to the body--to the whole body--is a necessity of life1 of health1 and of happiness1 it wards off disease1 it brace8 the nerves1 it hardens the frame1 it is the finest tonic in the world4 ,oh1 if every mother would follow to the very letter this counsel how much misery1 how much ill-health might then be averted6 ,,management ,,of ,,the ,,navel4 #ac4 ,should the navel-string be wrapped in ,,singed rag8 ,there is nothing better than a piece of fine old linen rag1 unsinged2 when singed1 it frequently irritates the infant's skin4 #ad4 ,how ought the navel-string to be wrapped in the rag8 ,take a piece of soft linen rag1 about three inches wide and four inches long1 and wrap it neatly round the navel string1 in the same manner you would around a cut finger1 and then1 to keep on the rag1 tie it with a few rounds of whity-brown thread4 ,the navel-string thus covered should1 pointing upwards1 be placed on the belly of the child1 and must be secured in its place by means of a flannel belly-band4 #ae4 ,if after the navel-string has been secured1 bleeding should 7in the absence of the medical man7 occur1 how must it be restrained8 ,the nurse or the attendant ought immediately to take off the rag1 and tightly1 with a ligature composed of four or five whity-brown threads1 retie the navel-string2 and to make assurance doubly sure1 after once tying it1 she should pass the threads a second time around the navel-string1 and tie it again2 and after carefully ascertaining that it no longer bleeds1 fasten it up in the rag as before4 ,bleeding of the navel-string rarely occurs1 yet1 if it should do so--the medical man not being at hand--the child's after-health1 or even his life1 may1 if the above directions be not adopted1 be endangered4 #af4 ,when does the navel-string separate from the child8 ,from five days to a week after birth2 in some cases not until ten days or a fortnight1 or even1 in rare cases1 not until three weeks4 #ag4 ,if the navel-string does not at the end of a week came away1 ought any means to be used to cause the separation8 ,certainly not1 it ought always to be allowed to drop off1 which1 when in a fit state1 it will readily do4 ,meddling with the navel string has frequently cost the babe a great deal of suffering1 and in some cases even his life4 #ah4 ,the navel is sometimes a little sore1 after the navel-string comes away1 what ought then to be done8 ,a little simple cerate should be spread on lint1 and be applied every morning to the part affected1 and a white-bread poultice1 every night1 until it is quite healed4 ,,navel ,,rupture--,,groin ,,rupture4 #ai4 ,what are the causes of a rupture of the navel8 ,what ought to be done8 ,can it be cured8 7#a7 ,a rupture of the navel is sometimes occasioned by a meddlesome nurse4 ,she is very anxious to cause the navel-string to separate from the infant's body1 more especially when it is longer in coming away than usual4 ,she1 therefore1 before it is in a fit state to drop off1 forces it away4 7#b7 ,the rapture1 at another time1 is occasioned by the child incessantly crying4 ,a mother1 then1 should always bear in mind1 that a rupture of the navel is often caused by much crying1 and that it occasions much crying1 indeed1 it is a frequent cause of incessant crying4 ,a child1 therefore1 who1 without any assignable cause1 is constantly crying1 should have his navel carefully examined4 ,a rupture of the navel ought always to be treated early--the earlier the better4 ,ruptures of the navel can only be cured in infancy and in childhood4 ,if it be allowed to run on until adult age1 a cure is impossible4 ,palliative means can then only be adopted4 ,the best treatment is a ,burgundy pitch plaster1 spread on a soft piece of wash leather1 about the size of the top of a tumbler1 with a properly-adjusted pad 7made from the plaster7 fastened on the centre of the plaster1 which will effectually keep up the rupture1 and in a few weeks will cure it4 ,it will be necessary1 from time to time1 to renew the plaster until the cure be effected4 ,these plasters will be found both more efficacious and pleasant than either truss or bandage2 which latter appliances sometimes gall1 and do more harm than they do good4 #bj4 ,if an infant have a groin-rupture 7an inguinal rupture71 can that also be cured8 ,certainly1 if1 soon after birth1 it be properly attended to4 ,consult a medical man1 and he will supply you with a well-fitting truss1 which will eventually cure him4 ,if the truss be properly made 7under the direction of an experienced surgeon7 by a skilful surgical-instrument maker1 a beautiful1 nicely-fitting truss will be supplied1 which will take the proper and exact curve of the lower part of the infant's belly1 and will thus keep on without using any under-strap whatever--a great desideratum1 as these under-straps are so constantly wetted and soiled as to endanger the patient constantly catching cold4 ,but if this under-strap is to be superseded1 the truss must be made exactly to fit the child--to fit him like a ribbon2 which is a difficult thing to accomplish unless it be fashioned by a skilful workman4 ,it is only lately that these trusses have been made without under-straps4 ,formerly the under-straps were indispensable necessaries4 ,these groin-ruptures require great attention and supervision1 as the rupture 7the bowel7 must1 before putting on the truss be cautiously and thoroughly returned into the belly2 and much care should be used to prevent the chafing and galling of the tender skin of the babe1 which an ill-fitting truss would be sure to occasion4 ,but if care and skill be bestowed on the case1 a perfect cure might in due time be ensured4 ,the truss must not be discontinued1 until a perfect cure be effected4 ,let me strongly urge you to see that my advice is carried out to the very letter1 as a groin-rupture can only be cured in infancy and in childhood4 ,if it be allowed to ran on1 unattended to1 until adult age1 he will be obliged to wear a truss all his life1 which would be a great annoyance and a perpetual irritation to him4 ,,clothing4 #ba4 ,is it necessary to have a flannel cap in readiness to put on as soon as the babe is born8 ,sir ,charles ,locock considers that a flannel cap is not necessary1 and asserts that all his best nurses have long discarded flannel caps4 ,sir ,charles states that since the discontinuance of flannel caps infants have not been more liable to inflammation of the eyes4 ,such authority is1 in my opinion1 conclusive4 ,my advice1 therefore1 to you is1 discontinue by all means the use of flannel caps4 #bb4 ,what kind of a belly-band do you recommend--a flannel or a calico one8 ,i prefer flannel1 for two reasons--first1 on account of its keeping the child's bowels comfortably warm2 and secondly1 because of its not chilling him 7and thus endangering cold1 c47 when he wets himself4 ,the belly-band ought to be moderately1 but not tightly applied1 as1 if tightly applied1 it would interfere with the necessary movement of the bowels4 #bc4 ,when should the belly-band be discontinued8 ,when the child is two or three months old4 ,the best way of leaving it off is to tear a strip off daily for a few mornings1 and then to leave it off altogether4 ,nurses who take charge of an infant when the monthly nurse leaves1 are frequently in the habit of at once leaving off the belly-band1 which often leads to ruptures when the child cries or strains4 ,it is far wiser to retain it too long than too short a time2 and when a child catches whooping-cough1 whilst still very young1 it is safer to resume the belly-band4 ,footnote3 ,communicated by ,sir ,charles ,locock to the ,author4 #bd4 ,have you any remarks to make on the clothing of on infant8 ,a babe's clothing ought to be light1 warm1 loose1 and free from pins4 7#a47 ,it should be light1 without being too airy4 ,many infant's clothes are both too long and too cumbersome4 ,it is really painful to see how some poor little babies are weighed down with a weight of clothes4 ,they may be said to bear the burden1 and that a heavy one1 from the very commencement of their lives6 ,how absurd1 too1 the practice of making them wear long clothes4 ,clothes to cover a child's feet1 and even a little beyond1 may be desirable2 but for clothes1 when the infant is carried about1 to reach to the ground1 is foolish and cruel in the extreme4 ,i have seen a delicate baby almost ready to faint under the infliction4 7#b47 ,it should be warm1 without being too warm4 ,the parts that ought to be kept warm are the chest1 the bowels1 and the feet4 ,if the infant be delicate1 especially if he be subject to inflammation of the lungs1 he ought to wear a fine flannel1 instead of his usual shirts1 which should be changed as frequently4 7#c47 ,the dress should be loose1 so as to prevent any pressure upon the blood-vessels1 which would otherwise impede the circulation1 and thus hinder a proper development of the parts4 ,it ought to be loose about the chest and waist1 so that the lungs and the heart may have free play4 ,it should be loose about the stomach1 so that digestion may not be impeded2 it ought to be loose about the bowels1 in order that the spiral motion of the intestines may not be interfered with--hence the importance of putting on a belly-band moderately slack2 it should be loose about the sleeves1 so that the blood may course1 without let or hindrance1 through the arteries and veins2 it ought to be loose1 then1 everywhere1 for nature delights in freedom from restraint1 and will resent1 sooner or later1 any interference4 ,oh1 that a mother would take common sense1 and not custom1 as her guide6 7#d47 ,as few pins should be used in the dressing of a baby as possible4 ,inattention to this advice has caused many a little sufferer to be thrown into convulsions4 ,the generality of mothers use no pins in the dressing of their children2 they tack every part that requires fastening with a needle and thread4 ,they do not even use pins to fasten the baby's diapers4 ,they make the diapers with loops and tapes1 and thus altogether supersede the use of pins in the dressing of an infant4 ,the plan is a good one1 takes very little extra time1 and deserves to be universally adopted4 ,if pins be used for the diapers1 they ought to be the ,patent ,safety ,pins4 #be4 ,is there any necessity for a nurse being particular in airing an infant's clothes before they are put on8 ,if she were less particular1 would it not make him more hardy8 ,a nurse cannot be too particular on this head4 ,a babe's clothes ought to be well aired the day before they are put on1 as they should not be put on warm from the fire4 ,it is well1 where it can be done1 to let him have clean clothes daily4 ,where this cannot be afforded1 the clothes1 as soon as they are taken off at night1 ought to be well aired1 so as to free them from the perspiration1 and that they may be ready to put on the following morning4 ,it is truly nonsensical to endeavour to harden a child1 or any one else1 by putting on damp clothes6 #bf4 ,what is your opinion of caps for an infant8 ,the head ought to be kept cool2 caps1 therefore1 are unnecessary4 ,if caps be used at all1 they should only be worn for the first month in summer1 or for the first two or three months in winter4 ,if a babe take to caps1 it requires care in leaving them off1 or he will catch cold4 ,when you are about discontinuing them1 put a thinner and a thinner one on1 every time they are changed1 until you leave them off altogether4 ,but remember1 my opinion is1 that a child is better without caps2 they only heat his head1 cause undue perspiration1 and thus make him more liable to catch cold4 ,if a babe does not wear a cap in the day1 it is not at all necessary that he should wear one at night4 ,he will sleep more comfortably without one1 and it will be better for his health4 ,moreover1 night-caps injure both the thickness and beauty of the hair4 #bg4 ,have you any remarks to make on the clothing of an infant1 when1 in the winter time1 he is sent out for exercise8 ,be sure that he is well wrapped up4 ,he ought to have under his cloak a knitted worsted spencer1 which should button behind1 and if the weather be very cold1 a shawl over all1 and1 provided it be dry above1 and the wind be not in the east or in the north-east1 he may then brave the weather4 ,he will then come from his walk refreshed and strengthened1 for cold air is an invigorating tonic4 ,in a subsequent ,conversation ,i will indicate the proper age at which a child should be first sent out to take exercise in the open air4 #bh4 ,at what age ought an infant to be shortened8 ,this1 of course1 will depend upon the season4 ,in the summer1 the right time for shortening a babe1 as it is called1 is at the end of two months1 in the winter1 at the end of three months4 ,but if the right time for shortening a child should happen to be in the spring1 let it be deferred until the end of ,may4 ,the ,english springs are very trying and treacherous1 and sometimes1 in ,april the weather is almost as cold1 and the wind as biting as in winter4 ,it is treacherous1 for the sun is hot1 and the wind1 which is at this time of the year frequently easterly1 is keen and cutting ,i should far prefer to shorten a child in the winter than in the early spring4 ,,diet #bi4 ,are you an advocate for putting a baby to the breast soon after birth1 or for waiting1 as many do1 until the third day8 ,the infant ought to be put to the bosom soon after birth1 the interest1 both of the mother and of the child demands it4 ,it will be advisable to wait three or four hours1 that the mother may recover from her fatigue1 and1 then1 the babe must be put to the breast4 ,if this be done1 he will generally take the nipple with avidity4 ,it might be said1 at so early a period that there is no milk in the bosom2 but such is not usually the case4 ,there generally is a little from the very beginning1 which acts on the baby's bowels like a dose of purgative medicine1 and appears to be intended by nature to cleanse the system4 ,but1 provided there be no milk at first1 the very act of sucking not only gives the child a notion1 but1 at the same time1 causes a draught 7as it is usually called7 in the breast1 and enables the milk to flow easily4 ,of course1 if there be no milk in the bosom--the babe having been applied once or twice to determine the fact--then you must wait for a few hours before applying him again to the nipple1 that is to say1 until the milk be secreted4 ,an infant1 who1 for two or three days1 is kept from the breast1 and who is fed upon gruel1 generally becomes feeble1 and frequently1 at the end of that time1 will not take the nipple at all4 ,besides1 there is a thick cream 7similar to the biestings of a cow71 which1 if not drawn out by the child1 may cause inflammation and gathering of the bosom1 and1 consequently1 great suffering to the mother4 ,moreover1 placing him early to the breast1 moderates the severity of the mother's after pains1 and lessens the risk of her flooding4 ,a new-born babe must not have gruel given to him1 as it disorders the bowels1 causes a disinclination to suck1 and thus makes him feeble4 #cj4 ,if an infant show any disinclination to suck1 or if he appear unable to apply his tongue to the nipple1 what ought to be done8 ,immediately call the attention of the medical man to the fact1 in order that he may ascertain whether he be tongue-tied4 ,if he be1 the simple operation of dividing the bridle of the tongue will remedy the defect1 and will cause him to take the nipple with ease and comfort4 #ca4 ,provided there be not milk ,,at ,,first1 what ought then to be done8 ,wait with patience2 the child 7if the mother have no milk7 will not1 for at least twelve hours1 require artificial food4 ,in the generality of instances1 then1 artificial food is not at all necessary2 but if it should be needed1 one-third of new milk and two-thirds of warm water1 slightly sweetened with loaf sugar 7or with brown sugar1 if the babe's bowels have not been opened71 should be given1 in small quantities at a time1 every four hours1 until the milk be secreted1 and then it must be discontinued4 ,the infant ought to be put to the nipple every four hours1 but not oftener1 until he be able to find nourishment4 ,if after the application of the child for a few times1 he is unable to find nourishment1 then it will be necessary to wait until the milk be secreted4 ,as soon as it is secreted1 he must be applied with great regularity1 alternately to each breast4 ,i say alternately to each breast4 ,this is most important advice4 ,sometimes a child1 for some inexplicable reason1 prefers one breast to the other1 and the mother1 to save a little contention1 concedes the point1 and allows him to have his own way4 ,and what is frequently the consequence8--a gathered breast6 ,we frequently hear of a babe having no notion of sucking4 ,this no notion may generally be traced to bad management1 to stuffing him with food1 and thus giving him a disinclination to take the nipple at all4 #cb4 ,how often should a mother suckle her infant8 ,a mother generally suckles her baby too often1 having him almost constantly at the breast4 ,this practice is injurious both to parent and to child4 ,the stomach requires repose as much as any other part of the body2 and how can it have if it be constantly loaded with breast-milk8 ,for the first month1 he ought to be suckled1 about every hour and a half2 for the second month1 every two hours1--gradually increasing1 as he becomes older1 the distance of time between1 until at length he has it about every four hours4 ,if a baby were suckled at stated periods1 he would only look for the bosom at those times1 and be satisfied4 ,a mother is frequently in the habit of giving the child the breast every time he cries1 regardless of the cause4 ,the cause too frequently is that he has been too often suckled--his stomach has been overloaded1 the little fellow is consequently in pain1 and he gives utterance to it by cries4 ,how absurd is such a practice6 ,we may as well endeavour to put out a fire by feeding it with fuel4 ,an infant ought to be accustomed to regularity in everything1 in times for sucking1 for sleeping1 c4 ,no children thrive so well as those who are thus early taught4 #cc4 ,where the mother is ,,moderately strong1 do you advise that the infant should have any other food than the breast8 ,artificial food must not1 for the first five or six months1 be given1 if the parent be moderately strong1 of course1 if she be feeble1 a little food will be necessary4 ,many delicate women enjoy better health whilst ambling than at any other period of their lives4 ,it may be well1 where artificial food1 in addition to the mother's own milk1 is needed1 and before giving any farinaceous food whatever 7for farinaceous food until a child is six or seven months old is injurious71 to give1 through a feeding bottle1 every night and morning1 in addition to the mother's breast of milk1 the following ,milk-,water-and ,sugar-of ,milk ,food-- ,fresh milk1 from ,,one cow1 ,warm water1 of each a quarter of a pint1 ,sugar of milk one tea spoonful ,the sugar of milk should first be dissolved in the warm water1 and then the fresh milk unboiled should be mixed with it4 ,the sweetening of the above food with sugar-of-milk1 instead of with lump sugar1 makes the food more to resemble the mother's own milk4 ,the infant will not1 probably1 at first take more than half of the above quantity at a time1 even if he does so much as that but still the above are the proper proportions1 and as he grows older1 he will require the whole of it at a meal4 #cd4 ,what food1 when a babe is six or seven months old1 is the best substitute for a mother's milk8 ,the food that suits one infant will not agree with another4 7#a7 ,the one that ,i have found the most generally useful1 is made as follows--,boil the crumb of bread for two hours in water1 taking particular care that it does not burn1 then add only a little lump-sugar 7or brown sugar1 if the bowels be costive71 to make it palatable4 ,when he is six or seven months old1 mix a little new milk--the milk of ,,one cow--with it gradually as he becomes older1 increasing the quantity until it be nearly all milk1 there being only enough water to boil the bread1 the milk should be poured boiling hot on the bread4 ,sometimes the two milks--the mother's and the cow's milk--do not agree1 when such is the case1 let the milk be left out1 both in this and in the foods following1 and let the food be made with water1 instead of with milk and water4 ,in other respects1 until the child is weaned1 let it be made as above directed1 when he is weaned1 good fresh cow's milk ,,must1 as previously recommended1 be used4 7#b7 ,or cut thin slices of bread into a basin1 cover the bread with cold water1 place it in an oven for two hours to bake1 take it out1 beat the bread up with a fork1 and then slightly sweeten it4 ,this is an excellent food4 7#c7 ,if the above should not agree with the infant 7although1 if properly made1 they almost invariably do71 tous les-mois may be given4 ,footnote3 ,tous les mois is the starch obtained from the tuberous roots of various species of canna1 and is imported from the ,west ,indies4 ,it is very similar to arrow root4 ,i suppose it is called tous les-mois1 as it is good to be eaten all the year round47#d7 ,or ,robb's ,biscuits1 as it is among the best bread compounds made out of wheat-flour1 and is almost always readily digested4--,routh4 7#e7 ,another good food is the following--,take about a pound of flour put it in a cloth1 tie it up tightly1 place it a saucepanful of water1 and let it boil for four or five hours1 then take it out1 peel off the outer rind1 and the inside will be found quite dry1 which grate4 7#f7 ,another way of preparing an infant's food1 is to bake flour--biscuit flour--in a slow oven1 until it be of a light fawn colour4 ,baked flour ought after it is baked1 to be reduced1 by means of a rolling pin1 to a fine powder1 and should then be kept in a covered tin1 ready for use4 7#g7 ,an excellent food for a baby is baked crumbs of bread4 ,the manner of preparing it is as follows--,crumb some bread on a plate1 put it a little distance from the fire to dry4 ,when dry1 rub the crumbs in a mortar1 and reduce them to a fine powder1 then pass them through a sieve4 ,having done which1 put the crumbs of bread into a slow oven1 and let them bake until they be of a light fawn colour4 ,a small quantity either of the boiled1 or of the baked flour1 or of the baked crumb of bread1 ought to be made into food1 in the same way as gruel is made1 and should then be slightly sweetened1 according to the state of the bowels1 either with lump or with brown sugar4 7#h7 ,baked flour sometimes produces constipation1 when such is the case1 ,mr4 ,appleton1 of ,budleigh ,salterton1 ,devon1 wisely recommends a mixture of baked flour1 and prepared oatmeal1 ,footnote3 ,if there is any difficulty in obtaining prepared oatmeal1 ,robinson's ,scotch ,oatmeal will answer equally as well4 in the proportion of two of the former and one of the latter4 ,he says--,to avoid the constipating effects1 ,i have always had mixed1 before baking1 one part of prepared oatmeal with two parts of flour1 this compound ,i have found both nourishing1 and regulating to the bowels4 ,one table-spoonful of it1 mixed with a quarter of a pint of milk1 or milk and water1 when well boiled1 flavoured and sweetened with white sugar1 produces a thick1 nourishing1 and delicious food for infants or invalids4 ,he goes on to remark--,i know of no food1 after repeated trials1 that can be so strongly recommended by the profession to all mothers in the rearing of their infants1 without or with the aid of the breasts1 at the same time relieving them of much draining and dragging whilst nursing with an insufficiency of milk1 as baked flour and oatmeal4 ,footnote3 ,british ,medical ,journal1 ,dec #ah1 #aheh 7#i7 ,a ninth food may be made with ,farinaceous ,food for ,infants1 prepared by ,hards of ,dartford4 ,if ,hard's ,farinaceous food produces costiveness--as it sometimes does--let it be mixed either with equal parts or with one third of ,robinson's ,scotch ,oatmeal4 ,the mixture of the two together makes a splendid food for a baby4 7#aj7 ,a tenth1 and an excellent one1 may be made with rusks1 boiled for an hour in water1 which ought then to be well beaten up1 by means of a fork1 and slightly sweetened with lump sugar4 ,great care should be taken to select good rusks1 as few articles vary so much in quality4 7#aa7 ,an eleventh is--the top crust of a baker's loaf1 boiled for an hour in water1 and then moderately sweetened with lump sugar4 ,if1 at any time1 the child's bowels should be costive1 raw must be substituted for lump sugar4 7#ab7 ,another capital food for an infant is that made by ,lemann's ,biscuit ,powder4 ,footnote3 ,lemann's ,biscuit ,powder cannot be too strongly recommended--,it is of the finest quality1 and may be obtained of ,lemann1 ,threadneedle ,street1 ,london4 ,an extended and an extensive experience confirms me still more in the good opinion ,i have of this food4 7#ac7 ,or1 ,brown and ,polson's ,patent ,corn ,flour will be found suitable4 ,francatelli1 the ,queen's cook1 in his recent valuable work1 gives the following formula for making it--,to one dessert-spoonful of ,brown and ,polson1 mixed with a wineglassful of cold water1 add half a pint of boiling water1 stir over the fire for five minutes1 sweeten lightly1 and feed the baby1 but if the infant is being brought up by the hand1 this food should then be mixed with milk--not otherwise4 7#ad7 ,a fourteenth is ,neaves' ,farinaceous ,food for ,infants1 which is a really good article of diet for a babe1 it is not so binding to the bowels as many of the farinaceous foods are1 which is a great recommendation4 7#ae7 ,the following is a good and nourishing food for a baby3--,soak for an hour1 some best rice in cold water2 strain1 and add fresh water to the rice2 then let it simmer till it will pulp through a sieve2 put the pulp and the water in a saucepan1 with a lump or two of sugar1 and again let it simmer for a quarter of an hour2 a portion of this should be mixed with one-third of fresh milk1 so as to make it of the consistence of good cream4 ,this is an excellent food for weak bowels4 ,when the baby is six or seven months old1 new milk should be added to any of the above articles of food1 in a similar way to that recommended for boiled bread4 7#af47 ,for a delicate infant1 lentil powder1 better known as ,du ,barry's ,ravalenta ,arabica1 is invaluable4 ,it ought to be made into food1 with new milk1 in the same way that arrow-root is made1 and should be moderately sweetened with loaf-sugar4 ,whatever food is selected ought to be given by means of a nursing bottle4 ,if a child's bowels be relaxed and weak1 or if the motions be offensive1 the milk must be boiled1 but not otherwise4 ,the following 7#ag7 is a good food when an infant's bowels are weak and relaxed3--,into five large spoonfuls of the purest water1 rub smooth one dessert-spoonful of fine flour4 ,set over the fire five spoonfuls of new milk1 and put two bits of sugar into it2 the moment it boils1 pour it into the flour and water1 and stir it over a slow fire twenty minutes4 ,where there is much emaciation1 ,i have found 7#ah7 genuine arrow-root ,footnote3 ,genuine arrow-root1 of first-rate quality1 and at a reasonable price1 may be obtained of ,h4 ,m4 ,plumbe1 arrow-root merchant1 #h ,alie ,place4 ,great ,alie ,street4 ,aldgate1 ,london1 ,e4 a very valuable article of food for an infant1 as it contains a great deal of starch1 which starch helps to form fat and to evolve caloric 7heat7--both of which a poor emaciated chilly child stands so much in need of4 ,it must be made with equal parts of water and of good fresh milk1 and ought to be slightly sweetened with loaf sugar2 a small pinch of table salt should be added to it4 ,arrow-root will not1 as milk will1 give bone and muscle2 but it will give--what is very needful to a delicate child--fat and warmth4 ,arrow-root1 as it is principally composed of starch1 comes under the same category as cream1 butter1 sugar1 oil1 and fat4 ,arrowroot1 then1 should always be given with new milk 7mixed with one-half of water72 it will then fulfil1 to perfection1 the exigencies of nourishing1 of warming1 and fattening the child's body4 ,new milk1 composed in due proportions as it is1 of cream and of skim milk--the very acme of perfection--is the only food1 which of itself alone1 will nourish and warm and fatten4 ,it is1 for a child1 par excellence1 the food of foods6 ,arrow-root1 and all other farinaceous foods are1 for a child1 only supplemental to milk--new milk being1 for the young1 the staple food of all other kinds of foods whatever4 ,but bear in mind1 and let there be no mistake about it1 that farinaceous food1 be it what it may1 until the child be six or seven months old1 until1 indeed1 he begin to cut his teeth1 is not suitable for a child2 until then1 ,the ,milk-water-salt-and-sugar ,food 7see page #bi7 is usually1 if he be a dry-nursed child1 the best artificial food for him4 ,i have given you a large and well-tried infant's dietary to chose from1 as it is sometimes difficult to fix on one that will suit2 but1 remember1 if you find one of the above to agree1 keep to it1 as a babe requires a simplicity in food--a child a greater variety4 ,let me1 in this place1 insist upon the necessity of great care and attention being observed in the preparation of any of the above articles of diet4 ,a babe's stomach is very delicate1 and will revolt at either ill-made1 or lumpy1 or burnt food4 ,great care ought to be observed as to the cleanliness of the cooking utensils4 ,the above directions require the strict supervision of the mother4 ,broths have been recommended1 but1 for my own part1 ,i think that1 for a young infant1 they are objectionable2 they are apt to turn acid on the stomach1 and to cause flatulence and sickness1 they1 sometimes1 disorder the bowels and induce griping and purging4 ,whatever artificial food is used ought to be given by means of a bottle1 not only as it is a more natural way than any other of feeding a baby1 as it causes him to suck as though he were drawing it from the mother's breasts1 but as the act of sucking causes the salivary glands to press out their contents1 which materially assist digestion4 ,moreover1 it seems to satisfy and comfort him more than it otherwise would do4 ,one of the best1 if not the best feeding bottle ,i have yet seen1 is that made by ,morgan ,brothers1 #ba ,bow ,lane1 ,london4 ,it is called ,the ,anglo-,french ,feeding ,bottle ,s ,maw1 of #aa ,aldersgate ,street1 ,london1 has also brought out an excellent one--,the ,fountain ,infant's ,feeding ,bottle ,another good one is ,mather's ,infant's ,feeding ,bottle ,either of these three will answer the purpose admirably4 ,i cannot speak in terms too highly of these valuable inventions4 ,the food ought to be of the consistence of good cream1 and should be made fresh and fresh4 ,it ought to be given milk warm4 ,attention must be paid to the cleanliness of the vessel1 and care should be taken that the milk be that of ,,one cow1 ,footnote3 ,i consider it to be of immense importance to the infant1 that the milk be had from ,,one cow4 ,a writer in the ,medical ,times and ,gazette speaking on this subject1 makes the following sensible remarks--,i do not know if a practice common among ,french ladies when they do not nurse1 has obtained the attention among ourselves which it seems to me to deserve4 ,when the infant is to be fed with cow milk that from various cows is submitted to examination by the medical man and if possible1 tried on some child1 and when the milk of any cow has been chosen1 no other milk is ever suffered to enter the child's lips for a ,french lady would as soon offer to her infant's mouth the breasts of half a dozen wet-nurses in the day1 as mix together the milk of various cows1 which must differ1 even as the animals themselves1 in its constituent qualities4 ,great attention is also paid to the pasture1 or other food of the cow thus appropriated4 and that it be new and of good quality1 for if not it will turn acid and sour1 and disorder the stomach1 and will thus cause either flatulence or looseness of the bowels1 or perhaps convulsions4 ,the only way to be sure of having it from one cow1 is 7if you have not a cow of your own71 to have the milk from a respectable cow keeper1 and to have it brought to your house in a can of your own 7the ,london milk cans being the best for the purpose74 ,the better plan is to have two cans1 and to have the milk fresh and fresh every night and morning4 ,the cans1 after each time of using1 ought to be scalded out1 and1 once a week the can should be filled with cold water1 and the water should be allowed to remain in it until the can be again required4 ,very little sugar should be used in the food1 as much sugar weakens the digestion4 ,a small pinch of table-salt ought to be added to whatever food is given1 as the best savour is salt4 ,salt is most wholesome--it strengthens and assists digestion1 prevents the formation of worms1 and1 in small quantities1 may with advantage be given 7if artificial food be used7 to the youngest baby4 #ce4 ,where it is found to be absolutely necessary to give an infant artificial food ,,whilst ,,suckling1 how often ought he to be fed8 ,not oftener than twice during the twenty four hours1 and then only in small quantities at a time1 as the stomach requires rest1 and at the same time1 can manage to digest a little food better than it can a great deal4 ,let me again urge upon you the importance1 if it be at all practicable1 of keeping the child entirely to the breast for the first five or six months of his existence4 ,remember there is no real substitute for a mother's milk1 there is no food so well adapted to his stomach1 there is no diet equal to it in developing muscle1 in making bone1 or in producing that beautiful plump rounded contour of the limbs1 there is nothing like a mother's milk alone in making a child contented and happy1 in laying the foundation of a healthy constitution1 in preparing the body for a long life1 in giving him tone to resist disease1 or in causing him to cut his teeth easily and well1 in short1 the mothers milk is the greatest temporal blessing an infant can possess4 ,as a general rule1 therefore1 when the child and the mother are tolerably strong1 he is better without artificial food until he have attained the age of three or four months1 then1 it will usually be necessary to feed him with ,the ,milk-water-and-sugar-of milk ,food 7see p #ai7 twice a day1 so as gradually to prepare him to be weaned 7if possible7 at the end of nine months4 ,the food mentioned in the foregoing ,conversation will1 when he is six or seven months old1 be the best for him4 #cf4 ,when the mother is not able to suckle her infant herself1 what ought to be done8 ,it must first be ascertained1 beyond all doubt1 that a mother is not able to suckle her own child ,many delicate ladies do suckle their infants with advantage1 not only to their offspring1 but to themselves4 ,i will maintain1 says ,steele1 that the mother grows stronger by it1 and will have her health better than she would have otherwise ,she will find it the greatest cure1 and preservative for the vapours nervousness and future miscarriages1 much beyond any other remedy whatsoever ,her children will be like giants1 whereas otherwise they are but living shadows1 and like unripe fruit1 and certainly if a woman is strong enough to bring forth a child1 she is beyond all doubt strong enough to nurse it afterwards4 ,many mothers are never so well as when they are nursing1 besides1 suckling prevents a lady from becoming pregnant so frequently as she otherwise would4 ,this1 if she be delicate1 is an important consideration1 and more especially if she be subject to miscarry4 ,the effects of miscarriage are far more weakening than those of suckling4 ,a hireling1 let her be ever so well inclined1 can never have the affection and unceasing assiduity of a mother1 and1 therefore1 cannot perform the duties of suckling with equal advantage to the baby4 ,the number of children who die under five years of age is enormous--many of them from the want of the mother's milk4 ,there is a regular parental baby-slaughter--a massacre of the innocents-- constantly going on in ,england1 in consequence of infants being thus deprived of their proper nutriment and just dues6 ,the mortality from this cause is frightful1 chiefly occurring among rich people who are either too grand1 or1 from luxury1 too delicate to perform such duties2 poor married women1 as a rule1 nurse their own children1 and1 in consequence reap their reward4 ,if it be ascertained1 past all doubt1 that a mother cannot suckle her child1 then1 if the circumstances of the parents will allow--and they ought to strain a point to accomplish it--a healthy wet-nurse should be procured1 as1 of course1 the food which nature has supplied is far1 very far superior to any invented by art4 ,never bring up a baby1 then1 if you can possibly avoid it1 on artificial food4 ,remember1 as ,i proved in a former ,conversation1 there is in early infancy no real substitute for either a mother's or a wet-nurse's milk4 ,it is impossible to imitate the admirable and subtle chemistry of nature4 ,the law of nature is1 that a baby1 for the first few months of his existence1 shall be brought up by the breast1 and nature's law cannot be broken with impunity4 ,footnote3 ,for further reasons why artificial food is not desirable1 at an early period of infancy1 see answer to #ceth question1 page #bf4 ,it will be imperatively necessary then-- ,to give to nature what is nature's due4 ,again1 in case of a severe illness occurring during the first nine months of a child's life1 what a comfort either the mother's or the wet-nurse's milk is to him6 ,it often determines whether he shall live or die4 ,but if a wet-nurse cannot fill the place of a mother1 then asses' milk will be found the best substitute1 as it approaches nearer1 in composition1 than any other animal's1 to human milk2 but it is both difficult and expensive to obtain4 ,the next best substitute is goats' milk4 ,either the one or the other ought to be milked fresh and fresh1 when wanted1 and should be given by means of a feeding-bottle4 ,asses' milk is more suitable for a delicate infant1 and goats' milk for a strong one4 ,if neither asses' milk nor goats' milk can be procured1 then the following ,milk-water-salt-and-sugar ,food1 from the very commencement1 should be given2 and as ,i was the author of the formula1 ,footnote3 ,it first appeared in print in the #dth edition of ,advice to a ,mother1 #aheb4 ,i beg to designate it as--,rye ,chavasse's ,milk ,food3-- ,new milk1 the produce of ,,one healthy cow2 ,warm water1 of each1 equal parts2 ,table salt1 a few grains--a small pinch2 ,lump sugar1 a sufficient quantity1 to slightly sweeten it4 ,the milk itself ought not to be heated over the fire1 ,footnote3 ,it now and then happens that if the milk be not boiled1 the motions of an infant are offensive2 when such is the case1 let the milk be boiled1 but not otherwise4 but should1 as above directed1 be warmed by the water2 it must1 morning and evening1 be had fresh and fresh4 ,the milk and water should be of the same temperature as the mother's milk1 that is to say1 at about ninety degrees ,fahrenheit4 ,it ought to be given by means of either ,morgan's1 or ,maw's1 or ,mather's feeding-bottle1 ,footnote3 ,see answer to ,question #bd1 page #bd4 and care must be taken to scald the bottle out twice a day1 for if attention be not paid to this point1 the delicate stomach of an infant is soon disordered4 ,the milk should1 as he grows older1 be gradually increased and the water decreased1 until two-thirds of milk and one-third of water be used2 but remember1 that either much or little water must always be given with the milk4 ,the above is my old form1 and which ,i have for many years used with great success4 ,where the above food does not agree 7and no food except a healthy mother's own milk does invariably agree7 ,i occasionally substitute sugar-of milt for the lump sugar1 in the proportion of a tea spoonful of sugar-of milk to every half pint of food4 ,if your child bring up his food1 and if the ejected matter be sour-smelling1 ,i should advise you to leave out the sugar-of milk altogether1 and simply to let the child live1 for a few days1 on milk and water alone1 the milk being of one cow1 and in the proportion of two-thirds to one-third of warm water--not hot water1 the milk should not be scalded with hot water1 as it injures its properties1 besides1 it is only necessary to give the child his food with the chill just off4 ,the above food1 where the stomach is disordered1 is an admirable one1 and will often set the child to rights without giving him any medicine whatever4 ,moreover1 there is plenty of nourishment in it to make the babe thrive1 for after all it is the milk that is the important ingredient in all the foods of infants1 they can live on it1 and on it alone1 and thrive amazingly4 ,mothers sometimes say to me1 that farinaceous food makes their babes flatulent1 and that my food 7,pye ,chavasse's ,milk ,food7 has not that effect4 ,the reason of farinaceous food making babes1 until they have commenced cutting their teeth1 windy is1 that the starch of the farinaceous food 7and all farinaceous foods contain more or less of starch7 is not digested1 and is not1 as it ought to be1 converted by the saliva into sugar ,footnote3 ,see ,pye ,chavasse's ,counsel to a ,mother1 #c;d edition4 hence wind is generated1 and pain and convulsions often follow in the train4 ,the great desideratum1 in devising an infant's formula for food1 is to make it1 until he be nine months old1 to resemble as much as possible1 a mother's own milk1 and which my formula1 as nearly as is practicable1 does resemble hence its success and popularity4 ,as soon as a child begins to cut his teeth the case is altered1 and farinaceous food1 with milk and with water1 becomes an absolute necessity4 ,i wish1 then1 to call your especial attention to the following-facts1 for they are facts--,farinaceous foods1 of all kinds1 before a child commences cutting his teeth 7which is when he is about six or seven months old7 are worse than useless--they are1 positively1 injurious1 they are1 during the early period of infant life1 perfectly indigestible1 and may bring on--which they frequently do-- convulsions4 ,a babe fed on farinaceous food alone would certainly die of starvation1 for1 up to six or seven months of age1 infants have not the power of digesting farinaceous or fibrinous substances--,dr ,letheby on ,food4 ,a babe's salivary glands1 until he be six or seven months old1 does not secrete its proper fluid--namely1 ptyalin1 and consequently the starch of the farinaceous food--and all farinaceous food contains starch--is not converted into dextrine and grape-sugar1 and is1 therefore1 perfectly indigestible and useless--nay1 injurious to an infant1 and may bring on pain and convulsions1 and even death1 hence1 the giving of farinaceous food1 until a child be six or seven months old1 is one and the principal cause of the frightful infant mortality at the present time existing in ,england1 and which is a disgrace to any civilized land6 ,in passing1 allow me to urge you never to stuff a babe--never to overload his little stomach with food1 it is far more desirable to give him a little not enough1 than to give him a little too much4 ,many a poor child has been1 like a young bird1 killed with stuffing4 ,if a child be at the breast1 and at the breast alone1 there is no fear of his taking too much1 but if he be brought up on artificial food1 there is great fear of his over loading his stomach4 ,stuffing a child brings on vomiting and bowel-complaints1 and a host of other diseases which now it would be tedious to enumerate4 ,let me1 then1 urge you on no account1 to over load the stomach of a little child4 ,there will1 then1 in many cases1 be quite sufficient nourishment in the above4 ,i have known some robust infants brought up on it1 and on it along1 without a particle of farinaceous food1 or of any other food1 in any shape or form whatever4 ,but if it should not agree with the child1 or if there should not be sufficient nourishment in it1 then the food recommended in answer to ,no4 #cd question ought to be given1 with this only difference--a little new milk must from the beginning be added1 and should be gradually increased1 until nearly all milk be used4 ,the milk1 as a general rule1 ought to be unboiled2 but if it purge violently1 or if it cause offensive motions--which it sometimes does--then it must be boiled4 ,the moment the milk boils up1 it should be taken off the fire4 ,food ought for the first month to be given about every two hours2 for the second month1 about every three hours2 lengthening the space of time as the baby advances in age4 ,a mother must be careful not to over-feed a child1 as over-feeding is a prolific source of disease4 ,let it be thoroughly understood1 and let there be no mistake about it1 that a babe during the first nine months of his life1 ,,must have--it is absolutely necessary for his very existence--milk of some kind1 as the staple and principal article of his diet1 either mother's1 wet-nurse's1 or asses'1 or goats'1 or cow's milk4 #cg4 ,how would you choose a wet-nurse8 ,i would inquire particularly into the state of her health2 whether she be of a healthy family1 of a consumptive habit1 or if she or any of her family have laboured under king's evil2 ascertaining if there be any seams or swellings about her neck2 any eruptions or blotches upon her skin2 if she has a plentiful breast of milk1 and if it be of good quality ,footnote3 ,it should be thin1 and of a bluish-white colour1 sweet to the taste1 and when allowed to stand1 should throw up a considerable quantity of cream1--,maxell and ,evenson on the ,diseases of ,children4 7which may readily be ascertained by milking a little into a glass72 if she has good nipples1 sufficiently long for the baby to hold2 that they be not sore2 and if her own child be of the same1 or nearly of the same age1 as the one you wish her to nurse4 ,ascertain1 whether she menstruate during suckling2 if she does1 the milk is not so good and nourishing1 and you had better decline taking her4 ,footnote3 ,sir ,charles ,locock considers that a woman who menstruates during lactation is objectionable as a wet-nurse1 and that as a mother with her first child is more liable to that objection1 that a second or third child's mother is more eligible than a first--,letter to the ,author4 ,assure yourself that her own babe is strong and healthy that he be free from a sore mouth1 and from a breaking-out of the skin4 ,indeed1 if it be possible to procure such a wet-nurse1 she ought to be from the country1 of ruddy complexion1 of clear skin1 and of between twenty and five-and-twenty years of age1 an the milk will then be fresh1 pure1 and nourishing4 ,i consider it to be of great importance that the infant of the wet-nurse should be1 as nearly as possible1 of the same age as your own1 as the milk varies in quality according to the age of the child4 ,for instance1 during the commencement of suckling1 the milk is thick and creamy1 similar to the biestings of a cow1 which1 if given to a babe of a few months old1 would cause derangement of the stomach and bowels4 ,after the first few days1 the appearance of the milk changes2 it becomes of a bluish-white colour1 and contains less nourishment4 ,the milk gradually becomes more and more nourishing as the infant becomes older and requires more support4 ,in selecting a wet-nurse for a very small and feeble babe1 you must carefully ascertain that the nipples of the wet-nurse are good and soft1 and yet not very large4 ,if they be very large1 the child's mouth being very small1 he may not be able to hold them4 ,you must note1 too1 whether the milk flows readily from the nipple into the child's mouth2 if it does not1 he may not have strength to draw it1 and he would soon die of starvation4 ,the only way of ascertaining whether the infant really draws the milk from the nipple1 can be done by examining the mouth of the child immediately after his taking the breast1 and seeing for yourself whether there be actually milk1 or not1 in his mouth4 ,very feeble new-born babes sometimes cannot take the bosom1 be the nipples and the breasts ever so good1 and although ,maw's nipple-shield and glass tube had been tried4 ,in such a case1 cow's milk-water-sugar-and-salt1 as recommended at page #bi1 must be given in small quantities at a time--from two to four tea-spoonfuls--but frequently2 if the child be awake1 every hour1 or every half hour1 both night and day1 until he be able to take the breast4 ,if1 then1 a puny1 feeble babe is only able to take but little at a time1 and that little by tea-spoonfuls1 he must have little and often1 in order that many a little might make a mickle4 ,i have known many puny1 delicate children who had not strength to hold the nipple in their mouths1 but who could take milk and water 7as above recommended7 by tea-spoonfuls only at a time1 with steady perseverance1 and giving it every half hour or hour 7according to the quantity swallowed71 at length be able to take the breast1 and eventually become strong and hearty children2 but such cases require unwearied watching1 perseverance1 and care4 ,bear in mind1 then1 that the smaller the quantity of the milk and water given at a time1 the oftener must it be administered1 as1 of course1 the babe must have a certain quantity of food to sustain life4 #ch4 ,what ought to be the diet either of a wet-nurse1 or of a mother1 who is suckling8 ,it is a common practice to cram a wet-nurse with food1 and to give her strong ale to drink1 to make good nourishment and plentiful milk6 ,this practice is absurd2 for it either1 by making the nurse feverish1 makes the milk more sparing than usual1 or it causes the milk to be gross and unwholesome4 ,on the other hand1 we must not run into an opposite extreme4 ,the mother1 or the wet-nurse1 by using those means most conducive to her own health1 will best advance the interest of her little charge4 ,a wet-nurse1 ought to live somewhat in the following way3--,let her for breakfast have black tea1 with one or two slices of cold meat1 if her appetite demand it1 but not otherwise4 ,it is customary for a wet-nurse to make a hearty luncheon2 of this ,i do not approve4 ,if she feel either faint or low at eleven o'clock1 let her have either a tumbler of porter1 or of mild fresh ale1 with a piece of dry toast soaked in it4 ,she ought not to dine later than half-past one or two o'clock2 she should eat1 for dinner1 either mutton or beef1 with either mealy potatoes1 or asparagus1 or ,french beans1 or secale1 or turnips1 or broccoli1 or cauliflower1 and stale bread4 ,rich pastry1 soups1 gravies1 high-seasoned dishes1 salted meats1 greens1 and cabbage1 must one and all be carefully avoided2 as they only tend to disorder the stomach1 and thus to deteriorate the milk4 ,it is a common remark1 that a mother who is suckling may eat anything4 ,i do not agree with this opinion4 ,can impure or improper food make pure and proper milk1 or can impure and improper milk make good blood for an infant1 and thus good health8 ,the wet-nurse ought to take with her dinner a moderate quantity of either sound porter1 or of mild 7but not old or strong7 ale4 ,tea should be taken at half past five or six o'clock2 supper at nine1 which should consist either of a slice or two of cold meat1 or of cheese if she prefer it1 with half a pint of porter or of mild ale2 occasionally a basin of gruel may with advantage be substituted4 ,hot and late suppers are prejudicial to the mother1 or to the wet-nurse1 and1 consequently1 to the child4 ,the wet-nurse ought to be in bed every night by ten o'clock4 ,it might be said1 that ,i have been too minute and particular in my rules for a wet-nurse2 but when it is considered of what importance good milk is to the well-doing of an infant1 in making him strong and robust1 not only now1 but as he grows up to manhood1 ,i shall1 ,i trust1 be excused for my prolixity4 #ci4 ,have you any more hints to offer with regard to the management of a wet-nurse8 ,a wet-nurse is frequently allowed to remain in bed until a late hour in the morning1 and during the day to continue in the house1 as if she were a fixture6 ,how is it possible that any one1 under such treatment1 can continue healthy6 ,a wet nurse ought to rise early1 and1 if the weather and season will permit1 take a walk1 which will give her an appetite for breakfast1 and will make a good meal for her little charge4 ,this1 of course1 cannot1 during the winter mouths1 be done2 but even then1 she ought1 some part of the day1 to take every opportunity of walking out2 indeed1 in the summer time she should live half the day in the open air4 ,she ought strictly to avoid crowded rooms2 her mind should be kept calm and unruffled1 as nothing disorders the milk so much as passion1 and other violent emotions of the mind2 a fretful temper is very injurious1 on which account you should1 in choosing your wet-nurse1 endeavour to procure one of a mild1 calm1 and placid disposition4 ,footnote3 ',the child is poisoned4' ',poisoned6 by whom8' ',by you4 ,you have been fretting4' ',nay1 indeed1 mother4 ,how can ,i help fretting6' ',don't tell me1 ,margaret4 ,a nursing mother has no business to fret4 ,she must turn her mind away from her grief to the comfort that lies in her lap4 ,know you not that the child pines if the mother vexes herself8'--,the ,cloister and the ,hearth4 ,by ,charles ,reade4 ,a wet-nurse ought never to be allowed to dose her little charge either with ,godfrey's ,cordial1 or with ,dalby's ,carminative1 or with ,syrup of ,white ,poppies1 or with medicine of any kind whatever4 ,let her thoroughly understand this1 and let there be no mistake in the matter4 ,do not for one moment allow your children's health to be tampered and trifled with4 ,a baby's health is too precious to be doctored1 to be experimented upon1 and to be ruined by an ignorant person4 #dj4 ,have the goodness to state at what age a child ought to be weaned8 ,this1 of course1 must depend both upon the strength of the child1 and upon the health of the parent2 on an average1 nine months is the proper time4 ,if the mother be delicate1 it may be found necessary to wean the infant at six months2 or if he be weak1 or labouring under any disease1 it may be well to continue suckling him for twelve months2 but after that time1 the breast will do him more harm than good1 and will1 moreover1 injure the mother's health1 and may1 if she be so predisposed1 excite consumption4 #da4 ,how would you recommend a mother to act when1 she weans her child8 ,she ought1 as the word signifies1 do it gradually--that is to say1 she should1 by degrees1 give him less and less of the breast1 and more and more of artificial food2 at length1 she must only suckle him at night2 and lastly1 it would be well for the mother either to send him away1 or to leave him at home1 and1 for a few days1 to go away herself4 ,a good plan is1 for the nurse-maid to have a half-pint bottle of new milk--which has been previously boiled ,footnote3 ,the previous boiling of the milk will prevent the warmth of the bed turning the milk sour1 which it otherwise would do4--in the bed1 so as to give a little to him in lieu of the breast4 ,the warmth of the body will keep the milk of a proper temperature1 and will supersede the use of lamps1 of candle-frames1 and of other troublesome contrivances4 #db4 ,while a mother is weaning her infant1 and after she have weaned him1 what ought to be his diet8 ,any one of the foods recommended in answer to question #cd4 #dc4 ,if a child be suffering severely from wind1 is there any objection to the addition of a small quantity either of gin or of peppermint to his food to disperse it8 ,it is a murderous practice to add either gin or peppermint of the shops 7which is oil of peppermint dissolved in spirits7 to his food4 ,many children have1 by such a practice1 been made puny and delicate1 and have gradually dropped into an untimely grave4 ,an infant who is kept1 for the first five or six months1 entirely to the breast--more especially if the mother be careful in her own diet--seldom suffers from wind2 those1 on the contrary1 who have much or improper food1 ,footnote3 ,for the first five or six months never1 if you can possibly avoid it1 give artificial food to an infant who is sucking4 ,there is nothing1 in the generality of cases1 that agrees1 for the first few months1 like the mother's milk alone4 suffer severely4 ,care in feeding1 then1 is the grand preventative of wind2 but if1 notwithstanding all your precautions1 the child be troubled with flatulence1 the remedies recommended under the head of ,flatulence will generally answer the purpose4 #dd4 ,have you any remarks to make on sugar for sweetening a baby's food8 ,a small quantity of sugar in an infant's food is requisite1 sugar being nourishing and fattening1 and making cow's milk to resemble somewhat1 in its properties human milk2 but1 bear in mind1 it must be used sparingly4 ,much sugar cloys the stomach1 weakens the digestion1 produces acidity1 sour belchings1 and wind3-- ,things sweet to taste1 prove in digestion sour4 ,shakspeare4 ,if a babe's bowels be either regular or relaxed1 lump sugar is the best for the purpose of sweetening his food2 if his bowels are inclined to be costive1 raw sugar ought to be substituted for lump sugar1 as raw sugar acts on a young babe as an aperient1 and1 in the generality of cases1 is far preferable to physicking him with opening medicine4 ,an infant's bowels1 whenever it be practicable 7and it generally is71 ought to be regulated by a judicious dietary rather than by physic4 ,,vaccination ,,and ,,re-,,vaccination4 #de4 ,are you an advocate for vaccination8 ,certainly4 ,i consider it to be one of the greatest blessings ever conferred upon mankind4 ,small-pox1 before vaccination was adopted1 ravaged the country like a plague1 and carried off thousands annually2 and those who did escape with their lives were frequently made loathsome and disgusting objects by it4 ,even inoculation 7which is cutting for the small-pox7 was attended with danger1 more especially to the unprotected--as it caused the disease to spread like wildfire1 and thus it carried off immense numbers4 ,vaccination is one1 and an important cause of our increasing population2 small-pox1 in olden times1 decimated the country4 #df4 ,but vaccination does not always protect a child from1 small-pox8 ,i grant you that it does not always protect him1 neither does inoculation2 but when he is vaccinated1 if he take the infection1 he is seldom pitted1 and very rarely dies1 and the disease assumes a comparatively mild form4 ,there are a few1 very few fatal cases recorded after vaccination1 and these may be considered as only exceptions to the general rule2 and1 possibly1 some of these may be traced to the arm1 when the child was vaccinated1 not having taken proper effect4 ,if children1 and adults were re-vaccinated1--say every seven years after the first vaccination1--depend upon it1 even these rare cases would not occur1 and in a short time small-pox would be known only by name4 #dg4 ,do you consider it1 then1 the imperative duty of a mother1 in every case1 to have1 after the lapse of every seven years1 her children re-vaccinated8 ,i decidedly do3 it would be an excellent plan for every person1 once every seven years to be re-vaccinated1 and even oftener1 if small-pox be rife in the neighbourhood4 ,vaccination1 however frequently performed1 can never do the slightest harm1 and might do inestimable good4 ,small-pox is both a pest and a disgrace1 and ought to be constantly fought and battled with1 until it be banished 7which it may readily be7 the kingdom4 ,i say that small-pox is a pest2 it is worse than the plague1 for if not kept in subjection1 it is more general--sparing neither young nor old1 rich nor poor1 and commits greater ravages than the plague ever did4 ,small-pox is a disgrace3 it is a disgrace to any civilised land1 as there is no necessity for its presence1 if cow-pox were properly and frequently performed1 small-pox would be unknown4 ,cow-pox is a weapon to conquer small-pox and to drive it ignominiously from the field4 ,my firm belief1 then1 is1 that if every person were1 every seven years1 duly and properly vaccinated1 small-pox might be utterly exterminated2 but as long as there are such lax notions on the subject1 and such gross negligence1 the disease will always be rampant1 for the poison of small-pox never slumbers nor sleeps1 but requires the utmost diligence to eradicate it4 ,the great ,dr ,jenner1 the discoverer of cow-pox as a preventative of small-pox1 strongly advocated the absolute necessity of every person being re-vaccinated once every seven years1 or even1 oftener1 if there was an epidemic of small-pox in the neighbourhood4 #dh4 ,are you not likely to catch not only the cow-pox1 but any other disease that the child has from whom the matter is taken8 ,the same objection holds good in cutting for small pox 7inoculation7--only in a ten-fold degree--small-pox being such a disgusting complaint4 ,inoculated small-pox frequently produced and left behind inveterate breakings-out1 scars1 cicatrices1 and indentations of the skin1 sore eyes1 blindness1 loss of eyelashes1 scrofula1 deafness--indeed1 a long catalogue of loathsome diseases4 ,a medical man1 of course1 will be careful to take the cow-pox matter from a healthy child4 #di4 ,would it not be well to take the matter direct from the cow8 ,if a doctor be careful--which1 of course1 he will be--to take the matter from a healthy child1 and from a well-formed vesicle1 ,i consider it better than taking it direct from the cow1 for the following reasons3--,the cow-pox lymph1 taken direct from the cow1 produces much more violent symptoms than after it has passed through several persons2 indeed1 in some cases1 it has produced effects as severe as cutting for the small-pox1 besides1 it has caused1 in many cases1 violent inflammation and even sloughing of the arm4 ,there are also several kinds of spurious cow-pox to which the cow is subject1 and which would be likely to be mistaken for the real lymph4 ,again1 if even the genuine matter were not taken from the cow exactly at the proper time1 it would he deprived of its protecting power4 #ej4 ,at what age do you recommend an infant to be first vaccinated8 ,when he is two months old1 as the sooner he is protected the better4 ,moreover1 the older he is the greater will be the difficulty in making him submit to the operation1 and in preventing his arm from being rubbed1 thus endangering the breaking of the vesicles1 and thereby interfering with its effects4 ,if small-pox be prevalent in the neighbourhood1 he may1 with perfect safety1 be vaccinated at the month's end2 indeed if the small-pox be near at hand1 he must be vaccinated1 regardless of his age1 and regardless of everything else1 for small-pox spares neither the young nor the old1 and if a new-born babe should unfortunately catch the disease1 he will most likely die1 as at his tender age he would not have strength to battle with such a formidable enemy4 ,a case1 in the ,general ,lying-in-,hospital1 ,lambeth1 of small-pox occurred in a woman a few days after her admission1 and the birth of her child4 ,her own child was vaccinated when only four days old1 and all the other infants in the house varying from one day to a fortnight and more4 ,all took the vaccination2 and the woman's own child1 which suckled her and slept with her2 and all escaped the small pox4 ,footnote3 ,communicated by ,sir ,charles ,locock to the ,author4 #ea4 ,do you consider that taking of matter from a child's arm weakens the effect of vaccination on the system8 ,certainly not1 provided it has taken effect in more than one place4 ,the arm is frequently much inflamed1 and vaccinating other children from it abates the inflammation1 and thus affords relief4 ,it is always well to leave one vesicle undisturbed4 #eb4 ,if the infant have any breaking out upon the skin1 ought that to be a reason for deferring the vaccination8 ,it should1 as two skin diseases cannot well go on together2 hence the cow-pox might not take1 or1 if it did1 might not have its proper effect in preventing small-pox4 ,it is essential that the vaccine bud or germ have a congenial soil1 uncontaminated by another poison1 which1 like a weed1 might choke its healthy growth4--,dendy4 ,the moment the skin be free from the breaking-out1 he must be vaccinated4 ,a trifling skin affection1 like red gum1 unless it be severe1 ought not1 at the proper age to prevent vaccination4 ,if small-pox be rife in the neighbourhood1 the child must be vaccinated1 regardless of any breaking-out on the skin4 #ec4 ,does vaccination make a child poorly8 ,at about the fifth day after vaccination1 and for three or four days1 he is generally a little feverish2 the mouth is slightly hot1 and he delights to have the nipple in his mouth4 ,he does not rest so well at night2 he is rather cross and irritable2 and1 sometimes1 has a slight bowel-complaint4 ,the arm1 about the ninth or tenth day1 is usually much inflamed--that is to say it is1 for an inch or two or more around the vesicles1 red1 hot1 swollen1 and continues in this state for a day or two1 at the end of which time the inflammation gradually subsides4 ,it might be well to state that the above slight symptoms are desirable1 as it proves that the vaccination has had a proper effect on his system1 and that1 consequently1 he is more likely to be thoroughly protected from any risk of catching small-pox4 #ed4 ,do you approve1 either during or after vaccination1 of giving medicine1 more especially if he be a little feverish8 ,no1 as it would be likely to work off some of its effects1 and thus would rob the cow-pox of its efficacy on the system4 ,i do not like to interfere with vaccination in any way whatever 7except1 at the proper time1 to take a little matter from the arm71 but to allow the pock to have full power upon his constitution4 ,what do you give the medicine for8 ,if the matter that is put into the arm be healthy1 what need is there of physic6 ,and if the matter be not of good quality1 ,i am quite sure that no physic will make it so6 ,look1 therefore1 at the case in whatever way you like1 physic after vaccination is not necessary2 but1 on the contrary1 hurtful4 ,if the vaccination produce slight feverish attack1 it will1 without the administration of a particle of medicine1 subside in two or three days4 #ee4 ,have you any directions to give respecting the arm ,,after vaccination8 ,the only precaution necessary is to take care that the arm be not rubbed2 otherwise the vesicles may be prematurely broken1 and the efficacy of the vaccination may be lessened4 ,the sleeve1 in vaccination1 ought to be large and soft1 and should not be tied up4 ,the tying up of a sleeve makes it hard1 and is much more likely to rub the vesicles than if it were put on the usual way4 #ef4 ,if the arm1 ,,after vaccination1 be much inflamed1 what ought to be done8 ,smear frequently1 by means of a feather or a camel's hair brush1 a little cream on the inflamed part4 ,this simple remedy will afford great comfort and relief4 #eg4 ,have the goodness to describe the proper appearance1 after the falling-off of the scab of the arm8 ,it might be well to remark1 that the scabs ought always to be allowed to fall off of themselves4 ,they must not1 on any account1 be picked or meddled with4 ,with regard to the proper appearance of the arm1 after the falling-off of the scab1 a perfect vaccine scar should be of small size1 circular1 and marked with radiations and indentations4-- ,gregory4 ,,dentition #eh4 ,at what time does dentition commence8 ,the period at which it commences is uncertain4 ,it may1 as a rule1 be said that a babe begins to cut his teeth at seven months old4 ,some have cut teeth at three months2 indeed1 there are instances on record of infants having been born with teeth4 ,king ,richard the ,third is said to have been an example4 ,shakspeare notices it thus3-- ,,york4--,marry1 they say my uncle grew so fast1 ,that he could gnaw a crust at two hours old4 ',twas full two years ere ,i could get a tooth1 ,grandam1 this would have been a biting jest4 ,when a babe is born with teeth1 they generally drop out4 ,on the other hand1 teething1 in some children does not commence until they are a year and a half or two years old1 and1 in rare cases1 not until they are three years old4 ,there are cases recorded of adults who have never cut any teeth4 ,an instance of the kind came under my own observation4 ,dentition has been known to occur in old age4 ,a case is recorded by ,m4 ,carre1 in the ,gazette ,medicale de ,paris 7,sept #ae1 #ahfj71 of an old lady1 aged eighty-five1 who cut several teeth after attaining that age6 #ei4 ,what is the number of the ,,first set of teeth1 and in what order do they generally appear8 ,the first or temporary set consists of twenty4 ,the first set of teeth are usually cut in pairs4 ,i may say that nearly invariably the order is--#ast1 the lower front incissors cutting teeth1 then the upper front1 then the upper two lateral incissors1 and that not uncommonly a double tooth is cut before the two lower laterals2 but at all events the lower laterals come #gth and #hth1 and1 not #eth and #fth1 as nearly all books on the subject testify4 ,footnote3 ,sir ,charles ,locock in a ,letter to the ,author4 ,then the first grinders1 in the lower jaw1 afterwards the first upper grinders1 then the lower corner-pointed or canine teeth1 after which the upper corner or eye-teeth1 then the second grinders in the lower jaw1 and lastly1 the second grinders of the upper jaw4 ,they do not1 of course1 always appear in this rotation4 ,nothing is more uncertain than the order of teething4 ,a child seldom cuts his second grinders until after he is two years old4 ,he is1 usually1 from the time they first appear1 two years in cutting the first set of teeth4 ,as a rule1 therefore1 a child of two years old has sixteen1 and one of two years and a half old1 twenty teeth4 #fj4 ,if an infant be feverish or irritable1 or otherwise poorly1 and if the gums be hot1 swollen1 and tender1 are you an advocate for their being lanced8 ,certainly2 by doing so he will1 in the generality of instances1 be almost instantly relieved4 #fa4 ,but it has been stated that lancing the gums hardens them8 ,this is a mistake--it has a contrary effect4 ,it is a well-known fact1 that a part which has been divided gives way much more readily than one which has not been cut4 ,again1 the tooth is bound down by a tight membrane1 which1 if not released by lancing1 frequently brings on convulsions4 ,if the symptoms be urgent1 it may be necessary from time to time to repeat the lancing4 ,it would1 of course1 be the height of folly to lance the gums unless they be hot and swollen1 and unless the tooth1 or the teeth1 be near at hand4 ,it is not to be considered a panacea for every baby's ill1 although1 in those cases where the lancing of the gums is indicated1 the beneficial effect is sometimes almost magical4 #fb4 ,how ought the lancing of a child's gums to be performed8 ,the proper person1 of course1 to lance his gums is a medical man4 ,but if1 perchance1 you should be miles away and be out of the reach of one1 it would be well for you to know how the operation ought to be performed4 ,well1 then1 let him lie on the nurse's lap upon his back1 and let the nurse take hold of his hands in order that he may not interfere with the operation4 ,then1 if it be the upper gum that requires lancing1 you ought to go to the head of the child1 looking over1 as it were1 and into his mouth1 and should steady the gum with the index finger of your left hand2 then1 you should take hold of the gum-lancet with your right hand--holding as if it were a table-knife at dinner--and cut firmly along the inflamed and swollen gum and down to the tooth1 until the edge of the gum-lancet grates on the tooth4 ,each incision ought to extend along the ridge of the gum to about the extent of each expected tooth4 ,if it be the lower gum that requires lancing1 you must go to the side of the child1 and should steady the outside of the jaw with the fingers of the left hand1 and the gum with the left thumb1 and then you should perform the operation as before directed4 ,although the lancing of the gums1 to make it intelligible to a non-professional person1 requires a long description1 it is1 in point of fact1 a simple affair1 is soon performed1 and gives but little pain4 #fc4 ,if teething cause convulsions1 what ought to be done8 ,the first thing to be done 7after sending for a medical man7 is to freely dash water upon the face1 and to sponge the head with cold water1 and as soon as warm water can be procured1 to put him into a warm bath ,footnote3 ,for the precautions to be used in putting a child into a warm bath1 see the answer to question on ,warm ,baths4 of #ih degrees ,fahrenheit4 ,if a thermometer be not at hand1 ,footnote3 ,no family1 where there are young children1 should be without ,fahrenheit's thermometer4 you must plunge your own elbow into the water3 a comfortable heat for your elbow will be the proper heat for the infant4 ,he must remain in the bath for a quarter of an hour1 or until the fit be at an end4 ,the body must1 after coming out of the bath1 be wiped with warm and dry and coarse towels2 he ought then to be placed in a warm blanket4 ,the gums must be lanced1 and cold water should be applied to the head4 ,an enema1 composed of table salt1 of olive oil1 and warm oatmeal gruel--in the proportion of one table-spoonful of salt1 of one of oil1 and a tea-cupful of gruel--ought then to be administered1 and should1 until the bowels have been well opened1 be repeated every quarter of an hour2 as soon as he comes to himself a dose of aperient medicine ought to be given4 ,it may be well1 for the comfort of a mother1 to state that a child in convulsions is perfectly insensible to all pain whatever2 indeed1 a return to consciousness speedily puts convulsions to the rout4 #fd4 ,a nurse is in the habit of giving a child1 who is teething1 either coral1 or ivory1 to bite3 do you approve of the plan8 ,i think it a bad practice to give him any hard1 unyielding substance1 as it tends to harden the gums1 and1 by so doing1 causes the teeth to come through with greater difficulty4 ,i have found softer substances1 such as either a piece of wax taper1 or an ,india-rubber ring1 or a piece of the best bridle leather1 or a crust of bread1 of great service4 ,if a piece of crust be given as a gum-stick1 he must1 while biting it1 be well watched1 or by accident he might loosen a large piece of it1 which might choke him4 ,the pressure of any of these excites a more rapid absorption of the gum1 and thus causes the tooth to come through more easily and quickly4 #fe4 ,have you any objection to my baby1 when he is cutting his teeth1 sucking his thumb8 ,certainly not3 the thumb is the best gum-stick in the world3--it is convenient2 it is handy 7in every sense of the word73 it is of the right size1 and of the proper consistence1 neither too hard nor too soft2 there is no danger1 as of some artificial gum-sticks1 of its being swallowed1 and thus of its choking the child4 ,the sucking of the thumb causes the salivary glands to pour out their contents1 and thus not only to moisten the dry mouth1 but assist the digestion2 the pressure of the thumb eases1 while the teeth are breeding1 the pain and irritation of the gums1 and helps1 when the teeth are sufficiently advanced1 to bring them through the gums4 ,sucking of the thumb will often make a cross infant contended and happy1 and will frequently induce a restless babe to fall into a sweet refreshing sleep4 ,truly may the thumb be called a baby's comfort4 ,by all means1 then1 let your child suck his thumb whenever he likes1 and as long as he chooses to do so4 ,there is a charming1 bewitching little picture of a babe sucking his thumb in ,kingsley's ,water ,babies1 which ,i heartily commend to your favourable notice and study4 #ff4 ,but if an infant be allowed to suck his thumb1 will it not be likely to become a habit1 and stick to him for years--until1 indeed1 he become a big boy8 ,after he have cut the whole of his first set of teeth1 that is to say1 when he is about two years and a half old1 he might1 if it be likely to become a habit1 be readily cured by the following method1 namely1 by making a paste of aloes and water1 and smearing it upon his thumb4 ,one or two dressings will suffice as after just tasting the bitter aloes he will take a disgust to his former enjoyment1 and the habit will at once be broken4 ,many persons ,i know have an objection to children sucking their thumbs1 as for instance1-- ,perhaps it's as well to keep children from plums1 ,and from pears in the season1 and sucking their thumbs4 ,footnote3 ,ingoldsby ,legends4 ,my reply is1-- ,p'rhaps 'tis as well to keep children from pears2 ,the pain they might cause1 is oft follow'd by tears2 ',tis certainly well to keep them from plums2 ,but certainly not from sucking their thumbs6 ,if a babe suck his thumb ',tis an ease to his gum2 ,a comfort2 a boon2 a calmer of grief2 ,a friend in his need--affording relief2 ,a solace2 a good2 a soother of pain2 ,a composer to sleep2 a charm2 and a gain4 ',tis handy1 at once1 to his sweet mouth to glide2 ,when done with1 drops gently down by his side2 ',tis fix'd1 like an anchor1 while the babe sleeps4 ,and the mother1 with joy1 her still vigil keeps4 #fg4 ,a child who is teething dribbles1 and thereby wets his chest1 which frequently causes him to catch cold2 what had better be done8 ,have in readiness to put on several flannel dribbling bibs1 so that they may be changed as often as they become wet2 or1 if he dribble very much1 the oiled silk dribbling-bibs1 instead of the flannel ones1 may be used1 and which may be procured at any baby-linen ware house4 #fh4 ,do you approve of giving a child1 during teething1 much fruit8 ,no2 unless it be a few ripe strawberries or raspberries1 or a roasted apple1 or the juice of five or six grapes--taking care that he does not swallow either the seeds or the skin--or the insides of ripe gooseberries1 or an orange4 ,such fruits1 if the bowels be in a costive state1 will be particularly useful4 ,all stone fruit1 raw apples or pears1 ought to be carefully avoided1 as they not only disorder the stomach and the bowels1--causing convulsions1 gripings1 c41--but they have the effect of weakening the bowels1 and thus of engendering worms4 #fi4 ,is a child1 during teething1 more subject to disease1 and1 if so1 to what complaints1 and in what manner may they be prevented8 ,the teeth are a fruitful source of suffering and of disease2 and are1 with truth1 styled our first and our last plagues4 ,dentition is the most important period of a child's life1 and is the exciting cause of many infantile diseases2 during this period1 therefore1 he requires constant and careful watching4 ,when we consider how the teeth elongate and enlarge in his gums1 pressing on the nerves and on the surrounding parts1 and thus how frequently they produce pain1 irritation1 and inflammation2 when we further contemplate what sympathy there is in the nervous system1 and how susceptible the young are to pain1 no surprise can be felt1 at the immense disturbance1 and the consequent suffering and danger frequently experienced by children while cutting their first set of teeth4 ,the complaints or the diseases induced by dentition are numberless1 affecting almost every organ of the body1--the brain1 occasioning convulsions1 water on the brain1 c42 the lungs1 producing congestion1 inflammation1 cough1 c42 the stomach1 exciting sickness1 flatulence1 acidity1 c12 the bowels1 inducing griping1 at one time costiveness1 and at another time purging2 the skin1 causing breakings-out4 ,to prevent these diseases1 means ought to be used to invigorate a child's constitution by plain1 wholesome food1 as recommended under the article of diet2 by exercise and fresh air2 ,footnote3 ,the young of animals seldom suffer from cutting their teeth--and what is the reason8 ,because they live in the open air1 and take plenty of exercise2 while children are frequently cooped up in close rooms1 and are not allowed the free use of their limbs4 ,the value of fresh air is well exemplified in the ,registrar-,general's ,report for #ahdc2 he says that in #a1jjj1jjj deaths1 from all diseases1 #faf occur in the town from teething while #abj only take place in the country from the same cause4 by allowing him1 weather permitting1 to be out of doors a great part of every day2 by lancing the gums when they get red1 hot1 and swollen2 by attention to the bowels1 and if he suffer more than usual1 by keeping them rather in a relaxed state by any simple aperient1 such as either castor oil1 or magnesia and rhubarb1 c42 and1 let me add1 by attention to his temper3 many children are made feverish and ill by petting and spoiling them4 ,on this subject ,i cannot do better than refer you to an excellent little work entitled ,abbot's ,mother of ,home1 wherein the author proves the great importance of early training4 #gj4 ,have the goodness to describe the symptoms and the treatment of ,painful ,dentition8 ,painful dentition may be divided into two forms--7#a7 the ,mild2 and 7#b7 the ,severe4 ,in the mild form the child is peevish and fretful1 and puts his fingers1 and everything within reach1 to his mouth1 he likes to have his gums rubbed1 and takes the breast with avidity1 indeed it seems a greater comfort to him than ever4 ,there is generally a considerable flow of saliva1 and he has frequently a more loose state of bowels than is his wont4 ,now1 with regard to the more severe form of painful dentition--,the gums are red1 swollen1 and hot1 and he cannot without expressing pain bear to have them touched1 hence1 if he be at the breast1 he is constantly loosing the nipple4 ,there is dryness of the mouth1 although before there had been a great flow of saliva4 ,he is feverish1 restless1 and starts in his sleep4 ,his face is flashed4 ,his head is heavy and hot4 ,he is sometimes convulsed4 ,footnote3 ,see answer to ,question #fc4 ,he is frequently violently griped and purged1 and suffers severely from flatulence4 ,he is predisposed to many and severe diseases4 ,the treatment1 of the mild form1 consists of friction1 of the gum with the finger1 with a little soothing syrup1 as recommended by ,sir ,charles ,locock1 ,footnote3 ,soothing syrup--,some of them probably contain opiates1 but a perfectly safe and useful one is a little ,nitrate of ,potass in syrup of ,roses--one scruple to half an ounce4--,communicated by ,sir ,charles ,locock to the ,author4 ,this 'soothing syrup' is not intended to be given us a mixture but to be used as an application to rub the gums with4 ,it may be well to state that it is a perfectly harmless remedy even if a little of it were swallowed by mistake4 a tepid bath of about #ib degrees ,fahrenheit1 every night at bed time1 attention to diet and to bowels1 fresh air and exercise4 ,for the mild form1 the above plan will usually be all that is required4 ,if he dribble1 and the bowels be relaxed1 so much the better4 ,the flow of saliva and the increased action of the bowels afford relief1 and therefore must not be interfered with4 ,in the mild form1 lancing of the gums is not desirable4 ,the gums ought not to be lanced1 unless the teeth be near at hand1 and unless the gums be red1 hot1 and swollen4 ,in the severe form a medical man should be consulted early1 as more energetic remedies will be demanded2 that is to say1 the gums will require to be freely lanced1 warm baths to be used1 and medicines to be given1 to ward off mischief from the head1 from the chest1 and from the stomach4 ,if you are living in the town1 and your baby suffers much from teething1 take him into the country4 ,it is wonderful what change of air to the country will often do1 in relieving a child who is painfully cutting his teeth4 ,the number of deaths in ,london1 from teething1 is frightful2 it is in the country comparatively trifling4 #ga4 ,should an infant be purged during teething or indeed1 during any other time1 do you approve of either absorbent or astringent medicines to restrain it8 ,certainly not4 ,i should look upon1 the relaxation as an effort of nature to relieve itself4 ,a child is never purged without a cause2 that cause1 in the generality of instances1 is the presence of either some undigested food1 or acidity1 or depraved motions1 that want a vent4 ,the better plan is1 in such a case1 to give a dose of aperient medicine1 such as either castor oil1 or magnesia and rhubarb2 and thus work it off4 ,,if ,,we ,,lock ,,up ,,the ,,bowels1 ,,we ,,confine ,,the ,,enemy1 ,,and ,,thus ,,produce ,,mischief4 ,footnote3 ,i should put this in capitals1 it is so important and is often mistaken4--,c4 ,locock4 ,if he be purged more than usual1 attention should be paid to the diet--if it be absolutely necessary to give him artificial food while suckling--and care must be taken not to overload the stomach4 #gb4 ,a child is subject to a slight cough during dentition--called by nurses tooth-cough--which a parent would not consider of sufficient importance to consult a doctor about3 pray tell me1 is there any objection to a mother giving her child a small quantity either of syrup of white poppies1 or of paregoric1 to ease it8 ,a cough is an effort of nature to bring up any secretion from the lining membrane of the lungs1 or from the bronchial tubes1 hence it ought not to be interfered with4 ,i have known the administration of syrup of white poppies1 or of paregoric1 to stop the cough1 and thereby to prevent the expulsion of the phlegm1 and thus to produce either inflammation of the lungs1 or bronchitis4 ,moreover1 both paregoric and syrup of white poppies are1 for a young child1 dangerous medicines 7unless administered by a judicious medical man71 and ought never to be given by a mother4 ,in the month of ,april #ahdd1 ,i was sent for1 in great haste1 to an infant1 aged seventeen months1 who was labouring under convulsions and extreme drowsiness1 from the injudicious administration of paregoric1 which had been given to him to ease a cough4 ,by the prompt administration of an emetic he was saved4 #gc4 ,a child1 who is teething1 is subject to a breaking-out1 more especially behind the ears--which is most disfiguring1 and frequently very annoying what would you recommend8 ,i would apply no external application to cure it1 as ,i should look upon it as an effort of the constitution to relieve itself1 and should expect1 if the breaking-out were repelled1 that either convulsions1 or bronchitis1 or inflammation of the lungs1 or water on the brain1 would be the consequence4 ,the only plan ,i should adopt would be1 to be more careful in his diet1 to give him less meat 7if he be old enough to eat animal food71 and to give him1 once or twice a week1 a few doses of mild aperient medicine1 and1 if the irritation from the breaking-out be great1 to bathe it1 occasionally1 either with a little warm milk and water1 or with rose water4 ,,exercise4 #gd4 ,do you recommend exercise in the open air for a baby8 and if so1 how soon after birth8 ,i am a great advocate for his having exercise in the open air4 ,the infant in arms makes known its desire for fresh air1 by restlessness1 it cries1 for it cannot speak its wants1 is taken abroad and is quiet4 ,the age at which he ought to commence taking exercise will1 of course1 depend upon the season and upon the weather4 ,if it be summer1 and the weather be fine1 he should he carried in the open air1 a week or a fortnight after birth1 but if it be winter1 he ought not on any account to be taken out under the month1 and not even then1 unless the weather be mild for the season1 and it be the middle of the day4 ,at the end of two months he should breathe the open air more frequently4 ,and after the expiration of three months1 he ought to be carried out every day1 even if it be wet under foot1 provided it be fine above1 and the wind be neither in an easterly nor in a north-easterly direction4 ,by doing so we shall make him strong and hearty1 and give the skin that mottled appearance which is so characteristic of health4 ,he must1 of course1 be well clothed4 ,i cannot help expressing my disapprobation of the practice of smothering up an infant's face with a handkerchief1 with a veil or with any other covering1 when he is taken out into the air4 ,if his face be so muffled up1 he may as well remain at home1 as under such circumstances1 it is impossible for him to receive any benefit from the invigorating effects of the fresh air4 #ge4 ,can you devise any method to induce a babe himself to take exercise8 ,he must be encouraged to use muscular exertion1 and1 for this purpose1 he ought to be frequently laid either upon a rug1 or carpet1 or the floor4 ,he will then stretch his limbs and kick about with perfect glee4 ,it is a pretty sight1 to see a little fellow kicking and sprawling on the floor4 ,he crows with delight and thoroughly enjoys himself4 ,it strengthens his back1 it enables him to stretch his limbs1 and to use his muscles1 and is one of the best kinds of exercise a very young child can take4 ,while going through his performances his diaper1 if he wear one1 should be unfastened1 in order that he might go through his exercises untrammelled4 ,by adopting the above plan1 the babe quietly enjoys himself--his brain is not over excited by it2 this is an important consideration1 for both mothers and nurses are apt to rouse1 and excite very young children to their manifest detriment4 ,a babe requires rest1 and not excitement4 ,how wrong it is1 then1 for either a mother or a nurse to be exciting and rousing a new born babe4 ,it is most injurious and weakening to his brain4 ,in the early period of his existence his time ought to be almost entirely spent in sleeping and in sucking6 #gf4 ,do you approve of tossing an infant much about8 ,i have seen1 a child tossed nearly to the ceiling6 ,can anything be more cruel or absurd6 ,violent tossing of a young babe ought never to be allowed1 it only frightens him1 and has been known to bring on convulsions4 ,he should be gently moved up and down 7not tossed71 such exercises causes a proper circulation of the blood1 promotes digestion1 and soothes to sleep4 ,he must always be kept quiet immediately after taking the breast1 if he be tossed directly afterwards1 it interferes with his digestion1 and is likely to produce sickness4 ,,sleep #gg4 ,ought the infant's sleeping apartment to be kept warm8 ,the lying-in room is generally kept too warm1 its heat being1 in many instances1 more that of an oven than of a room4 ,such a place is most unhealthy1 and is fraught with danger both to the mother and the baby4 ,we are not1 of course1 to run into an opposite extreme1 but are to keep the chamber at a moderate and comfortable temperature4 ,the door ought occasionally to be left ajar1 in order the more effectually to change the air and thus to make it more pure and sweet4 ,a new born babe1 then1 ought to be kept comfortably warm1 but not very warm4 ,it is folly in the extreme to attempt to harden a very young child either by allowing him1 in the winter time1 to be in a bedroom without a fire1 or by dipping him in cold water1 or by keeping him with scant clothing on his bed4 ,the temperature of a bedroom1 in the winter time1 should be1 as nearly as possible1 at #fj deg4 ,fahr4 ,although the room should be comfortably warm1 it ought from time to time to be properly ventilated4 ,an unventilated room soon becomes foul1 and1 therefore1 unhealthy4 ,how many in this world1 both children and adults1 are poisoned with their own breaths6 ,an infant should not be allowed to look at the glare either of a fire or of a lighted candle1 as the glare tends to weaken the sight1 and sometimes brings on an inflammation of the eyes4 ,in speaking to1 and in noticing a baby1 you ought always to stand before1 and not behind him1 or it might make him squint4 #gh4 ,ought a babe to lie alone from the first8 ,certainly not3 at first--say1 for the first few months--he requires the warmth of another person's body1 especially in the winter2 but care must be taken not to overlay him1 as many infants1 from carelessness in this particular1 have lost their lives4 ,after the first few months he had better lie alone1 on a horse-hair mattress4 #gi4 ,do you approve of rocking an infant to sleep8 ,i do not4 ,if the rules of health be observed1 he will sleep both soundly and sweetly without rocking2 if they be not1 the rocking might cause him to fall into a feverish1 disturbed slumber1 but not into a refreshing1 calm sleep4 ,besides1 if you once take to that habit1 he will not go to sleep without it4 #hj4 ,then don't you approve of a rocking-chair1 and of rockers to the cradle8 ,certainly not3 a rocking-chair1 or rockers to the cradle1 may be useful to a lazy nurse or mother1 and may induce a child to sleep1 but that restlessly1 when he does not need sleep1 or when he is wet and uncomfortable1 and requires changing2 but will not cause him to have that sweet and gentle and exquisite slumber so characteristic of a baby who has no artificial appliances to make him sleep4 ,no6 rockers are perfectly unnecessary1 and the sooner they are banished the nursery the better will it be for the infant community4 ,i do not know a more wearisome and monotonous sound than the everlasting rockings to and fro in some nurseries1 they are often accompanied by a dolorous lullaby from the nurse1 which adds much to the misery and depressing influence of the performance4 #ha4 ,while the infant is asleep1 do you advise the head of the crib to be covered with a handkerchief1 to shade his eyes from the light1 and1 if it be summer time1 to keep off the flies8 ,if the head of the crib be covered1 the babe cannot breathe freely1 the air within the crib becomes contaminated1 and thus the lungs cannot properly perform their functions4 ,if his sleep is to be refreshing1 he must breathe pure air4 ,i do not even approve of a head to a crib4 ,a child is frequently allowed to sleep on a bed with the curtains drawn completely close1 as though it were dangerous for a breath of air to blow upon him ,footnote3 ,i have somewhere read that if a cage containing a canary1 be suspended at night within a bed where a person is sleeping1 and the curtains be drawn closely around1 that the bird will1 in the morning1 in all probability1 be found dead6 ,this practice is most injurious4 ,an infant must have the full benefit of the air of the room1 indeed1 the bed room door ought to be frequently left ajar1 so that the air of the apartment may be changed1 taking care1 of course1 not to expose him to a draught4 ,if the flies1 while he is asleep1 annoy him1 let a net veil be thrown over his face1 as he can readily breathe through net1 but not through a handkerchief4 #hb4 ,have you any suggestions to offer as to the way a babe should be dressed when he is put down to sleep8 ,whenever he be put down to sleep1 be more than usually particular that his dress be loose in every part1 be careful that there be neither strings nor bands1 to cramp him4 ,let him1 then1 during repose1 be more than ordinarily free and unrestrained-- ,if1 whilst in cradled rest your infant sleeps4 ,your watchful eyes unceasing vigil keeps ,lest cramping bonds his pliant limbs constrain1 ,and cause defects that manhood may retain4 #hc4 ,is it a good sign for a young child to sleep much8 ,a babe who sleeps a great deal thrives much more than one who does not4 ,i have known many children1 who were born ,footnote3 ,it may be interesting to a mother to know the average weight of new born infants4 ,there is a paper on the subject in the ,medical ,circular 7,april #aj1 #ahfa7 and which has been abridged in ,braithwaite's ,retrospect of ,medicine 7,july and ,december #ahfa74 ,the following are extracts--,dr4 ,e4 von ,siebold presents a table of the weights of #cjjj infants 7#aehf male and #adad female7 weighed immediately after birth4 ,from this table 7for which we have not space7 it results that by far the greater number of the children1 #bbae weighed between #f and #h lbs4 ,from #e #c_/d to #f lbs4 the number rose from #ii to #bfh1 and from #h to #h #a_/d lbs4 they fell from #bbf to #fg1 and never rose again at any weight to #ajj4 ,from #h #c_/d to #i #a_/b lbs4 they sank from #fa to #h1 rising however at #i #a_/b lbs4 to #ba4 ,only six weighed #aj lbs41 one #aj #c_/d lbs4 and two #aa lbs4 ,the author has never but once met with a child weighing #aa lbs4 ,the most frequent weight in the #cjjj was #g lbs1 numbering #dbf4 ,it is a remarkable fact1 that until the weight of #g lbs the female infants exceeded the males in number1 the latter thenceforward predominating4 ,from these statements1 and those of various other authors here quoted1 the conclusion may be drawn that the normal weight of a mature new born infant is not less than six nor more than #h lbs41 the average weight being #f #a_/b or #g lbs41 the smaller number referring to female and the higher to male infants4 small and delicate1 but who slept the greatest part of their time1 become strong and healthy4 ,on the other hand1 ,i have known those who were born large and strong1 yet who slept but little1 become weak and unhealthy4 ,the common practice of a nurse allowing a baby to sleep upon her lap is a bad one1 and ought never to be countenanced4 ,he sleeps cooler1 more comfortably1 and soundly in his crib4 ,the younger an infant is the more he generally sleeps1 so that during the early months he is seldom awake1 and then only to take the breast4 #hd4 ,how is it that much sleep causes a young child to thrive so well8 ,if there be pain in any part of the body1 or if any of the functions be not properly performed1 he sleeps but little4 ,on the contrary1 if there be exemption from pain1 and if there be a due performance of all the functions1 he sleeps a great deal1 and thus the body becomes refreshed and invigorated4 #he4 ,as much sleep is of such advantage1 if an infant sleep but little1 would you advise composing medicine to be given to him8 ,certainly not4 ,the practice of giving composing medicine to a young child cannot he too strongly reprobated4 ,if he does not sleep enough1 the mother ought to ascertain if the bowels be in a proper state1 whether they be sufficiently opened1 that the motions be of a good colour--namely1 a bright yellow1 inclining to orange colour--and free from slime or from bad smell4 ,an occasional dose of rhubarb and magnesia is frequently the best composing medicine he can take4 #hf4 ,we often hear of coroner's inquests upon infants who have been found dead in bed--accidentally overlaid what is usually the cause8 ,suffocation1 produced either by ignorance1 or by carelessness4 ,from ignorance in mothers1 in their not knowing the common laws of life1 and the vital importance of free and unrestricted respiration1 not only when babies are up and about1 but when they are in bed and asleep4 ,from carelessness1 in their allowing young and thoughtless servants to have the charge of infants at night1 more especially as young girls are usually heavy sleepers1 and are thus too much overpowered with sleep to attend to their necessary duties4 ,a foolish mother sometimes goes to sleep while allowing her child to continue sucking4 ,the unconscious babe1 after a tune1 looses the nipple1 and buries his head in the bed-clothes4 ,she awakes in the morning1 finding1 to her horror1 a corpse by her side1 with his nose flattened1 and a frothy fluid1 tinged with1 blood1 exuding from his lips4 ,a mother ought1 therefore1 never to go to sleep until her child have finished sucking4 ,the following are a few rules to prevent an infant from being accidentally overlaid--7#a47 ,let your baby while asleep have plenty of room in the bed4 7#b47 ,do not allow him to be too near to you2 or if he he unavoidably near you 7from the small size of the bed71 let his face be turned to the opposite side4 7#c47 ,let him lie fairly either on his side1 or on his back4 7#d47 ,be careful to ascertain that his mouth be not covered with the bed-clothes2 and1 7#e47 ,do not smother his face with clothes1 as a plentiful supply of pure air is as necessary when he is awake1 or even more so1 than when he is asleep4 7#f47 ,never let him lie low in the bed4 7#g47 ,let there be no pillow near the one his head is resting on1 lest he roll to it1 and thus bury his head in it ,remember1 a young child has neither the strength nor the sense to get out of danger2 and1 if he unfortunately either turn on his face1 or bury his head in a pillow that is near1 the chances are that he will be suffocated1 more especially as these accidents usually occur at night1 when the mother1 or the nurse1 is fast asleep4 7#h47 ,never intrust him at night to a young and thoughtless servant4 ,,the ,,bladder ,,and ,,the ,,bowels ,,of ,,an ,,infant4 #hg4 ,have you any hints to offer respecting the bowels and the bladder of an infant during the first three months of his existence8 ,a mother ought daily to satisfy herself as to the state of the bladder and the bowels of her child4 ,she herself should inspect the motions1 and see that they are of a proper colour 7bright-yellow1 inclining to orange71 and consistence 7that of thick gruel71 that they are neither slimy1 nor curdled1 nor green2 if they should be either the one or the other1 it is a proof that she herself has1 in all probability1 been imprudent in her diet1 and that it will be necessary for the future that she be more careful both in what she eats and in what she drinks4 ,she ought1 moreover1 to satisfy herself that the urine does not smell strongly1 that it does not stain the diapers1 and that he makes a sufficient quantity4 ,a frequent cause of a child crying is1 he is wet1 and uncomfortable1 and wants drying and changing1 and the only way he has of informing his mother of the fact is by crying lustily1 and thus telling her in most expressive language of her thoughtlessness and carelessness4 #hh4 ,how soon may an infant dispense with diapers8 ,a babe of three months and upwards1 ought to be held out1 at least1 a dozen times during the twenty-four hours2 if such a plan were adopted1 diapers might at the end of three months be dispensed with--a great desideratum-and he would be inducted into clean habits--a blessing to himself1 and a comfort to all around1 and a great saving of dresses and of furniture4 ,teach your children to be clean4 ,a dirty child is the mother's disgrace1 ,footnote3 ,hints on ,household ,management1 ,by ,mrs ,c4 ,l4 ,balfour4 ,truer words were never written1--,a ,,dirty ,,child ,,is ,,the ,,mother',s ,,disgrace4 ,,ailments1 ,,disease1 ,,etc4 #hi4 ,a new born babe frequently has a collection of mucus in the air passages1 causing him to wheeze3 is it a dangerous symptom8 ,no1 not if it occur immediately after birth2 as soon as the bowels have been opened1 it generally leaves him1 or even before1 if he give a good cry1 which as soon as he is born he usually does4 ,if there be any mucus either within or about the mouth1 impeding breathing1 it must with a soft handkerchief be removed4 #ij4 ,is it advisable1 as soon as an infant is born1 to give him medicine8 ,it is now proved that the giving of medicine to a babe immediately after birth is unnecessary1 nay1 that it is hurtful--that is1 provided he be early put to the breast1 as the mother's first milk is generally sufficient to open the bowels4 ,sir ,charles ,locock ,footnote3 ,in a ,letter to the ,author4 makes the following sensible remarks on this subject3--,i used to limit any aperient to a new-born infant to those which had not the first milk1 and who had wet nurses1 whose milk was1 of course1 some weeks old1 but for many years ,i have never allowed any aperient at all to any new born infant1 and ,i am satisfied it is the safest and the wisest plan4 ,the advice of ,sir ,charles ,locock--to give no aperient to a new-born infant--is most valuable1 and ought to be strictly followed4 ,by adopting his recommendation1 much after misery might be averted4 ,if a new born babe's bowels be costive1 rather than give him an aperient1 try the effect of a little moist sugar1 dissolved in a little water1 that is to say1 dissolve half a tea-spoonful of pure unadulterated raw sugar in a tea-spoonful of warm water and administer it to him1 if in four hours it should not operate1 repeat the dose4 ,butter and raw sugar is a popular remedy1 and is sometimes used by a nurse to open the bowels of a new born babe1 and where there is costiveness1 answers the purpose exceedingly well1 and is far superior to castor oil4 ,try by all means to do1 if possible1 without a particle of opening medicine4 ,if you once begin to give aperients1 you will have frequently to repeat them4 ,opening physic leads to opening physic1 until at length his stomach and bowels will become a physic shop6 ,let me1 then1 emphatically say1 avoid1 if possible1 giving a new born babe a drop or a gram of opening medicine4 ,if from the first you refrain from giving an aperient1 he seldom requires one afterwards4 ,it is the first step1 in this as in all other things1 that is so important to take4 ,if a new-born babe have not for twelve hours made water1 the medical man ought to be informed of it1 in order that he may inquire into the matter1 and apply the proper remedies4 ,be particular in attending to these directions1 or evil consequences will inevitably ensue4 #ia4 ,some persons say1 that new-born female infants have milk in their bosoms1 and that it is necessary to squeeze them1 and apply plasters to disperse the milk4 ,the idea of there being real milk in a baby's breast is doubtful1 the squeezing of the bosom is barbarous1 and the application of plasters is useless4 ,without actually saying1 says ,sir ,charles ,locock1 there is milk secreted in the breasts of infants1 there is undoubtedly not rarely considerable swelling of the breasts both in female and male infants1 and on squeezing them a serous fluid oozes out4 ,i agree with you that the nurses should never be allowed to squeeze them1 but be ordered to leave them alone4 ,footnote3 ,letter to the ,author4 #ib4 ,have the goodness to mention the ,,slight ailments which are not of sufficient importance to demand the assistance of a medical man8 ,i deem it well to make the distinction between serious and slight ailments1 ,i am addressing a mother4 ,with regard to serious ailments1 ,i do not think myself justified1 except in certain urgent cases1 in instructing a parent to deal with them4 ,it might be well to make a mother acquainted with the symptoms1 but not with the treatment1 in order that she might lose no time in calling in medical aid4 ,this ,i hope to have the pleasure of doing in future ,conversations4 ,serious diseases1 with a few exceptions1 and which ,i will indicate in subsequent ,conversations1 ought never to be treated by a parent1 not even in the early stages1 for it is in the early stages that the most good can generally be done4 ,it is utterly impossible for any one who is not trained to the medical profession to understand a serious disease in all its bearings1 and thereby to treat it satisfactorily4 ,there are some exceptions to these remarks4 ,it will be seen in future ,conversations that ,sir ,,charles ,,locock considers that a mother ought to be made acquainted with the treatment of some of the more serious diseases1 where delay in obtaining immediate medical assistance might be death4 ,i bow to his superior judgment1 and have supplied the deficiency in subsequent ,conversations4 ,the ailments and the diseases of infants1 such as may1 in the absence of the doctor1 be treated by a parent1 are the following3--,chafings1 ,convulsions1 ,costivenesa1 ,flatulence1 ,gripings1 ,hiccup1 ,looseness of the ,bowels 7,diarrhoea71 ,dysentery1 ,nettle-rash1 ,red-gum1 ,stuffing of the ,nose1 ,sickness1 ,thrush4 ,in all these complaints ,i will tell you--,what to do1 and--,what ,,not to do4 #ic4 ,what are the causes and the treatment of ,chafing8 ,the want of water3 inattention and want of cleanliness are the usual causes of chafing4 ,what to do4--,the chafed parts ought to be well and thoroughly sponged with tepid rain water--allowing the water from a well-filled sponge to stream over them1--and1 afterwards1 they should be thoroughly1 but tenderly1 dried with a soft towel1 and then be dusted1 either with finely-powdered starch1 made of wheaten flour1 or with ,violet ,powder1 or with finely-powdered ,native ,carbonate of ,zinc1 or they should be bathed with finely-powdered ,fuller's-earth and tepid water4 ,if1 in a few days1 the parts be not healed discontinue the above treatment1 and use the following application3--,beat up well together the whites of two eggs1 then add1 drop by drop1 two table-spoonfuls of brandy4 ,when well mixed1 put it into a bottle and cork it up4 ,before using it let the excoriated parts be gently bathed with luke-warm rain water1 and1 with a soft napkin1 be tenderly dried2 then1 by means of a camel's hair brush1 apply the above liniment1 having first shaken the bottle4 ,but bear in mind1 after all that can be said and done1 that there is nothing in these cases like water--there is nothing like keeping the parts clean1 and the only way of thoroughly effecting this object is by putting him every morning ,,into his tub4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not apply white lead1 as it is a poison4 ,do not be afraid of using plenty of water1 as cleanliness is one of the most important items of the treatment4 #id4 ,what are the causes of ,convulsions of an infant8 ,stuffing him1 in the early months of his existence1 with food1 the mother having plenty of breast milk the while1 the constant physicking of child by his own mother1 teething1 hooping-cough1 when attacking a very young baby4 ,i never knew a case of convulsions occur--say for the first four months--7except in very young infants labouring under hooping-cough71 where children lived on the breast-milk alone1 and where they were not frequently quacked by their mothers4 ,for the treatment of the convulsions from teething1 see page #df4 ,what to do in a case of convulsions which has been caused by feeding an infant either with too much or with artificial food4 ,give him1 every ten minutes1 a tea-spoonful of ipecacuanha wine1 until free vomiting be excited then put him into a warm bath 7see ,warm ,baths71 and when he comes out of it administer to him a tea-spoonful of castor oil1 and repeat it every four hours1 until the bowels be well opened4 ,what ,,not to do--,do not for at least a month after the fit1 give him artificial food1 but keep him entirely to the breast4 ,do not apply leeches to the head4 ,what to do in a case of convulsions from hooping cough--,there is nothing better than dashing cold water on the face1 and immersing him in a warm bath of #ih degrees ,fahr4 ,if he be about his teeth1 and they be plaguing him1 let the gums be both freely and frequently lanced4 ,convulsions seldom occur in hooping-cough1 unless the child be either very young or exceedingly delicate4 ,convulsions attending an attack of hooping-cough make it a serious complication1 and requires the assiduous and skilful attention of a judicious medical man4 ,what ,,not to do in such a case--,do not apply leeches1 the babe requires additional strength1 and not to be robbed of it1 and do not attempt to treat the case yourself4 #ie4 ,what are the best remedies for the ,costiveness of an infant8 ,i strongly object to the frequent administration of opening medicine1 as the repetition of it increases the mischief to a tenfold degree4 ,what to do4--,if a babe1 after the first few months1 were held out1 and if1 at regular intervals1 he were put upon his chair1 costiveness would not so much prevail4 ,it is wonderful how soon the bowels1 in the generality of cases1 by this simple plan1 may be brought into a regular state4 ,besides1 it inducts an infant into clean habits1 ,i know many careful mothers who have accustomed their children1 after the first three months1 to do without diapers altogether4 ,it causes at first a little trouble1 but that trouble is amply repaid by the good consequences that ensue2 among which must be named the dispensing with such encumbrances as diapers4 ,diapers frequently chafe1 irritate1 and gall the tender skin of a baby4 ,but they cannot of course1 at an early age be dispensed with1 unless a mother have great judgment1 sense1 tact1 and perseverance1 to bring her little charge into the habit of having his bowels relieved and his bladder emptied every time he is either held out or put upon his chair4 ,before giving an infant a particle of aperient medicine1 try1 if the bowels are costive1 the effect of a little raw sugar and water1 either half a tea-spoonful of raw sugar dissolved in a tea-spoonful or two of water1 or give him1 out of your fingers1 half a tea-spoonful of raw sugar to eat4 ,i mean by raw sugar1 not the white1 but the pure and unadulterated sugar1 and which you can only procure from a respectable grocer4 ,if you are wise1 you will defer as long as you can giving an aperient4 ,if you once begin1 and continue it for a while1 opening medicine becomes a dire necessity1 and then woe betide the poor unfortunate child4 ,or1 give a third of a tea-spoonful of honey1 early in the morning1 occasionally4 ,or administer a warm water enema--a tablespoonful1 or more1 by means of a #b oz4 ,india ,rubber ,enema ,bottle4 ,what ,,not to do4--,there are two preparations of mercury ,i wish to warn you against administering of your own accord1 viz4--7#a7 ,calomel1 and a milder preparation called 7#b7 ,grey-powder 7mercury with chalk74 ,it is a common practice in this country to give calomel1 on account of the readiness with which it can be administered it being small in quantity1 and nearly tasteless4 ,grey powder also1 is1 with many mothers1 a favourite in the nursery4 ,it is a medicine of immense power--either for good or for evil1 in certain cases it is very valuable1 but in others1 and in the great majority1 it is very detrimental4 ,this practice1 then1 of a mother giving mercury1 whether in the form either of calomel or of grey powder1 cannot be too strongly reprobated1 as the frequent administration either of the one or of the other weakens the body1 predisposes it to cold1 and frequently excites king's-evil--a disease too common in this country4 ,calomel and grey-powder1 then1 ought never to be administered unless ordered by a medical man4 ,syrup of buckthorn and jalap are also frequently given1 but they are griping medicines for a baby1 and ought to be banished from the nursery4 ,the frequent repetition of opening medicines1 then1 in any shape or form1 very much interferes with digestion1 they must1 therefore1 be given as seldom as possible4 ,let me1 at the risk of wearying you1 again urge the importance of your avoiding1 as much as possible1 giving a babe purgative medicines4 ,they irritate beyond measure the tender bowels of an infant1 and only make him more costive afterwards1 they interfere with his digestion1 and are liable to give him cold4 ,a mother who is always1 of her own accord1 quacking her child with opening physic1 is laying up for her unfortunate offspring a debilitated constitution--a miserable existence4 ,for further information on this important subject see the #c;d edition of ,counsel to a ,mother 7being the companion volume of ,advice to a ,mother71 on the great importance of desisting from irritating1 from injuring1 and from making still more costive1 the obstinate bowels of a costive child1--by the administration of opening medicine1--however gentle and well-selected the aperients might be4 ,oh1 that the above advice could be heard1 and be acted upon1 through the length and the breadth of the land1 how much misery and mischief would then be averted6 #if4 ,are there any means of preventing the ,costiveness of an infant8 ,if greater care were paid to the rules of health1 such as attention to diet1 exercise in the open air1 thorough ablution of the whole body--more especially when he is being washed--causing the water1 from a large and well-filled sponge1 to stream over the lower part of his bowels2 the regular habit of causing him1 at stated periods1 to be held out1 whether he want or not1 that he may solicit a stool4 ,if all these rules were observed1 costiveness would not so frequently prevail1 and one of the miseries of the nursery would be done away with4 ,some mothers are frequently dosing their poor unfortunate babes either with magnesia to cool them1 or with castor oil to heal their bowels6 ,oh1 the folly of such practices6 ,the frequent repetition of magnesia1 instead of cooling an infant1 makes him feverish and irritable4 ,the constant administration of castor oil1 instead of healing the bowels1 wounds them beyond measure4 ,no6 it would be a blessed thing if a babe could be brought up without giving ham a particle of opening medicine2 his bowels would then act naturally and well3 but then1 as ,i have just now remarked1 a mother1 must be particular in attending to ,nature's medicines--to fresh air1 to exercise1 to diet1 to thorough ablution1 c4 ,until that time comes1 poor unfortunate babies must be1 occasionally1 dosed with an aperient4 #ig4 ,what are the causes of1 and remedies for1 ,flatulence8 ,flatulence most frequently occurs in those infants who live on artificial food1 especially if they be over-fed4 ,i therefore beg to refer you to the precautions ,i have given1 when speaking of the importance of keeping a child for the first five or six months entirely to the breast2 and1 if that be not practicable1 of the times of feeding1 and of the best kinds of artificial food1 and of those which are least likely to cause wind4 ,what to do4--,notwithstanding these precautions1 if the babe should still suffer1 ,one of the best and safest remedies for flatulence is ,sal volatile1--a tea-spoonful of a solution of one drachm to an ounce and a half of water ,footnote3 ,sir ,charles ,locock1 in a ,letter to the ,author ,since ,sir ,charles did me the honour of sending me1 for publication1 the above prescription for flatulence1 a new ,british ,pharmacopoeia has been published in which the sal volatile is much increased in strength it is therefore necessary to lessen the sal volatile in the above prescription one half--that is to say1 a tea spoonful of the solution of half a drachm to an ounce and a half of water4 ,or1 a little dill or aniseed may be added to the food--half a tea-spoonful of dill water ,or1 take twelve drops of oil of dill1 and two lumps of sugar1 rub them well in a mortar together1 then add1 drop by drop1 three table-spoonfuls of spring water1 let it be preserved in a bottle for use4 ,a tea-spoonful of this1 first shaking the vial1 may be added to each quantity of food4 ,or1 three tea-spoonfuls of bruised caraway-seeds may be boiled for ten minutes in a tea-cupful of water1 and then strained4 ,one or two tea-spoonfuls of the caraway tea may be added to each quantity of his food1 or a dose of rhubarb and magnesia may occasionally be given4 ,opodeldoc1 or warm olive oil1 well rubbed1 for a quarter of an hour at a time1 by means of the warm hand1 over the bowels1 will frequently give relief4 ,turning the child over on his bowels1 so that they may press on the nurses' lap1 will often afford great comfort4 ,a warm bath 7where he is suffering severely7 generally gives immediate ease in flatulence1 it acts as a fomentation to the bowels4 ,but after all1 a dose of mild aperient medicine1 when the babe is suffering severely1 is often the best remedy for wind4 ,remember1 at all times1 prevention1 whenever it be--and how frequently it is--possible1 is better than cure4 ,what ,,not to do--,godfrey's ,cordial1 ,infants' ,preservative1 and ,dalby's ,carminative1 are sometimes given in flatulence1 but as most of these quack medicines contain1 in one form or another1 either opium or poppy1 and as opium and poppy are both dangerous remedies for children1 ,,all quack medicines must be banished the nursery4 ,syrup of poppies is another remedy which is often given by a nurse to afford relief for flatulence2 but let me urge upon you the importance for banishing it from the nursery4 ,it has 7when given by unprofessional persons7 caused the untimely end of thousands of children4 ,the medical journals and the newspapers teem with cases of deaths from mothers incautiously giving syrup of poppies to ease pain and to procure sleep4 #ih4 ,what are the symptoms1 the causes1 and the treatment of ,gripings of an infant8 ,the symptoms4--,the child draws up his legs2 screams violently2 if put to the nipple to comfort him1 he turns away from it and cries bitterly2 he strains1 as though he were having a stool2 if he have a motion1 it will be slimy1 curdled1 and perhaps green4 ,if1 in addition to the above symptoms1 he pass a large quantity of watery fluid from his bowels1 the case becomes one of watery gripes1 and requires the immediate attention of a doctor4 ,the causes of gripings or gripes may proceed either from the infant or from the mother4 ,if from the child1 it is generally owing either to improper food or to over-feeding2 if from the mother1 it may be traced to her having taken either greens1 or port1 or tart beer1 or sour porter1 or pickles1 or drastic purgatives4 ,what to do4--,the treatment1 of course1 must depend upon the cause4 ,if it arise from over-feeding1 ,i would advise a dose of castor oil to be given1 and warm fomentations to be applied to the bowels1 and the mother1 or the nurse1 to be more careful for the future4 ,if it proceed from improper food1 a dose or two of magnesia and rhubarb in a little dill water1 made palatable with simple syrup4 ,footnote3 ,take of--,powdered ,turkey ,rhubarb1 half a scruple2 ,carbonate of ,magnesia1 one scruple2 ,simple ,syrup1 three drachms2 ,dill ,water1 eight drachms2 ,make a ,mixture1 ,one or two tea-spoonfuls 7according to the age of the child7 to be taken every four boors1 until relief be obtained--first shaking the bottle47 ,if it arise from a mother's imprudence in eating trash1 or from her taking violent medicine1 a warm bath1 a warm bath1 indeed1 let the cause of griping be what it may1 usually affords instant relief4 ,another excellent remedy is the following--,soak a piece of new flannel1 folded into two or three thicknesses1 in warm water1 wring it tolerably dry1 and apply as hot as the child can comfortably bear it to the bowels1 then wrap him in a warm1 dry blanket1 and keep him1 for at least half an hour1 enveloped in it4 ,under the above treatment1 he will generally soon fall into a sweet sleep1 and awake quite refreshed4 ,what ,,not to do--,do not give opiates1 astringents1 chalk1 or any quack medicine whatever4 ,if a child suffer from a mother's folly in her eating improper food1 it will be cruel in the extreme for him a second time to be tormented from the same cause4 #ii4 ,what occasions ,hiccup1 and what is its treatment8 ,hiccup is of such a trifling nature as hardly to require interference4 ,it may generally be traced to over feeding4 ,should it be severe1 four or five grains of calcined magnesia1 with a little syrup and aniseed water1 and attention to feeding are all that will be necessary4 #ajj4 ,will you describe the symptoms of ,infantile ,diarrhoea8 ,infantile diarrhoea1 or cholera infantum1 is one of the most frequent and serious of infantile diseases1 and carries off1 during the year1 more children than any other complaint whatever a knowledge of the symptoms1 therefore1 is quite necessary for a mother to know1 in order that she may1 at the proper tune1 call in efficient medical aid4 ,it will be well1 before describing the symptoms1 to tell you how many motions a young infant ought to have a day1 their colour1 consistence1 and smell4 ,well1 then1 he should have from three to six motions in the twenty four hours1 the colour ought to be a bright yellow1 inclining to orange1 the consistence should be that of thick gruel2 indeed1 his motion1 if healthy1 ought to be somewhat of the colour 7but a little more orange-tinted7 and of the consistence of mustard made for the table2 it should be nearly1 if not quite1 devoid of smell2 it ought to have a faint and peculiar1 but not a strong disagreeable odour4 ,if it have a strong and disagreeable smell1 the child is not well1 and the case should be investigated1 more especially if there be either curds or lumps in the motions2 these latter symptoms denote that the food has not been properly digested4 ,now1 suppose a child should have a slight bowel complaint--that is to say1 that he has six or eight motions during the twenty-four hours1--and that the stools are of a thinner consistence than what ,i have described1--provided1 at the same time1 that he be not griped1 that he have no pain1 and have not lost his desire for the breast3--,what ought to be done8,nothing4 ,a slight looseness of the bowels should never be interfered with1--it is often an effort of nature to relieve itself of some vitiated motion that wanted a vent--or to act as a diversion1 by relieving the irritation of the gums4 ,even if he be not cutting his teeth1 he may be breeding them--that is to say1 the teeth may be forming in his gums1 and may cause almost as much1 irritation as though he were actually cutting them4 ,hence1 you see the immense good a slight looseness of the bowels may cause4 ,i think that ,i have now proved to you the danger of interfering in such a case1 and that ,i have shown you1 the folly and the mischief of at once giving astringents--such as ,godfrey's ,cordial1 ,dalby's ,carminative1 c4--to relieve a slight relaxation4 ,a moderate looseness of the bowels1 then1 is often a safety-valve1 and you may1 with as much propriety1 close the safety-valve of a steam engine1 as stop a moderate looseness of the bowels6 ,now1 if the infant1 instead of having from three to six motions1 should have more than double the latter number2 if they be more watery2 if they become slimy and green1 or green in part and curdled2 if they should have an unpleasant smell2 if he be sick1 cross1 restless1 fidgety1 and poorly2 if every time he have a motion he be griped and in pain1 we should then say that he is labouring under ,diarrhoea2 then1 it will be necessary to give a little medicine1 which ,i will indicate in a subsequent ,conversation4 ,should there be both blood and slime mixed with the stool1 the case becomes more serious2 still1 with proper care1 relief can generally be quickly obtained4 ,if the evacuations--instead of being stool--are merely blood and slime1 and the child strain frequently and violently1 endeavouring thus1 but in vain1 to relieve himself1 crying at each effort1 the case assumes the character of ,dysentery4 ,footnote3 ,see ,symptoms and ,treatment of ,dysentery4 ,if there be a mixture of blood1 slime1 and stool from the bowels1 the case would be called ,dysenteric-diarrhoea4 ,the latter case requires great skill and judgment on the part of a medical men1 and great attention and implicit obedience from the mother and the nurse4 ,i merely mention these diseases in order to warn you of their importance1 and of the necessity of strictly attending to a doctor's orders4 #aja4 ,what are the causes of ,diarrhoea--,looseness of the bowels8 ,improper food2 overfeeding2 teething2 cold2 the mother's milk from various causes disagreeing1 namely1 from her being out of health1 from her eating unsuitable food1 from her taking improper and drastic purgatives1 or from her suckling her child when she is pregnant4 ,of course1 if any of these causes are in operation1 they ought1 if possible1 to be remedied1 or medicine to the babe will be of little avail4 #ajb4 ,what is the treatment of ,diarrhoea8 ,what to do4--,if the case be slight1 and has lasted two or three days 7do not interfere by giving medicine at first71 and if the cause1 as it probably is1 be some acidity or vitiated stool that wants a vent1 and thus endeavours to obtain one by purging1 the best treatment is1 to assist nature by giving either a dose of castor oil1 or a moderate one of rhubarb and magnesia1 ,footnote3 ,for a rhubarb and magnesia mixture prescription1 see page #ga 7note74 and thus to work off the enemy4 ,after the enemy has been worked off1 either by the castor oil1 or by the magnesia and rhubarb1 the purging will1 in all probability1 cease2 but if the relaxation still continue1 that is to say1 for three or four days--then1 if medical advice cannot be procured1 the following mixture should be given3-- ,take of--,aromatic ,powder of ,chalk and ,opium1 ten grains2 ,oil of ,dill1 five drops2 ,simple ,syrup1 three drachms2 ,water1 nine drachms2 ,make a ,mixture1 ,footnote3 ,let the mixture be made by a chemist4 ,half a tea-spoonful to be given to an infant of six months and under1 and one tea-spoonful to a child above that age1 every four hours--first shaking the bottle4 ,if the babe be at the breast1 he ought1 for a few days1 to be kept entirely to it4 ,the mother should be most particular in her own diet4 ,what ,,not to do4--,the mother must neither take greens1 nor cabbage1 nor raw fruit1 nor pastry1 nor beer2 indeed1 while the diarrhoea of her babe continues1 she had better abstain from wine1 as well as from fermented liquors4 ,the child1 if at the breast1 ought not1 while the diarrhoea continues1 to have any artificial food4 ,he must neither be dosed with grey-powder 7a favourite1 but highly improper ,remedy1 in these cases71 nor with any quack medicines1 such as ,dalby's ,carminative or ,godfrey's ,cordial4 #ajc4 ,what are the symptoms of ,dysentery8 ,dysentery frequently arises from a neglected diarrhoea4 ,it is more dangerous than diarrhoea1 as it is of an inflammatory character2 and as1 unfortunately1 it frequently attacks a delicate child1 requires skilful handling2 hence the care and experience required in treating a case of dysentery4 ,well1 then1 what are the symptoms8 ,the infant1 in all probability1 has had an attack of diarrhoea--bowel complaint as it is called--for several days2 he having had a dozen or two of motions1 many of them slimy and frothy1 like frog-spawn1 during the twenty-four hours4 ,suddenly the character of the motion changes1--from being principally stool1 it becomes almost entirely blood and mucus2 he is dreadfully griped1 which causes him to strain violently1 as though his inside would come away every time he has a motion1--screaming and twisting about1 evidently being in the greatest pain1 drawing his legs up to his belly and writhing in agony4 ,sickness and vomiting are always present1 which still more robs him of his little remaining strength1 and prevents the repair of his system4 ,now1 look at his face6 ,it is the very picture of distress4 ,suppose he has been a plump1 healthy little fellow1 you will see his face1 in a few days1 become old-looking1 care-worn1 haggard1 and pinched4 ,day and night the enemy tracks him 7unless proper remedies be administered72 no sleep1 or if he sleep1 he is1 every few minutes1 roused4 ,it is heart-rending to have to attend a bad case of dysentery in a child1--the writhing1 the screaming1 the frequent vomiting1 the pitiful look1 the rapid wasting and exhaustion1 make it more distressing to witness than almost any other disease a doctor attends4 #ajd4 ,can anything be done to relieve such a case8 ,yes4 ,a judicious medical man will do a great deal4 ,but1 suppose that yon are not able to procure one1 ,i will tell you what to do and what ,,not to do4 ,what to do4--,if the child be at the breast1 keep him to it1 and let him have nothing else for dysentery is frequently caused by improper feeding4 ,if your milk be not good1 or it be scanty1 instantly procure a healthy wet-nurse4 ,lose not a moment2 for in dysentery1 moments are precious4 ,but1 suppose that you have no milk1 and that no wet-nurse can be procured3 what then8 ,feed him entirely on cow's milk--the milk of one healthy cow2 let the milk be unboiled1 and be fresh from the cow4 ,give it in small quantities at a time1 and frequently1 so that it may be retained on the stomach4 ,if a table-spoonful of the milk make him sick1 give him a dessert-spoonful2 if a dessert-spoonful cause sickness1 let him only have a tea-spoonful at a time1 and let it be repeated every quarter of an hour4 ,but1 remember1 in such a case the breast milk--the breast milk alone--is incomparably superior to any other milk or to any other food whatever4 ,if he be a year old1 and weaned1 then feed him1 as above recommended1 on the cow's milk4 ,if there be extreme exhaustion and debility1 let fifteen drops of brandy be added to each table-spoonful of new milk1 and let it be given every half hour4 ,now with regard to medicine4 ,i approach this part of the treatment with some degree of reluctance1--for dysentery is a case requiring opium--and opium ,i never like a mother of her own accord to administer4 ,but suppose a medical man cannot be procured in time1 the mother must then prescribe1 or the child will die6 ,what then is to be done8 ,sir ,charles ,locock considers that1 in severe dysentery1 especially where there is sickness1 there is no remedy equal to pure ,calomel1 in a full dose without opium4 ,footnote3 ,communicated by ,sir ,charles ,locock to the ,author4 ,therefore1 at the very onset of the disease1 let from three to five grains 7according to the age of the patient7 of ,calomel1 mixed with an equal quantity of powdered white sugar1 be put dry on the tongue4 ,in three hours after let the following mixture be administered3-- ,take of--,compound ,powder of ,ipecacuanha1 five grains2 ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 one drachm2 ,simple ,syrup1 three drachms2 ,cinnamon ,water1 nine drachms2 ,to make a ,mixture1 ,a tea-spoonful to be given every three or four hours1 first well shaking the bottle4 ,supposing he cannot retain the mixture--the stomach rejecting it as soon as swallowed--what then8 ,give the opium1 mixed with small doses of mercury with chalk and sugar1 in the form of powder1 and put one of the powders dry on the tongue1 every three hours3-- ,take of--,powdered ,opium1 half a grain2 ,mercury with chalk1 nine grains2 ,sugar of ,milk1 twenty-four grains2 ,mix well in a mortar1 and divide into twelve powders4 ,now1 suppose the dysentery has for several days persisted1 and that1 during that time1 nothing but mucus and blood--that no real stool--has come from the bowels1 then a combination of castor oil and opium ,footnote3 ,my friend1 the late ,dr ,baly1 who had made dysentery his particular study1 considered the combination of opium and castor oil very valuable in dysentery4 ought1 instead of the medicine recommended above1 to be given3-- ,take of--,mucilage of ,gum ,acacia1 three drachms2 ,simple ,syrup1 three drachms2 ,tincture of ,opium1 ten drops 7not minims72 ,castor ,oil1 two drachms2 ,cinnamon water1 four drachms3 ,make a ,mixture4 ,a tea spoonful to be taken every four hours1 first well shaking the bottle4 ,a warm bath1 at the commencement of the disease1 is very efficacious2 but it must be given at the commencement4 ,if he has had dysentery for a day or two1 he will be too weak to have a warm bath2 then1 instead of the bath1 try the following3--,wrap him in a blanket1 which has been previously wrung out of hot water2 over which envelope him in a dry blanket4 ,keep him in this hot1 damp blanket for half an hour2 then take him out1 put on his nightgown and place him in bed1 which has been1 if it be winter time1 previously warmed4 ,the above blanket treatment will frequently give great relief1 and will sometimes cause him to fall into a sweet sleep4 ,a flannel bag1 filled with hot powdered table salt1 made hot in the oven1 applied to the bowels1 will afford much comfort4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not give aperients unless it be1 as before advised1 the castor oil guarded with the opium2 do not stuff him with artificial food2 do not fail to send for a judicious and an experienced medical man2 for1 remember1 it requires a skilful doctor to treat a case of dysentery1 more especially in a child4 #aje4 ,what are the symptoms1 the causes and the treatment of ,nettle-rash8 ,nettle-rash consists of several irregular1 raised wheals1 red at the base1 and white on the summit1 on different parts of the body2 but it seldom attacks the face4 ,it is not contagious1 and it may occur at all ages and many times4 ,it comes and goes1 remaining only a short time in a place4 ,it puts on very much the appearance of the child having been stung by nettles--hence its name4 ,it produces great heat1 itching1 and irritation1 sometimes to such a degree as to make him feverish1 sick1 and fretful4 ,he is generally worse when he is warm in bed1 or when the surface of his body is suddenly exposed to the air4 ,rubbing the skin1 too1 always aggravates the itching and the tingling1 and brings out a fresh crop4 ,the cause of nettle-rash may commonly be traced to improper feeding2 although1 occasionally1 it proceeds from teething4 ,what to do4--,it is a complaint of no danger1 and readily gives way to a mild aperient1 and to attention to diet4 ,there is nothing better to relieve the irritation of the skin than a warm bath4 ,if it be a severe attack of nettle-rash1 by all means call in a medical man4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not apply cold applications to his skin1 and do not wash him 7while the rash is out7 in quite cold water4 ,do not allow him to be in a draught1 but let him be in a well-ventilated room4 ,if he be old enough to eat meat1 keep it from him for a few days1 and let him live on milk and farinaceous diet4 ,avoid strong purgatives1 and calomel1 and grey-powder4 #ajf4 ,what are the symptoms and the treatment of ,red-gum8 ,red-gum1 tooth-rash1 red-gown1 is usually owing to irritation from teething2 not always from the cutting but from the evolution--the breeding1 of the teeth4 ,it is also sometimes owing to unhealthy stools irritating the bowels1 and showing itself1 by sympathy1 on the skin4 ,red-gum consists of several small papulae1 or pimples1 about the size of pins' heads1 and may be known from measles--the only disease for which it is at all likely to be mistaken--by its being unattended by symptoms of cold1 such as sneezing1 running1 and redness of the eyes1 c41 and by the patches not assuming a crescentic--half-moon shape2 red-gum1 in short1 may readily he known by the child's health being unaffected1 unless1 indeed1 there be a great crop of pimples2 then there will be slight feverishness4 ,what to do4--,little need be done4 ,if there be a good deal of irritation1 a mild aperient should be given4 ,the child ought to be kept moderately1 but not very warm4 ,what ,,not to do4--,draughts of air1 or cold should be carefully avoided2 as1 by sending the eruption suddenly in1 either convulsions or disordered bowels might be produced4 ,do not dose him with grey-powder4 #ajg4 ,how would you prevent ,stuffing of the nose in a new-born babe8 ,rubbing a little tallow on the bridge of the nose is the old-fashioned remedy1 and answers the purpose4 ,it ought to be applied every evening just before putting him to bed4 ,if the stuffing be severe1 dip a sponge in hot water1 as hot as he can comfortably bear2 ascertain that it be not too hot1 by previously applying it to your own face1 and then put it for a few minutes to the bridge of his nose4 ,as soon as the hard mucus is within reach1 it should be carefully removed4 #ajh4 ,do you consider sickness injurious to an infant8 ,many thriving babies are1 after taking the breast1 frequently sick2 still we cannot look upon sickness otherwise than as an index of either a disordered or of an overloaded stomach4 ,if the child be sick1 and yet be thriving1 it is a proof that he overloads his stomach4 ,a mother1 then1 must not allow him to suck so much1 at a time4 ,she should1 until he retain all he takes1 lessen the quantity of milk4 ,if he be sick and does not thrive1 the mother should notice if the milk he throws up has a sour smell2 if it have1 she must first of all look to her own health2 she ought to ascertain if her own stomach be out of order2 for if such be the case1 it is impossible for her to make good milk4 ,she should observe whether in the morning her own tongue be furred and dry2 whether she have a disagreeable taste in her mouth1 or pains at her stomach1 or heart-burn1 or flatulence4 ,if she have all1 or any of these symptoms1 the mystery is explained why he is sick and does not thrive4 ,she ought then to seek advice1 and a medical man will soon put her stomach into good order2 and1 by so doing1 will1 at the same time1 benefit her child4 ,but if the mother be in the enjoyment of good health1 she must then look to the babe himself1 and ascertain if he be cutting his teeth2 if the gums require lancing2 if the secretions from the bowels be proper both in quantity and in quality2 and1 if he have had artificial food--it being absolutely necessary to give such food--whether it agree with him4 ,what to do4--,in the first place1 if the gums be red1 hot1 and swollen1 let them be lanced2 in the second1 if the secretion from the bowels be either unhealthy or scanty1 give him a dose of aperient medicine1 such as caster oil1 or the following3--,take two or three grains of powdered ,turkey rhubarb1 three grains of pure carbonate of magnesia1 and one grain of aromatic powder--,mix4 ,the powder to be taken at bed-time1 mixed in a tea-spoonful of sugar and water1 and which should1 if necessary1 be repeated the following night4 ,in the third place1 if the food he be taking does not agree with him1 change it 7vide answer to question #cc74 ,give it in smaller quantities at a time1 and not so frequently2 or what will be better still1 if it be possible1 keep him1 for a while1 entirely to the breast4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not let him overload his stomach either with breast milk1 or with artificial food4 ,let the mother avoid1 until his sickness be relieved1 greens1 cabbage1 and all other green vegetables4 #aji4 ,what are the causes1 the symptoms1 the prevention1 and the cure of ,thrush8 ,the thrush is a frequent disease of an infant1 and is often brought on either by stuffing or by giving him improper food4 ,a child brought up entirely1 for the first three or four months1 on the breast1 seldom suffers from this complaint4 ,the thrush consists of several irregular1 roundish1 white specks on the lips1 the tongue1 the inside and the angles of the mouth1 giving the parts affected the appearance of curds and whey having been smeared upon them4 ,the mouth is hot and painful1 and he is afraid to suck2 the moment the nipple is put to his mouth he begins to cry4 ,the thrush1 sometimes1 although but rarely1 runs through the whole of the alimentary canal4 ,it should be borne in mind that nearly every child1 who is sucking1 has his or her tongue white or frosted1 as it is sometimes called4 ,the thrush may be mild or very severe4 ,now with regard to what to do4--,as the thrush is generally owing to improper and to artificial feeding1 if the child be at the breast1 keep him1 for a time1 entirely to it4 ,do not let him be always sucking1 as that will not only fret his month1 but will likewise irritate and make sore the mother's nipple4 ,if he be not at the breast1 but has been weaned1 then keep him for a few days entirely to a milk diet--to the milk of ,,one cow--either boiled1 if it be hot weather1 to keep it sweet2 or unboiled1 in cool weather--fresh as it comes from the cow1 mixed with warm water4 ,the best medicine is the old-fashioned one of ,borax1 a combination of powdered lump-sugar and borax being a good one for the purpose3 the powdered lump-sugar increases the efficacy1 and the cleansing properties of the borax2 it tends1 moreover1 to make it more palatable4-- ,take of--,borax1 half a drachm2 ,lump ,sugar1 two scruples2 ,to be well mixed together1 and made into twelve powders4 ,one of the powders to be put dry on the tongue every four hours4 ,the best local remedy is ,honey of ,borax1 which ought to be smeared frequently1 by means of the finger1 on the parts affected4 ,thorough ventilation of the apartment must be observed2 and great cleanliness of the vessels containing the milk should be insisted upon4 ,in a bad case of thrush1 change of air to the country is most desirable2 the effect is sometimes1 in such cases1 truly magical4 ,if the thrush be brought on either by too much or by improper food2 in the first case of course1 a mother must lessen the quantity2 and1 in the second1 she should be more careful in her selection4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not use either a calf's teat or wash leather for the feeding-bottle2 fortunately1 since the invention of ,india-rubber teats1 they are now nearly exploded2 they were1 in olden times1 fruitful causes of thrush4 ,do not mind the trouble of ascertaining that the cooking-vessels connected with the baby's food are perfectly clean and sweet4 ,do not leave the purity and the goodness of the cow's milk 7it being absolutely necessary to feed him on artificial food7 to be judged either by the milk-man1 or by the nurse1 but taste and prove it yourself4 ,do not keep the milk in a warm place1 but either in the dairy or in the cellar2 and1 if it be summer time1 let the jug holding the milk be put in a crock containing lumps of ice4 ,do not use milk that has been milked longer than twelve hours1 but if practicable1 have it milked direct from the cow1 and use it immediately--let it be really and truly fresh and genuine milk4 ,when the disease is severe1 it may require more active treatment--such as a dose of calomel2 which medicine must never be given unless it be either under the direction of a medical man1 or unless it be in an extreme case1--such as dysentery2 ,footnote3 ,see the ,treatment of ,dysentery4 therefore1 the mother had better seek advice4 ,in a severe case of thrush1 where the complaint has been brought on by artificial feeding--the babe not having the advantage of the mother's milk--it is really surprising how rapidly a wet-nurse--if the case has not been too long deferred--will effect a cure1 where all other means have been tried and have failed4 ,the effect has been truly magical6 ,in a severe case of thrush pure air and thorough ventilation are essential to recovery4 #aaj4 ,is anything to be learned from the cry of an infant8 ,a babe can only express his wants and his necessities by a cry2 he can only tell his aches and his pains by a cry2 it is the only language of babyhood2 it is the most ancient of all languages2 it is the language known by our earliest progenitors2 it is1 if listened to aright1 a very expressive language1 although it is only but the language of a cry-- ,soft infancy1 that nothing canst but cry4--,shakspeare4 ,there is1 then1 a language in the cry of an infant1 which to a mother is the most interesting of all languages1 and which a thoughtful medical man can well interpret4 ,the cry of a child1 to an experienced doctor1 is1 each and all1 a distract sound1 and is as expressive as the notes of the gamut4 ,the cry of passion1 for instance1 is a furious cry2 the cry of sleepiness is a drowsy cry2 the cry of grief is a sobbing cry2 the cry of an infant when roused from sleep is a shrill cry2 the cry of hunger is very characteristic1--it is unaccompanied with tears1 and is a wailing cry2 the cry of teething is a fretful cry2 the cry of pain tells to the practised ear the part of pain2 the cry of ear-ache is short1 sharp1 piercing1 and decisive1 the head being moved about from side to side1 and the little hand being often put up to the affected side of the head2 the cry of bowel-ache is also expressive1--the cry is not so piercing as from ear-ache1 and is an interrupted1 straining cry1 accompanied with a drawing-up of the legs to the belly2 the cry of bronchitis is a gruff and phlegmatic cry2 the cry of inflammation of the lungs is more a moan than a cry2 the cry of croup is hoarse1 and rough1 and ringing1 and is so characteristic that it may truly be called the croupy cry2 the cry of inflammation of the membranes of the brain is a piercing shriek--a danger signal--most painful to hear2 the cry of a child recovering from a severe illness is a cross1 and wayward1 and tearful cry2 he may truly be said to be in a quarrelsome mood2 he bursts out1 without rhyme or reason1 into a passionate flood of tears--into a tempest of tears3 tears are always1 in a severe illness1 to be looked upon as a good omen1 as a ,the tears that heal and bless--,h4 ,bonar4 ,tears1 when a child is dangerously ill1 are rarely1 if ever1 seen2 a cry1 at night1 for light--a frequent cause of a babe crying--is a restless cry3-- ,an infant--crying in the night2 ,an infant crying for the light3 ,and with no language hat a cry4--,tennyson4 #aaa4 ,if an infant be delicate1 have you any objection to his having either veal or mutton broth1 to strengthen him8 ,broths seldom agree with a babe at the breast ,i have known them produce sickness1 disorder the bowels1 and create fever4 ,i recommend you1 therefore1 not to make the attempt4 ,although broth and beef-tea1 when taken by the mouth1 will seldom agree with an infant at the breast1 yet1 when used as an enema1 and in small quantities1 so that they may be retained1 ,i have frequently found them to be of great benefit1 they have in some instances appeared to have snatched delicate children from the brink of the grave4 #aab4 ,my baby's ankles are very weak3 what do you advise to strengthen them8 ,if his ankles be weak1 let them every morning be bathed1 after the completion of his morning's ablution1 for fire minutes each time1 with bay-salt and water1 a small handful of bay-salt dissolved in a quart of rain water 7with the chill of the water off in the winter1 and of its proper temperature in the summer time72 then let them be dried2 after the drying1 let the ankles he well rubbed with the following liniment3-- ,take of--,oil of ,rosemary1 three drachms2 ,liniment of ,camphor1 thirteen drachms3 ,to make a ,liniment ,do not let him be put on his feet early2 but allow him to crawl1 and sprawl1 and kick about the floor1 until his body and his ankles become strong4 ,do not1 on any account1 without having competent advice on the subject1 use iron instruments1 or mechanical supports of any kind3 the ankles are generally1 by such artificial supports1 made worse1 in consequence of the pressure causing a further dwindling away and enfeebling of the ligaments of the ankles1 already wasted and weakened4 ,let him wear shoes with straps over the insteps to keep them on1 and not boots3 boots will only1 by wasting the ligaments1 increase the weakness of the ankles4 #aac4 ,sometimes there is a difficulty in restraining the bleeding of leech bites4 ,what is the best method8 ,the difficulty in these cases generally arises from the improper method of performing it4 ,for example--a mother endeavours to stop the haemorrhage by loading the part with rag2 the more the bites discharge1 the more rag she applies4 ,at the same time1 the child probably is in a room with a1 large fire1 with two or three candles1 with the doors closed1 and with perhaps a dozen people in the apartment1 whom the mother has1 in her fright1 sent for4 ,this practice is strongly reprehensible4 ,if the bleeding cannot be stopped1--in the first place1 the fire most be extinguished1 the door and windows should be thrown open1 and the room ought to be cleared of persons1 with the exception of one1 or1 at the most1 two2 and every rag should be removed4 ,stopping of leech bites4--,the simplest and most certain way1 till the proper assistance is obtained1 is the pressure of the finger1 with nothing intervening4 ,it cannot bleed through that4 ,footnote3 ,sir ,charles ,locock1 in a ,letter to the ,author4 ,many babies1 by excessive loss of blood from leech bites1 have lost their lives from a mother not knowing how to act1 and also from the medical man either living at a distance1 or not being at hand4 ,fortunately for the infantile community1 leeches are now very seldom ordered by doctors4 #aad4 ,supposing a baby to be poorly1 have you any advice to give to his mother as to her own management8 ,she must endeavour to calm her feelings or her milk will be disordered1 and she will thus materially increase his illness4 ,if he be labouring under any inflammatory disorder1 she ought to refrain from the taking of beer1 wine1 and spirits1 and from all stimulating food2 otherwise1 she will feed his disease4 ,before concluding the first part of my subject--the ,management of ,infancy--let me again urge upon you the importance--the paramount importance--if you wish your babe to be strong and hearty1--of giving him as little opening physic as possible4 ,the best physic for him is ,nature's physic--fresh air1 and exercise1 and simplicity of living4 ,a mother who is herself always drugging her child1 can only do good to two persons--the doctor and the druggist6 ,if an infant from his birth be properly managed1--if he have an abundance of fresh air for his lungs1--if he have plenty of exercise for his muscles 7by allowing him to kick and sprawl on the floor71--if he have a good swilling and sousing of water for his skin1--if1 during the early months of his life1 he have nothing but the mother's milk for his stomach1--he will require very little medicine--the less the better6 ,he does not want his stomach to be made into a doctor's shop6 ,the grand thing is not to take every opportunity of administering physic1 but of using every means of with-holding it6 ,and if physic be necessary1 not to doctor him yourself1 unless it be in extreme and urgent cases 7which in preceding and succeeding ,conversations ,i either have or will indicate71 but to employ an experienced medical man4 ,a babe who is always1 without rhyme or reason1 being physicked1 is sure to be puny1 delicate1 and unhealthy1 and is ready at any moment to drop into an untimely grave6 ,i will maintain that a healthy child never requires drugging with opening physic1 and that costiveness is brought on by bad management4 ,aperient medicines to a healthy child are so much poison6 ,let me impress the above remarks on every mother's mind2 for it is a subject of vital importance4 ,never1 then1 give a purgative to a healthy child2 for1 if he be properly managed1 he will never require one4 ,if you once begin to give aperients1 you will find a difficulty discontinuing them4 ,finally1 ,i will only say with ,punch1--,don't ,,concluding ,,remarks ,,on ,,infancy4 #aae4 ,in concluding the first part of our subject--,infancy--,i beg to remark3 there are four things essentially necessary to a babe's well-doing1 namely1 7#a7 plenty of water for his skin2 7#b7 plenty of fresh genuine milk mixed with water for his stomach 7of course1 giving him ,,only his mother's milk during the first six1 eight1 or nine months of his existence72 7#c7 plenty of pure air for his lungs2 7#d7 plenty of sleep for his brain3 these are the four grand essentials for an infant2 without an abundance of one and all of them1 perfect health is utterly impossible6 ,perfect health6 the greatest earthly blessing1 and more to be coveted than ought else beside6 ,there is not a more charming sight in the universe than the beaming face of a perfectly healthy babe1-- ,his are the joys of nature1 his the smile1 ,the cherub smile1 of innocence and health4--,knox4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,childhood4 ,the child is father of the man4--,,wordsworth4 ,bairns are blessings--,,shakespeare4 ,these are ,,my jewels6--,,cornella4 ,,ablution4 #aaf4 ,at twelve months old1 do you still recommend a child to be ,,put ,,in ,,his ,,tub to be washed8 ,certainly ,i do1 as ,i have previously recommended at page #f1 in order that his skin may be well and thoroughly cleansed4 ,if it be summer time1 the water should be used cold2 if it be winter1 a dash of warm must be added1 so that it may be of the temperature of new milk3 but do not1 on any account use very warm water4 ,the head must be washed 7but not dried7 before he be placed in a tub1 then1 putting him in the tub 7containing the necessary quantity of water1 and washing him as previously recommended71 ,footnote3 ,see ,infancy-,ablution1 page #f4 a large sponge should be filled with the water and squeezed over his head1 so that the water may stream over the whole surface of his body4 ,a jugful of water should1 just before taking him out of his bath1 be poured over and down his loins2 all this ought rapidly to be done1 and he must be quickly dried with soft towels1 and then expeditiously dressed4 ,for the washing of your child ,i would recommend you to use ,castile soap in preference to any other2 it is more pure1 and less irritating1 and hence does not injure the texture of the skin4 ,take care that the soap does not get into his eyes1 or it might produce irritation and smarting4 #aag4 ,some mothers object to a child's ,,standing in the water4 ,if the head be wetted before he be placed in the tub1 and if he be washed as above directed1 there can be no valid objection to it4 ,he must not be allowed to remain in his tab more than five minutes4 #aah4 ,does not washing the child's head1 every morning1 make him more liable to catch cold1 and does it not tend to weaken his sight8 ,it does neither the one nor the other2 on the contrary1 it prevents cold1 and strengthens his sight2 it cleanses his scalp1 prevents scurf1 and1 by that means1 causes a more beautiful bead of hair4 ,the head1 after each washing1 ought1 with a soft brush1 to be well brushed1 but should not be combed4 ,the brushing causes a healthy circulation of the scalp2 but combing the hair makes the head scurfy1 and pulls out the hair by the roots4 #aai4 ,if the head1 notwithstanding the washing1 be scurfy1 what should be done8 ,after the head has been well dried1 let a little cocoa-nut oil be well rubbed1 for five minutes each time1 into the roots of the hair1 and1 afterwards1 let the head be well brushed1 but not combed4 ,the fine-tooth comb will cause a greater accumulation of scurf1 and will scratch and injure the scalp4 #abj4 ,do you recommend a child to be washed ,,in ,,his ,,tub every night and morning8 ,no2 once a day is quite sufficient2 in the morning in preference to the evening2 unless he be poorly1 then1 evening instead of morning2 as1 immediately after he has been washed and dried1 he can be put to bed4 #aba4 ,ought a child to be placed in his tub whilst he is in a state of perspiration8 ,not whilst he is perspiring violently1 or the perspiration might he checked suddenly1 and ill consequences would ensue2 nor ought he to be put in his tub when he is cold1 or his blood would be chilled1 and would be sent from the skin to some internal vital part1 and thus would be likely to light up inflammation--probably of the lungs4 ,his skin1 when he is placed in his bath1 ought to be moderately and comfortably warm2 neither too hot nor too cold4 #abb4 ,when the child is a year old1 do you recommend cold or warm water to be used8 ,if it be winter1 a little warm water ought to be added1 so as to raise the temperature to that of new milk4 ,as the summer advances1 less and less warm water is required1 so that1 at length1 none is needed4 #abc4 ,if a child be delicate1 do you recommend anything to be added to the water which may tend to brace and strengthen him8 ,either a handful of table-salt1 or half a handful of bay-salt1 or of ,tidman's sea-salt1 should be previously dissolved in a quart jug of cold water2 then1 just before taking the child out of his morning bath1 let the above be poured over and down the back and loins of the child--holding the jug1 while pouring its contents on the back1 a foot distant from the child1 in order that it might act as a kind of douche bath4 #abd4 ,do you recommend the child1 after he has been dried with the towel1 to be rubbed with the hand8 ,i do2 as friction encourages the cutaneous circulation1 and causes the skin to perform its functions properly1 thus preventing the perspiration 7which is one of the impurities of the body7 from being sent inwardly either to the lungs or to other parts4 ,the back1 the chest1 the bowels1 and the limbs are the parts that ought to be well rubbed4 ,,clothing #abe4 ,have you any remarks to make on the clothing of a child8 ,children1 boys and girls1 especially if they be delicate1 ought always to wear high dresses up to their necks4 ,the exposure of the upper part of the chest 7if the child be weakly7 is dangerous4 ,it is in the upper part of the lungs1 in the region of the collar bones1 that consumption first shows itself4 ,the clothing of a child1 more especially about the chest1 should be large and full in every part1 and be free from tight strings1 so that the circulation of the blood may not be impeded1 and that there may be plenty of room for the fall development of the rapidly-growing body4 ,his frock1 or tonic1 ought to be of woollen material--warm1 light1 and porous1 in order that the perspiration may rapidly evaporate4 ,the practice of some mothers in allowing their children to wear tight bands round their waists1 and tight clothes1 is truly reprehensible4 ,tight bands or tight belts around the waist of a child are very injurious to health2 they crib in the chest1 and thus interfere with the rising and the falling of the ribs--so essential to breathing4 ,tight hats ought never to be worn2 by interfering with the circulation they cause headaches4 ,nature delights in freedom1 and resents interference6 #abf4 ,what parts of the body in particular ought to be kept warm8 ,the chest1 the bowels1 and the feet1 should be kept comfortably warm4 ,we must guard against an opposite extreme1 and not keep them too hot4 ,the head alone should be kept cool1 on which account ,i do not approve either of night or of day caps4 #abg4 ,what are the best kinds of hat for a child8 ,the best covering for the head1 when he is out and about1 is a loose-fitting straw hat1 which will allow the perspiration to escape4 ,it should have a broad rim1 to screen the eyes4 ,a sun-shade1 that is to say1 a sea-side hat--a hat made of cotton--with a wide brim to keep off the sun1 is also an excellent hat for a child2 it is very light1 and allows a free escape of the perspiration4 ,it can be bought1 ready made1 at a baby-linen warehouse4 ,a knitted or crocheted woollen hat1 with woollen rosettes to keep the ears warm1 and which may be procured at any baby-linen warehouse1 makes a nice and comfortable winter's hat for a child4 ,it is also a good hat for him to wear while performing a long journey4 ,the colour chosen is generally scarlet and white1 which1 in cold weather1 gives it a warm and comfortable appearance4 ,it is an abominable practice to cover a child's head with beaver or with felt1 or with any thick impervious material ,it is a well-ascertained fact1 that beaver and silk hats cause men to suffer from headache1 and to lose their hair--the reason being1 that the perspiration cannot possibly escape through them4 ,now1 if the perspiration cannot escape1 dangerous1 or at all events injurious1 consequences must ensue1 as it is well known that the skin is a breathing apparatus1 and that it will not with impunity bear interference4 ,neither a child nor any one else should be permitted to be in the glare of the son without his hat4 ,if he be allowed1 he is likely to have a sun-stroke1 which might either at once kill him1 or might make him an idiot for the remainder of his life2 which latter would be the worse alternative of the two4 #abh4 ,have you1 any remarks to make on keeping a child's hands and legs warm when in the winter time he it carried out8 ,when a child either walks or is carried out in wintry weather1 be sure and see that both his hands and legs are well protected from the cold4 ,there is nothing for this purpose like woollen gloves1 and woollen stockings coming up over the knees4 #abi4 ,do you approve of a child wearing a flannel nightgown8 ,he frequently throws the clothes off him1 and has occasion to be taken up in the night1 and if he have not a flannel gown on1 is likely to catch cold2 on which account ,i recommend it to be worn4 ,the usual calico night-gown should be worn under it4 #acj4 ,do you advise a child to be ,,lightly clad1 in order that he may be hardened thereby8 ,i should fear that such a plan1 instead of hardening1 would be likely to produce a contrary effect4 ,it is an ascertained fact that more children of the poor1 who are thus lightly clad1 die1 than of those who are properly defended from the cold4 ,again1 what holds good with a young plant is equally applicable to a young child2 and we all know that it is ridiculous to think of unnecessarily exposing a tender plant to harden it4 ,if it were thus exposed1 it would wither and die4 #aca4 ,if a child be delicate1 if he have a cold body1 or a languid circulation1 or if he be predisposed to inflammation of the lungs1 do you approve of his wearing flannel instead of linen shirts8 ,i do2 as flannel tends to keep the body at an equal temperature1 thus obviating the effects of the sudden changes of the weather1 and promotes by gentle friction the cutaneous circulation1 thus warming the cold body1 and giving an impetus to the languid circulation1 and preventing an undue quantity of blood from being sent to the lungs1 either to light up or to feed inflammation ,fine flannel1 of course1 ought to be worn1 which should be changed as frequently as the usual shirts4 ,if a child have had an attack either of bronchitis or of inflammation of the lungs1 or if he have just recovered from scarlet fever1 by all means1 if he have not previously worn flannel1 instantly let him begin to do so1 and let him1 next to the skin1 wear a flannel waistcoat4 ,this is important advice1 and ought not to be disregarded4 ,scarlet flannel is now much used instead of white flannel2 and as scarlet flannel has a more comfortable appearance1 and does not shrink so much in washing1 it may be substituted for the white4 #acb4 ,have you any remarks to make on the shoes and stockings of a child8 and on the right way of cutting the toe-nails8 ,he ought1 daring the winter1 to wear lamb's wool stockings that will reach above the knees1 and thick calico drawers that will reach a few inches below the knees2 as it is of the utmost importance to keep the lower extremities comfortably warm4 ,it is really painful to see how many mothers expose the bare legs of their little ones to the frosty air1 even in the depths of winter4 ,be sure and see that the boots and shoes of your child be sound and whole2 for if they be not so1 they will let in the damp1 and if the damp1 disease and perhaps death4 ,if the poor would take better care of their children's feet half the infantile mortality would disappear4 ,it only costs twopence to put a piece of thick felt or cork into the bottom of a boot or shoe1 and the difference is often between that and a doctors bill1 with1 perhaps1 the undertaker's besides4--,daily ,telegraph1 ,garters ought not to be worn1 as they impede the circulation1 waste the muscles1 and interfere with walking4 ,the stocking may be secured in its place by means of a loop and tape1 which should be fastened to a part of the dress4 ,let me urge upon you the importance of not allowing your child to wear tight shoes2 they cripple the feet1 causing the joints of the toes1 which ought to have free play1 and which should assist in walking1 to be1 in a manner1 useless2 they produce corns and bunions1 and interfere with the proper circulation of the foot4 ,a shoe ought to be made according to the shape of the foot--rights and lefts are therefore desirable4 ,the toe-part of the shoe must be made broad1 so as to allow plenty of room for the toes to expand1 and that one toe cannot overlap another4 ,be sure1 then1 that there be no pinching and no pressure4 ,in the article of shoes you ought to be particular and liberal2 pay attention to having nicely fitting ones1 and let them be made of soft leather1 and throw them on one side the moment they are too small4 ,it is poor economy1 indeed1 because a pair of shoes be not worn out1 to run the risk of incurring the above evil consequences4 ,shoes are far preferable to boots3 boots weaken instead of strengthen the ankle4 ,the ankle and instep require free play1 and ought not to be hampered by boots4 ,moreover1 boots1 by undue pressure1 decidedly waste away the ligaments of the ankle4 ,boots act on the ankles in a similar way that stays do on the waist--they do mischief by pressure4 ,boots waste away the ligaments of the ankle2 stays waste away the muscles of the back and chest2 and thus1 in both cases1 do irreparable mischief4 ,a shoe for a child ought to be made with a narrow strap over the instep1 and with button and button-hole2 if it be not made in this way1 the shoe will not keep on the foot4 ,it is a grievous state of things1 that in the nineteenth century there are but few shoemakers who know how to make a shoe6 ,the shoe is made not to fit a real foot1 but a fashionable imaginary one6 ,the poor unfortunate toes are in consequence screwed up as in a vice6 ,let me strongly urge you to be particular that the sock1 or stocking1 fits nicely--that it is neither too small nor too large2 if it be too small1 it binds up the toes unmercifully1 and makes one toe to ride over the other1 and thus renders the toes perfectly useless in walking2 if it be too large1 it is necessary to lap a portion of the sock1 or stocking1 either under or over the toes1 which thus presses unduly upon them1 and gives pain and annoyance4 ,it should be borne in mind1 that if the toes have full play1 they1 as it were1 grasp the ground1 and greatly assist in locomotion--which1 of course1 if they are cramped up1 they cannot possibly do4 ,be careful1 too1 that the toe-part of the sock1 or stocking1 be not pointed2 let it be made square in order to give room to the toes4 ,at this helpless period of life1 the delicately feeble1 outspreading toes are wedged into a narrow-toed stocking1 often so short as to double in the toes1 diminishing the length of the rapidly growing foot6 ,it is next1 perhaps1 tightly laced into a boot of less interior dimensions than itself2 when the poor little creature is left to sprawl about with a limping1 stumping gait1 thus learning to walk as it best can1 under circumstances the most cruel and torturing imaginable4 ,footnote3 ,the ,foot and its ,covering1 second edition4 ,by ,james ,dowie4 ,london3 #ahgb4 ,i beg to call a mother's especial attention to this valuable little book3 it is written by an earnest intelligent man1 by one who has studied the subject in all its bearings1 and by one who is himself a shoemaker4 ,it is impossible for either a stocking1 or a shoe1 to fit nicely unless the toe-nails be kept in proper order4 ,now1 in cutting the toe-nails1 there is1 as in everything else1 a right and a wrong way4 ,the right way of cutting a toe-nail is to cut it straight--in a straight line4 ,the wrong way is to cut the corners of the nail--to round the nail as it is called4 ,this cutting the corners of the nails often makes work for the surgeon1 as ,i myself can testify2 it frequently produces growing-in of the nail1 which sometimes necessitates the removal of either the nail1 or a portion of it4 #acc4 ,at what time of the year should a child leave off his winter clothing8 ,a mother ought not to leave off her children's winter clothing until the spring be far advanced3 it is far better to be on the safe side1 and to allow the winter clothes to be worn until the end of ,may4 ,the old adage is very good1 and should be borne in mind3-- ,button to chin ,till ,may be in2 ,ne'er cast a clout ,till ,may be out4 #acd4 ,have you any general remarks to make on the present fashion of dressing children8 ,the present fashion is absurd4 ,children are frequently dressed like mountebanks1 with feathers and furbelows and finery2 the boys go bare-legged2 the little girls are dressed like women1 with their stuck-out petticoats1 crinolines1 and low dresses6 ,their poor little waists are drawn in tight1 so that they can scarcely breathe2 their dresses are very low and short1 the consequence is1 that a great part of the chest is exposed to our variable climate2 their legs are bare down to their thin socks1 or if they be clothed1 they are only covered with gossamer drawers2 while their feet are encased in tight shoes of paper thickness6 ,dress6 dress6 dress6 is made with them1 at a tender age1 and when first impressions are the strongest1 a most important consideration4 ,they are thus rendered vain and frivolous1 and are taught to consider dress as the one thing needful ,and if they live to be women--which the present fashion is likely frequently to prevent--what are they8 ,silly1 simpering1 delicate1 lack-a-daisical nonentities2 dress being their amusement1 their occupation1 their conversation1 their everything1 their thoughts by day and their dreams by night6 ,truly they are melancholy objects to behold6 ,let children be dressed as children1 not as men and women4 ,let them be taught that dress is quite a secondary consideration4 ,let health1 and not fashion1 be the first1 and we shall then have1 with ,god's blessing1 blooming children1 who will1 in time1 be the pride and strength of dear old ,england6 ,,diet4 #ace4 ,at ,,twelve months old1 have you any objection to a child having any other food besides that you mentioned in answer to the #cdth question8 ,there is no objection to his occasionally having1 for dinner1 either a mealy1 mashed potato and gravy1 or a few crumbs of bread and gravy4 ,rice-pudding or batter-pudding may1 for a change1 be given2 but remember1 the food recommended in a former ,conversation is what1 until he be eighteen months old1 must be principally taken4 ,during the early months of infancy--say1 for the first six or seven--if artificial food be given at all1 it should be administered by means of a feeding-bottle4 ,after that time1 either a spoon1 or a nursing boat1 will be preferable4 ,the food as he becomes older1 ought to be made more solid4 #acf4 ,at ,,eighteen months old1 have you any objection to a child having meat8 ,he ought not to have meat until he have several teeth to chew it with4 ,if he has most of his teeth--which he very likely at this age will have--there is no objection to his taking a small slice either of mutton1 or occasionally of roast beef1 which should be well cut into very small pieces1 and mixed with a mealy mashed potato1 and a few crumbs of bread and gravy2 either every day1 if he be delicate1 or every other day1 if he be a gross or a fast-feeding child4 ,it may be well1 in the generality of cases1 for the first few months to give him meat every other day1 and either potato or gravy1 or rice or suet-pudding or batter-pudding on the alternate days2 indeed1 ,i think so highly of rice1 of suet1 and of batter-puddings1 and of other farinaceous puddings1 that ,i should advise you to let him have either the one or the other even on those days that he has meat--giving it him after his meat4 ,but remember1 if he have meat and pudding1 the meat ought to be given sparingly4 ,if he be gorged with food1 it makes him irritable1 cross1 and stupid2 at one time1 clogging up his bowels1 and producing constipation2 at another1 disordering his liver1 and causing either clay-coloured stools--denoting a deficiency of bile1 or dark and offensive motions--telling of vitiated bile2 while1 in a third case1 cramming him with food might bring on convulsions4 #acg4 ,as you are to partial to puddings for a child1 which do you consider the best for him8 ,he ought1 every day1 to have a pudding for his dinner--either rice1 arrow-root1 sago1 tapioca1 suet-pudding1 batter-pudding1 or ,yorkshire-pudding1 mixed with crumbs of bread and gravy--free from grease4 ,a well boiled suet-pudding1 with plenty of suet in it1 is one of the best puddings he can have2 it is1 in point of fact1 meat and farinaceous food combined1 and is equal to1 and will oftentimes prevent the giving of1 cod-liver oil2 before cod-liver oil came into vogue1 suet boiled in milk was the remedy for a delicate child4 ,he may1 occasionally1 have fruit-pudding1 provided the pastry be both plain and light4 ,the objection to fruit pies and puddings is1 that the pastry is often too rich for the delicate stomach of a child2 there is so objection1 certainly not1 to the fruit--cooked fruit being1 for a child1 most wholesome2 if1 therefore1 fruit puddings and pies be eaten1 the pastry part ought to be quite plain4 ,there is1 in ,murray's ,modern ,cookery ,book1 an excellent suggestion1 which ,i will take the liberty of quoting1 and of strongly urging my fair reader to carry into practice3--,to prepare fruit for children1 a far more wholesome way than in pies and puddings1 is to put apples sliced1 or plums1 currants1 gooseberries1 c41 into a stone jar2 and sprinkle among them as much ,lisbon sugar as necessary4 ,set the jar on an oven or on a hearth1 with a tea-cupful of water to prevent the fruit from burning2 or put the jar into a saucepan of water1 till its contents be perfectly done4 ,slices of bread or some rice may be put into the jar1 to eat with the fruit4 ,jam--such as strawberry1 raspberry1 gooseberry--is most wholesome for a child1 and ought occasionally to be given1 in lieu of sugar1 with the rice1 with the batter1 and with the other puddings4 ,marmalade1 too1 is very wholesome4 ,puddings ought to be given after and not before his meat and vegetables2 if you give him pudding before his meat1 he might refuse to eat meat altogether4 ,by adopting the plan of giving puddings every day1 your child will require less animal food2 much meat is injurious to a young child4 ,but do not run into an opposite extreme3 a little meat ought1 every day1 to be given1 provided he has cut the whole of his first set of teeth2 until then1 meat every other day will be often enough4 #ach4 ,as soon as a child has cut the whole of his first set of teeth1 what ought to be his diet8--,what should be his breakfast8 ,he can1 then1 have nothing better1 where it agrees1 than scalding hot new milk poured on sliced bread1 with a slice or two of bread and butter to eat with it4 ,butter1 in moderation1 is nourishing1 fattening1 and wholesome4 ,moreover1 butter tends to keep the bowels regular4 ,these facts should be borne in mind1 as some mothers foolishly keep their children from butter1 declaring it to be too rich for their children's stomachs6 ,new milk should be used in preference either to cream or to skim-milk4 ,cream1 as a rule1 is too rich for the delicate stomach of a child1 and skim-milk is too poor when robbed of the butter which the cream contains4 ,but give cream and water1 where new milk 7as is occasionally the case7 does not agree2 but never give skim-milk4 ,skim-milk 7among other evils7 produces costiveness1 and necessitates the frequent administration of aperients4 ,cream1 on the other hand1 regulates and tends to open the bowels4 ,although ,i am not1 as a rule1 so partial to cream as ,i am to good genuine fresh milk1 yet ,i have found1 in cases of great debility1 more especially where a child is much exhausted by some inflammatory disease1 such as inflammation of the lungs1 the following food most serviceable3--,beat up1 by means of a fork1 the yolk of an egg1 then mix1 little by little1 half a tea-cupful of very weak black tea1 sweeten with one lump of sugar1 and add a table-spoonful of cream4 ,let the above1 by tea-spoonfuls at a time be frequently given4 ,the above food is only to be administered until the exhaustion be removed1 and is not to supersede the milk diet1 which must1 at stated periods1 be given1 as ,i have recommended in answers to previous and subsequent questions4 ,when a child has costive bowels1 there is nothing better for his breakfast than well-made and well-boiled oatmeal stir-about1 which ought to be eaten with milk fresh from the cow4 ,scotch children scarcely take anything else1 and a finer race is not in existence2 and1 as for physic1 many of them do not even know either the taste or the smell of it6 ,you win find ,robinson's ,pure ,scotch ,oatmeal 7sold in packets7 to be very pure1 and sweet1 and good4 ,stir-about is truly said to be-- ,the halesome parritch1 chief of ,scotia's food4--,burns4 ,cadbury's ,cocoa ,essence1 made with equal parts of boiling water and fresh milk1 slightly sweetened with lump sugar1 is an admirable food for a delicate child4 ,bread and butter should be eaten with it4 #aci4 ,have you any remarks to make on cow's milk as an article of food8 ,cow's milk is a valuable1 indeed1 an indispensable article of diet1 for the young2 it is most nourishing1 wholesome1 and digestible4 ,the finest and the healthiest children are those who1 for the first four or five years of their lives1 are fed principally upon it4 ,milk ought then to be their staple food4 ,no child1 as a rule1 can live1 or1 if he live1 can be healthy1 unless milk be the staple article of his diet4 ,there is no substitute for milk4 ,to prove the fattening and strengthening qualities of milk1 look only at a young calf who lives on milk1 and on milk alone6 ,he is a ,samson in strength1 and is as fat as butter2 and all young things if they are in health are fat6 ,milk1 then1 contains every ingredient to build up the body1 which is more than can be said of any other known substance besides4 ,a child may live entirely1 and grow1 and become both healthy and strong1 on milk and on milk alone1 as it contains every constituent of the human body4 ,a child cannot live by bread alone1 but he might on milk alone6 ,milk is animal and vegetable--it is meat and bread--it is food and drink--it is a fluid1 but as soon as it reaches the stomach it becomes a solid ,footnote3 ,how is milk in the making of cheese1 converted into curds8 ,by rennet4 ,what is rennet8 ,the juice of a calf's maw or stomach4 ,the moment the milk enters the human maw or stomach1 the juice of the stomach converts it into curds--into solid food1 just as readily as when it enters a calfs maw or stomach1 and much more readily than by rennet1 as the fresh juice is stronger than the stale4 ,an ignorant mother often complains that because1 when her child is sick1 the milk curdles1 that it is a proof that it does not agree with him6 ,if1 at those times1 it did not curdle1 it would1 indeed1 prove that his stomach was in a wretchedly weak state2 she would then have abundant cause to be anxious4--solid food2 it is the most important and valuable article of diet for a child in existence4 ,it is a glorious food for the young1 and must never1 on any account whatever1 in any case be dispensed with4 ,considering that milk contains in itself most of the constituents of a perfect diet1 and is capable of maintaining life in infancy without the aid of any other substance1 it is marvellous that the consumption of it is practically limited to so small a class2 and not only so1 but that in sick-rooms1 where the patient is surrounded with every luxury1 arrow-root1 and other compounds containing much less nutriment1 should so often be preferred to it4--,the ,times4 ,do not let me be misunderstood4 ,i do not mean to say1 but that the mixing of farinaceous food--such as ,lemann's ,biscuit ,powder1 ,robb's ,biscuit1 ,hard's ,farinaceous ,food1 ,brown and ,polson's ,corn ,flour1 and the like1 with the milk1 is an improvement1 in some cases--a great improvement2 but still ,i maintain that a child might live and thrive1 and that for a lengthened period1 on milk--and on milk alone6 ,a dog will live and fatten for six weeks on milk alone2 while he will starve and die in a shorter period on strong beef-tea alone6 ,it is a grievous sin for a milkman to adulterate milk4 ,how many a poor infant has fallen a victim to that crime6--for crime it may be truly called4 ,it is folly in the extreme for a mother to bate a milkman down in the price of his milk2 if she does1 the milk is sure to be either of inferior quality1 or adulterated1 or diluted with water2 and woe betide the poor unfortunate child if it be either the one or the other6 ,the only way to insure good milk is1 to go to a respectable cow-keeper1 and let him be made to thoroughly understand the importance of your child having genuine milk1 and that you are then willing to pay a fair remunerative price for it4 ,rest assured1 that if you have to pay one penny or even twopence a quart more for genuine milk1 it is one of the best investments that you ever have made1 or that you are ever likely to make in this world6 ,cheap and inferior milk might well be called cheap and nasty2 for inferior or adulterated milk is the very essence1 the conglomeration of nastiness2 and1 moreover1 is very poisonous to a child's stomach4 ,one and the principal reason why so many children are rickety and scrofulous1 is the horrid stuff called milk that is usually given to them4 ,it is a crying evil1 and demands a thorough investigation and reformation1 and the individual interference of every parent4 ,limited ,liability ,companies are the order of the day2 it would really be not a bad speculation if one were formed in every large town1 in order to insure good1 genuine1 and undiluted milk4 ,young children1 as a rule1 are allowed to eat too much meat4 ,it is a mistaken notion of a mother that they require so much animal food4 ,if more milk were given and less meat1 they would he healthier1 and would not be so predisposed to disease1 especially to diseases of debility1 and to skin-disease4 ,i should strongly recommend you1 then1 to be extravagant in your milk score4 ,each child ought1 in the twenty-four hours1 to take at least a quart of good1 fresh1 new milk4 ,it should1 of course1 be given in various ways1--as bread and milk1 rice-puddings1 milk and differents kinds of farinaceous food1 stir-about1 plain milk1 cold milk1 hot milk1 any way1 and every way1 that will please his palate1 and that will induce him to take an abundant supply of it4 ,the advice ,i have just given you is of paramount importance1 and demands your most earnest attention4 ,there would be very few rickety children in the world if my counsel were followed out to the very letter4 #adj4 ,but suppose my child will not take milk1 he having an aversion to it1 what ought then to be done8 ,boil the milk1 and sweeten it to suit his palate4 ,after he has been accustomed to it for a while1 he will then1 probably1 like milk4 ,gradually reduce the sugar1 until at length it be dispensed with4 ,a child will often take milk this way1 whereas he will not otherwise touch it4 ,if a child will not drink milk1 he must eat meat2 it is absolutely necessary that he should have either the one or the other2 and1 if he have cut nearly all his teeth1 he ought to have both meat and milk--the former in moderation1 the latter in abundance4 #ada4 ,supposing milk should not agree with my child1 what must then be done8 ,milk1 either boiled or unboiled1 almost always agrees with a child4 ,if it does not1 it must be looked upon as the exception1 and not as the rule4 ,i would1 in such a case1 advise one-eighth of lime water to be added to seven-eighths of new milk--that is to say1 two table-spoonfuls of lime water should be mixed with half a pint of new milk4 #adb4 ,can you tell me of a way to prevent milk1 in hot weather1 from turning sour8 ,let the jug of milk be put into a crock1 containing ice--,wenham ,lake is the best--either in the dairy or in the cellar4 ,the ice may at any time1 be procured of a respectable fishmonger1 and should be kept1 wrapped either in flannel or in blanket1 in a cool place1 until it be wanted4 #adc4 ,can you tell me why the children of the rich suffer so much more from costiveness than do the children of the poor8 ,the principal reason is that the children of the rich drink milk without water1 while the children of the poor drink water without1 or with very little1 milk--milk being binding1 and water opening to the bowels4 ,be sure then1 and bear in mind1 as this is most important advice1 to see that water is mixed with all the milk that is given to your child4 ,the combination of milk and water for a child is a glorious compound--strengthening1 fattening1 refreshing1 and regulating to the bowels1 and thus doing away with that disgraceful proceeding so common in nurseries1 of everlastingly physicking1 irritating and irreparably injuring the tender bowels of a child4 ,my opinion is1 that aperients1 as a rule1 are quite unnecessary1 and should only be given in severe illness1 and under the direction of a judicious medical man4 ,how much misery1 and injury1 might be averted if milk were always given to a child in combination with water6 ,aperients1 by repetition1 unlike water1 increase the mischief tenfold1 and cork them up most effectually2 so that the bowels1 in time1 will not act without them6 ,a mother before she gives an aperient to her child should ponder well upon what ,i have said upon the subject1 it being a vital question1 affecting1 as it does1 the well-being and the well-doing of her child4 #add4 ,but1 if a child's bowels be very costive1 what is to be done to relieve them8 ,do not give him a grain or a drop of opening medicine1 but in lieu thereof1 administer1 by means of a #f oz4 ,india-rubber ,enema ,bottle1 half a tea-cup or a tea-cupful1 according to the age of the child1 ,footnote3 ,for a babe1 from birth until he be two years old1 one1 two1 or three table-spoonfuls of warm water will be sufficient1 and a #b oz4 ,enema ,bottle will be the proper size for the purpose of administering it4 of warm water2 now this will effectually open the bowels1 without confining them afterwards1 which opening physic would most assuredly do6 #ade4 ,is it necessary to give a child luncheon8 ,if he want anything to eat between breakfast and dinner let him have a piece of dry bread2 and if he have eaten very heartily at dinner1 and1 like ,oliver ,twist1 asks for more6 give him1 to satisfy his craving1 a piece of dry bread4 ,he will never eat more of that than will do him good1 and yet he will take sufficient to satisfy his hunger1 which is very important4 #adf4 ,what ought now to be his dinner8 ,he should now have meat1 either mutton or beef1 daily1 which must be cut up very small1 and should be mixed with mealy1 mashed potato and gravy4 ,he ought always to be accustomed to eat salt with his dinner4 ,let a mother see that this advice is followed1 or evil consequences will inevitably ensue4 ,let him be closely watched1 to ascertain that he well masticates his food1 and that he does not eat too quickly2 for young children are apt to bolt their food4 #adg4 ,have you any objection to pork for a change8 ,i have a great objection to it for the young4 ,it is a rich1 gross1 and therefore unwholesome food for the delicate stomach of a child4 ,i have known it1 in several instances1 produce violent pain1 sickness1 purging1 and convulsions4 ,if a child be fed much1 upon such meat1 it will be likely to produce breakings-out on the skin4 ,in fine1 his blood will put on the same character as the food he is fed with4 ,moreover1 pork might be considered a strong meat1 and strong meat and strong drink can only be taken by strong men4 #adh4 ,do you approve of veal for a child8 ,my objection to pork was1 that it was rich and gross2 this does not apply to veal2 but the objection to it is1 that it is more difficult of digestion that either mutton or beef2 indeed1 all young meats are harder of digestion than meats of maturity2 thus mutton is more digestible than lamb1 and beef than veal4 #adi4 ,do you disapprove of salted and boiled beef for a child8 ,if beef be much salted it is hard of digestion1 and therefore ought not to be given to him2 but if it have been but slightly salted1 then for a change there will be no objection to a little4 ,there is no necessity in the winter time to salt meat intended for boiling2 then boiled unsalted meat makes a nice change for a child's dinner4 ,salt1 of course1 must with the unsalted meat be eaten4 #aej4 ,but suppose there is nothing on the table that a child may with impunity eat8 ,he should then have either a grilled mutton chop1 or a lightly-boiled egg2 indeed1 the latter1 at any time1 makes an excellent change4 ,there is great nourishment in an egg2 it will not only strengthen the frame1 but it will give animal heat as well3 these two qualities of an egg are most valuable2 indeed1 essential for the due performance of health3 many articles of food contain the one qualification1 but not the other3 hence the egg is admirably suitable for a child's occasional dinner4 #aea4 ,are potatoes an unwholesome food for a child8 ,new ones are2 but old potatoes well cooked and mealy1 are the best vegetable he can have4 ,they ought to be well mashed1 as ,i have known lumps of potatoes cause convulsions4 #aeb4 ,do you approve of any other vegetables for a child8 ,occasionally3 either asparagus or broccoli1 or cauliflower1 or turnips1 or ,french beans1 which latter should be cut up fine1 may with advantage be given4 ,green peas may occasionally be given1 provided they be thoroughly well boiled1 and mashed with the knife on the plate4 ,underdone and unmashed peas are not fit for a child's stomach3 there is nothing more difficult of digestion than underdone peas4 ,it is important1 too1 to mash them1 even if they be well done1 as a child generally bolts peas whole2 and they pass through the alimentary canal without being in the least digested4 #aec4 ,might not a mother be too particular in dieting her child8 ,certainly not4 ,if blood can be too pure and too good she might6 ,when we take into account that the food we eat is converted into blood2 that if the food be good the blood is good2 and that if the food be improper or impure1 the blood is impure likewise2 and1 moreover1 when we know that every part of the body is built up by the blood1 we cannot be considered to be too particular in making our selection of food4 ,besides if indigestible or improper food be taken into the stomach1 the blood will not only be made impure1 but the stomach and the bowels will be disordered4 ,do not let me be misunderstood3 ,i am no advocate for a child having the same food one day as another-- certainly not4 ,let there be variety1 but let it be wholesome variety4 ,variety in a child's 7not in infant's7 food is necessary4 ,if he were fed1 day after day1 on mutton1 his stomach would1 at length be brought into that state1 that in time it would not properly digest any other meat1 and a miserable existence would be the result4 #aed4 ,what ought a child to drink with his dinner8 ,toast and water1 or1 if he prefer it1 plain spring water4 ,let him have as much as he likes4 ,if you give him water to drink1 there is no fear of his taking too much2 ,nature will tell him when he has had enough4 ,be careful of the quality of the water1 and the source from which you procure it4 ,if the water be hard--provided it be free from organic matter--so much the better4 ,footnote3 ,see the third edition of ,counsel to a ,mother1 under the head of ,hard or soft water as a beverage6 ,spring water from a moderately deep well is the best4 ,if it come from a land spring1 it is apt1 indeed1 is almost sure to be contaminated by drains1 c42 which is a frequent cause of fevers1 of diphtheria1 of ,asiatic cholera1 and of other blood poisons4 ,guard against the drinking water being contaminated with lead2 never1 therefore1 allow the water to be collected in leaden cisterns1 as it sometimes is if the water be obtained from ,water-works companies4 ,lead pumps1 for the same reason1 ought never to be used for drinking purposes4 ,paralysis1 constipation1 lead colic1 dropping of the wrist1 wasting of the ball of the thumb1 loss of memory1 and broken and ruined health1 might result from neglect of this advice4 ,the drinking fountains are a great boon to poor children1 as water and plenty of it1 is one of the chief necessaries of their existence2 and1 unfortunately1 at their own homes they are not1 oftentimes1 able to obtain a sufficient supply4 ,moreover1 drinking fountains are the best advocates for ,temperance4 ,some parents are in the habit of giving their children beer with their dinners--making them live as they live themselves6 ,this practice is truly absurd1 and fraught with great danger6 not only so1 but it is inducing a child to be fond of that which in after life might be his bane and curse6 ,no good end can be obtained by it2 it will not strengthen so young a child2 it will on the contrary1 create fever1 and will thereby weaken him2 it will act injuriously upon his delicate1 nervous1 and vascular systems1 and by means of producing inflammation either of the brain or of its membranes1 might thus cause water on the brain 7a disease to which young children are subject71 or it might induce inflammation of the lungs4 #aee4 ,what ought a child who has cut his teeth to have for his supper8 ,the same that he has for breakfast4 ,he should sup at six o'clock4 #aef4 ,have you any general remarks to make on a child's meals8 ,i recommended a great sameness in an infant's diet2 but a child's meals1 his dinners especially1 ought to be much varied4 ,for instance1 do not let him have day after day mutton2 but ring the changes on mutton1 beef1 poultry1 game1 and even occasionally fish--sole or cod4 ,not only let there be a change of meat1 but let there be a change in the manner of cooking it2 let the meat sometimes be roasted2 let it at other times be boiled4 ,i have known a mother who has prided herself as being experienced in these matters1 feed her child1 day after day1 on mutton chops6 ,such a proceeding is most injurious to him1 as after a while his unfortunate stomach will digest nothing but mutton chops1 and1 in time1 not even those6 ,with regard to vegetables1 potatoes--mashed potatoes--ought to be his staple vegetable2 but1 every now and then1 cauliflower1 asparagus1 turnips1 and ,french beans1 should be given4 ,with respect to puddings1 vary them2 rice1 one day2 suet1 another2 batter1 a third2 tapioca1 a fourth2 or1 even occasionally1 he might have either apple or gooseberry or rhubarb pudding--provided the pastry be plain and light4 ,it is an excellent plan1 as ,i have before remarked1 to let her child eat jam--such as strawberry1 raspberry1 or gooseberry--and that without stint1 either with rice or with batter puddings4 ,variety of diet1 then1 is good for a child3 it will give him muscle1 bone1 and sinew2 and1 what is very important1 it will tend to regulate his bowels1 and it will thus prevent the necessity of giving him aperients4 ,but do not stuff a child--do not press him1 as is the wont of some mothers1 to eat more than he feels inclined4 ,on the contrary1 if you think that he is eating too much--that he is overloading his stomach--and if he should ask for more1 then1 instead of giving him either more meat or more pudding1 give him a piece of dry bread4 ,by doing so1 you may rest assured that he will not eat more than is absolutely good for him4 #aeg4 ,if a child be delicate1 is there any objection to a little wine1 such as cowslip or tent1 to strengthen him8 ,wine ought not to be given to a child unless it be ordered by a medical man2 it is even more injurious than beer4 ,wine1 beer1 and spirits1 principally owe their strength to the alcohol they contain2 indeed1 nearly all wines are fortified 7as it is called7 with brandy4 ,brandy contains a large quantity of alcohol1 more than any other liquor1 namely #ee4c per cent4 ,if1 therefore1 you give wine1 it is1 in point of fact1 giving diluted brandy--diluted alcohol2 and alcohol acts1 unless it be used as a medicine1 and under skilful medical advice1 as a poison to a child4 #aeh4 ,suppose a child suddenly to lose his appetite8 is any notice to be taken of it8 ,if he cannot eat well1 depend upon it1 there is something wrong about the system4 ,if he be teething1 let a mother look well to his gums1 and satisfy herself that they do not require lancing4 ,if they be red1 hot1 and swollen1 send for a medical man1 that he may scarify them4 ,if his gums be not inflamed1 and no tooth appears near1 let her look well to the state of his bowels2 let her ascertain that they be sufficiently opened1 and that the stools be of a proper consistence1 colour1 and smell4 ,if they be neither the one nor the other1 give a dose of aperient medicine1 which will generally put all to rights4 ,if the gums be cool1 and the bowels be right1 and his appetite continue bad1 call in medical aid4 ,a child asking for something to eat1 is frequently1 in a severe illness1 the first favourable symptom2 we may generally then prognosticate that all will soon be well again4 ,if a child refuse his food1 neither coax nor tempt him to eat3 as food without an appetite will do him more harm than it will do him good2 it may produce either sickness1 bowel-complaint1 or fever4 ,depend upon it1 there is always a cause for a want of appetite2--perhaps his stomach has been over-worked1 and requires repose2 or his bowels are loaded1 and ,nature wishes to take time to use up the old material2--there might be fever lurking in his system2 ,nature stops the supplies1 and thus endeavours1 by not giving it food to work with1 to nip it in the bud2--there might be inflammation2 food would then be improper1 as it would only add fuel to the fire2 let1 therefore1 the cause be either an overworked stomach1 over-loaded bowels1 fever1 or inflammation1 food would be injurious4 ,kind ,nature if we will but listen to her voice1 will tell us when to eat1 and when to refrain4 #aei4 ,when a child is four or five years old1 have you any objection to his drinking tea8 ,some parents are in the habit of giving their children strong 7and frequently green7 tea4 ,this practice is most hurtful4 ,it acts injuriously upon their delicate1 nervous system1 and thus weakens their whole frame4 ,if milk does not agree1 a cup of very weak tea1 that is to say1 water with a dash of black tea in it1 with a table-spoonful of cream1 may be substituted for milk2 but a mother must never give tea where milk agrees4 #afj4 ,have you any objection to a child occasionally having either cakes or sweetmeats8 ,i consider them as so much slow poison4 ,such things both cloy and weaken the stomach1 and thereby take away the appetite1 and thus debilitate the frame4 ,moreover sweetmeats are coloured with poisonous pigments4 ,a mother1 surely1 is not aware1 that when she is giving her child ,sugar ,confectionery she is1 in many cases1 administering a deadly poison to him8 ,we beg to direct the attention of our readers to the ,report of the ,analytical ,sanitary ,commission1 contained in the ,lancet of the present week 7,dec4 #ah1 #aheh71 on the pigments employed in colouring articles of ,sugar ,confectionery4 ,from this report it appears that metallic pigments of a highly dangerous and even poisonous character1 containing chromic acid1 lead1 copper1 mercury1 and arsenic1 are commonly used in the colouring of such articles4 ,if a child be never allowed to eat cakes and sweetmeats1 he will consider a piece of dry bread a luxury1 and will eat it with the greatest relish4 #afa4 ,is bakers' or is home-made bread the most wholesome for a child8 ,bakers' bread is certainly the lightest2 and1 if we could depend upon its being unadulterated1 would1 from its lightness1 be the most wholesome2 but as we cannot always depend upon bakers' bread1 home-made bread1 as a rule should be preferred4 ,if it be at all heavy1 a child must not be allowed to partake of it2 a baker's loaf ought then to be sent for1 and continued to be eaten until light home-made bread can be procured4 ,heavy bread is most indigestible4 ,he must not be allowed to eat bread until it be two or three days old4 ,if it be a week old1 in cold weather1 it will be the more wholesome4 #afb4 ,do you approve either of caraway seeds or of currants in bread or in cakes--the former to disperse wind1 the latter to open the bowels8 ,there is nothing better than plain bread3 the caraway-seeds generally pass through the bowels undigested1 and thus might irritate1 and might produce1 instead of disperse wind4 ,footnote3 ,although caraway seeds whole are unwholesome1 yet caraway tea1 made as recommended in a previous ,conversation1 is an excellent remedy to disperse wind4 ,some mothers put currants in cakes1 with a view of opening the bowels of their children2 but they only open them by disordering them4 #afc4 ,my child has an antipathy to certain articles of diet3 what would you advise to be done8 ,a child's antipathy to certain articles of diet should be respected3 it is a sin and a shame to force him to eat what he has a great dislike to3 a child1 for instance1 sometimes dislikes the fat of meat1 underdone meat1 the skin off boiled milk and off rice-pudding4 ,why should he not have his likes and dislikes as well as children of a larger growth8 ,besides1 there is an idiosyncrasy--a peculiarity of the constitution in some children--and ,nature oftentimes especially points out what is good and what is bad for them individually1 and we are not to fly in the face of ,nature4 ,what is one man's meat is another man's poison4 ,if a child be forced to eat what he dislikes1 it will most likely not only make him sick1 but will disorder his stomach and bowels2 food1 if it is really to do him good1 must be eaten by him with a relish1 and not with disgust and aversion4 ,some mothers1 who are strict disciplinarians1 pride themselves on compelling their children to eat whatever they choose to give them6 ,such children are to be pitied6 #afd4 ,when ought a child to commence to dine with his parents8 ,as soon as he be old enough to sit up at the table1 provided the father and mother either dine or lunch in the middle of the day4 ,i always prefer having children about me at meal tines4 ,i think it makes them little gentlemen and gentlewomen in a manner that nothing else will4--,christian's ,mistake4 ,,the ,,nursery4 #afe4 ,save you any remarks to make on the selection1 the ventilation1 the warming1 the temperature1 and the arrangements of a nursery8 and have you any further observations to offer conducive to the well-doing of my child8 ,the nursery ought to be the largest and the most airy room in the house4 ,in the town1 if it be in the topmost story 7provided the apartment be large and airy7 so much the better1 as the air will then be purer4 ,the architect1 in the building of a house1 ought to be particularly directed to pay attention to the space1 the loftiness1 the ventilation1 the light1 the warming1 and the conveniences of a nursery4 ,a bath-room attached to it will be of great importance and benefit to the health of a child4 ,it will be advantageous to have a water-closet near at hand1 which should be well supplied with water1 be well drained1 and be well ventilated4 ,if this be not practicable1 the evacuations ought to be removed as soon as they are passed4 ,it is a filthy and an idle habit of a nurse-maid to allow a motion to remain for any length of time in the room4 ,the ,,ventilation of a nursery is of paramount importance4 ,there ought to be a constant supply of fresh pure air in the apartment4 ,but how few nurseries have fresh1 pure air6 ,many nurseries are nearly hermetically sealed--the windows are seldom1 if ever1 opened2 the doors are religiously closed2 and1 in summer time1 the chimneys are carefully stuffed up1 so that a breath of air is not allowed to enter6 ,the consequences are1 the poor unfortunate children are poisoned by their own breaths1 and are made so delicate that they are constantly catching cold2 indeed1 it might be said that they are labouring under chronic catarrhs1 all arising from ,nature's laws being set at defiance4 ,the windows ought to be large1 and should be made to freely open both top and bottom4 ,whenever the child is out of the nursery1 the windows ought to be thrown wide open2 indeed1 when he is in it1 if the weather be fine1 the upper sash should be a little lowered4 ,a child should be encouraged to change the room1 frequently1 in order that it may be freely ventilated2 for good air is as necessary to his health as wholesome food1 and air cannot be good if it be not frequently changed4 ,if you wish to have a strong and healthy child1 ponder over and follow this advice4 ,i have to enter my protest against the use of a stove in a nursery4 ,i consider a gas stove without a chimney to be an abomination1 most destructive to human life4 ,there is nothing like the old-fashioned open fire-place with a good-sized chimney1 so that it may not only carry off the smoke1 but also the impure air of the room4 ,be strict in not allowing your child either to touch or to play with fire2 frightful accidents have occurred from mothers and nurses being on these points lax4 ,the nursery ought to have a large fire-guard1 to go all round the hearth1 and which should be sufficiently high to prevent a child from climbing over4 ,not only must the nursery have a guard1 but every room where he is allowed to go should he furnished with one on the bars4 ,moreover1 it will be advisable to have a guard in every room where a fire is burning1 to prevent ladies from being burned4 ,fortunately for them1 preposterous crinolines are out of fashion3 when they were in fashion1 death from burning was of every-day occurrence2 indeed1 lady-burning was then to be considered one of the institutions of our land6 ,a nursery is usually kept too hot2 the temperature in the winter time ought not to exceed #fj degrees ,fahrenheit ,a good thermometer should be considered an indispensable requisite to a nursery4 ,a child in a hot1 close nursery is bathed in perspiration2 if he leave the room to go to one of lower temperature1 the pores of his skin are suddenly closed1 and either a severe cold or an inflammation of the lungs1 or an attack of bronchitis1 is likely to ensue4 ,moreover1 the child is both weakened and enervated by the heat1 and thus readily falls a prey to disease4 ,a child ought never to be permitted to sit with his back to the fire2 if he be allowed1 it weakens the spine1 and thus his whole frame2 it causes a rash of blood to the head and face1 and predisposes him to catch cold4 ,let a nurse make a point of opening the nursery window every time that she and her little charge leave the nursery1 if her absence be only for half an hour4 ,the mother herself ought to see that this advice is followed1 pure air is so essential to the well-being of a child4 ,pure air and pure water1 and let me add1 pure milk1 are for a child the grand and principal requirements of health4 ,look well to the ,,drainage of your house and neighbourhood4 ,a child is very susceptible to the influence of bad drainage4 ,bad drains are fruitful sources of scarlet fever1 of diphtheria1 of diarrhoea1 c4 ,it is sad to be reminded that1 whatever evils threaten the health of population1 whether from pollutions of water or of air1--whether from bad drainage or overcrowding1 they fall heaviest upon the most innocent victims--upon children of tender years4 ,their delicate frames are infinitely more sensitive than the hardened constitutions of adults1 and the breath of poison1 or the chill of hardships1 easily blights their tender life4--,the ,times4 ,a nursery floor ought not to be washed oftener than once a week2 and then the child or children should1 until it be dry1 be sent into another room4 ,during the drying of the floor1 the windows must1 of course1 be thrown wide open4 ,the constant wetting of a nursery is a frequent source of illness among children4 ,the floor ought1 of course1 to be kept clean2 but this may be done by the servant thoroughly sweeping the room out every morning before her little charge makes his appearance4 ,do not have your nursery wall covered with green paper-hangings4 ,green paper-hangings contain large quantities of arsenic--arsenite of copper 7,scheele's green7--which1 ,i need scarcely say1 is a virulent poison1 and which flies about the room in the form of powder4 ,there is frequently enough poison on the walls of a room to destroy a whole neigbourhood4 ,there is another great objection to having your nursery walls covered with green paper-hangings2 if any of the paper should become loose from the walls1 a little child is very apt to play with it1 and to put it1 as he does every thing else1 to his mouth4 ,this is not an imaginary state of things1 as four children in one family have just lost their lives from sucking green paper-hangings4 ,green dresses1 as they are coloured with a preparation of arsenic1 are equally as dangerous as green paper-hangings2 a child ought1 therefore1 never to wear a green dress4 ,it may be interesting to some of our readers1 says ,land and ,water1 to know that the new green1 so fashionable for ladies' dresses1 is just as dangerous in its nature as the green wall-paper1 about which so much was written some time since4 ,it is prepared with a large quantity of arsenic2 and we have been assured by several of the leading dressmakers1 that the workwomen employed in making up dresses of this colour are seriously affected with all the symptoms of arsenical poisoning4 ,let our lady friends take care4 ,children's toys are frequently painted of a green colour with arsenite of copper1 and are consequently1 highly dangerous for him to play with4 ,the best toy for a child is a box of unpainted wooden bricks1 which is a constant source of amusement to him4 ,if you have your nursery walls hung with paintings and engravings1 let them be of good quality4 ,the horrid daubs and bad engravings that usually disfigure nursery walls1 are enough to ruin the taste of a child1 and to make him take a disgust to drawing1 which would be a misfortune4 ,a fine engraving and a good painting expand and elevate his mind4 ,we all know that first impressions are the most vivid and the most lasting4 ,a taste in early life for everything refined and beautiful purifies his mind1 cultivates his intellect1 keeps him from low company1 and makes him grow up a gentleman6 ,lucifer matches1 in case of sudden illness1 should1 both in the nursery and in the bedroom1 be always in readiness2 but they must be carefully placed out of the reach of children1 as lucifer matches are a deadly poison4 ,many inquests have been held on children who have1 from having sucked them1 been poisoned by them4 #aff4 ,have you any observation to make on the ,,light of a nursery8 ,let the window1 or what is better1 the windows1 of a nursery be very large1 so as to thoroughly light up every nook and corner of the room1 as there is nothing more conducive to the health of a child than an abundance of light in the dwelling4 ,a room cannot1 then1 be too light4 ,the windows of a nursery are generally too small4 ,a child requires as much light as a plant4 ,gardeners are well aware of the great importance of light in the construction of their greenhouses1 and yet a child1 who requires it as much1 and is of much greater importance1 is cooped up in dark rooms6 ,the windows of a nursery ought not only to be frequently opened to let in fresh air1 but should be frequently cleaned1 to let in plenty of light and of sunshine1 as nothing is so cheering and beneficial to a child as an abundance of light and sunshine6 ,with regard to the best artificial light for a nursery4--,the air of a nursery cannot be too pure2 ,i therefore do not advise you to have gas in it1 as gas in burning gives off quantities of carbonic acid and sulphuretted hydrogen1 which vitiate the air4 ,the paraffine lamp1 too1 makes a room very hot and close4 ,there is no better light for a nursery than either ,price's patent candles or the old-fashioned tallow-candle4 ,let a child's home he the happiest house to him in the world2 and to be happy he must be merry1 and all around him should be merry and cheerful2 and he ought to have an abundance of playthings1 to help on the merriment4 ,if he have a dismal nurse1 and a dismal home1 he may as well be incarcerated in a prison1 and be attended by a gaoler4 ,it is sad enough to see dismal1 doleful men and women1 but it is a truly lamentable and unnatural sight to see a doleful child6 ,the young ought to be as playful and as full of innocent mischief as a kitten4 ,there will be quite time enough in after years for sorrow and for sadness4 ,bright colours1 plenty of light1 clean windows 7mind this1 if you please71 an abundance of good-coloured prints1 and toys without number1 are the proper furnishings of a nursery4 ,nursery6 why1 the very name tells you what it ought to be--the home of childhood--the most important room in the house1--a room that will greatly tend to stamp the character of your child for the remainder of his life4 #afg4 ,have you any more hints to offer conducive to the well-doing of my child8 ,you cannot be too particular in the choice of those who are in constant attendance upon him4 ,you yourself1 of course1 must be his head-nurse--you only require some one to take the drudgery off your hands6 ,you ought to be particularly careful in the selection of his nurse4 ,she should be steady1 lively1 truthful1 and good tempered2 and must be free from any natural imperfection1 such as squinting1 stammering1 c41 for a child is such an imitative creature that he is likely to acquire that defect1 which in the nurse is natural4 ,children1 like babies1 are quick at 'taking notice4' ,what they see they mark1 and what they mark they are very prone to copy4--,the ,times4 ,she ought not to be very young1 or she may be thoughtless1 careless1 and giggling4 ,you have no right to set a child to mind a child2 it would be like the blind leading the blind4 ,no6 a child is too precious a treasure to be entrusted to the care and keeping of a young girl4 ,many a child has been ruined for life by a careless young nurse dropping him and injuring his spine4 ,a nurse ought to be both strong and active1 in order that her little charge may have plenty of good nursing2 for it requires great strength in the arms to carry a heavy child for the space of an hour or two at a stretch1 in the open air2 and such is absolutely necessary1 and is the only way to make him strong1 and to cause him to cut his teeth easily1 and at the same time to regulate his bowels2 a noise1 therefore1 most be strong and active1 and not mind hard1 work1 for hard work it is2 but1 after she is accustomed to it1 pleasant notwithstanding4 ,never should a nurse be allowed to wear a mask1 nor to dress up and paint herself as a ghost1 or as any other frightful object4 ,a child is naturally timid and full of fears1 and what would not make the slightest impression upon a grown-up person might throw a child into fits-- ,the sleeping1 and the dead1 ,are but as pictures3 'tis the age of childhood ,that fears a painted devil4--,shakspeare4 ,never should she be permitted to tell her little charge frightful stories of ghosts and hobgoblins2 if this be allowed1 the child's disposition will become timid and wavering1 and may continue so for the remainder of his life4 ,if a little fellow were not terrified by such stories1 the darkness would not frighten him more than the light4 ,moreover1 the mind thus filled with fear1 acts upon the body1 and injures the health4 ,a child must never be placed in a dark cellar1 nor frightened by tales of rats1 c4 ,instances are related of fear thus induced impairing the intellect for life2 and there are numerous examples of sudden fright causing a dangerous and even a fatal illness4 ,night-terrors4--,this frightening of a child by a silly nurse frequently brings on night-terrors4 ,he wakes up suddenly1 soon after going to sleep1 frightened and terrified2 screaming violently1 and declaring that he has seen either some ghost1 or thief1 or some object that the silly nurse had been previously in the day describing1 who is come for him to take him away4 ,the little fellow is the very picture of terror and alarm2 he hides his face in his mother's bosom1 the perspiration streams down him1 and it is some time before he can be pacified--when1 at length1 he falls into a troubled feverish slumber1 to awake in the morning unrefreshed4 ,night after night these terrors harass him1 until his health materially suffers1 and his young life becomes miserable looking forward with dread to the approach of darkness4 ,treatment of night terrors4--,if they have been brought on by the folly of the nurse1 discharge her at once1 and be careful to select a more discreet one4 ,when the child retires to rest1 leave a candle burning1 and let it burn all night1 sit with him until he be asleep1 and take care1 in case he should rouse up in one of his night-terrors1 that either yourself or some kind person be near at hand4 ,do not scold him for being frightened--he cannot help it1 but soothe him1 calm him1 fondle him1 take him into your arms and let him feel that he has some one to rest upon1 to defend and to protect him4 ,it is frequently in these cases necessary before he can be cared to let him have change of air and change of scene4 ,let him live1 in the day time1 a great part of the day in the open air4 ,a nurse maid should never1 on any account whatever1 be allowed to whip a child4 ,does ever any man or woman remember the feeling of being 'whipped' as a child1 the fierce anger1 the insupportable ignominy1 the longing for revenge1 which blotted out all thought of contrition for the fault or rebellion against the punishment8 ,with this recollection on their own parts1 ,i can hardly suppose any parents venturing to inflict it1 much less allowing its infliction by another under any circumstances whatever4 ,a nurse-maid or domestic of any sort1 once discovered to have lifted up her hand against a child1 ought to meet instant severe rebuke1 and on a repetition of the offence instant dismissal4 ,footnote3 ,a ,woman's ,thoughts about ,women4 ,i have seen in the winter tune a lazy nurse sit before the fire with a child on her lap1 rubbing his cold feet just before putting him to his bed4 ,now1 this is not the way to warm his feet4 ,the right method is to let him romp and run either about the room1 or the landing1 or the hall--this will effectually warm them1 but1 of course1 it will entail a little extra trouble on the nurse1 as she will have to use a little exertion to induce him to do so1 and this extra trouble a lazy nurse will not relish4 ,warming the feet before the fire will give the little fellow chilblains1 and will make him when he is in bed more chilly4 ,the only way for him to have a good romp before he goes to bed1 is for the mother to join in the game4 ,she may rest assured1 that if she does so1 her child will not be the only one to benefit by it4 ,she herself will find it of marvellous benefit to her own health2 it will warm her own feet1 it will be almost sure to insure her a good night1 and will make her feel so light and buoyant as almost to fancy that she is a girl again6 ,well1 then1 let every child1 before going to bed1 hold a high court of revelry1 let him have an hour--the ,children's ,hour--devoted to romp1 to dance1 to shout1 to sing1 to riot1 and to play1 and let him be the master of the revels-- ,between the dark and the daylight1 ,when the night is beginning to lower1 ,comes a pause in the day's occupation1 ,which is known as the ,children's ,hour4 ,longfellow4 ,let a child be employed--take an interest in his employment1 let him fancy that he is useful--and he is useful1 he is laying in a stock of health4 ,he is much more usefully employed than many other grown-up children are6 ,a child should be happy2 he must1 in every way1 be made happy2 everything ought to be done to conduce to his happiness1 to give him joy1 gladness1 and pleasure4 ,happy he should be1 as happy as the day is long4 ,kindness should be lavished upon him4 ,make a child understand that you love him2 prove it in your actions--these are better than words2 look after his little pleasures--join in his little sports2 let him never hear a morose word--it would rankle in his breast1 take deep root1 and in due time bring forth bitter fruit4 ,love6 let love be his pole-star2 let it be the guide and the rule of all you do and all you say unto him4 ,let your face1 as well as your tongue speak love4 ,let your hands be ever ready to minister to his pleasures and to his play4 ,blessed be the hand that prepares a pleasure for a child1 for there is no saying when and where it may again bloom forth4 ,does not almost everybody remember some kind-hearted man who showed him a kindness in the dulcet days of childhood8 ,the writer of this recollects himself1 at this moment1 a bare-footed lad1 standing at the wooden fence of a poor little garden in his native village1 while1 with longing eyes1 he gazed on the flowers which were blooming there quietly in the brightness of the ,sabbath morning4 ,the possessor came from his little cottage4 ,he was a wood-cutter by trade1 and spent the whole week at work in the woods4 ,he had come into the garden to gather flowers to stick in his coat when he went to church4 ,he saw the boy1 and breaking off the most beautiful of his carnations 7it was streaked with red and white71 he gave it to him4 ,neither the giver nor the receiver spoke a word1 and with bounding steps the hoy ran home4 ,and now1 here1 at a vast distance from that home1 after so many events of so many years1 the feeling of gratitude which agitated the breast of the boy1 expressed itself on paper4 ,the carnation has long since faded1 but it now bloometh afresh4--,douglas ,jerrold4 ,the hearty ringing laugh of a child is sweet music to the ear4 ,there are three most joyous sounds in nature--the hum of a bee1 the purr of a cat1 and the laugh of a child4 ,they tell of peace1 of happiness1 and of contentment1 and make one for a while forget that there is so much misery in the world4 ,a man who dislikes children is unnatural1 he has no milk of human kindness in him2 he should be shunned4 ,give me1 for a friend1 a man-- ,who takes the children on his knee1 ,and winds their curls1 about his hand4--,tennyson4 #afh4 ,if a child be peevish1 and apparently in good health1 have you any plan to propose to allay his irritability8 ,a child's troubles are soon over--his tears are soon dried2 nothing dries sooner than a tear--if not prolonged by improper management-- ,the tear down childhood's check that flows ,is like the dew-drop on the rose2 ,when next the summer breeze comes by1 ,and waves the bush1 the flower is dry4--,scott4 ,never allow a child to be teased2 it spoils his temper4 ,if he be in a cross humour take no notice of it1 but divert his attention to some pleasing object4 ,this may be done without spoiling him4 ,do not combat bad temper with bad temper--noise with noise4 ,be firm1 be kind1 be gentle1 ,footnote3 ,but we were gentle among you1 even as a women cherisheth her children4--#a ,thess4 ii4 #g4 be loving1 speak quietly1 smile tenderly1 and embrace him fondly1 but insist upon implicit obedience1 and you will have1 with ,god's blessing1 a happy child-- ,when a little child is weak ,from fever passing by1 ,or wearied out with restlessness ,don't scold him if he cry4 ,tell him some pretty story-- ,don't read it from a book2 ,he likes to watch you while you speak1 ,and take in every look4 ,or sometimes singing gently-- ,a little song may please1 ,with quiet and amusing words1 ,and tune that flows with ease4 ,or if he is impatient1 ,perhaps from time to time ,a simple hymn may suit the best1 ,in short and easy rhyme4 ,the measured verses flowing ,in accents clear and mild1 ,may blend into his troubled thought1 ,and soothe the little child4 ,but let the words be simple1 ,and suited to his mind1 ,and loving1 that his weary heart ,a resting-place may find4--,household ,verses4 ,speak1 gently to a child2 speak gently to all2 but more especially speak gently to a child4 ,a gentle voice is an excellent thing in a woman1 and is a jewel of great price1 and is one of the concomitants of perfect lady4 ,let the hinges of your disposition be well oiled4 ',i have a dear friend4 ,he was one of those well-oiled dispositions which turn upon the hinges of the world without creaking4' ,would to heaven there were more of them6 ,how many there are who never turn upon the hinges of this world without a grinding that sets the teeth of a whole household on edge6 ,and somehow or other it has been the evil fate of many of the best spirits to be so circumstanced2 both men and women1 to whom life is 'sweet habitude of being1' which has gone far to reconcile them to solitude as far less intolerable6 ,to these especially the creakings of those said rough hinges of the world is one continued torture1 for they are all too finely strung2 and the oft-recurring grind jars the whole sentient frame1 mars the beautiful lyre1 and makes cruel discord in a soul of music4 ,how much of sadness there is in such thoughts6 ,seems there not a ,past in some lives1 to which it is impossible ever to become reconciled6--,life's ,problems4 ,pleasant words ought always to be spoken to a child2 there must be neither snarling1 nor snapping1 nor snubbing1 nor loud contention towards him4 ,if there be it will ruin his temper and disposition1 and will make him hard and harsh1 morose and disagreeable4 ,do not always be telling your child how wicked he is2 what a naughty boy he is2 that ,god will never love him1 and all the rest of such twaddle and blatant inanity6 ,do not1 in point of fact1 bully him1 as many poor little fellows are bullied6 ,it will ruin him if you do2 it will make him in after years either a coward or a tyrant4 ,such conversations1 like constant droppings of water1 will make an impression1 and will cause him to feel that it is of no use to try to be good--that he is hopelessly wicked6 ,instead of such language1 give him confidence in himself2 rather find out his good points and dwell upon them2 praise him where and whenever you can2 and make him feel that1 by perseverance and ,god's blessing1 he will make a good man4 ,speak truthfully to your child2 if you once deceive him1 he will not believe you for the future4 ,not only so1 but if you are truthful yourself you are likely to make him truthful--like begets like4 ,there is something beautiful in truth6 ,a lying child is an abomination6 ,sir ,walter ,scott says that he taught his son to ride1 to shoot1 and to tell the truth ,archdeacon ,hare asserts that ,purity is the feminine1 ,truth the masculine of ,honour4 ,as soon as a child can speak he should be made to lisp the noble words of truth1 and to love it1 and to abhor a lie6 ,what a beautiful character he will then make6 ,blessed is the child that can say1-- ,parental cares watched o'er my growing youth1 ,and early stamped it with the love of truth4 ,leadbeater ,papers4 ,have no favourites1 show no partiality2 for the young are very jealous1 sharp-sighted1 and quick-witted1 and take a dislike to the petted one4 ,do not rouse the old ,adam in them4 ,let children be taught to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love2 let them be encouraged to share each other's toys and playthings1 and to banish selfishness4 ,attend to a child's little pleasures4 ,it is the little pleasures of a child that constitute his happiness4 ,great pleasures to him and to us all 7as a favourite author remarks7 come but seldom1 and are the exceptions1 and not the rule4 ,let a child he nurtured in love4 ,it will be seen1 says the author of ,john ,halifax1 that ,i hold this law of kindness as the ,alpha and ,omega of education4 ,i once asked one1 in his own house1 a father in everything but the name1 his authority unquestioned1 his least word held in reverence1 his smallest wish obeyed--',how did you ever manage to bring up these children8' ,he said3 ',by love4' ,let every word and action prove that you love your children4 ,enter into all their little pursuits and pleasures4 ,join them in their play1 and be a child again6 ,if they are curious1 do not check their curiosity2 but rather encourage it2 for they have a great deal--as we all have--to learn1 and how can they know if they are not taught8 ,you may depend upon it the knowledge they obtain from observation is far superior to that obtained from books4 ,let all you teach them1 let all you do1 and let all you say bear the stamp of love4 ,endeavour1 from first to last1 in your intercourse with your children1 to let it bear the impress of love4 ,it is not enough that you feel affection towards your children--that you are devoted to their interests2 you must show in your manner the fondness of your hearts towards them4 ,young minds cannot appreciate great sacrifices made for them2 they judge their parents by the words and deeds of every-day life4 ,they are won by little kindnesses1 and alienated by little acts of neglect or impatience4 ,one complaint unnoticed1 one appeal unheeded1 one lawful request arbitrarily refused1 will be remembered by your little ones more than a thousand acts of the most devoted affection4--,the ,protoplast4 ,a placid1 well-regulated temper is very conducive to health4 ,a disordered1 or an over-loaded stomach1 is a frequent cause of peevishness4 ,appropriate treatment in such a case will1 of course1 be necessary4 #afi4 ,my child stammers3 can you tell me the cause1 and can you suggest a remedy8 ,a child who stammers is generally nervous1 quick1 and impulsive4 ,his ideas flow too rapidly for speech4 ,he is nervous2 hence1 when he is alone1 and with those he loves1 he oftentimes speaks fluently and well2 he stammers more both when he is tired and when he is out of health--when the nerves are either weak or exhausted4 ,he is emotional3 when he is either in a passion or in excitement1 either of joy or of grief1 he can scarcely speak--he stammers all over4 ,he is impulsive3 he often stammers in consequence4 ,he is in too great a hurry to bring out his words2 they do not flow in proper sequence3 hence his words are broken and disjointed4 ,stammering1 of course1 might be owing either to some organic defect1 such as from defective palate1 or from defective brain1 then nothing will cure him2 or it might be owing to nervous causes--to irregular nervous action1 then a cure might1 with care and perseverance1 be usually effected4 ,in all cases of stammering of a child1 let both the palate of his mouth and the bridle of his tongue be carefully examined1 to see that neither the palate be defective1 nor the bridle of the tongue be too short--that he be not tongue-tied4 ,now1 with regard to ,treatment4--,make him speak slowly and deliberately3 let him form each word1 without clipping or chopping2 let him be made1 when you are alone with him1 to exercise himself in elocution4 ,if he speak quickly1 stop him in his mid-career1 and make him1 quietly and deliberately1 go through the sentence again and again1 until he has mastered the difficulty2 teach him to collect his thoughts1 and to weigh each word ere he give it utterance2 practise him in singing little hymns and songs for children2 this you will find a valuable help in the cure4 ,a stammerer seldom stutters when he sings4 ,when he sings1 he has a full knowledge of the words1 and is obliged to keep in time--to sing neither too fast nor too slow4 ,besides1 he sings in a different key to his speaking voice4 ,many professors for the treatment of stammering cure their patients by practising lessons of a sing-song character4 ,never jeer him for stammering1 nor turn him to ridicule2 if you do1 it will make him ten times worse2 but be patient and gentle with him1 and endeavour to give him confidence1 and encourage him to speak to you as quietly1 as gently1 and deliberately as you speak to him2 tell him not to speak1 until he has arranged his thoughts and chosen his words2 let him do nothing in a hurry4 ,demosthenes was said1 in his youth1 to have stammered fearfully1 and to have cured himself by his own prescription1 namely1 by putting a pebble in his mouth1 and declaiming1 frequently1 slowly quietly1 and deliberately1 on the sea-shore--the fishes alone being his audience1-- until at length he cured himself1 and charmed the world with his eloquence and with his elocution4 ,he is held up1 to this very day1 as the personification and as the model of an orator4 ,his patience1 perseverance1 and practice ought1 by all who either are1 or are1 interested in a stammerer1 to be borne in mind and followed4 #agj4 ,do you approve of a carpet in a nursery8 ,no1 unless it be a small piece for a child to roll upon4 ,a carpet harbours dirt and dust1 which dust is constantly floating about the atmosphere1 and thus making it impure for him to breathe4 ,the truth of this may be easily ascertained by entering a darkened room1 where a ray of sunshine is struggling through a crevice in the shutters4 ,if the floor of a nursery must be covered1 let drugget be laid down1 and this may every morning be taken up and shaken4 ,the less furniture a nursery contains the better1 for much furniture obstructs the free circulation of the air1 and1 moreover1 prevents a child from taking proper play and exercise in the room--an abundance of which are absolutely necessary for his health4 #aga4 ,supposing there is not a fire in the nursery grate1 ought the chimney to be stopped to prevent a draught in the room8 ,certainly not4 ,i consider the use of a chimney to be two-fold--first1 to carry off the smoke1 and secondly 7which is of quite as much importance71 to ventilate the room1 by carrying off the impure air1 loaded as it is with carbonic acid gas--the refuse of respiration4 ,the chimney1 therefore1 should never1 either winter or summer1 be allowed for one moment to be stopped4 ,this is important advice1 and requires the strict supervision of every mother1 as servants will1 if they have the chance1 stop all chimneys that have no fires in the grates4 ,,exercise4 #agb4 ,do you approve1 during the summer months1 of sending a child out ,,before breakfast8 ,i do1 when the weather will permit1 and provided the wind be neither in an easterly nor in a north-easterly direction2 indeed1 he can scarcely be too much in the open air4 ,he must not be allowed to stand about draughts or about entries1 and the only way to prevent him doing so is for the mother herself to accompany the nurse4 ,she will then kill two birds with one stone1 as she will1 by doing so1 benefit her own as well as her child's health4 #agc4 ,ought a child to be early put on his feet to walk8 ,no3 let him learn to walk himself4 ,he ought to be put upon a carpet2 and it will be found that when he is strong enough1 he will hold by a chair1 and will stand alone3 when he can do so1 and attempts to walk1 he should then be supported4 ,you must1 on first putting him upon his feet1 be guided by his own wishes4 ,he will1 as soon as he is strong enough to walk1 have the inclination to do so4 ,when he has the inclination and the strength it will be folly to restrain him2 if he have neither the inclination nor the strength1 it will be absurd to urge him on4 ,rely1 therefore1 to a certain extent1 upon the inclination of the child himself4 ,self-reliance cannot be too early taught him1 and1 indeed1 every one else4 ,in the generality of instances1 however1 a child is put on his feet too soon1 and the bones1 at that tender age1 being very flexible1 bend1 causing bowed and bandy-legs2 and the knees1 being weak1 approximate too closely together1 and thus they become knock-kneed4 ,this advice of not putting a child early on his feet1 ,i must strongly insist on1 as many mothers are so ridiculously ambitious that their young ones should walk early--that they should walk before other children of their acquaintance have attempted--that they have frequently caused the above lamentable deformities2 which is a standing reproach to them during the rest of their lives4 #agd4 ,do you approve of perambulators8 ,i do not1 for two reasons3--first1 because when a child is strong enough1 he had better walk as much as he will2 and1 secondly1 the motion is not so good1 and the muscles are not so much put into action1 and consequently cannot be so well developed1 as when he is earned4 ,a perambulator is very apt to make a child stoop1 and to make him both crooked and round-shouldered4 ,he is cramped by being so long in one position4 ,it is painful to notice a babe of a few months old in one of these newfangled carriages4 ,his little head is bobbing about first on one side and then on the other--at one moment it is dropping on his chest1 the next it is forcibly jolted behind3 he looks1 and doubtless feels1 wretched and uncomfortable4 ,again1 these perambulators are dangerous in crowded thoroughfares4 ,they are a public nuisance1 inasmuch as they are wheeled against and between people's legs1 and are a fruitful source of the breaking of shins1 of the spraining of ankles1 of the crushing of corns1 and of the ruffling of the tempers of the foot-passengers who unfortunately come within their reach2 while1 in all probability1 the gaping nurses are staring another way1 and every way indeed but the right1 more especially if there be a redcoat in the path6 ,besides1 in very cold weather1 or in a very young infant1 the warmth of the nurse's body1 while he is being carried1 helps to keep him warm1 he himself being naturally cold4 ,in point of fact1 the child1 while being borne in the nurse's arms1 reposes on the nurse1 warm and supported1 as though he were in a nest6 ,while1 on the other hand1 if he be in a perambulator1 he is cold and unsupported1 looking the very picture of misery1 seeking everywhere for test and comfort1 and finding none6 ,a nurse's arm1 then1 is the only proper carriage for a young child to take exercise on4 ,she ought to change about1 first carrying frim on the one arm1 and then on the other4 ,nursing him on one arm only might give his body a twist on one side1 and thus might cause deformity4 ,when he is old enough to walk1 and is able properly to support the weight of his own neck and back1 then there will be no objection1 provided it be not in a crowded thoroughfare1 to his riding occasionally in a perambulator2 but when he is older still1 and can sit either a donkey or a pony1 such exercise will be far more beneficial1 and will afford him much greater pleasure4 #age4 ,supposing it to be wet under foot1 but dry above1 do you then approve of sending a child out8 ,if the wind be neither in the east nor the north-east1 and if the air be not damp1 let him be well wrapped up and be sent out4 ,if he be labouring under an inflammation of the lungs1 however slight1 or if he be just recovering from one1 it would1 of coarse1 be highly improper4 ,in the management of a child1 we must take care neither to coddle nor to expose him unnecessarily1 as both are dangerous4 ,never send a child out to walk in a fog2 he will1 if you do1 be almost sure to catch cold4 ,it would be much safer to send him out in rain than in fog1 though neither the one nor the other would be desirable4 #agf4 ,how many times a day in fine weather ought a child to be sent out8 ,let him be sent out as often as it be possible4 ,if a child lived more in the open air than he is wont to do1 he would neither be so susceptible of disease1 nor would he suffer so much from teething1 nor from catching cold4 #agg4 ,supposing the day to be wet1 what exercise would you then recommend8 ,the child ought to run either about a large room1 or about the hall2 and if it does not rain violently1 you should put on his hat and throw up the window1 taking care while the window is open that he does not stand still4 ,a wet day is the day for him to hold his high court of revelry1 and to make him as happy as the day is long4 ,do not on any account allow him to sit any length of time at a table1 amusing himself with books1 c42 let him be active and stirring1 that his blood may freely circulate as it ought to do1 and that his muscles may be well developed4 ,i would rather see him actively engaged in mischief than sitting still1 doing nothing6 ,he ought to be put on the carpet1 and should then be tumbled and rolled about1 to make the blood bound merrily through1 the1 vessels1 to stir up the liver1 to promote digestion1 and to open the bowels4 ,the misfortune of it is1 the present race of nurses are so encumbered with long dresses1 and so screwed in with tight stays 7aping their betters71 that they are not able to stoop properly1 and thus to have a good game of romps with their little charges4 ,doing nothing is doing ill is as true a saying as was ever spoken4 #agh4 ,supposing it to be winter1 and the weather to be very cold1 would you still send a child out8 ,decidedly1 provided he be well wrapped up4 ,the cold will brace and strengthen him4 ,cold weather is the finest tonic in the world4 ,in frosty weather1 the roads being slippery1 when you send him out to walk1 put a pair of large old woollen stockings over his boots or shoes4 ,this will not only keep his feet and his legs warm1 but it will prevent him from falling down and hurting himself4 ,while thus equipped1 he may even walk on a slide of ice without falling down6 ,a child1 in the winter time1 requires1 to keep him warm1 plenty of flannel and plenty of food1 plenty of fresh and genuine milk1 and plenty of water in his tub to wash and bathe him in a morning1 plenty of exercise and plenty of play1 and then he may brave the frosty air4 ,it is the coddled1 the half-washed1 and the half-starved child 7half-washed and half-starved from either the mother's ignorance or from the mother's timidity71 that is the chilly starveling1--catching cold at every breath of wind1 and every time he either walks or is carried out1--a puny1 skinny1 scraggy1 scare-crow1 more dead than alive1 and more fit for his grave than for the rough world he will have to struggle in6 ,if the above advice be strictly followed1 a child may be sent out in the coldest weather1 even-- ,when icicles hang by the wall1 ,and ,dick1 the shepherd1 blows his nail2 ,and ,tom bears logs into the hall1 ,and milk comes frozen home in pail4 ,shakspeare4 ,,amusements4 #agi4 ,have you any remarks to make on the amusements of a child8 ,let the amusements of a child be as much as possible out of doors2 let him spend the greater part of every day in the open air2 let him exert himself as much as he please1 his feelings will tell him when to rest and when to begin again2 let him be what ,nature intended ,mm to be--a happy1 laughing1 joyous child4 ,do not let him be always poring over books3-- ,books6 'tis a dull and endless strife1 ,come1 hear the woodland linnet6 ,how sweet his music6 ,on my life1 ,there's more of wisdom in it4 ,and hark6 how blithe the throstle sings6 ,he1 too1 is no mean preacher3 ,come forth into the light of things1-- ,let ,nature be your teacher4 ,she has a world of ready wealth1 ,our minds and hearts to bless1-- ,spontaneous wisdom breathed by health1 ,truth breathed by cheerfulness4 ,one impulse from a vernal wood ,may teach you more of man1 ,of moral evil and of good1 ,than1 all the sagea can4--,wordsworth4 ,he ought to be encouraged to engage in those sports wherein the greatest number of muscles are brought into play4 ,for instance1 to play at ball1 or hoop1 or football1 to play at horses1 to run to certain distances and back2 and1 if a girl1 to amuse herself with a skipping rope1 such1 being excellent exercise-- ,by sports like these are all their cares beguiled1 ,the sports of children satisfy the child4--,goldsmith4 ,every child1 where it be practicable1 should have a small plot of ground to cultivate1 that he may dig and delve in1 and make dirt-pies if he choose4 ,children now-a-days1 unfortunately1 are not allowed to soil their hands and their fine clothes4 ,for my own part1 ,i dislike such model children2 let a child be natural--let him1 as far as is possible1 choose his own sports4 ,do not be always interfering with his pursuits1 and be finding fault with him4 ,remember1 what may be amusing to you may be distasteful to him4 ,i do not1 of course1 mean but that you should constantly have a watchful eye over him2 yet do not let him see that he is under restraint or surveillance2 if you do1 you will never discover his true character and inclinations4 ,not only so1 but do not dim the bright sunshine of his early life by constantly checking and thwarting him1 ,tupper beautifully says-- ,and check not a child in his merriment1-- ,should not his morning be sunny8 ,when1 therefore1 he is either in the nursery or in the play-ground1 let him shout and riot and romp about as much as he please4 ,his lungs and his muscles want developing1 and his nerves require strengthening2 and how can such be accomplished unless you allow them to be developed and strengthened by natural means8 ,the nursery is a child's own domain2 it is his castle1 and he should be ,lord ,paramount therein4 ,if he choose to blow a whistle1 or to spring a rattle1 or to make any other hideous noise1 which to him is sweet music1 he should be allowed1 without let or hindrance1 to do so4 ,if any members of the family have weak nerves1 let them keep at a respectful distance4 ,a child who never gets into mischief must be either sly1 or delicate1 or idiotic2 indeed1 the system of many persons1 in bringing up children1 is likely to make them either the one or the other4 ,the present plan of training children is nearly all work 7books71 and very little play4 ,play1 and plenty of it1 is necessary to the very existence of a child4 ,a boy not partial to mischief1 innocent mischief1 and play1 is unnatural2 he is a man before his time1 he is a nuisance1 he is disagreeable to himself and to every one around4 ,he is generally a sneak1 and a little humbug4 ,girls1 at the present time1 are made clever simpletons2 their brains are worked with useless knowledge1 which totally unfits them for every-day duties4 ,their muscles are allowed to be idle1 which makes them limp and flabby4 ,the want of proper exercise ruins the complexion1 and their faces become of the colour of a tallow candle6 ,and precious wives and mothers they make when they do grow up6 ,grow up1 did ,i say8 ,they grow all manner of ways1 and are as crooked as crooked sticks6 ,what an unnatural thing it is to confine a child several hours a day to his lessons2 why1 you might as well put a colt in harness1 and make him work for his living6 ,a child is made for play2 his roguish little eye1 his lithe figure1 his antics1 and his drollery1 all point out that he is cut out for play--that it is as necessary to his existence as the food he eats1 and as the air he breathes6 ,a child ought not to be allowed to have playthings with which he can injure either himself or others1 such as toy-swords1 toy-cannons1 toy-paint-boxes1 knives1 bows and arrows1 hammers1 chisels1 saws1 c4 ,he will not only be likely to injure himself and others1 but will make sad havoc on furniture1 house1 and other property4 ,fun1 frolic1 and play ought1 in all innocent ways1 to be encouraged2 but wilful mischief and dangerous games ought1 by every means1 to be discountenanced4 ,this advice is frequently much needed1 as children prefer to have and delight in dangerous toys1 and often coax and persuade weak and indulgent mothers to gratify their wishes4 ,painted toys are1 many of them1 highly dangerous1 those painted green especially1 as the colour generally consists of ,scheele's green--arsenite of copper4 ,children's paint-boxes are very dangerous toys for a child to play with2 many of the paints are poisonous1 containing arsenic1 lead1 gamboge1 c1 and a child1 when painting1 is apt to put the brush into his mouth1 to absorb the superabundant fluid4 ,of all the colours1 the green paint is the most dangerous1 as it is frequently composed of arsenite of copper--arsenic and copper--two deadly poisons4 ,there are some paint-boxes warranted not to contain a particle of poison of any kind these ought1 for a child1 to be chosen by a mother4 ,but1 remember1 although he ought not to be allowed to have poison paint-boxes and poison painted toys1 he must have an abundance of toys1 such as the white wood toys--brewers' drays1 millers' waggons1 boxes of wooden bricks1 c4 ,the ,noah's ,ark is one of the most amusing and instructive toys for a child4 ,those fashioned out of brown1 unpainted pine-wood by the clever carvers of ,nuremberg or the ,black ,forest are the best1 ,i think1 not only because they are the most spirited1 but because they will survive a good deal of knocking about and can be sucked with impunity ,from the first dawn of recollection1 children are thus familiarised with the forms of natural objects1 and may be well up in natural history before they have mastered the ,,abc ,footnote3 ,from an excellent article ,about ,toys1 by ,j ,hamilton ,fyfe in ,good ,words for ,december #ahfb4 ,parents often make ,sunday a day of gloom2 to this ,i much object4 ,of all the days in the week1 ,sunday should be the most cheerful and pleasant4 ,it is considered by our ,church a festival1 and a glorious festival it ought to be made1 and one on which our ,heavenly ,father wishes to see all ,his children happy and full of innocent joy4 ,let ,sunday1 then1 be made a cheerful1 joyous1 innocently happy day1 and not1 as it frequently is1 the most miserable and dismal in the week4 ,it is my firm conviction that many men have been made irreligious by the ridiculously strict and dismal way they were compelled1 as children1 to spend their ,sundays4 ,you can no more make a child religious by gloomy asceticism1 than yon can make people good by ,act of ,parliament4 ,one of the great follies of the present age is1 children's parties1 where they are allowed to be dressed up like grown-up women1 stuck out in petticoats1 and encouraged to eat rich cake and pastry1 and to drink wine1 and to sit up late at night6 ,there is something disgusting and demoralising in all this4 ,their pure minds are blighted by it4 ,do not let me be misunderstood3 there is not the least objection1 but1 on the contrary1 great advantage1 for friends' children to meet friends' children2 but then let them be treated as children1 and not as men and women6 #ahj4 ,do you approve of public play-grounds for children8 ,it would be well1 in every village1 and in the outskirts of every town1 if a large plot of ground were set apart for children to play in1 and to go through regular gymnastic exercises4 ,play is absolutely necessary to a child's very existence1 as much as food and sleep2 but in many parts of ,england where is he to have it8 ,playgrounds and play are the best schools we have2 they teach a great deal not taught elsewhere2 they give lessons in health1 which is the grandest wealth that can be bestowed--for health is wealth2 they prepare the soil for the future schoolmaster2 they clear the brain1 and thus the intellect1 they strengthen the muscles2 they make the blood course merrily through the arteries2 they bestow healthy food for the lungs2 they give an appetite2 they make a child1 in due time1 become every inch a man6 ,play-grounds and play are one of the finest institutions we possess4 ,what would our large public schools be without their play and cricket grounds8 ,they would be shorn of half their splendour and their usefulness6 ,there is so much talk now-a-days about useful knowledge1 that the importance of play and play-grounds is likely to be forgotten4 ,i cannot help thinking however1 that a better state of things is dawning4 ,it seems to be found out that in our zeal for useful knowledge1 that knowledge is found to be not the least useful which treat boys as active1 stirring1 aspiring1 and ready4 ,footnote3 ,the ,saturday ,review1 ,december #ac1 #ahfb4 #aha4 ,do you approve of infant schools8 ,i do1 if the arrangements be such that health is preferred before learning4 ,footnote3 ,according to ,aristotle1 more care should be taken of the body than of the mind for the first seven years2 strict attention to diet be enforced1 c4 4 4 4 4 4 ,the eye and ear of the child should be most watchfully and severely guarded against contamination of every kind1 and unrestrained communication with servants be strictly prevented4 ,even his amusements should be under due regulation1 and rendered as interesting and intellectual as possible4--,the ,rev ,john ,williams1 in his ,life and ,actions of ,alexander the ,great ,let children be only confined for three or four hours a day1 and let what little they learn be taught as an amusement rather than as a labour4 ,a play-ground ought to be attached to an infant school2 where1 in fine weather1 for every half-hour they spend in-doors1 they should spend one in the open air2 and1 in wet weather1 they ought to have1 in lieu of the play-ground1 a large room to romp1 and shout1 and riot in4 ,to develop the different organs1 muscles1 and other parts of the body1 children require fresh air1 a free use of their lungs1 active exercise1 and their bodies to be thrown into all manner of attitudes4 ,let a child mope in a corner1 and he will become stupid and sickly4 ,the march of intellect1 as it is called1 or rather the double quick march of intellect1 as it should be called1 has stolen a march upon health4 ,only allow the march of intellect and the march of health to take equal strides1 and then we shall have mens sana in corpore sano 7a sound mind in a sound body74 ,in the education of a young child1 it is better to instruct him by illustration1 by pictures1 and by encouraging observation on things around and about him1 than by books4 ,it is surprising how much1 without endangering his health1 may be taught in this way4 ,in educating your child1 be careful to instil and to form good habits--they will then stick to him for life4 ,children at the present day are too highly educated--their brains are over-taxed1 and thus weakened4 ,the consequence is1 that as they grow up to manhood1 if they grow up at all1 they become fools6 ,children are now taught what formerly youths were taught4 ,the chord of a child's life is ofttimes snapped asunder in consequence of over education3-- ,screw not the cord too sharply1 lest it snap--,tennyson4 ,you should treat a child as you would a young colt4 ,think only at first of strengthening his body4 ,let him have a perfectly free1 happy life1 plenty of food to eat1 abundance of air to breathe1 and no work to do2 there is plenty of time to think of his learning--of giving him brain work4 ,it will come sadly too soon2 but do not make him old before his time4 #ahb4 ,at what age do you advise my child to begin his course of education--to have his regular lessons8 ,in the name of the prophet1--,figs6 ,fiddlesticks6 about courses of education and regular lessons for a child6 ,you may as well ask me when he1 a child1 is to begin ,hebrew1 the ,sanscrit1 and ,mathematics6 ,let him have a course of education in play2 let him go through regular lessons in foot-ball1 bandy1 playing at tic1 hares and hounds1 and such like excellent and really useful and health-giving lessons4 ,begin his lessons6 ,begin brain work1 and make an idiot of him6 ,oh6 for shame1 ye mothers6 ,you who pretend to love your children so much1 and to tax1 otherwise to injure1 irreparably to injure their brains1 and thus their intellects and their health1 and to shorten their very days4 ,and all for what8 ,to make prodigies of them6 ,forsooth6 to make fools of them in the end1 #ahc4 ,well1 then1 as you have such a great objection to a child commencing his education early in life1 at what age may he1 with safety1 commence his lessons8 and which do you prefer--home or school education8 ,home is far preferable to a school education4 ,he is1 if at home1 under your own immediate observation1 and is not liable to be contaminated by naughty children2 for1 in every school1 there is necessarily a great mixture of the good and of the bad2 and a child1 unfortunately1 is more likely to be led by the bad than by the good4 ,moreover1 if he be educated at home1 the mother can see that his brain is not over-worked4 ,at school the brain is apt to be over-worked1 and the stomach and the muscles to be under-worked4 ,remember1 as above stated1 the brain must have but very little work until the child be seven years old2 impress this advice upon your memory1 and let no foolish ambition to make your child a clever child allow you1 for one moment1 to swerve from this advice4 ,build up a strong1 healthy body1 and in due time the brain will bear a moderate amount of intellectual labour4 ,as ,i have given you so much advice1 permit me1 for one moment1 to address a word to the father of your child3-- ,let me advise you1 then1 ,mr4 ,pater familias1 to be careful how you converse1 what language you use1 while in the company of your child4 ,bear in mind1 a child is very observant1 and thinks much1 weighs well1 and seldom forgets all you say and all you do6 ,let no hasty word1 then1 and more especially no oath1 or no impious language1 ever pass your lips1 if your child be within hearing4 ,it is1 of course1 at all times wicked to swear2 but it is heinously and unpardonably sinful to swear in the presence of your child6 ,childhood is like a mirror1 catching and reflecting images4 ,one impious or profane thought1 uttered by a parent's lip1 may operate upon the young heart like a careless spray of water thrown upon polished steel1 staining it with rust1 which no after scouring can efface4 ,never talk secrete before a child--little pitchers have long ears2 if you do1 and he disclose your secrets--as most likely he will--and thus make mischief1 it will be cruel to scold him2 you will1 for your imprudence1 have yourself only to blame4 ,be most careful1 then1 in the presence of your child1 of what you say1 and of whom you speak4 ,this advice1 if followed1 might save a great deal of annoyance and vexation4 #ahd4 ,are you an advocate for a child being taught singing8 ,i am3 ,i consider singing a part of his education4 ,singing expands the walls of his chest1 strengthens and invigorates his lungs1 gives sweetness to his voice1 improves his pronunciation1 and is a great pleasure and amusement to him4 ,,sleep4 #ahe4 ,do you approve of a child sleeping on a ,,feather bed8 ,a feather bed enervates his body1 and1 if he be so predisposed1 causes rickets1 and makes him crooked4 ,a horse-hair mattress is the best for a child to lie on4 ,the pillow1 too1 should be made of horse-hair4 ,a feather pillow often causes the bead to be bathed in perspiration1 thus enervating the child1 and making him liable to catch cold4 ,if he be at all rickety1 if he be weak in the neck1 if he be inclined to stoop1 or if he be at all crooked1 let him1 by all means1 lie without a pillow4 #ahf4 ,do you recommend a child1 in the middle of the day1 to be put to sleep8 ,let him be put on his mattress awake1 that he may sleep for a couple of hours before dinner1 then he will rise both refreshed and strengthened for the remainder of the day4 ,i said1 let him be put down awake4 ,he might1 for the first few times1 cry1 but1 by perseverance1 he will without any difficulty fall to sleep4 ,the practice of sleeping before dinner ought to be continued until he be three years old1 and1 if he can be prevailed upon1 even longer4 ,for if he do not have sleep in the middle of the day1 he will all the afternoon and the evening be cross2 and when he does go to bed1 he will probably be too tired to sleep1 or his nerves having been exhausted by the long wakefulness1 he will fall into a troubled1 broken slumber1 and not into that sweet1 soft1 gentle repose1 so characteristic of healthy1 happy childhood6 #ahg4 ,at what hour ought a child to be put to bed in the evening8 ,at six in the winter1 and at seven o'clock in the summer4 ,regularity ought to be observed1 as regularity is very conducive to health4 ,it is a reprehensible practice to keep a child up until nine or ten o'clock at night4 ,if this be done1 he will1 before his time1 become old1 and the seeds of disease will be sown1 ,as soon as he can run1 let him be encouraged1 for half an hour before he goes to bed1 to race either about the hall1 or the landing1 or a large room1 which will be the best means of warming his feet1 of preventing chilblains1 and of making him sleep soundly4 #ahh4 ,have you any directions to give me at to the placing of my child in his bed8 ,if a child lie alone1 place him fairly on his aide in the middle of the bed2 if it be winter time1 see that his arms and hands be covered with the bed-clothes2 if it be summer1 his hands might be allowed to be outside the clothes4 ,in putting him down to sleep1 you should ascertain that his face be not covered with the bedclothes2 if it be1 he will he poisoned with his own breath--the breath constantly giving off carbonic acid gas2 which gas must1 if his face be smothered in the clothes2 be breathed--carbonic acid gas being highly poisonous4 ,you can readily prove the existence of carbonic and gas in the breathing1 by simply breathing into a little lime-water2 after breathing for a few seconds into it1 a white film will form on the top2 the carbonic acid gas from the breath unites with the lime of the lime-water and the product of the white film is carbonate of lime4 #ahi4 ,do you advise a bedroom to be darkened at night8 ,certainly3 a child sleeps sounder and sweeter in a dark than in a light room4 ,there is nothing better for the purpose of darkening a bedroom1 than ,venetian blinds4 ,remember1 then1 a well-ventilated1 but a darkened1 chamber at night4 ,the cot or the crib ought not to face the window1 as the light is best behind4 ,footnote3 ,sir ,charles ,locock in a ,letter to the ,author4 #aij4 ,which is the beat position for a child when sleeping--on his back1 or on his side8 ,his side3 he ought to be accustomed to change about on the right side one night1 on the left another2 and occasionally1 for a change1 he should lie on his back4 ,by adopting this plan1 you will not only improve his figure1 but likewise his health4 ,lying1 night after night1 in one position1 would be likely to make him crooked4 #aia4 ,do you advise1 in the winter time1 that there should be a fire in the night nursery8 ,certainly not1 unless the weather be intensely cold4 ,i dislike fires in bedrooms1 especially for children2 they are very enervating1 and make a child liable to catch cold4 ,cold weather is very bracing1 particularly at night ,generally speaking1 says the ,siecle1 during winter1 apartments are too much heated4 ,the temperature in them ought not to exceed #af deg4 ,centigrade 7#ei deg4 ,fahrenheit72 and even in periods of great cold scientific men declare that #ab deg4 or #ad deg4 had better not be exceeded4 ,in the wards of hospitals1 and in the chambers of the sick1 care is taken not to have greater heat than #ae deg44 ,clerks in offices1 and other persons of sedentary occupations1 when rooms in which they sit are too much heated1 are liable to cerebral brain congestion and to pulmonary lung complaints4 ,in bedrooms1 and particularly those of children1 the temperature ought to be maintained rather low2 it is even prudent only rarely to make fires in them1 especially during the night ,if a cold stable make a healthy horse1 ,i am quite sure that a moderately cold and well-ventilated bedroom helps to make a healthy child4 ,but1 still1 in the winter time1 if the weather be biting cold1 a little fire in the bedroom grate is desirable4 ,in bringing up children1 we must never run into extremes--the coddling system and the hardening system are both to be deprecated2 the coddling system will make the strong child weakly1 while the hardening system will probably kill a delicate one4 ,a child's bed ought1 of course1 to be comfortably clothed with blankets--,i say blankets1 as they are much superior to coverlids2 the perspiration will more readily pass through a blanket than a coverlid4 ,a thick coverlid ought never to be used2 there is nothing better1 for a child's bed1 than the old-fashioned patchwork coverlid1 as the perspiration will easily escape through it4 #aib4 ,should a child be washed and dressed ,,as ,,soon ,,as ,,he ,,awake in the morning8 ,he ought1 if he awake in anything like reasonable time2 for if he doze after he be once awake1 such slumber does him more harm than good4 ,he should be up every morning as soon as it is light ,if1 as a child1 he be taught to rise early1 it will make him an early riser for life1 and will tend greatly to prolong both his existence and his happiness4 ,never awake a child from his sleep to dress him1 to give him medicine1 or for any other purpose2 let him always sleep as long as he can2 but the moment he awakes let him be held out1 and then let him be washed and dressed1 and do not wait1 as many a silly nurse does1 until he have wet his bed1 until his blood be chilled1 and until he be cross1 miserable1 and uncomfortable6 ,how many babes are made ill by such foolish practices6 ,the moment he leaves his bed1 turn back to the fullest extent the clothes1 in order that they may be thoroughly ventilated and sweetened4 ,they ought to be exposed to the air for at least an hour before the bed be made4 ,as soon as he leaves his room1 be it winter or summer1 throw open the windows4 #aic4 ,ought a child to lie alone8 ,he should1 after he is weaned4 ,he will rest more comfortably1 and his sleep will be more refreshing4 #aid4 ,supposing a child should not sleep well1 what ought to be done8 ,would you give him a dose of composing medicine8 ,certainly not4 ,try the effects of exercise4 ,exercise in the open air is the best composing medicine in the world4 ,let the little fellow be well tired out1 and there will be little fear of his not sleeping4 #aie4 ,have you any further observations to make on the subject of sleep8 ,send a child joyful to bed4 ,do not1 if you can possibly help it1 let him go to bed crying4 ,let the last impressions he has at night be of his happy home1 and of his loving father and mother and let his last thoughts be those of joy and gladness4 ,he will sleep all the sounder if he be sent to bed in such a frame of mind1 and he will be more refreshed and nourished in the morning by his sleep4 #aif4 ,what are the usual causes of a child walking in his sleep1 and what measures during such times1 ought to be adopted to prevent his injuring himself8 ,a disordered stomach1 in a child of nervous temperament1 or worms1 are usually the causes4 ,the means to be adopted to prevent his throwing himself out of the window1 are to have bars to his chamber present1 and if that be not practicable1 to have either nails or screws driven into the window sash to allow the window to open only for a sufficient space for ventilation1 and to have a screw window fastening1 in order that he cannot1 without difficulty1 open the window1 to have a trusty person to sleep in his room1 who should have directions given not to rouse him from his sleep1 but to gently lead him back to his bed1 which may frequently be done without awaking him1 and to consult a medical man1 who will adopt means to destroy the worms1 to put his stomach into order1 to brace his nerves1 and to strengthen his general system4 ,a trip to the coast and sea bathing1 in such a case1 is often of great service4 ,,second ,,dentition4 #aig4 ,when does a child commence to cut his ,,second set of teeth8 ,generally at seven years old4 ,he begins to cut them at about that time3 but it should be borne in mind 7so wonderful are the works of ,god7 that the second crop of teeth1 in embryo1 is actually bred and formed from the very commencement of his life1 under the first tier of teeth1 but which remain in abeyance for years1 and do not come into play until the first teeth1 having done their duty1 loosen and fall out1 and thus make room for the more numerous1 larger1 stronger1 and more permanent teeth1 which latter have to last for the remainder of his existence4 ,the first set is sometimes cut with a great deal of difficulty1 and produces various diseases2 the second1 or permanent teeth1 come easily1 and are unaccompanied with any disorder4 ,the following is the process3--,one after another of the first set gradually loosen1 and either drop out1 or with little pain are readily pulled out2 under these1 the second--the permanent--teeth make their appearance1 and fill up the vacant spaces4 ,the fang of the tooth that has dropped out is nearly all absorbed or eaten away1 leaving little more than the crown4 ,the first set consists of twenty2 the second 7including the wise-teeth1 which are not1 generally cut until after the the age of twenty-seven7 consists of thirty-two4 ,i would recommend you to pay particular attention to the teeth of your children2 for1 besides their being ornamental1 their regularity and soundness are of great importance to the present as well as to the future health of your offspring4 ,if there be any irregularity in the appearance of the second set1 lose no time in consulting an experienced and respectable dentist4 ,,on ,,disease1 ,,etc4 #aih4 ,do you think it important that ,i should be made acquainted with the symptoms of the ,,serious diseases of children8 ,certainly ,i am not advocating the doctrine of a mother treating serious diseases2 far from it1 it is not her province1 except in certain cases of extreme urgency1 where a medical man cannot be procured1 and where delay might be death2 but ,i do insist upon the necessity of her knowing the symptoms of disease4 ,my belief is1 that if parents were better informed on such subjects1 many children's lives might be saved1 much suffering averted1 and sorrow spared4 ,the fact is1 the knowledge of the symptoms of disease is1 to a mother1 almost a sealed book4 ,if she were better acquainted with these matters1 how much more useful would she be in a sick-room1 and how much more readily would she enter into the plans and views of the medical man6 ,by her knowledge of the symptoms1 and by having his advice in time1 she would nip disease in the bud1 and the fight might end in favour of life1 for sickness is just a fight between life and death4--,geo4 ,m',donald4 ,it is really lamentable to contemplate the amount of ignorance that still exists among mothers in all that appertains to the diseases of children2 although1 fortunately1 they are beginning to see and to feel the importance of gaining instruction on such subjects2 but the light is only dawning4 ,a writer of the ,medical ,times and ,gazette makes the following remarks1 which somewhat bear on the subject in question4 ,he observes--,in spite of the knowledge and clear views possessed by the profession on all that concerns the management of children1 no fact is more palpable than that the most grievous ignorance and incompetency prevail respecting it among the public4 ,we want some means of making popular the knowledge which is now almost restricted to medical men1 or1 at most1 to the well-educated classes4 ,in the earlier editions of this work ,i did not give the treatment of any serious diseases1 however urgent4 ,in the eight last editions1 ,i have been induced1 for reasons ,i will presently state1 to give the treatment of some of the more urgent serious diseases1 when a medical man cannot instantly be procured1 and where delay might be death4 ,sir ,,charles ,,locock1 who has taken a kind interest in this little work1 has given me valid reasons why a mother should be so enlightened4 ,the following extracts are from a letter which ,i received from ,sir ,,charles on the subject1 and which he has courteously allowed me to publish4 ,he says1--,as an old physician of some experience in complaints of infants and children1 ,i may perhaps be allowed to suggest that in a future edition you should add a few words on the actual treatment of some of the more urgent infantile diseases4 ,it is very right to caution parents against superseding the doctor1 and attempting to manage serious illness themselves1 but your advice1 with very small exceptions1 always being 'to lose no tune in sending for a medical man1' much valuable and often irremediable time may be lost when a medical man is not to be had4 ,take1 for instance1 a case of croup there are no directions given at all1 except to send for a medical man1 and always to keep medicines in the house which he may have directed4 ,but how can this apply to a first attack8 ,you state that a first attack is generally the worst4 ,but why is it so8 ,simply because it often occurs when the parents do not recognise it1 and it is allowed to get a worse point than in subsequent attacks1 when they are thoroughly alive to it4 ,as the very best remedy1 and often the only essential one1 if given early1 is a full emetic1 surely it is better that you should give some directions as to this in a future edition1 and ,i can speak from my own experience when ,i say that an emetic1 given in time1 and repeated to free vomiting1 will cut short any case of croup4 ,in nine cases out of ten the attack takes place in the evening or early night1 and when vomiting is effected the dinner of that day is brought up nearly undigested1 and the seventy of the symptoms at once cut short4 ,whenever any remedy is valuable1 the more by its being administered in time1 it is surely wiser to give directions as to its use1 although1 as a general rule1 it is much better to advise the sending for medical advice4 ,the above reasons1 coming from such a learned and experienced physician as ,sir ,charles ,locock1 are conclusive1 and have decided me to comply with his advice1 to enlighten a mother on the treatment of some of the more urgent diseases of infants and of children4 ,in a subsequent letter addressed to myself1 ,sir ,charles has given me the names of those urgent diseases1 which he considers may be treated by a mother where a medical man cannot be procured quickly1 or not at all4 ,they are ,croup3 ,inflammation of the ,lungs2 ,diptheria2 ,dysentry2 ,diarrhoea2 ,hooping ,cough1 in its various stages2 and ,shivering ,fit4 ,sir ,charles sums up his letter to me by saying1 ,such a book ought to be made as complete as possible1 and the objections to medical treatment being so explained as to induce mothers to try to avoid medical men is not so serious as that of leaving them without any guide in those instances where every delay is dangerous1 and yet where medical assistance is not to be obtained or not to be had quickly4 ,in addition to the above ,i shall give you the treatment of ,bronchitis1 ,measles1 and ,scarlet ,fever4 ,bronchitis is one of the most common diseases incidental to childhood1 and1 with judicious treatment1 is1 in the absence of the medical man1 readily managed by a sensible mother4 ,measles is very submissive to treatment4 ,scarlet ,fever1 if it be not malignant1 and1 if it be not complicated with diphtheric-croup1 and if certain rules be strictly followed1 is also equally amenable to treatment4 ,i have been fortunate in treating ,scarlet ,fever1 and ,i therefore think it desirable to enter fully into the treatment of a disease which is looked upon by many parents1 and1 according to the usual mode of treatment1 with just cause1 with great consternation and dread4 ,by giving my plan of treatment1 fully and simply1 and without the slightest reservation1 ,i am fully persuaded1 through ,god's blessing1 that ,i may be the humble means of saving the lives of numbers of children4 ,the diseases that might be treated by a mother1 in the absence of a medical man1 will form the subject of future ,conversations4 ,i think it right to promise that in all the prescriptions for a child ,i have for the use of a mother given1 ,i have endeavoured to make them as simple as possible1 and have1 whenever practicable1 avoided to recommend powerful drugs4 ,complicated prescriptions and powerful medicines might1 as a rule1 to be seldom given2 and when they are1 should only be administered by a judicious medical man3 a child requiring much more care and gentleness in his treatment than an adult3 indeed1 ,i often think it would be better to leave a child to nature rather than to give him powerful and large doses of medicines4 ,a remedy--calomel1 for instance--has frequently done more mischief than the disease itself2 and the misfortune of it is1 the mischief from that drug has oftentimes been permanent1 while the complaint might1 if left alone1 have only been temporary4 #aii4 ,at what age does ,water in the ,brain usually occur1 and how is a mother to know that her child is about to labour under that disease8 ,water on the brain is1 as a rule1 a disease of childhood3 after a child is seven years old it is comparatively rare4 ,it more frequently attacks delicate children--children who have been dry nursed 7especially if they have been improperly fed71 or who have been suckled too long1 or who have had consumptive mothers1 or who have suffered severely from toothing1 or who are naturally of a feeble constitution4 ,water on the brain sometimes follows an attack of inflammation of the lungs1 more especially if depressing measures 7such as excessive leeching and the administration of emetic tartar7 have been adopted4 ,it occasionally follows in the train of contagious eruptive diseases1 such as either small-pox or scarlatina4 ,we may divide the symptoms of water on the brain into two stages4 ,the first--the premonitory stage--which lasts for or five days1 in which medical aid might be of great avail3 the second--the stage of drowsiness and of coma--which usually ends in death4 ,i shall dwell on the first--the premonitory stage--in order that a mother may see the importance without loss of time of calling in a medical man3-- ,if her child be feverish and irritable1 if his stomach be disordered1 if he have urgent vomitings1 if he have a foul breath1 if his appetite be capricious and bad1 if his nights be disturbed 7screaming out in his sleep71 if his bowels be disordered1 more especially if they be constipated1 if he be more than usually excited1 if his eye gleam with unusual brilliancy1 if his tongue run faster than it is wont1 if his cheek be flushed and his head be hot1 and if he be constantly putting his hand to his head2 there is cause for suspicion4 ,if to these symptoms be added1 a more than usual carelessness in tumbling about1 in hitching his foot in the carpet1 or in dragging one foot after the other2 if1 too1 he has complained of darting1 shooting1 lancinating pains in his head1 it may then be known that the first stage of inflammation 7the forerunner of water on the brain7 either has taken1 or is about taking place4 ,remember no time ought to be lost in obtaining medical aid2 for the commencement of the disease is the golden opportunity1 when life might probably be saved4 #bjj4 ,at what age1 and in what neighbourhood1 is a child most liable to croup1 and when is a mother to know that it is about to take place8 ,it is unusual for a child until he be twelve months old to have croup3 but1 from that time until the age of two years1 he is more liable to it than at any other period4 ,the liability after two years1 gradually1 until he be ten years old1 lessens1 after which time it is rare4 ,a child is more liable to croup in a low and damp1 than in a high and dry neighbourhood2 indeed1 in some situations1 croup is almost an unknown disease2 while in others it is only too well understood4 ,croup is more likely to prevail when the wind is either easterly or north-easterly4 ,there is no disease that requires more prompt treatment than croup1 and none that creeps on more insidiously4 ,the child at first seems to be labouring under a slight cold1 and is troubled with a little dry cough1 he is hot and fretful1 and hoarse when he cries4 ,hoarseness is one of the earliest symptoms of croup1 and it should be borne in mind that a young child1 unless he be going to have croup1 is seldom hoarse1 if1 therefore1 your child be hoarse1 he should be carefully watched1 in order that1 as soon as croup be detected1 not a moment be lost in applying the proper remedies4 ,his voice at length becomes gruff1 he breathes as though it were through muslin1 and the cough becomes crowing4 ,these three symptoms prove that the disease is now fully formed4 ,these latter symptoms sometimes come on without any previous warning1 the little fellow going to bed apparently quite well1 until the mother is awakened1 perplexed and frightened1 in the middle of the night1 by finding him labouring under the characteristic cough and the other symptoms of croup4 ,if she delay either to send for assistance1 or if proper medicines be not instantly given1 in a few hours it will probably be of no avail1 and in a day or two the little sufferer will be a corpse4 ,when once a child has had croup the after attacks are generally milder4 ,if he has once had an attack of croup1 ,i should advise you always to have in the house medicine--a #d oz4 bottle of ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 to fly to at a moments notice1 ,footnote3 ,in case of a sudden attack of croup1 instantly give a teaspoonful of ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 and repeat it every fire minutes natal free vomiting be excited4 but never omit1 where practicable1 in a case of croup1 whether the case be severe or mild to send immediately for medical aid4 ,there is no disease in which time is more precious than in croup1 and where the delay of an hour may decide either for life or for death4 #bja4 ,but suppose a medical man is not ,,immediately to be procured1 what then am ,i to do8 more especially1 as you say1 that delay might be death8 ,what to do4--,i never1 in my life1 lost a child with croup with catarrhal croup where ,i was called in at the commencement of the disease1 and where my plans were carried out to the very letter4 ,let me begin by saying1 look well to the goodness and purity of the medicine1 for the life of your child may depend upon the medicine being genuine4 ,what medicine6 ,ipecacuanha ,wine6 ,at the earliest dawn of the disease give a few spoonful of ,ipecacuanha ,wine every five minutes1 until free vomiting be exerted4 ,in croup1 then1 before he be safe1 free vomiting must be established1 and that without loss of time4 ,if1 after the expiration of an hour1 the ,ipecacuanha ,wine 7having given during that hour one or two tea-spoonfuls of it every five minutes7 be not sufficiently powerful for the purpose--although it generally is so--7if the ,ipecacuanha ,wine be good7--then let the following mixture be substituted-- ,take of--,powdered ,ipecacuanha1 one scruple1 ,wine of ,ipecacuanha1 one ounce and a half ,make a mixture4 ,one or two tea spoonfuls to be given every five minutes1 until free vomiting be excited1 first well shaking the bottle4 ,after the vomiting1 place the child for a quarter of an hour in a warm bath4 ,footnote3 ,see ,warm ,baths--directions and precautions to be observed4 ,when out of the bath give him small doses of ,ipecacuanha ,wine every two or three hours4 ,the following is a palatable form for the mixture-- ,take of--,wine of ,ipecacuanha1 three drachms2 ,simple syrup1 three drachms1 ,water1 six drachms ,make a ,mixture4 ,a tea-spoonful to be taken every two or three hours4 ,but remember the emetic which is given at first is pure ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 without a drop of either water or of syrup4 ,a large sponge dipped out of very hot water1 and applied to the throat1 and frequently renewed1 oftentimes affords great relief in croup1 and ought during the time the emetic is being administered in all cases to be adopted4 ,if it be a severe case of croup1 and does not in the course of two hours yield to the free exhibition of the ,ipecacuanha ,emetic1 apply a narrow strip of ,smith's ,tela ,vesicularia to the throat1 prepared in the same way as for a case of inflammation of the lungs 7see the ,conversation on the treatment of inflammation of the lungs74 ,with this only difference1 let it be a narrower strip1 only one-half the width there recommended1 and apply it to the throat instead of to the chest4 ,if a child has a very short1 fat neck1 there may not be room for the ,tela1 then you ought to apply it to the upper part of the chest--just under the collar-bones4 ,let it be understood1 the the ,tela ,vesicularia is not a severe remedy1 that the ,tela produces very little pain--not nearly so much as the application of leeches2 although1 in its action1 it is much more beneficial1 and is not nearly so weakening to the system4 ,keep the child from all stimulants2 let him live on a low diet1 such as milk and water1 toast and water1 arrowroot1 c42 and let the room be1 if practicable1 at a temperate heat--#fj deg4 ,fahrenheit1 and be well ventilated4 ,so you see that the treatment of croup is very simple1 and the the plan might be carried out by an intelligent mother4 ,notwithstanding which1 it is your duty1 where practicable1 to send1 at the very onset of the disease1 for a medical man4 ,let me again reiterate that1 if your child is to be saved1 the ,ipecacuanha ,wine must be genuine and good4 ,this can only be effected by having the medicine from a highly respectable chemist4 ,again1 if ever your child has had croup1 let me again urge you always to have in the house a #d oz4 bottle of ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 that you may resort to at a moment's notice1 in case there be the slightest return of the disease4 ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 unfortunately1 is not a medicine that keeps well1 therefore1 every three or four months a fresh bottle ought to be procured1 either from a medical man or from a chemist4 ,as long as the ,ipecacuanha ,wine remains clear1 it is good2 but as soon as it becomes turbid1 it is bad1 and ought to be replaced by a fresh supply4 ,an intelligent correspondent of mine makes the following valuable remarks on the preservation of ,ipecacuanha ,wine3--,now1 ,i know that there are some medicines and chemical preparations which1 though they spoil rapidly when at all exposed to the air1 yet will keep perfectly good for an indefinite time if hermetically sealed up in a perfectly full bottle4 ,if so1 would it not be a valuable suggestion if the ,apothecaries' ,hall1 or some other ,london firm of undoubted reliability1 would put up #a oz4 phials of ,ipecacuanha ,wine of guaranteed purity1 sealed up so as to keep good so long as unopened1 and sent out in sealed packages1 with the guarantee of their name4 ,by their keeping a few such ounce bottles in an unopened state in one's house1 one might rely in being ready for any emergency4 ,if you think this suggestion worth notice1 and could induce some first-rate house to carry it out1 and mention the fact in a subsequent edition of your book1 you would1 ,i think1 be adding another most valuable item to an already invaluable book4 ,the above suggestion of preserving ,ipecacuanha ,wine in ounce bottles1 quite full1 and hermetically sealed1 is a very good one4 ,the best way of hermetically sealing the bottle would be1 to cut the cork level with the lip of the bottle1 and to cover the cork with sealing-wax1 in the same manner wine merchants serve some kinds of their wines1 and then to lay the bottles on their sides in sawdust in the cellar4 ,i have no doubt1 if such a plan were adopted1 the ,ipecacuanha ,wine would for a length of time keep good4 ,of course1 if the ,wine of ,ipecacuanha be procured from the ,apothecaries' ,hall ,company1 ,london 7as suggested by my correspondent71 there can be no question as to the genuineness of the article4 ,what ,,not to do--,do not give emetic tartar1 do not apply leeches1 do not keep the room very warm1 do not give stimulants1 do not omit to have always in the house either a #d oz4 bottle1 or three or four #a oz4 bottles1 of ,ipecacuanha ,wine4 #bjb4 ,i have heard ,child crowing mentioned as a formidable disease1 would you describe the symptoms8 ,child-crowing1 or spasm of the glottis1 or spurious croup1 as it is sometimes called1 is occasionally mistaken for genuine croup4 ,it is a more frequent disorder than the latter1 and requires a different plan of treatment ,child crowing is a disease that invariably occurs only during dentition1 and is most perilous1 indeed1 painful dentition is the cause--the only cause--of child crowing4 ,but1 if a child labouring under it can fortunately escape suffocation until he have cut the whole of his first set of teeth--twenty--he is then safe4 ,child-crowing comes on in paroxysms4 ,the breathing during the intervals is quite natural--indeed1 the child appears perfectly well1 hence1 the dangerous nature of the disease is either overlooked1 or is lightly thought of1 until perhaps a paroxysm worse than common takes place1 and the little patient dies of suffocation1 overwhelming the mother with terror1 with confusion1 and dismay4 ,the symptoms in a paroxysm of child-crowing are as follows--,the child suddenly loses and fights for his breath1 and in doing so1 makes a noise very much like that of crowing1 hence the name child-crowing4 ,the face during the paroxysm becomes bluish or livid4 ,in a favourable case1 after either a few seconds1 or even1 in some instances1 a minute1 and a frightful straggle to breathe1 he regains his breath1 and is1 until another paroxysm occurs1 perfectly well4 ,in an unfavourable case1 the upper part 7chink7 of the windpipe--the glottis--remains for a minute or two closed1 and the child1 not being able to breathe1 drops a corpse in his nurse's arms6 ,many children1 who are said1 to have died of fits1 hare really died of child-crowing4 ,child-crowing is very apt to cause convulsions1 which complication1 of course1 adds very much to the danger4 ,such a complication requires the constant supervision of an experienced and skilful medical man4 ,i have entered thus rather fully into the subject1 as nearly every life might be saved1 if a mother knew the nature and the treatment of the complaint1 and of the great necessity during the paroxysm of prompt and proper measures4 ,for1 too frequently1 before a medical man has had time to arrive1 the child has breathed his last1 the parent himself being perfectly ignorant of the necessary treatment2 hence the vital importance of the subject1 and the paramount necessity of imparting such information1 in a popular style1 in conversations of this kind4 #bjc4 ,what treatment1 then1 during a paroxysm of ,child-crowing should you advise8 ,the first thing1 of course1 to be done1 is to send immediately for a medical man4 ,have a plentiful supply of cold and of hot water always at hand1 ready at a moment's notice for use4 ,the instant the paroxysm is upon the child1 plentifully and perseveringly dash cold water upon his head and face4 ,put his foot and legs in hot salt1 mustard1 and water2 and1 if necessary1 place him up to his neck in a hot bath1 still dashing water upon his face and head4 ,if he does not quickly come round1 sharply smack his back and buttocks4 ,in every severe paroxysm of child-crowing1 put your fore-finger down the throat of the child1 and pull his tongue forward4 ,this plan of pulling the tongue forward opens the epiglottis 7the lid of the glottis71 and thus admits air 7which is so sorely needed7 into the glottis and into the lungs1 and thus staves off impending suffocation4 ,if this plan were generally known and adopted1 many precious lives might be saved4 ,footnote3 ,an intelligent correspondent first drew my attention to the efficacy of pulling forward the tongue in every severe paroxysm of child-crowing4 ,there is nothing more frightfully agonising to a mother's feelings than to see her child strangled1--as it were1--before her eyes1 by a paroxysm of child crowing4 ,as soon as a medical man arrives1 he will lose no time in thoroughly lancing the gums1 and in applying other appropriate remedies4 ,great care and attention ought1 during the intervals1 to be paid to his diet4 ,if the child be breathing a smoky1 close atmosphere1 he should be immediately removed to a pure one4 ,in this disease1 indeed1 there is no remedy equal to a change of air--to a dry1 bracing neighbourhood4 ,change of air1 even if it be winter1 is the best remedy1 either to the coast or to a healthy mountainous district4 ,i am indebted to ,mr ,roberton of ,manchester 7who has paid great attention to this disease1 and who has written a valuable essay on the subject ,footnote3 ,see the end of the volume of ,physiology and ,diseases of ,women1 c4 ,churchill1 #ahea47 for the knowledge of this fact4 ,where1 in a case of this kind1 it is not practicable to send a child from home1 then let him be sent out of doors the greater part of every day2 let him1 in point of fact1 almost live in the open air4 ,i am quite sure1 from an extensive experience1 that in this disease1 fresh air1 and plenty of it1 is the best and principal remedy4 ,cold sponging of the body too is useful4 ,mr ,roberton1 who1 at my request1 has kindly given me the benefit of his extensive experience in child-crowing1 considers that there is no remedy1 in this complaint1 equal to fresh air--to dry cold winds--that the little patient ought1 in fact1 nearly to live1 during the day1 out of doors1 whether the wind be in the east or in the north-east1 whether it be biting cold or otherwise1 provided it be dry and bracing1 for if the air be dry1 the colder the better1--taking care1 of course1 that he be well wrapped up4 ,mr ,roberton1 moreover1 advises that the child should be sent away at once from home1 either to a bracing sea-side place1 such as ,blackpool or ,fleetwood2 or to a mountainous district1 such as ,buxton4 ,as the subject is so important1 let me recapitulate3 the gums ought1 from time to time1 to be well lanced1 in order to remove the irritation of painful dentition--painful dentition being the real cause of the disease4 ,cold sponging should be used twice or thrice daily4 ,the diet should be carefully attended to 7see ,dietary of ,child72 and everything conducive to health should 7as recommended in these ,conversations7 be observed4 ,but1 remember1 after all that can be said about the treatment1 there is nothing like change of air1 of fresh air1 of cold1 dry pure air1 and of plenty of it--the more the little fellow can inhale1 during the day1 the better it will be for him1 it will be far better than any drug contained in the pharmacopoeia4 ,i have dwelt on this subject at some length--it being a most important one--as1 if the above advice were more generally known and followed1 nearly every child1 labouring under this complaint1 would be saved2 while now1 as coroners' inquests abundantly testify1 the disease carries off yearly an immense number of victims4 #bjd4 ,when is a mother to know that a cough is not a tooth cough but one of the symptoms of ,inflammation of the lungs8 ,if the child has had a shivering fit2 if his skin be very hot and very dry2 if his lips be parched2 if there be great thirst2 if his cheeks be flushed2 if he be dull and heavy1 wishing to be quiet in his cot or crib2 if his appetite be diminished2 if his tongue be furred2 if his mouth be burning hot and dry2 ,footnote3 ,if you put your finger into the mouth of a child labouring under inflammation of the lungs1 it is like putting your finger into a hot apple pie1 the heat is so great4 if his urine be scanty and high-coloured1 staining the napkin or the linen2 if his breathing be short1 panting1 hurried1 and oppressed2 if there be a hard dry cough1 and if his skin be burning hot2--then there is no doubt that inflammation of the lungs has taken place4 ,no time should be lost in sending for medical aid2 indeed1 the hot1 dry mouth and skin1 and short1 hurried breathing would be sufficient cause for your procuring immediate assistance4 ,if inflammation of the lungs were properly treated at the onset1 a child would scarcely ever be lost by that disease4 ,i say this advisedly1 for in my own practice1 provided ,i am called in early1 and if my plans are strictly carried out1 ,i scarcely ever lose a child from inflammation of the lungs4 ,you may ask--,what are your plans8 ,i will tell you1 in case you cannot promptly obtain medical advice1 as delay might be death6 ,the treatment of ,inflammation of the ,lungs1 what to do4--,keep the child to one room1 to his bedroom1 and to his bed4 ,let the chamber be properly ventilated4 ,if the weather be cool1 let a small fire be in the grate2 otherwise1 he is better without a fire4 ,let him live on low diet1 such as weak black tea1 milk and water 7in equal quantities71 and toast and water1 thin oatmeal gruel1 arrow-root1 and such like simple beverages1 and give him the following mixture3-- ,take of--,wine of ,ipecacuanha1 three drachms2 ,simple ,syrup1 three drachms2 ,water1 six drachms2 ,make a ,mixture4 ,a tea-spoonful of the mixture to be taken every four hours4 ,be careful that you go to a respectable chemist1 in order that the totality of the ,ipecacuanha ,wine may be good1 as the child's life may depend upon it4 ,if the medicine produce sickness1 so much the better2 continue it regularly until the short1 oppressed1 and hurried breathing has subsided1 and has become natural4 ,if the attack be very severe1 in addition to the above medicine1 at once apply a blister1 not the common blister1 but ,smith's ,tela ,vesicatoria ,footnote3 ,manufactured by ,t4 ,h4 ,smith1 chemists1 ,edinburgh1 and may be procured of ,southalls1 chemists1 ,birmingham4--a quarter of a sheet4 ,if the child be a year old1 the blister ought to be kept on for three hours1 and then a piece of dry1 soft linen rag should be applied for another three hours4 ,at the end of which time--six hours--there will be a beautiful blister1 which must then1 with a pair of scissors1 be cut1 to let out the water1 and then let the blister be dressed1 night and morning1 with simple cerate spread on lint4 ,if the little patient be more than one year1 say two years old1 let the ,tela remain on for five hours1 and the dry linen rag for five hours more1 before the blister1 as above recommended1 be cut and dressed4 ,if in a day or two the inflammation still continue violent1 let another ,tela ,vesicatoria be applied1 not over the old blister1 but let a narrow strip of it be applied on each side of the old blister1 and managed in the same manner as before directed4 ,i cannot speak too highly of ,smith's ,tela ,vesicatoria4 ,it has1 in my hands1 through ,god's blessing1 saved the lives of scores of children4 ,it is far1 very far1 superior to the old fashioned blistering plaster4 ,it seldom1 if the above rules be strictly observed1 fails to rise1 it gives much less pain than the common blister1 when it has had the desired effect1 it readily heals1 which cannot always be said of the common fly blister1 more especially with children4 ,my sheet anchors1 then1 in the inflammation of the lungs of children are1 ,ipecacuanha ,wine and ,smith's ,tela ,vesicatoria4 ,let the greatest care1 as ,i before advised1 be observed in obtaining the ,ipecacuanha ,wine genuine and good4 ,this can be only depended upon by having the medicine from a highly respectable chemist1 ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 when genuine and good1 is1 in many children's diseases1 is one of the most valuable of medincies4 ,what1 in a case of inflammation of the lungs1 ,,not to do--,do not1 on any account1 apply leeches4 ,they draw out the life of the child1 but not his disease4 ,avoid--emphatically let me say so--giving emetic tartar ,it is one of the most lowering and death-dealing medicines that can be administered either to an infant or to a child6 ,if you wish to try the effect of it1 take a dose yourself1 and ,i am quite sure that you will then never be inclined to poison a child with such an abominable preparation6 ,in olden times--many1 many years ago--,i myself gave it in inflammation of the lungs1 and lost many children6 ,since leaving it off1 the recoveries of patients by the ,ipecacuanha treatment1 combined with the external application of ,smith's ,tela ,vesicatoria1 have been in many cases marvellous4 ,avoid broths and wine1 and all stimulants4 ,do not put the child into a warm bath1 it only oppresses the already oppressed breathing4 ,moreover1 after he is out of the bath1 it causes a larger quantity of blood to rush back to the lungs and to the bronchial tubes1 and thus feeds the inflammation4 ,do not1 by a large fire1 keep the temperature of the room high4 ,a small fire1 in the winter time1 encourages ventilation1 and in such a case does good4 ,when the little patient is on the mother's or on the nurse's lap1 do not burden him either with a heavy blanket or with a thick shawl4 ,either a thin child's blanket1 or a thin woollen shawl1 in addition to his usual nightgown1 is all the clothing necessary4 #bje4 ,is ,bronchitis a more frequent disease than ,inflammation of the ,lungs8 ,which is the most dangerous8 ,what are the symptoms of ,bronchitis8 ,bronchitis is a much more frequent disease than inflammation of the lungs1 indeed1 it is one of the most common complaints both of infants and of children1 while inflammation of the lungs is comparatively a rare disease4 ,bronchitis is not nearly such a dangerous disease as inflammation of the lungs4 ,the symptoms--,the child for the first few days labours under symptoms of a heavy cold1 he has not his usual spirits4 ,in two or three days1 instead of the cold leaving him1 it becomes more confirmed1 he is now really poorly1 fretful1 and feverish1 his breathing becomes rather hurried and oppressed1 his cough is hard and dry1 and loud1 he wheezes1 and if you put your ear to his naked back1 between his shoulder blades1 you will hear the wheezing more distinctly4 ,if at the breast1 he does not suck with his usual avidity2 the cough1 notwithstanding the breast is a great comfort to him1 compels him frequently to loose the nipple2 his urine is scanty1 and rather high-coloured1 staining the napkin1 and smelling strongly4 ,he is generally worse at night4 ,well1 then1 remember if the child be feverish1 if he have symptoms of a heavy cold1 if he have an oppression of breathing1 if he wheeze1 and if he have a tight1 dry1 noisy cough1 you may be satisfied that he has an attack of bronchitis4 #bjf4 ,how can ,i distinguish between ,bronchitis and ,inflammation of the ,lungs8 ,in bronchitis the skin is warm1 but moist2 in inflammation of the lungs it is hot and dry3 in bronchitis the mouth is warmer than usual1 but moist2 in inflammation of the lungs it is burning hot3 in bronchitis the breathing is rather hurried1 and attended with wheezing2 in inflammation of the lungs it is very short and panting1 and is unaccompanied with wheezing1 although occasionally a very slight crackling sound might be heard3 in bronchitis the cough is long and noisy2 in inflammation of the lungs it is short and feeble3 in bronchitis the child is cross and fretful2 in inflammation of the lungs he is dull and heavy1 and his countenance denotes distress4 ,we have sometimes a combination of bronchitis and of inflammation of the lungs1 an attack of the latter following the former4 ,then the symptoms will be modified1 and will partake of the character of the two diseases4 #bjg4 ,how would you treat a case of ,bronchitis8 ,if a medical man cannot be procured1 ,i will tell you ,what to do3 ,confine the child to his bedroom1 and if very ill1 to his bed4 ,if it be winter time1 have a little fire in the grate1 but be sure that the temperature of the chamber be not above #fj degrees ,fahrenheit1 and let the room be properly ventilated1 which may be effected by occasionally leaving the door a little ajar4 ,let him lie either outside the bed or on a sofa1 if he be very ill1 inside the bed1 with a sheet and a blanket only to cover him1 but no thick coverlid4 ,if he be allowed to be on the lap1 it only heats him and makes him restless4 ,if he will not lie on the bed1 let him rest on a pillow placed on the lap1 the pillow will cause him to lie cooler1 and will more comfortably rest his weaned body4 ,if he be at the breast1 keep him to it1 let him have no artificial food1 unless1 if he be thirsty a little toast and water4 ,if he be weaned1 let him have either milk and water1 arrow root made with equal parts of milk and water1 toast and water1 barley water1 or weak black tea1 with plenty of new milk in it1 c41 but1 until the inflammation have subsided1 neither broth nor beef tea4 ,now1 with regard to medicine1 the best medicine is ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 given in large doses1 so as to produce constant nausea4 ,the ,ipecacuanha abates fever1 acts on the skin1 loosens the cough1 and1 in point of fact1 in the majority of cases1 will rapidly effect a cure4 ,i have in a preceding ,conversation given you a prescription for the ,ipecacuanha ,wine ,mixture4 ,let a tea-spoonful of the mixture be taken every four hours4 ,if in a day or two he be no better1 but worse1 by all means continue the mixture1 whether it produce sickness or otherwise1 and put on the chest a ,tela ,vesicatoria1 a quarter of a sheet4 ,the ,ipecacuanha ,wine and the ,tela ,vesicatoria are my sheet anchors in the bronchitis1 both of infants and of children4 ,they rarely1 even in very severe cases1 fail to effect a cure1 provided the ,tela ,vesicatorina be properly applied1 and the ,ipecacuanha ,wine be genuine and of good quality4 ,if there be any difficulty in procuring good ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 the ,ipecacuanha may be given in powder instead of the wine ,the following is a pleasant form-- ,take of--,powder of ,ipecacuanha1 twelve grains ,white ,sugar thirty six grains ,mix well together and divide into twelve powders4 ,one of the powders to be put dry on the tongue every four hours4 ,the ,ipecacuanha ,powder will keep better than the ,wine--an important consideration to those living in country places1 nevertheless1 if the ,wine can be procured fresh and good1 ,i far prefer the ,wine to the ,powder4 ,when the bronchitis has disappeared1 the diet ought gradually to be improved--rice1 sago1 tapioca1 and light batter-pudding1 c42 and1 in a few days1 either a little chicken or a mutton chop1 mixed with a well-mashed potato and crumb of bread1 should be given4 ,but let the improvement in his diet be gradual1 or the inflammation might return4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not apply leeches4 ,do not give either emetic tartar or antimonial wine1 which is emetic tartar dissolved in wine4 ,do not administer either paregoric or syrup of poppies1 either of which would stop the cough1 and would thus prevent the expulsion of the phlegm4 ,any fool can stop a cough1 but it requires a wise man to rectify the mischief4 ,a cough is an effort of ,nature to bring up the phlegm1 which would otherwise accumulate1 and in the end cause death4 ,again1 therefore1 let me urge upon you the immense importance of not stopping the cough of a child4 ,the ,ipecacuanha ,wine will1 by loosening the phlegm1 loosen the cough1 which is the only right way to get rid of a cough4 ,let what ,i have now said be impressed deeply upon your memory1 as thousands of children in ,england are annually destroyed by having their coughs stopped4 ,avoid1 until the bronchitis be relieved1 giving him broths1 and meat1 and stimulants of all kinds4 ,for further observations on what ,,not to do in bronchitis1 ,i beg to refer you to a previous ,conversation we had on what ,,not to do in inflammation of the lungs4 ,that which is injurious in the one case is equally so in the other4 #bjh4 ,what are the symptoms of ,diphtheria1 or1 as it is sometimes called1 ,boulogne ,sore-throat8 ,this terrible disease1 although by many considered to be a new complaint1 is1 in point of fact1 of very ancient origin4 ,homer1 and ,hippocrates1 the ,father of ,physic1 have both described it4 ,diphtheria first appeared in ,england in the beginning of the year #aheg1 since which time it has never totally left our shores4 ,the symptoms--,the little patient1 before the disease really shows itself1 feels poorly1 and is out of sorts4 ,a shivering fit1 though not severe1 may generally be noticed4 ,there is heaviness1 and slight headache1 principally over the eyes4 ,sometimes1 but not always1 there is a mild attack of delirium at night ,the next day he complains of slight difficulty of swallowing4 ,if old enough1 he will complain of constriction about the swallow4 ,on examining the throat1 the tonsils will be found to be swollen and redder--more darkly red than usual4 ,slight specks will be noticed on the tonsils4 ,in a day or two an exudation will cover them1 the back of the swallow1 the palate1 the tongue1 and sometimes the inside of the cheeks and of the nostrils4 ,this exudation of lymph gradually increases until it becomes a regular membrane1 which puts on the appearance of leather1 hence its name diphtheria4 ,this membrane peels off in pieces1 and if the child be old and strong enough he will sometimes spit it up in quantities1 the membrane again and again rapidly forming as before4 ,the discharges from the throat are occasionally1 but not always1 offensive4 ,there is danger of croup from the extension of the membrane into the wind pipe4 ,the glands about the neck and under the jaw are generally much swollen1 the skin is rather cold and clammy1 the urine is scanty and usually pale1 the bowels at first are frequently relaxed4 ,this diarrhoea may1 or may not1 cease as the disease advances4 ,the child is now in a perilous condition1 and it becomes a battle between his constitution and the disease4 ,if1 unfortunately1 as is too often the case--diphtheria being more likely to attack the weakly--the child be very delicate1 there is but slight hope of recovery4 ,the danger of the disease is not always to be measured by the state of the throat4 ,sometimes1 when the patient appears to be getting well1 a sudden change for the worse rapidly carries him off4 ,hence the importance of great caution1 in such cases1 in giving an opinion as to ultimate recovery4 ,i have said enough to prove the terrible nature of the disease1 and to show the necessity of calling in1 at the earliest period of the symptoms1 an experienced and skilful medical man4 #bji4 ,is ,diphtheria contagious8 ,decidedly4 ,therefore1 when practicable1 the rest of the children ought instantly to be removed to a distance4 ,i say children1 for it is emphatically a disease of childhood4 ,when adults have it1 it is the exception and not the rule3 ,thus it will be seen1 in the account given of the ,boulogne epidemic1 that of #cff deaths from this cause1 #cda occurred amongst children under ten years of age4 ,in the ,lincolnshire epidemic1 in the autumn of #aheh1 all the deaths at ,horncastle1 #be in number1 occurred amongst children under twelve years of age4 ,footnote3 ,diphtheria3 by ,ernest ,hart4 ,a valuable pamphlet on the subject4 ,dr ,wade of ,birmingham has also written an interesting and useful monograph on ,diphtheria4 ,i am indebted to the above authors for much valuable information4 #baj4 ,what are the causes of ,diphtheria8 ,bad and imperfect drainage2 ,footnote3 ,now all my carefully conducted inquiries induce me to believe that the disease comes from drain-poison4 ,all the cases into which ,i could fully inquire1 have brought conviction to my mind that there is a direct law of sequence in some peculiar conditions of atmosphere between diphtheria and bad drainage2 and1 if this be proved by subsequent investigations1 we may be able to prevent a disease which1 in too many cases1 our known remedies cannot cure4--,w4 ,carr1 ,esq41 ,blackheath1 ,british ,medical ,journal1 ,december #g1 #ahfa4 want of ventilation2 overflowing privies2 low neighbourhoods in the vicinity of rivers2 stagnant waters2 indeed1 everything that vitiates the air1 and thus depresses the system1 more especially if the weather be close and muggy2 poor and1 improper food2 and last1 though not least1 contagion4 ,bear in mind1 too1 that a delicate child is much more predisposed to the disease than a strong one4 #baa4 ,what is the treatment of ,diptheria8 ,what to do--,examine well into the ventilation1 for as diphtheria is frequently caused by deficient ventilation1 the best remedy is thorough ventilation4 ,look well both to the drains and to the privies1 and see that the drains from the water-closets and from the privies do not in any way contaminate the pump-water4 ,if the drains be defective or the privies be full1 the disease in your child will be generated1 fed1 and fostered4 ,not only so1 but the disease will spread in your family and all around you4 ,keep the child to his bedroom and to his bed4 ,for the first two or three days1 while the fever runs high1 put him on a low diet1 such as milk1 tea1 arrow root1 c4 ,apply to his throat every four hours a warm barm and oatmeal poultice4 ,if he be old enough to have the knowledge to use a gargle1 the following will be found serviceable-- ,take of--,permanganate of ,potash1 pure1 four grams1 ,water eight ounces ,to make a ,gargle ,or1 ,take of--,powdered ,alum1 one drachm1 ,simple ,syrup one ounce1 ,water1 seven ounces ,to make a ,gargle ,the best medicine for the first few days of the attack1 is the following mixture-- ,take of--,chlorate of ,potash two drachms1 ,boiling ,water seven ounces ,syrup of ,red ,poppy one ounce ,to ,make a mixture4 ,a table spoonful to be taken every four hours4 ,or the chlorate of potash might be given in the form of powder-- ,take of--,chlorate of ,potash two scruples1 ,lump ,sugar one drachm ,mix and divide into eight powders4 ,one to be put into a dry tea spoon and then placed on the tongue every three hours1 ,these powders are very useful in diphtheria2 they are very cleansing to the tongue and throat4 ,if they produce much smarting as where the mouth is very sore they sometimes do1 let the patient1 after taking one1 drink plentifully of milk1 indeed ,i have known these powders induce a patient to take nourishment1 in the form of milk1 which he otherwise would not have done1 and thus to have saved him from dying of starvation1 which1 before taking the powders1 there was every probability of his doing4 ,an extensive experience has demonstrated to me the great value of these powders in diphtheria1 but they must be put on the tongue dry4 ,as soon as the skin has lost its preternatural heat1 beef tea and chicken broth ought to be given4 ,or if great prostration should supervene1 in addition to the beef tea1 port wine1 a table spoonful every four hours1 should be administered4 ,if the child be cold1 and there be great sinking of the vital powers1 brandy and water should be substituted for the port wine4 ,remember1 in ordinary cases1 port wine and brandy are not necessary1 but in cases of extreme exhaustion they are most valuable4 ,as soon as the great heat of the skin has abated and the debility has set in1 one of the following mixtures will be found useful-- ,take of--,wine of ,iron1 one ounce and a half1 ,sample ,syrup1 one ounce1 ,water1 three ounces and a half ,to make a ,mixture4 ,a table spoonful to be taken every four hours4 ,or1 ,take of--,tincture of ,perchloride of ,iron1 one drachm ,simple ,syrup1 one ounce1 ,water1 three ounces ,to make a ,mixture4 ,a table spoonful to be taken three times a day4 ,if the disease should travel downwards1 it will cause all the symptoms of croup1 then it must be treated as croup1 with this only difference1 that a blister 7,tela ,vesicatoria7 must not be applied1 or the blistered surface may be attacked by the membrane of diphtheria1 which may either cause death or hasten that catastrophe4 ,in every other respect treat the case as croup1 by giving an emetic1 a tea spoonful of ,ipecacuanha ,wine every five minutes1 until free vomiting be excited1 and then administer smaller doses of ,ipecacuanha ,wine every two or three hours1 as ,i recommended when conversing with you on the treatment of croup4 ,what ,,not to do--,do not1 on any account1 apply either leeches or a blister4 ,if the latter be applied1 it is almost sure to be covered with the membrane of diphtheria1 similar to that inside of the mouth and of the throat1 which would be a serious complication4 ,do not give either calomel or emetic tartar4 ,do not depress the system by aperients1 for diphtheria is an awfully depressing complaint of itself1 the patient1 in point of fact1 is labouring under the depressing effects of poison1 for the blood has been poisoned either by the drinking water being contaminated by faecal matter from either a privy or from a water-closet1 by some horrid drain1 by proximity to a pig-sty1 by an overflowing privy1 especially if vegetable matter be rotting at the same time in it1 by bad ventilation1 or by contagion4 ,diphtheria may generally be traced either to the one or to the other of the above causes1 therefore let me urgently entreat you to look well into all these matters1 and thus to stay the pestilence6 ,diphtheria might long remain in a neighbourhood if active measures be not used to exterminate it4 #bab4 ,have the goodness to describe the symptoms of ,measles8 ,measles commences with symptoms of a common cold1 the patient is at first chilly1 then hot and feverish1 he has a running at the nose1 sneezing1 watering1 and redness of the eyes1 headache1 drowsiness1 a hoarse and peculiar ringing cough1 which nurses call measle-cough1 and difficulty of breathing4 ,these symptoms usually last three days before the eruption appears1 on the fourth it 7the eruption7 generally makes its appearance1 and continues for four days and then disappears1 lasting altogether1 from the commencement of the symptoms of cold to the decline of the eruption1 seven days4 ,it is important to bear in mind that the eruption consists of crescent-shaped--half moon-shaped--patches1 that they usually appear first about the face and the neck1 in which places they are the best marked2 then on the body and on the arms2 and1 lastly1 on the legs1 and that they are slightly raised above the surface of the skin4 ,the face is swollen1 more especially the eye-lids which are sometimes for a few days closed4 ,well1 then1 remember1 the running at the nose1 the1 sneezing1 the peculiar hoarse cough1 and the half-moon-shaped patches1 are the leading features of the disease1 and point out for a certainty that it is measles4 #bac4 ,what constitutes the principal danger in ,measles8 ,the affection of the chest4 ,the mucous or lining membrane of the bronchial tubes is always more or less inflamed1 and the lungs themselves are sometimes affected4 #bad4 ,do you recommend surfeit water and saffron tea to throw out the eruption in ,measles8 ,certainly not4 ,the only way to throw out the eruption1 as it is called1 is to keep the body comfortably warm1 and to give the beverages ordered by the medical man1 with the chill off4 ,surfeit water1 saffron tea1 and remedies of that class1 are hot and stimulating4 ,the only effect they can have1 will be to increase the fever and the inflammation--to add fuel to the fire4 #bae4 ,what is the treatment of ,measles8 ,what to do4--,the child ought to be confined both to his room and to his bed1 the room being kept comfortably warm2 therefore1 if it be winter time1 there should be a small fire in the grate2 in the summer time1 a fire would be improper4 ,the child must not be exposed to draughts2 notwithstanding1 from time to time1 the door ought to be left a little ajar in order to change the air of the apartment2 for proper ventilation1 let the disease be what it may1 is absolutely necessary4 ,let the child1 for the first few days1 be kept on a low diet1 such as on milk and water1 arrow-root1 bread and butter1 c4 ,if the attack be mild1 that is to say1 if the breathing be not much affected 7for in measles it always is more or less affected71 and if there be not much wheezing1 the ,acidulated ,infusion of ,roses' ,mixture ,footnote3 ,see page #agh will be all that is necessary4 ,but suppose that the breathing is short1 and that there is a great wheezing1 then instead of giving him the mixture just advised1 give him a tea-spoonful of a mixture composed of ,ipecacuanha ,wine1 ,syrup1 and ,water1 ,footnote3 ,see page #afa every four hours4 ,and if1 on the following day1 the breathing and the wheezing be not relieved in addition to the ,ipecacuanha ,mixture1 apply a ,tola ,vesicatoria1 as advised under the head of ,inflammation of the ,lungs4 ,when the child is convalescing1 batter puddings1 rice1 and sago puddings1 in addition to the milk1 bread and butter1 c1 should be given1 and1 a few days later1 chicken1 mutton chops1 c4 ,the child ought not1 even in a mild case of measles1 and in favourable weather to be allowed to leave the house under a fortnight1 or it might bring on an attack of bronchitis4 ,what ,,not to do--,do not give either surfeit water or wine4 ,do not apply leeches to the chest4 ,do not expose the child to the cold air4 ,do not keep the bed room very hot1 but comfortably warm4 ,do not let the child leave the house1 even under favourable circumstances1 under a fortnight4 ,do not1 while the eruption is out1 give aperients4 ,do not1 to ease the cough1 administer either emetic tartar or paregoric--the former drug is awfully depressing1 the latter will stop the cough1 and will thus prevent the expulsion of the phlegm4 #baf4 ,what is the difference between ,scarlatina and ,scarlet ,fever8 ,they are indeed one and the same disease1 scarlatina being the ,latin for scarlet fever4 ,but1 in a popular sense1 when the disease is mild1 it is usually called scarlatina4 ,the latter term does not sound so formidable to the ears either of patients or of parents4 #bag4 ,will you describe the symptoms of ,scarlet ,fever8 ,the patient is generally chilly1 languid1 drowsy1 feverish1 and poorly for two days before the eruption appears4 ,at the end of the second day1 the characteristic1 bright scarlet efflorescence1 somewhat similar to the colour of a boiled lobster1 usually first shows itself4 ,the scarlet appearance is not confined to the skin2 but the tongue1 the throat1 and the whites of the eyes put on the same appearance2 with this only difference1 that on the tongue and on the throat the scarlet is much darker2 and1 as ,dr ,elliotson accurately describes it1--the tongue looks as if it had been slightly sprinkled with ,cayenne pepper2 the tongue1 at other times1 looks like a strawberry2 when it does1 it is called the strawberry tongue4 ,the eruption usually declines on the fifth1 and is generally indistinct on the sixth day2 on the seventh it has completely faded away4 ,there is usually1 after the first few days1 great itching on the surface of the body4 ,the skin1 at the end of the week1 begins to peel and to dust off1 making it look as though meal had been sprinkled upon it4 ,there are three forms of scarlet fever2--the one where the throat is little1 if at all1 affected1 and this is a mild form of the disease2 the second1 which is generally1 especially at night1 attended with delirium1 where the throat is much affected1 being often greatly inflamed and ulcerated2 and the third 7which is1 except in certain unhealthy districts1 comparatively rare1 and which is ,,very dangerous71 the malignant form4 #bah4 ,would it be well to give a little cooling1 opening physic as soon as a child begins to sicken for ,scarlet ,fever8 ,on no account whatever4 ,aperient medicines are1 in my opinion1 highly improper and dangerous both before and during the period of the eruption4 ,it is my firm conviction1 that the administration of opening medicine1 at such times1 is one of the principal causes of scarlet fever being so frequently fatal4 ,this is1 of course1 more applicable to the poor1 and to those who are unable to procure a skilful medical man4 #bai4 ,what constitutes the principal danger in ,scarlet ,fever8 ,the affection of the throat1 the administration of opening medicine during the first ten days1 and a peculiar disease of the kidneys ending in anasarca 7dropsy71 on which account1 the medical man ought1 when practicable1 to be sent for at the onset1 that no time may be lost in applying proper remedies4 ,when ,scarlet ,fever is complicated--as it sometimes is--with diphtheria1 the diphtheric membrane is very apt to travel into the wind-pipe1 and thus to cause diphtheric croup1 it is almost sure1 when such is the case1 to end in death4 ,when a child dies from such a complication1 the death might truly be said to be owing to the diphtheric croup1 and not to the ,scarlet ,fever1 for if the diphtheric croup had not occurred1 the child would1 in all probability1 have been saved4 ,the deaths from diphtheria are generally from diphtheric croup1 if there be no croup1 there is1 as a rule1 frequent recovery4 #bbj4 ,how would you distinguish between ,scarlet ,fever and ,measles8 ,measles commences with symptoms of a common cold1 scarlet fever does not4 ,measles has a peculiar hoarse cough1 scarlet fever has not4 ,the eruption of measles is in patches of a half moon shape1 and is slightly raised above the skin1 the eruption of scarlet fever is not raised above the skin at all1 and is one continued mass4 ,the colour of the eruption is much more vivid in scarlet fever than in measles4 ,the chest is the part principally affected in measles1 and the throat in scarlet fever4 ,there is an excellent method of determining1 for a certainty1 whether the eruption be that of scarlatina or otherwise4 ,i myself have1 in several instances1 ascertained the truth of it--,for several years ,m ,bouchut has remarked in the eruptions of scarlatina a curious phenomenon1 which serves to distinguish this eruption from that of measles1 erythema1 erysipelas c41 a phenomenon essentially vital1 and which is connected with the excessive contractability of the capillaries4 ,the phenomenon in question is a white line1 which can be produced at pleasure by drawing the back of the nail along the skin where the eruption1 is situated4 ,on drawing the nail1 or the extremity of a hard body 7such as a pen-holder71 along the eruption1 the skin is observed to grow pale1 and to present a white trace1 which remains for one or two minutes1 or longer1 and then disappears4 ,in this way the diagnosis of the disease may be very distinctly written on the skin2 the word ',scarlatina' disappears as the eruption regains its uniform tint4--,edinburgh ,medical ,journal4 #bba4 ,is it of so much importance1 then1 to distinguish between ,scarlet fever and ,measles8 ,it is of great importance1 as in measles the patient ought to be kept moderately warm1 and the drinks should be given with the chill off2 while in scarlet fever the patient ought to be kept cool--indeed1 for the first few days1 cold--and the beverages1 such as spring-water1 toast and water1 c41 should be administered quite cold4 #bbb4 ,do you believe in ,hybrid ,scarlet ,fever--that is to say1 in a cross between ,scarlet ,fever and ,measles8 ,i never in my life saw a case of hybrid scarlet fever--nor do ,i believe in it4 ,scarlet fever and measles are both blood poisons1 each one being perfectly separate and distinct from the other4 ,hybrid ,scarlet fever is1 in my opinion1 an utter impossibility4 ,in olden times1 when the symptoms of diseases were not so well and carefully distinguished as now1 scarlet fever and measles were constantly confounded one with the other1 and was frequently said to be hybrid--a cross between measles and scarlet fever--to the patient's great detriment and danger1 the two diseases being as distinct and separate as their treatment-and management ought to be4 #bbc4 ,what is the treatment of ,scarlet ,fever8 ,footnote3 ,on the #dth of ,march #ahef1 ,i had the honour to read a ,paper on the ,treatment of ,scarlet ,fever before the members of ,queens ,college ,medico-,chirugical ,society1 ,birmingham--which ,paper was afterwards published in the ,association ,journal 7,march #ae #ahef7 and in ,braithwaite's ,retrospect of ,medicine 7,january--,june1 #ahef7 and in ,rankings ,half ,yearly ,abstract of the ,medical ,sciences 7,july--,december1 #ahef71 besides in other publications4 ,moreover the ,paper was translated into ,german1 and published in ,canstatts ,jahresbericht1 iv #def1 #ahei ,what to do--,pray pay attention to my rules1 and carry out my directions to the letter--,i can then promise1 that if the scarlet fever be neither malignant nor complicated with diphtheria1 the plan ,i am about to advise will1 with ,god's blessing1 be usually successful4 ,what is the first thing to be done8 ,send the child to bed1 throw open the windows1 be it winter or summer1 and have a thorough ventilation1 for the bedroom must be kept cool1 ,i may say cold4 ,do not be afraid of fresh air1 for fresh air1 for the first few days1 is essential to recovery4 ,fresh air1 and plenty of it1 in scarlet fever1 is the best doctor a child can have let these words be written legibly on your mind4 ,footnote3 ,in the ,times of ,sept #d1 #ahfc1 is the following copied from the ,bridgewater ,mercury-- ,,gross ,,superstition--,in one of the streets of ,taunton1 there resides a man and his wife who have the care of a child ,this child was attacked with scarlatina1 and to all appearance death was inevitable4 ,a jury of matrons was as it were empanelled1 and to prevent the child 'dying hard' all the doors in the house all the drawers1 all the boxes all the cupboards were thrown wide open1 the keys taken out and the body of the child placed under a beam1 whereby a sure1 certain1 and easy passage into eternity could be secured4 ,watchers held their vigils throughout the weary night1 and in the morning the child1 to the surprise of all1 did not die1 and is now gradually recovering4 ,these old women--this jury of matrons--stumbled on the right remedy1 all the doors in the house4444were thrown vide open1 and thus they thoroughly ventilated the apartment4 ,what was the consequence8 ,the child who1 just before the opening of the doors1 had all the appearances that death was inevitable1 as soon as fresh air was let in showed symptoms of recovery1 and in the morning the child1 to the surprise of all1 did not die1 and is now gradually recovering4 ,there is nothing wonderful--there is nothing surprising to my mind--in all this4 ,ventilation--thorough ventilation--is the grand remedy for scarlatina6 ,oh1 that there were in scarlet fever cases a good many such old women's--such a jury of matrons'--remedies6 ,we should not then be horrified1 as we now are1 at the fearful records of death1 which the ,returns of the ,registrar ,general disclose6 ,if the weather be either intensely cold1 or very damp1 there is no objection to a small fire in the grate provided there be1 at the same time1 air--an abundance of fresh air--admitted into the room4 ,take down the curtains of the bed1 remove the valances4 ,if it be summer time1 let the child be only covered with a sheet4 ,if it be winter time1 in addition to the sheet1 he should have one blanket over him4 ,now for the throat--,the best external application is a barm and oatmeal poultice ,how ought it to be made1 and how applied8 ,put half a tea-cupful of barm into a saucepan1 put it on the fire to boil2 as soon as it boils1 take it off the fire1 and stir oatmeal into it1 until it be of the consistence of a nice soft poultice2 then place it on a rag1 and apply it to the throat1 carefully fasten it on with a bandage1 two or three turns of the bandage going round the throat1 and two or three over the crown of the head1 so as nicely to apply the poultice where it is wanted--that is to say1 to cover the tonsils4 ,tack the bandage3 do not pin it4 ,let the poultice be changed three times a day4 ,the best medicine is the ,acidulated ,infusion of ,roses1 sweetened with syrup3-- ,take of--,dilated ,sulphuric ,acid1 half a drachm2 ,simple ,syrup1 one ounce and a half2 ,acid ,infusion of ,roses1 four ounces and a half3 ,to make a ,mixture4 ,a table-spoonful to be taken every four hours4 ,it is grateful and refreshing1 it is pleasant to take1 it abates fever and thirst1 it cleanses the throat and tongue of mucus1 and is peculiarly efficacious in scarlet fever2 as soon as the fever is abated it gives an appetite4 ,my belief is that the sulphuric acid in the mixture is a specific in scarlet fever1 as much as quinine is in ague1 and sulphur in itch4 ,i have reason to say so1 for1 in numerous cases ,i have seen its immense value4 ,now1 with regard to food4--,if the child be at the breast1 keep him entirely to it4 ,if he be weaned1 and under two years old1 give him milk and water1 and cold water to drink4 ,if he be older1 give him toast and water1 and plain water from the pump1 as much as he chooses2 let it be quite cold--the colder the better4 ,weak black tea1 or thin gruel1 may be given1 but not caring1 unless he be an infant at the breast1 if he take nothing but cold water4 ,if the child be two years old and upwards1 roasted apples with sugar1 and grapes1 will be very refreshing1 and will tend to cleanse both the mouth and the throat ,avoid broths and stimulants4 ,when the appetite returns1 you may consider the patient to be safe4 ,the diet ought now to be gradually improved4 ,bread and butter1 milk and water1 and arrowroot made with equal parts of new milk and water1 should for the first two or three days be given4 ,then a light batter or rice pudding may be added1 and in a few days1 either a little chicken or a mutton chop4 ,the essential remedies1 then1 in scarlet fever1 are1 for the first few days--7#a7 plenty of fresh air and ventilation1 7#b7 plenty of cold water to drink1 7#c7 barm poultices to the throat1 and 7#d7 the ,acidulated ,infusion of ,roses ,mixture as a medicine4 ,now1 then1 comes very important advice4 ,after the first few days1 probably five or six1 sometimes as early as the fourth day--watch carefully and warily1 and note the time1 the skin will suddenly become cool1 the child will say that he feels chilly2 then is the time you must now change your tactics--instantly close the windows and put extra clothing1 a blanket or two1 on his bed4 ,a flannel nightgown should1 until the dead skin have peeled off1 be now worn next to the skin1 when the flannel nightgown should be discontinued4 ,the patient ought ever after to wear1 in the day time1 a flannel waistcoat4 ,footnote3 ,on the importance--the vital importance--of the wearing of flannel next to the skin1 see ,flannel ,waistcoats4 ,his drinks must now be given with the chill off2 he ought to have a warm cup of tea1 and gradually his diet should1 as ,i have previously advised1 be improved4 ,there is one important caution ,i wish to impress upon you1--do not give opening medicine during the time the eruption is out4 ,in all probability the bowels will be opened3 if so1 all well and good2 but do not1 on any account1 for the first ten days1 use artificial means to open them4 ,it is my firm conviction that the administration of purgatives in scarlet fever is a fruitful source of dropsy1 of disease1 and death4 ,when we take into consideration the sympathy there is between the skin and the mucous membrane1 ,i think that we should pause before giving irritating medicines1 such as purgatives4 ,the irritation of aperients on the mucous membrane may cause the poison of the skin disease 7for scarlet fever is a blood-poison7 to be driven internally to the kidneys1 to the throat1 to the pericardium 7bag of the heart71 or to the brain4 ,you may say1 ,do you not purge if the bowels be not open for a week8 ,i say emphatically1 ,no6 ,i consider my great success in the treatment of scarlet fever to be partly owing to my avoidance of aperients during the first ten days of the child's illness4 ,if the bowels1 after the ten days1 be not properly opened1 a dose or two of syrup of senna should be given3 that is to say1 one or two tea-spoonfuls should be administered early in the morning1 and should1 if the first dose does not operate1 be repeated in four hours4 ,in a subsequent ,conversation1 ,i shall strongly urge you not to allow your child1 when convalescent1 to leave the house under at least a month from the commencement of the illness2 ,i1 therefore1 beg to refer you to that ,conversation1 and hope that you will give it your best and earnest consideration6 ,during the last twenty years ,i have never had dropsy from scarlet fever1 and ,i attribute it entirely to the plan ,i have just recommended1 and in not allowing my patients to leave the house under the month--until1 in fact1 the skin that had peeled off has been renewed4 ,let me now sum up the plan ,i adopt1 and which ,i beg leave to designate as--,pye ,chavasse's ,fresh ,air ,treatment of ,scarlet ,fever3-- #a4 ,thorough ventilation1 a cool room1 and scant clothes on the bed1 for the first five or six days4 #b4 ,a change of temperature of the skin to be carefully regarded4 ,as soon as the skin is cool1 closing the windows1 and putting additional clothing on the bed4 #c4 ,the ,acidulated ,infusion of ,hoses with ,syrup is the medicine for scarlet fever4 #d4 ,purgatives to be religiously avoided for the first ten days at least1 and even afterwards1 unless there be absolute necessity4 #e4 ,leeches1 blisters1 emetics1 cold and tepid spongings1 and painting the tonsils with caustic1 inadmissible in scarlet fever4 #f4 ,a strict antiphlogistic 7low7 diet for the first few days1 during which time cold water to be given ad libitum4 #g4 ,the patient not to leave the house in the summer under the month2 in the winter1 under six weeks4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not1 then1 apply either leeches or blisters to the throat2 do not paint the tonsils with caustic2 do not give aperients2 do not1 on any account1 give either calomel or emetic tartar2 do not1 for the first few days of the illness1 be afraid of cold air to the skin1 and of cold water as a beverage2 do not1 emphatically let me say1 do not let the child leave the house for at least a month from the commencement of the illness4 ,my firm conviction is1 that purgatives1 emetics1 and blisters1 by depressing the patient1 sometimes cause ordinary scarlet fever to degenerate into malignant scarlet fever4 ,i am aware that some of our first authorities advocate a different plan to mine4 ,they recommend purgatives1 which ,i may say1 in scarlet fever1 are my dread and abhorrence4 ,they advise cold and tepid spongings--a plan which ,i think dangerous1 as it will probably drive the disease internally4 ,blisters1 too1 have been prescribed2 these ,i consider weakening1 injurious1 and barbarous1 and likely still more to inflame the already inflamed skin4 ,they recommend leeches to the throat1 which ,i am convinced1 by depressing the patient1 will lessen the chance of his battling against the disease1 and will increase the ulceration of the tonsils4 ,again1 the patient has not too much blood2 the blood is only poisoned4 ,i look upon scarlet fever as a specific poison of the blood1 and one which will be eliminated from the system1 not by bleeding1 not by purgatives1 not by emetics but by a constant supply of fresh and cool air1 by the acid treatment1 by cold water as a beverage1 and for the first few days by a strict antiphlogistic 7low7 diet4 ,sydenham says that scarlet fever is oftentimes fatal through the officiousness of the doctor4 ,i conscientiously believe that a truer remark was never made2 and that1 under a different system to the usual one adopted1 scarlet fever would not be so much dreaded4 ,footnote3 ,if any of my medical brethren should do me the honour to read these pages1 let me entreat them to try my plan of treating scarlet fever1 as my success has been great4 ,i have given full and minute particulars1 in order that they and mothers 7if mothers cannot obtain medical advice7 may give my plan a fair and impartial trial4 ,my only stipulations are that they must begin with my treatment1 and not mix any other with it1 and carry out my plan to the very letter4 ,i then1 with ,god's blessing1 provided the cases be neither malignant nor complicated with diphtheria1 shall not fear the result4 ,if any of my confreres have tried my plan of treatment of scarlet fever--and ,i have reason to know that many have--,i should feel grateful to them if they would favour me with their opinion as to its efficacy4 ,address--,pye ,chavasse1 #bad ,hagley ,road1 ,birmingham4 ,dr ,budd1 of ,bristol1 recommends1 in the ,british ,medical ,journal1 that the body1 including the scalp1 of a scarlet fever patient1 should1 after about the fourth day1 be anointed1 every night and morning1 with camphorated oil2 this anointing to be continued until the patient is able to take a warm bath and use disinfectant soap3 this application will not only be very agreeable to the patient's feelings1 as there is usually great irritation and itching of the skin1 but it will1 likewise1 be an important means of preventing the dead skin1 which is highly infectious1 and which comes off partly in flakes and partly floats about the air as dust1 from infecting other persons4 ,the plan is an excellent one1 and cannot be too strongly recommended4 ,if the case be a combination of scarlet fever and of diphtheria1 as it unfortunately now frequently is1 let it be treated as a case of diphtheria4 #bbd4 ,i have heard of a case of ,scarlet ,fever1 where the child1 before the eruption showed itself1 was suddenly struck prostrate1 cold1 and almost pulseless3 what1 in such a case1 are the symptoms1 and what immediate treatment do you advise8 ,there is an exceptional case of scarlet fever1 which now and then occurs1 and which requires exceptional and prompt treatment1 or death will quickly ensue4 ,we will suppose a case3 one of the number1 where nearly all the other children of a family are labouring under scarlet fever1 is quite well1 when suddenly--in a few hours1 or even1 in some cases1 in an hour--utter prostration sets in1 he is very cold1 and is almost pulseless1 and is nearly insensible--comatose4 ,having sent instantly for a judicious medical man1 apply1 until he arrives1 hot bottles1 hot bricks1 hot bags of salt to the patient's feet and legs and back1 wrap him in hot blankets1 close the window1 and give him hot brandy and water--a tablespoonful of brandy to half a tumblerful of hot water--give it him by teaspoonfuls1 continuously--to keep him alive2 when he is warm and restored to consciousness1 the eruption will probably show itself1 and he will become hot and feverish2 then your tactics must1 at once1 be changed1 and my ,fresh ,air ,treatment1 and the rest of the plan ,i have before advised must in all its integrity1 be carried out4 ,we sometimes hear of a child1 before the eruption comes out and within twenty-four hours of the attack1 dying of scarlet fever4 ,when such be the case it is probably owing to low vitality of the system--to utter prostration--he is struck down1 as though for death1 and if the plan be not adopted of1 for a few hours1 keeping him alive by heat1 and by stimulants1 until1 indeed1 the eruption comes out1 he will never rally again1 but will die from scarlet fever poisoning and from utter exhaustion4 ,these cases are comparatively rare1 but they do1 from time to time1 occur1 and1 when they do1 they demand exceptional and prompt and energetic means to save them from ending in almost immediate and certain death4 ,to be forewarned is to be forearmed4 ,footnote3 ,i have been reminded of this exceptional case of scarlet fever by a most intelligent and valued patient of mine1 who had a child afflicted as above described1 and whose child was saved from almost certain death1 by a somewhat similar plan of treatment as advised in the text4 #bbe4 ,how soon ought a child to be allowed to leave the house after an attack of ,scarlet ,fever8 ,he must not be allowed to go out for at least a month from the commencement of the attack1 in the summer1 and six weeks in the winter2 and not even then without the express permission of a medical man4 ,it might be said that this is an unreasonable recommendation3 but when it is considered that the whole of the skin generally desquamates1 or peels off1 and consequently leaves the surface of the body exposed to cold1 which cold flies to the kidneys1 producing a peculiar and serious disease in them1 ending in dropsy1 this warning will not be deemed unreasonable4 ,scarlet fever dropsy1 which is really a formidable disease1 generally arises from1 the carelessness1 the ignorance1 and the thoughtlessness of parents in allowing a child to leave the house before the new skin be properly formed and hardened4 ,prevention is always better than cure4 ,thus far with regard to the danger to the child himself4 ,now1 if you please1 let me show you the risk of contagion that you inflict upon families1 in allowing your child to mix with others before a month at least has elapsed4 ,bear in mind1 a case is quite as contagious1 if not more so1 while the skin is peeling off1 as it was before4 ,thus1 in ten days or a fortnight1 there is as much risk of contagion as at the beginning of the disease1 and when the fever is at its height4 ,at the conclusion of the month1 the old skin has generally all peeled off1 and the new skin has taken its place2 consequently there will then be less fear of contagion to others4 ,but the contagion of scarlet fever is so subtle and so uncertain in its duration1 that it is impossible to fix the exact time when it ceases4 ,let me most earnestly implore you to ponder well on the above important facts4 ,if these remarks should be the means of saving only one child from death1 or from broken health1 my labour will not have been in vain4 #bbf4 ,what means do you advise to purify a house1 clothes1 and furniture1 from the contagion of ,scarlet ,fever8 ,let every room in the house1 together with its contents1 and clothing and dresses that cannot be washed1 be well fumigated with sulphur--taking care the while to close both windows and door2 let every room be lime-washed and then be white-washed2 if the contagion have been virulent1 let every bedroom be freshly papered 7the walls having been previously stripped of the old paper and then lime-washed72 let the bed1 the holsters1 the pillows1 and the mattresses be cleansed and purified2 let the blankets and coverlids be thoroughly washed1 and then let them be exposed to the open air--if taken into a field so much the better2 let the rooms be well scoured2 let the windows1 top and bottom1 be thrown wide open2 let the drains be carefully examined2 let the pump water be scrutinised1 to see that it be not contaminated by faecal matter1 either from the water-closet1 from the privy1 from the pig-stye1 or from the stable2 let privies be emptied of their contents--remember this is most important advice--then put1 into the empty places1 either lime and powdered charcoal or carbolic acid1 for it is a well ascertained fact that it is frequently impossible to rid a house of the infection of scarlet fever without adopting such a course4 ,in ,st ,george's1 ,southwark1 the medical officer reports that scarlatina 'has raged fatally1 almost exclusively where privy or drain1 smells are to be perceived in the houses4' ,footnote3 ,quarterly ,report of the ,board of ,health upon ,sickness in the ,metropolis4 ,let the children1 who have not had1 or who do not appear to be sickening for scarlet fever1 be sent away from home--if to a farm house so much the better4 ,indeed1 leave no stone unturned1 no means untried1 to exterminate the disease from the house and from the neighbourhood4 ,remember the young are more prone to catch contagious diseases than adults2 for in the morn and liquid dew of youth ,contagious blastments are most imminent4--,shakspeare4 #bbg4 ,have you any further observations to offer on the precautions to be taken against the spread of ,scarlet ,fever8 ,great care should be taken to separate the healthy from the infected4 ,the nurses selected for attending scarlet fever patients should be those who have previously had scarlet fever themselves4 ,dirty linen should be removed at once1 and be put into boiling water4 ,very little furniture should be in the room of a scarlet fever patient--the less the better--it only obstructs the circulation of the air1 and harbours the scarlet fever poison4 ,the most scrupulous attention to cleanliness should1 in these cases1 be observed4 ,a patient who has recovered from scarlet fever1 and before he mixes with healthy people1 should1 for three or four consecutive mornings1 have a warm bath1 and well wash himself1 while in the bath1 with soap2 he will1 by adopting this plan1 get rid of the dead skin1 and thus remove the infected particles of the disease4 ,if scarlet fever should appear in a school1 the school must for a time be broken up1 in order that the disease might be stamped out ,there must be no half measures where such a fearful disease is in question4 ,a house containing scarlet fever patients should1 by parents1 be avoided as the plague2 it is a folly at any time to put one's head into the lion's mouth6 ,chloralum and carbolic acid1 and chloride of lime1 and ,condy's fluid1 are each and all good disinfectants2 but not one is to be compared to perfect cleanliness and to an abundance of fresh and pure air--the last of which may truly par excellence be called ,god's disinfectant6 ,either a table-spoonful of chloralum1 or two tea-spoonfuls of carbolic acid1 or two tea-spoonfuls of ,condy's fluid1 or a tea-spoonful of chloride of lime in a pint of water1 are useful to sprinkle the soiled handkerchiefs as soon as they be done with1 and before the be washed1 to put in the pot-de-chambre1 and to keep in saucers about the room2 but1 remember1 as ,i have said before1 and cannot repeat too often1 there is no preventative like the air of heaven1 which should be allowed to permeate and circulate freely through the apartment and through the house3 air1 air1 air is the best disinfectant1 curative1 and preventative of scarlet fever in the world6 ,i could only wish that my ,treatment of ,scarlet ,fever were1 in all its integrity1 more generally adopted2 if it were1 ,i am quite sure that thousands of children would annually be saved from broken health and from death4 ,time still further convinces me that my treatment is based on truth as ,i have every year additional proofs of its value and of its success2 but error and prejudice are unfortunately ever at work1 striving all they can to defeat truth and common sense4 ,one of my principal remedies in the treatment of scarlet fever is an abundance of fresh air2 but many people prefer their own miserable complicated inventions to ,god's grand and yet simple remedies--they pretend that they know better than the ,mighty ,framer of the universe6 #bbh4 ,will you describe the symptoms of ,chicken pox8 ,it is occasionally1 but not always1 ushered in with a slight shivering fit2 the eruption shows itself in about twenty-four hours from the child first appearing poorly4 ,it is a vesicular ,footnote3 ,vesicles4 ,small elevations of the cuticle1 covering a fluid which is generally clear and colourless at first1 but afterwards whitish and opaque1 or pearly4--,watson4 disease4 ,the eruption comes out in the form of small pimples1 and principally attacks the scalp1 the neck1 the back1 the chest1 and the shoulders1 but rarely the face2 while in small-pox the face is generally the part most affected4 ,the next day these pimples fill with water1 and thus become vesicles2 on the third day they are at maturity4 ,the vesicles are quite separate and distinct from each other4 ,there is a slight redness around each of them4 ,fresh ones1 whilst the others are dying away1 make their appearance4 ,chicken-pox is usually attended with a slight itching of the skin2 when the vesicles are scratched the fluid escapes1 and leaves hard pearl-like substances1 which1 in a few days1 disappear4 ,chicken-pox never leaves pit marks behind4 ,it is a child's complaint2 adults scarcely1 if ever1 have it4 #bbi4 ,is there any danger in ,chicken-pox2 and what treatment do you advise8 ,it is not at all a dangerous1 but1 on the contrary1 a trivial complaint4 ,it lasts only a few days1 and requires but little medicine4 ,the patient ought1 for three or four days1 to keep the house1 and should abstain from animal food4 ,on the sixth day1 but not until then1 a dose or two of a mild aperient is all that will be required4 #bcj4 ,is ,chicken-pox infectious8 ,there is a diversity of opinion on this head1 but one thing is certain--it cannot be communicated by inoculation4 #bca4 ,what are the symptoms of ,modified ,small-pox8 ,the ,modified ,small-pox--that is to say1 small-pox that has been robbed of its virulence by the patient having been either already vaccinated1 or by his having had a previous attack of small-pox--is ushered in with severe symptoms1 with symptoms almost as severe as though the patient had not been already somewhat protected either by vaccination or by the previous attack of small-pox--that is to say1 he has a shivering fit1 great depression of spirits and debility1 malaise1 sickness1 headache1 and occasionally delirium4 ,after the above symptoms have lasted about three days1 the eruption shows itself4 ,the immense value of the previous vaccination1 or the previous attack of small-pox1 now comes into play4 ,in a case of unprotected small-pox1 the appearance of the eruption aggravates all the above symptoms1 and the danger begins2 while in the modified small-pox1 the moment the eruption shows itself the patient feels better1 and1 as a rule1 rapidly recovers4 ,the eruption1 of modified small-pox varies materially from the eruption of the unprotected small-pox4 ,the former eruption assumes a varied character1 and is composed1 first1 of vesicles 7containing water72 and1 secondly1 of pustules 7containing matter71 each of which pustules has a depression in the centre2 and1 thirdly1 of several red pimples without either water or matter in them1 and which sometimes assume a livid appearance4 ,these breakings-out generally show themselves more upon the wrist1 and sometimes up one or both of the nostrils4 ,while in the latter disease--the unprotected small-pox--the breaking-out is composed entirely of pustules containing matter1 and which pustules are more on the face than on any other part of the body4 ,there is generally a peculiar smell in both diseases--an odour once smelt never to be forgotten4 ,now1 there is one most important remark ,i have to make1--the modified small-pox is contagious4 ,this ought to be borne in mind1 as a person labouring under the disease must1 if there be children in the house1 either be sent away himself1 or else the children ought to be banished both the house and the neighbourhood4 ,another important piece of advice is1--let all in the house--children and adults1 one and all--be vaccinated1 even if any or all have been previously vaccinated4 ,treatment4--,let the patient keep his room1 and if he be very ill1 his bed4 ,let the chamber be well ventilated4 ,if it be winter time1 a small fire in the grate will encourage ventilation4 ,if it be summer1 a fire is out of the question2 indeed1 in such a case1 the window-sash ought to be opened1 as thorough ventilation is an important requisite of cure1 both in small-pox and in modified small-pox4 ,while the eruption is out1 do not on any account give aperient medicine4 ,in ten days from the commencement of the illness a mild aperient may be given4 ,the best medicine in these cases is1 the sweetened ,acidulated ,infusion of ,roses1 ,footnote3 ,see page #agh which ought to be given from the commencement of the disease1 and should be continued until the fever be abated4 ,for the first few days1 as long as the fever lasts1 the patient ought not to be allowed either meat or broth1 but should be kept on a low diet1 such as on gruel1 arrow-root1 milk-puddings1 c4 ,as soon as the fever is abated he ought gradually to resume his usual diet4 ,when he is convalescent1 it is well1 where practicable1 that he should have change of air for a month4 #bcb4 ,how would you distinguish between ,modified ,small-pox and ,chicken-pox8 ,modified small-pox may readily be distinguished from chicken-pox1 by the former disease being1 notwithstanding its modification1 much more severe and the fever much more intense before the eruption shows itself than chicken-pox2 indeed1 in chicken-pox there is little or no fever either before or after the eruption2 by the former disease--the modified small-pox--consisting partly of pustules 7containing matter71 each pustule having a depression in the centre1 and the favourite localities of the pustules being the wrists and the inside of the nostrils2 while1 in the chicken-pox1 the eruption consists of vesicles 7containing water71 and not pustules 7containing matter71 and the vesicles having neither a depression in the centre1 nor having any particular partiality to attack either the wrists or the inside of the nose4 ,in modified small-pox each pustule is1 as in unprotected small-pox1 inflamed at the base2 while in chicken-pox there is only very slight redness around each vesicle4 ,the vesicles in chicken-pox are small--much smaller than the pustules in modified small-pox4 #bcc4 ,is ,hooping-cough an inflammatory disease8 ,hooping-cough in itself is not inflammatory1 it is purely spasmodic2 but it is generally accompanied with more or less of bronchitis-- inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes--on which account it is necessary1 in all cases of hooping-cough1 to consult a medical man1 that he may watch the progress of the disease and nip inflammation in the bud4 #bcd4 ,will you have the goodness to give the symptoms1 and a brief history of1 ,hooping-cough8 ,hooping-cough is emphatically a disease of the young2 it is rare for adults to have it2 if they do1 they usually suffer more severely than children4 ,a child seldom has it but once in his life4 ,it is highly contagious1 and therefore frequently runs through a whole family of children1 giving much annoyance1 anxiety1 and trouble to the mother and the nurses2 hence hooping-cough is much dreaded by them4 ,it is amenable to treatment4 ,spring and summer are the best seasons of the year for the disease to occur4 ,this complaint usually lasts from six to twelve weeks--sometimes for a much longer period1 more especially if proper means are not employed to relieve it4 ,hooping-cough commences as a common cold and cough4 ,the cough1 for ten days or a fortnight1 increases in intensity2 at about which time it puts on the characteristic hoop4 ,the attack of cough comes on in paroxysms4 ,in a paroxysm1 the child coughs so long and so violently1 and expires so much air from the lungs without inspiring any1 that at times he appears nearly suffocated and exhausted2 the veins of his neck swell2 his face is nearly purple2 his eyes1 with the tremendous exertion1 almost seem to start from their sockets2 at length there is a sudden inspiration of air through the contracted chink of the upper part of the wind-pipe--the glottis--causing the peculiar hoop2 and after a little more coughing1 he brings up some glairy mucus from the chest2 and sometimes1 by vomiting1 food from the stomach2 he is at once relieved1 until the next paroxysm occur1 when the same process is repeated1 the child during the intervals1 in a favourable case1 appearing quite well1 and after the cough is over1 instantly returning either to his play or to his food4 ,generally1 after a paroxysm he is hungry1 unless1 indeed1 there be severe inflammation either of the chest or of the lungs4 ,sickness1 as ,i before remarked1 frequently accompanies hooping-cough2 when it does1 it might be looked upon as a good sign4 ,the child usually knows when an attack is coming on2 he dreads it1 and therefore tries to prevent it2 he sometimes partially succeeds2 but1 if he does1 it only makes the attack1 when it does come1 more severe4 ,all causes of irritation and excitement ought1 as much as possible1 to be avoided1 as passion is apt to bring on a severe paroxysm4 ,a new-born babe--an infant of one or two months old--commonly escapes the infection2 but if1 at that tender age1 he unfortunately catch hooping-cough1 it is likely to fare harder with him than if he were older--the younger the child1 the greater the risk4 ,but still1 in such a case1 do not despair1 as ,i have known numerous instances of new-born infants1 with judicious care1 recover perfectly from the attack1 and thrive after it as though nothing of the kind had ever happened4 ,a new-born babe1 labouring under hooping-cough1 is liable to convulsions1 which is in this disease one1 indeed the great1 source of danger4 ,a child1 too1 who is teething1 and labouring under the disease1 is also liable to convulsions4 ,when the patient is convalescing1 care ought to be taken that he does not catch cold1 or the hoop might return4 ,hooping-cough may either precede1 attend1 or follow an attack of measle4 #bce4 ,what is the treatment of ,hooping-cough8 ,we will divide the hooping-cough into three stages1 and treat each stage separately1 ,what to do4--,in the first stage1 the commencement of hooping-cough3 ,for the first ten days give the ,ipecacuanha ,wine ,mixture1 ,footnote3 ,for the prescription of the ,ipecacuanha ,wine ,mixture1 see page #afa4 a tea-spoonful three times a day4 ,if the child be not weaned1 keep him entirely to the breast1 if he be weaned1 to a milk and farinaceous diet4 ,confine him for the first ten days to the house1 more especially if the hooping-cough be attended1 as it usually is1 with more or less bronchitis4 ,but take care that the rooms be well ventilated2 for good air is essential to the cure4 ,if the bronchitis attending the hooping-cough be severe1 confine him to his bed1 and treat him as though it were simply a case of bronchitis4 ,footnote3 ,for the treatment of bronchitis1 see answer to #bjgth question4 ,in the second stage1 discontinue the ,ipecacuanha ,mixture1 and give ,dr ,gibb's remedy--namely1 ,nitric ,acid--which ,i have found to be an efficacious and valuable one in hooping-cough3-- ,take of--,diluted ,nitric ,acid1 two drachms2 ,compound ,tincture of ,cardamons1 half a drachm2 ,simple ,syrup1 three ounces2 ,water1 two ounces and a half3 ,make a ,mixture4 ,one or two tea-spoonfuls1 or a table-spoonful1 according to the age of the child--one tea-spoonful for an infant of six months1 and two tea-spoonfuls for a child of twelve months1 and one table-spoonful for a child of two years1 every four hours1 first shaking the bottle4 ,let the spine and the chest be well rubbed every night and morning either with ,roche's ,embrocation1 or with the following stimulating liniment 7first shaking the bottle73-- ,take of--,oil of ,cloves1 one drachm2 ,oil of ,amber1 two drachms2 ,camphorated ,oil1 nine drachms3 ,make a ,liniment4 ,let him wear a broad band of new flannel1 which should extend round from his chest to his back1 and which ought to be changed every night and morning1 in order that it may be dried before putting on again4 ,to keep it in its place it should be fastened by means of tapes and with shoulder-straps4 ,the diet ought now to be improved--he should gradually return to his usual food2 and1 weather permitting1 should almost live in the open air--fresh air being1 in such a case1 one of the finest medicines4 ,in the third stage1 that is to say1 when the complaint has lasted a month1 if by that time the child is not well1 there is nothing like change of air to a high1 dry1 healthy1 country place4 ,continue the ,nitric ,acid ,mixture1 and either the ,embrocation or the ,liniment to the back and the chest1 and let him continue to almost live in the open air1 and be sure that he does not discontinue wearing the flannel until he be quite cured1 and then let it be left off by degrees4 ,if the hooping-cough have caused debility1 give him ,cod-liver ,oil--a tea-spoonful twice or three times a day1 giving it him on a full stomach1 after his meals4 ,but1 remember1 after the first three or four weeks1 change of air1 and plenty of it1 is for hooping-cough the grand remedy4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not apply leeches to the chest1 for ,i would rather put blood into a child labouring under hooping-cough than take it out of him--hooping-cough is quite weakening enough to the system of itself without robbing him of his life's blood2 do not1 on any account whatever1 administer either emetic tartar or antimonial wine2 do not give either paregoric or syrup of white poppies2 do not drug him either with calomel or with grey-powder2 do not dose him with quack medicine2 do not give him stimulants1 but rather give him plenty of nourishment1 such as milk and farinaceous food1 but no stimulants2 do not be afraid1 after the first week or two1 of his having fresh air1 and plenty of it--for fresh1 pure air is the grand remedy1 after all that can be said and done1 in hooping-cough4 ,although occasionally we find that1 if the child to labouring under hooping-cough1 and is breathing a pure country air1 and is not getting well so rapidly as we could wish1 change of air to a smoky gas-laden town will sometimes quickly effect a cure2 indeed1 some persons go so far as to say that the best remedy for an obstinate case of hooping-cough is1 for the child to live1 the great part of every day1 in gas-works6 #bcf4 ,what is to be done during a paroxysm of ,hooping-cough8 ,if the child be old enough1 let him stand up2 but if he be either too young or too feeble1 raise his head1 and bend his body a little forward2 then support his back with one hand1 and the forehead with the other4 ,let the mucus1 the moment it be within reach1 be wiped with a soft handkerchief out of his mouth4 #bcg4 ,in an obstinate case of ,hooping-cough1 what is the best remedy8 ,change of air1 provided there be no active inflammation1 to any healthy spot4 ,a farm-house1 in a high1 dry1 and salubrious neighbourhood1 is as good a place as can be chosen4 ,if1 in a short time1 he be not quite well1 take him to the sea-side3 the sea breezes will often1 as if by magic1 drive away the disease4 #bch4 ,suppose my child should have a shivering fit1 is it to be looked upon as an important symptom8 ,certainly4 ,nearly all serious illnesses commence with a shivering fit3 severe colds1 influenza1 inflammations of different organs1 scarlet fever1 measles1 small-pox1 and very many other diseases1 begin in this way4 ,if1 therefore1 your child should ever have a shivering fit1 instantly send for a medical man1 as delay might be dangerous4 ,a few hours of judicious treatment1 at the commencement of an illness1 is frequently of more avail than days and weeks1 nay months1 of treatment1 when disease has gained a firm footing4 ,a serious disease often steals on insidiously1 and we have perhaps only the shivering fit1 which might be but a slight one1 to tell us of its approach4 ,a trifling ailment1 too1 by neglecting the premonitory symptom1 which1 at first might only be indicated by a slight shivering fit1 will sometimes become a mortal disorder3-- ,the little rift within the lute1 ,that by-and-by will make the music mute1 ,and ever widening slowly silence all4 ,footnote3 ,the above extract from ,tennyson is1 in my humble opinion1 one of the most beautiful pieces of poetry in the ,english language4 ,it is a perfect gem1 and a volume in itself1 so truthful1 so exquisite1 so full of the most valuable reflections2 for instance--7#a47 ,the little rift within the lute1--the little tubercle within the lung that by-and-by will make the music mute1 and ever widening slowly silence all1 and the patient eventually dies of consumption4 7#b47 ,the little rent--the little rift of a very minute vessel in the brain1 produces an attack of apoplexy1 and the patient dies4 7#c47 ,each and all of us1 in one form or another1 sooner or later1 will have the little rift within the lute4 ,but why give more illustrations8--a little reflection will bring numerous examples to my fair reader's memory4 #bci4 ,in case of a shivering fit1 perhaps you will tell me what to do8 ,instantly have the bed warmed1 and put the child to bed4 ,apply either a hot bottle or a hot brick1 wrapped in flannel1 to the soles of his feet4 ,put an extra blanket on his bed1 and give him a cup of hot tea4 ,as soon as the shivering fit is over1 and he has become hot1 gradually lessen the extra quantity of clothes on his bed1 and take away the hot bottle or the hot brick from his feet4 ,what ,,not to do4--,do not give either brandy or wine1 as inflammation of some organ might be about taking place4 ,do not administer opening medicine1 as there might be some breaking out cooling out on the skin1 and an aperient might check it4 #bdj4 ,my child1 apparently otherwise healthy1 screams out in the night violently in his sleep1 and nothing for a time will pacify him3 what is likely to be the cause1 and what is the treatment8 ,the causes of these violent screamings in the night are various4 ,at one time1 they proceed from teething2 at another1 from worms2 sometimes1 from night-mare2 occasionally1 from either disordered stomach or bowels4 ,each of the above causes will1 of course1 require a different plan of procedure2 it will1 therefore1 be necessary to consult a medical man on the subject1 who will soon1 with appropriate treatment1 be able to relieve him4 #bda4 ,have the goodness to describe the complaint of children called ,mumps4 ,the mumps1 inflammation of the parotid gland1 is commonly ushered in with a slight feverish attack4 ,after a short time1 a swelling1 of stony hardness1 is noticed before and under the ear1 which swelling extends along the neck towards the chin4 ,this lump is exceedingly painful1 and continues painful and swollen for four or five days4 ,at the end of which time it gradually disappears1 leaving not a trace behind4 ,the swelling of mumps never gathers4 ,it may affect one or both sides of the face4 ,it seldom occurs but once in a lifetime4 ,it is contagious1 and has been known to run through a whole family or school2 but it is not dangerous1 unless1 which is rarely the case1 it leaves the parotid gland1 and migrates either to the head1 to the breast1 or to the testicle4 #bdb4 ,what is the treatment of ,mumps8 ,foment the swelling1 four or five times a day1 with a flannel wrung out of hot camomile and poppy-head decoction2 ,footnote3 ,four poppy-heads and four ounces of camomile blows to be boiled in four pints of water for half an hour1 and then strained to make the decoction4 and apply1 every night1 a barm and oatmeal poultice to the swollen gland or glands4 ,debar1 for a few days1 the little patient from taking meat and broth1 and let him live on bread and milk1 light puddings1 and arrow-root4 ,keep him in a well-ventilated room1 and shut him out from the company of his brothers1 his sisters1 and young companions4 ,give him a little mild1 aperient medicine4 ,of course1 if there be the slightest symptom of migration to any other part or parts1 instantly call in a medical man4 #bdc4 ,what is the treatment of a ,boil8 ,one of the best applications is a ,burgundy-pitch plaster spread on a soft piece of wash leather4 ,let a chemist spread a plaster1 about the size of the hand2 and1 from this piece1 cut small plasters1 the size of a shilling or a florin 7according to the dimensions of the boil71 which snip around and apply to the part4 ,put a fresh one on daily4 ,this plaster will soon cause the boil to break2 when it does break1 squeeze out the contents--the core and the matter--and then apply one of the plasters as before1 which1 until the boil be well1 renew every day4 ,the old-fashioned remedy for a boil--namely1 common yellow soap and brown-sugar1 is a capital one for the purpose4 ,it is made with equal parts of brown sugar and of shredded yellow soap1 and mixed by means of a table-knife on a plate1 with a few drops of water1 until it be all well blended together1 and of the consistence of thick paste2 it should then be spread either on a piece of wash-leather1 or on thick linen1 and applied to the boil1 and kept in its place by means either of a bandage or of a folded handkerchief2 and should he removed once or twice a day4 ,this is an excellent application for a boil--soothing1 comforting1 and drawing--and will soon effect a cure4 ,a paste of honey and flour1 spread on linen rag1 is another popular and good application for a boil4 ,if the boils should arise from the child being in a delicate state of health1 give him cod-liver oil1 meat once a day1 and an abundance of milk and farinaceous food4 ,let him have plenty of fresh air1 exercise1 and play4 ,if the boil should arise from gross and improper feeding1 then keep him for a time from meat1 and let him live principally on a milk and farinaceous diet4 ,if the child be fat and gross1 cod-liver oil would he improper2 a mild aperient1 such as rhubarb and magnesia1 would then be the best medicine4 #bdd4 ,what are the symptoms of ,ear-ache8 ,a young child screaming shrilly1 violently1 and continuously1 is oftentimes owing to ear-ache2 carefully1 therefore1 examine each ear1 and ascertain if there be any discharge2 if there be1 the mystery is explained4 ,screaming from ear-ache may be distinguished from the screaming from bowel-ache by the former 7ear-ache7 being more continuous--indeed1 being one continued scream1 and from the child putting his hand to his head2 while1 in the latter 7bowel-ache71 the pain is more of a coming and of a going character1 and he draws up his legs to his bowels4 ,again1 in the former 7ear-ache71 the secretions from the bowels are natural2 while1 in the latter 7bowel-ache71 the secretions from the bowels are usually depraved1 and probably offensive4 ,but a careful examination of the ear will generally at once decide the nature of the case4 #bac4 ,what is the best remedy for ,ear-ache8 ,apply to the ear a small flannel bag1 filled with hot salt--as hot as can be comfortably borne1 or foment the ear with a flannel wrung out of hot camomile and poppy head decoction4 ,a roasted onion1 inclosed in muslin applied to the ear1 is an old-fashioned and favourite remedy1 and may1 if the bag of hot salt1 or if the hot fomentation do not relieve1 be tried4 ,put into the ear1 but not very far1 a small piece of cotton wool1 moistened with warm olive oil4 ,taking care that the wool is always removed before a fresh piece be substituted1 as if it be allowed to remain in any length of time1 it may produce a discharge from the ear4 ,avoid all cold applications4 ,if the ear-ache be severe1 keep the little fellow at home1 in a room of equal temperature1 but well-ventilated1 and give him1 for a day or two1 no meat4 ,if a discharge from the ear should either accompany or follow the ear-ache1 more especially if the discharge be offensive1 instantly call in a medical man1 or deafness for life may be the result4 ,a knitted or crotcheted hat1 with woollen rosettes over the ears1 is1 in the winter time1 an excellent hat for a child subject to ear-ache4 ,the hat may be procured at any baby-linen warehouse4 #bdf4 ,what are the causes and the treatment of discharges from the ,ear8 ,cold1 measles1 scarlet fever1 healing up of breakings out behind the ear2 pellets of cotton wool1 which had been put in the ear1 and had been forgotten to be removed1 are the usual causes of discharges from the ear4 ,it generally commences with ear-ache4 ,the treatment consists in keeping the parts clean1 by syringing the ear every morning with warm water1 by attention to food--keeping the child principally upon a milk and a farmaceous diet1 and by change of air--more especially to the coast4 ,if change of air be not practicable1 great attention should be paid to ventilation4 ,as ,i have before advised1 in all cases of discharge from the ear call in a medical man1 as a little judicious medicine is advisable--indeed1 essential2 and it may be necessary to syringe the ear with lotions1 instead of with warm water2 and1 of course1 it is only a doctor who has actually seen the patient who can decide these matters1 and what is best to be done in each case4 #bdg4 ,what is the treatment of a stye on the eye-lid8 ,bathe the eye frequently with warm milk and water1 and apply1 every night at bedtime1 a warm white-bread poultice4 ,no medicine is required2 but1 if the child be gross1 keep him for a few days from meat1 and let him live on bread and milk and farinaceous puddings4 #bdh4 ,if a child have large bowels1 what would you recommend as likely to reduce their size8 ,it ought to be borne in mind1 that the bowels of a child are larger in proportion than those of an adult4 ,but1 if they be actually larger than they ought to be1 let them be well rubbed for a quarter of an hour at a time night and morning1 with soap liniment1 and then apply a broad flannel belt4 ,a broad flannel belt worn night and day1 firm but not tight1 is very serviceable4 ,footnote3 ,sir ,charles ,locock1 in a ,letter to the ,author4 ,the child ought to be prevented from drinking as much as he has been in the habit of doing2 let him be encouraged to exercise himself well in the open air2 and let strict regard be paid to his diet4 #bdi4 ,what are the best aperients for a child8 ,if it be actually necessary to give him opening medicine1 one or two tea-spoonfuls of ,syrup of ,senna1 repeated1 if necessary1 in four hours1 will generally answer the purpose2 or1 for a change1 one or two tea-spoonfuls of ,castor ,oil may be substituted4 ,lenitive ,electuary 7,compound ,confection of ,senna7 is another excellent aperient for the young1 it being mild in its operation1 and pleasant to take2 a child fancying it is nothing more than jam1 and which it much resembles both in appearance and in taste4 ,the dose is half or one tea-spoonful early in the morning occasionally4 ,senna is an admirable aperient for a child1 and is a safe one1 which is more than can be said of many others4 ,it is worthy of note that the taste of ,senna may be concealed by sweeting the infusion1 ,footnote3 ,infusion of ,senna may be procured of any respectable druggist4 ,it will take about one or two table-spoonfuls1 or even more1 of the infusion 7according to the age of the child1 and the obstinacy of the bowels71 to act as an aperient4 ,of course1 you yourself will be able1 from time to time1 as the need arises1 to add the milk and the sugar1 and thus to make it palatable4 ,it ought to be given warm1 so as the more to resemble tea4 adding milk1 and drinking as ordinary tea1 which1 when thus prepared1 it much resembles ,footnote3 ,waring's ,manual of ,practical ,therapeutics4 ,honey1 too1 is a nice aperient for a child--a tea-spoonful ought to be given either by itself1 or spread on a slice of bread4 ,some mothers are in the habit of giving their children jalap gingerbread4 ,i do not approve of it1 as jalap is a drastic1 griping purgative2 besides1 jalap is very nasty to take--nothing will make it palatable4 ,fluid ,magnesia--,solution of ,carbonate of ,magnesia--is a good aperient for a child2 and1 as it has very little taste1 is readily given1 more especially if made palatable by the addition either of a little syrup or of brown sugar4 ,the advantages which it has over the old solid form are1 that it is colourless and nearly tasteless1 and never forms concretions in the bowels1 as the solid magnesia1 if persevered in for any length of time1 sometimes does4 ,a child of two or three years old may take one or two table-spoonfuls of the fluid2 either by itself or in his food1 repeating it every four hours until the bowels be open4 ,when the child is old enough to drink the draught off immediately1 the addition of one or two tea-spoonfuls of ,lemon ,juice to each dose of the ,fluid ,magnesia1 makes a pleasant effervescing draught1 and increases its efficacy as an aperient4 ,bran-bread ,footnote3 ,one-part of bran to three parts of flour1 mixed together and made into bread4 and treacle will frequently open the bowels2 and as treacle is wholesome1 it may be substituted for butter when the bowels are inclined to be costive4 ,a roasted apple1 eaten with raw sugar1 is another excellent mild aperient for a child4 ,milk gruel--that is to say1 milk thickened with oatmeal--forms an excellent food for him1 and often keeps his bowels regular1 and thus 7which is a very important consideration7 supersedes the necessity of giving him an aperient4 ,an orange 7taking care he does not eat the peel or the pulp71 or a fig after dinner1 or a few ,muscatel raisins1 will frequently regulate the bowels4 ,stewed prunes is another admirable remedy for the costiveness of a child4 ,the manner of stewing them is as follows3--,put a pound of prunes in a brown jar1 add two table-spoonfuls of raw sugar1 then cover the prunes and the sugar with cold water2 place them in the oven1 and let them stew for four hours4 ,a child should every morning eat half a dozen or a dozen of them1 until the bowels be relieved1 taking care that he does not swallow the stones4 ,stewed prunes may be given in treacle--treacle increasing the aperient properties of the prunes4 ,a suppository is a mild and ready way of opening the bowels of a child4 ,when he is two or three years old and upwards1 a ,candle suppository is better than a ,soap suppository4 ,the way of preparing it is as follows3--,cut a piece of dip-tallow candle--the length of three inches--and insert it as you would a clyster pipe1 about two inches up the fundament1 allowing the remaining inch to be in sight1 and there let the suppository remain until the bowels be opened4 ,another excellent method of opening a child's bowels is by means of an enema of warm water1--from half a tea-cupful to a tea-cupful1 or even more1 according to the age of the child4 ,i cannot speak too highly of this plan as a remedy for costiveness1 as it entirely1 in the generality of cases1 prevents the necessity of administering a particle of aperient medicine by the mouth4 ,the fact of its doing so stamps it as a most valuable remedy--opening physic being1 as a rule1 most objectionable1 and injurious to a child's bowels4 ,bear this fact--for it is a fact--in mind and let it be always remembered4 #dej4 ,what are the most frequent causes of ,protrusion of the lower-bowel8 ,the too common and reprehensible practice of a parent administering frequent aperients1 especially calomel and jalap1 to her child4 ,another cause1 is allowing him to remain for a quarter of an hour or more at a time on his chair2 this induces him to strain1 and to force the gut down4 #bea4 ,what are the remedies8 ,if the protrusion of the bowel have been brought on by the abase of aperients1 abstain1 for the future from giving them2 but if medicine be absolutely required1 give the mildest--such as either ,syrup of ,senna or ,castor ,oil--and the less of those the better4 ,if the external application of a purgative will have the desired effects it will in such cases1 be better than the internal administration of aperients4 ,castor ,oil used as a ,liniment is a good one for the purpose4 ,let the bowels be well rubbed1 every night and morning1 for five minutes at a time with the oil4 ,a wet compress to the bowels will frequently open them1 and will thus do away with the necessity of giving an aperient--a most important consideration4 ,fold a napkin in six thicknesses1 soak it in cold water1 and apply it to the bowels2 over which put either a thin covering or sheet of gutta-percha1 or a piece of oiled-silk2 keep it in its place with a broad flannel roller2 and let it remain on the bowels for three or four hours1 or until they be opened4 ,try what diet will do1 as opening the bowels by a regulated diet is far preferable to the giving of aperients4 ,let him have either bran-bread or ,robinson's ,patent ,groats1 or ,robinson's ,pure ,scotch ,oatmeal made into gruel with new milk1 or ,du ,barry's ,arabica ,revalenta1 or a slice of ,huntly and ,palmer's lump gingerbread4 ,let him eat stewed prunes1 stewed rhubarb1 roasted apples1 strawberries1 raspberries1 the inside of grapes and gooseberries1 figs1 c4 ,give him early every morning a draught of cold water4 ,let me1 again1 urge you not to give aperients in these cases1 or in any case1 unless you are absolutely compelled4 ,by following my advice you will save yourself an immense deal of trouble1 and your child a long catalogue of misery4 ,again1 ,i say1 look well into the matter1 and whenever it be practicable avoid purgatives4 ,now1 with regard to the best manner of returning the bowel1 lay the child upon the bed on his face and bowels1 with his hips a little raised2 then smear lard on the forefinger of your right hand 7taking care that the nail be cut close71 and gently with1 your fore-finger press the bowel into its proper place4 ,remember1 if the above methods be observed1 you cannot do the slightest injury to the bowel2 and the sooner it be returned1 the better it will be for the child2 for if the bowel be allowed to remain long down1 it may slough or mortify1 and death may ensue4 ,the nurse1 every time he has a motion1 must see that the bowel does not come down1 and if it does1 she ought instantly to return it4 ,moreover1 the nurse should be careful not to allow the child to remain on his chair more than two or three minutes at a time4 ,another excellent remedy for the protrusion of the lower bowel1 is to use every morning a cold salt and water sitz bath4 ,there need not be more than a depth of three inches of water in the bath2 a small handful of table salt should be dissolved in the water2 a dash of warm water in the winter time must be added1 to take off the extreme chill2 and the child ought not to be allowed to sit in the bath for more than one minute1 or whilst the mother can count a hundred2 taking care1 the while1 to throw either a square of flannel or a small shawl over his shoulders4 ,the sitz bath ought to be continued for months1 or until the complaint be removed4 ,i cannot speak in too high praise of these baths4 #beb4 ,do you advise me1 every spring and fall1 to give my child brimstone to purify and sweeten his blood1 and as a preventive medicine8 ,certainly not2 if you wish to take away his appetite1 and to weaken and depress him1 give brimstone6 ,brimstone is not a remedy fit for a child's stomach4 ,the principal use and value of brimstone is as an external application in itch1 and as an internal remedy1 mixed with other laxatives1 in piles--piles being a complaint of adults4 ,in olden times poor unfortunate children were dosed1 every spring and fall1 with brimstone and treacle to sweeten their blood6 ,fortunately for the present race1 there is not so much of that folly practised1 but still there is room for improvement4 ,to dose a healthy child with physic is the grossest absurdity4 ,no1 the less physic a delicate child has the better it will be for him1 but physic to a healthy child is downright poison6 ,and brimstone of all medicines6 ,it is both weakening and depressing to the system1 and by opening the pores of the skin and by relaxing the bowels1 is likely to give cold1 and thus to make a healthy1 a sickly child4 ,sweeten his blood6 ,it is more likely to weaken his blood1 and thus to make his blood impure6 ,blood is not made pure by drugs1 but by ,nature's medicine2 by exercise1 by pure air1 by wholesome diet1 by sleep in a well-ventilated apartment1 by regular and thorough ablution4 ,brimstone a preventive medicine6 ,preventive medicine--and brimstone especially in the guise of a preventive medicine--is a mockery1 a delusion1 and a snare4 #bec4 ,when a child is delicate1 and his body1 without any assignable cause1 is gradually wasting away1 and the stomach rejects all food that is taken1 what plan can be adopted likely to support his strength1 and thus probably be the means of saving his life8 ,i have seen1 in such a case1 great benefit to arise from half a tea-cupful of either strong mutton-broth or of strong beef-tea1 used as an enema every four hours4 ,footnote3 ,an enema apparatus is an important requisite in every nursery2 it may be procured of any respectable surgical instrument maker4 ,the ,india-rubber ,enema ,bottle is1 for a child's use1 a great improvement on the old syringe1 as it is not so likely to get out of order1 and1 moreover1 is more easily used4 ,it should be administered slowly1 in order that it may remain in the bowel4 ,if the child be sinking1 either a dessert-spoonful of brandy1 or half a wine-glassful of port wine1 ought to be added to each enema4 ,the above plan ought only to be adopted if there be no diarrhoea4 ,if there be diarrhoea1 an enema must not be used4 ,then1 provided there be great wasting away1 and extreme exhaustion1 and other remedies having failed1 it would be advisable to give1 by the mouth1 raw beef of the finest quality1 which ought to be taken from the hip bone1 and should be shredded very fine4 ,all fat and skin must be carefully removed4 ,one or two tea-spoonfuls 7according to the age of the child7 ought to be given every four hours4 ,the giving of raw meat to children in exhaustive diseases1 such as excessive long-standing diarrhoea1 was introduced into practice by a ,russian physician1 a ,professor ,wiesse of ,st ,petersburg4 ,it certainly is1 in these cases1 a most valuable remedy1 and has frequently been the means of snatching such patients from the jaws of death4 ,children usually take raw meat with avidity and with a relish4 #bed4 ,if a child be naturally delicate1 what plan would you recommend to strengthen him8 ,i should advise strict attention to the rules above mentioned1 and change of air--more especially1 if it be possible1 to the coast4 ,change of air1 sometimes1 upon a delicate child1 acts like magic1 and may restore him to health when all other means have failed4 ,if a girl be delicate1 carry her off to the farm1 there to undergo the discipline of new milk1 brown bread1 early hours1 no lessons1 and romps in the hay-field4--,blackwood4 ,this advice is1 of course1 equally applicable for a delicate boy1 as delicate boys and delicate girls ought to be treated alike4 ,unfortunately in these very enlightened days there is too great a distinction made in the respective management and treatment of boys and girls4 ,the best medicines for a delicate child will be the wine of iron and cod-liver oil4 ,give them combined in the manner ,i shall advise when speaking of the treatment of ,rickets4 ,in diseases of long standing1 and that resist the usual remedies1 there is nothing like change of air4 ,hippocrates1 the father of medicine1 says-- ,in longis morbis solum mutare4 7,in tedious diseases to change the place of residence47 ,a child who1 in the winter1 is always catching cold1 whose life during half of the year is one continued catarrh1 who is in consequence1 likely1 if he grow up at all1 to grow up a confirmed invalid1 ought1 during the winter months1 to seek another clime2 and if the parents can afford the expense1 they should at the beginning of ,october1 cause him to bend his steps to the south of ,europe--,mentone being as good a place as they could probably fix upon4 #bee4 ,do you approve of sea bathing for a delicate young child8 ,no3 he is frequently so frightened by it that the alarm would do him more harm than the bathing would do him good4 ,the better plan would be to have him every morning well sponged1 especially his back and loins1 with sea water2 and to have him as much as possible carried on the beach1 in order that he may inhale the sea breezes4 ,when he be older1 and is not frightened at being dipped1 sea bathing will be very beneficial to him4 ,if bathing is to do good1 either to an adult or to a child1 it must be anticipated with pleasure1 and neither with dread nor with distaste4 #bef4 ,what is the best method for administering medicine to a child8 ,if he be old enough1 appeal to his reason2 for1 if a mother endeavour to deceive her child1 and he detect her1 he will for the future suspect her4 ,if he be too young to be reasoned with1 then1 if he will not take his medicine1 he must be compelled4 ,lay him across your knees1 let both his hands and his nose be tightly held1 and then1 by means of the patent medicine-spoon1 or1 if that be not at hand1 by either a tea or a dessert-spoon1 pour the medicine down his throat1 and he will be obliged to swallow it4 ,it may be said that this is a cruel procedure2 but it is the only way to compel an unruly child to take physic1 and is much less cruel than running the risk of his dying from the medicine not having been administered4 ,footnote3 ,if any of my medical brethren should perchance read these ,conversations1 ,i respectfully and earnestly recommend them to take more pains in making medicines for children pleasant and palatable4 ,i am convinced that1 in the generality of instances1 provided a little more care and thought were bestowed on the subject1 it may be done2 and what an amount of both trouble and annoyance it would save6 ,it is really painful to witness the struggles and cries of a child when nauseous medicine is to be given2 the passion and excitement often do more harm than the medicine does good4 #beg4 ,ought a sick child to be roused from his sleep to give him physic1 when it is time for him to take it8 ,on no account1 as sleep1 being a natural restorative1 must not be interfered with4 ,a mother cannot be too particular in administering the medicine1 at stated periods1 whilst he is awake4 #beh4 ,have you any remarks to make on the management of a sick-room1 and have you any directions to give on the nursing of a child8 ,in sickness select a large and lofty room2 if in the town1 the back of the house will be preferable--in order to keep the patient free from noise and bustle--as a sick-chamber cannot be kept too quiet4 ,be sure that there be a chimney in the room--as there ought to be in every room in the house--and that it be not stopped1 as it will help to carry off the impure air of the apartment4 ,keep the chamber well ventilated1 by1 from time to time1 opening the window4 ,the air of the apartment cannot be too pure2 therefore1 let the evacuations from the bowels be instantly removed1 either to a distant part of the house1 or to an out-house or to the cellar1 as it might be necessary to keep them for the medical man's inspection4 ,before using either the night-commode1 or the pot-de-chambre1 let a little water1 to the depth of one or two inches1 be put in the pan1 or pot2 in order to sweeten the motion1 and to prevent the faecal matter from adhering to the vessel4 ,let there be frequent change of linen1 as in sickness it is even more necessary than in health1 more especially if the complaint be fever4 ,in an attack of fever1 clean sheets ought1 every other day1 to be put on the bed2 clean body-linen every day4 ,a frequent change of linen in sickness is most refreshing4 ,if the complaint be fever1 a fire in the grate will not be necessary4 ,should it be a case either of inflammation of the lungs or of the chest1 a small fire in the winter time is desirable1 keeping the temperature of the room as nearly as possible at #fj degrees ,fahrenheit4 ,bear in mind that a large fire in a sick-room cannot be too strongly condemned2 for if there be fever--and there are scarcely any complaints without--a large fire only increases it4 ,small fires1 in cases either of inflammation of the lungs or of the chest1 in the winter time1 encourage ventilation of the apartment1 and thus carry off impure air4 ,if it be summer time1 of course fires would be improper4 ,a thermometer is an indispensable requisite in a sick-room4 ,in fever1 free and thorough ventilation is of vital importance1 more especially in scarlet fever2 then a patient cannot have too much air2 in scarlet fever1 for the first few days the windows1 be it winter or summer1 must to the widest extent be opened4 ,the fear of the patient catching cold by doing so is one of the numerous prejudices and baseless fears that haunt the nursery1 and the sooner it is exploded the better it will he for human life4 ,the valances and bed-curtains ought to be removed1 and there should be as little furniture in the room as possible4 ,if it be a case of measles1 it will be necessary to adopt a different course2 then the windows ought not to be opened1 but the door must from time to time be left ajar4 ,in a case of measles1 if it be winter time1 a small fire in the room will be necessary4 ,in inflammation of the lungs or of the chest1 the windows should not be opened1 but the door ought occasionally to be left unfastened1 in order to change the air and to make it pure4 ,remember1 then1 that ventilation1 either by open window or by open door1 is in all diseases most necessary4 ,ventilation is one of the best friends a doctor has4 ,in fever1 do not load the bed with clothes2 in the summer a sheet is sufficient1 in winter a sheet and a blanket4 ,in fever1 do not be afraid of allowing the patient plenty either of cold water or of cold toast and water2 ,nature will tell him when he has had enough4 ,in measles1 let the chill be taken off the toast and water4 ,in croup1 have always ready a plentiful supply of hot water1 in case a warm bath might he required4 ,in child-crowing1 have always in the sick-room a supply of cold water1 ready at a moment's notice to dash upon the face4 ,in fever1 do not let the little patient lie on the lap2 he will rest more comfortably on a horse-hair mattress in his crib or cot4 ,if he have pain in the bowels1 the lap is most agreeable to him2 the warmth of the body1 either of the mother or of the nurse1 soothes him2 besides1 if he be on the lap1 he can be turned on his stomach and on his bowels1 which1 often affords him great relief and comfort4 ,if he be much emaciated1 when he is nursed1 place a pillow upon the lap and let him lie upon it4 ,in head affections1 darken the room with a green calico blind2 keep the chamber more than usually quiet2 let what little talking is necessary be carried on in whispers1 but the less of that the better2 and in head affections1 never allow smelling salts to be applied to the nose1 as they only increase the flow of blood to the head1 and consequently do harm4 ,it is often a good sign for a child1 who is seriously ill1 to suddenly become cross4 ,it is then he begins to feel his weakness and to give vent to his feelings4 ,children are almost always cross when recovering from an illness1 however patient they may have been during its severest moments1 and the phenomenon is not by any means confined to children4--,geo4 ,mc,donald4 ,a sick child must not be stuffed with much food at a time4 ,he will take either a table-spoonful of new milk or a table-spoonful of chicken broth every half hour with greater advantage than a tea-cupful of either the one or the other every four hours1 which large quantity would very probably be rejected from his stomach1 and may cause the unfortunately treated child to die of starvation6 ,if a sick child be peevish1 attract his attention either by a toy or by an ornament2 if he be cross1 win him over to good humour by love1 affection1 and caresses1 but let it be done gently and without noise4 ,do not let visitors see him2 they will only excite1 distract1 and irritate him1 and help to consume the oxygen of the atmosphere1 and thus rob the air of its exhilarating health-giving qualities and purity2 a sick-room1 therefore1 is not a proper place1 either for visitors or for gossips4 ,in selecting a sick-nurse1 let her be gentle1 patient1 cheerful1 quiet1 and kind1 but firm withal2 she ought to be neither old nor young3 if she be old she is often garrulous and prejudiced1 and thinks too much of her trouble2 if she he young1 she is frequently thoughtless and noisy2 therefore choose a middle-aged woman4 ,do not let there be in the sick-room more than1 besides the mother1 one efficient nurse2 a greater number can he of no service--they will only be in each other's way1 and will distract the patient4 ,let stillness1 especially if the head be the part affected1 reign in a sick-room4 ,creaking shoes ,footnote3 ,nurses at these times ought to wear slippers1 and not shoes4 ,the best slippers in sick-rooms are those manufactured by the ,north ,british ,rubber ,company1 ,edinburgh2 they enable nurses to walk in them about the room without causing the slightest noise2 indeed1 they might truly be called the noiseless slipper1 a great desideratum in such cases1 more especially in all head affections of children4 ,if the above slippers cannot readily be obtained1 then list slippers--soles and all bring made of list--will answer the purpose equally as well4 and rustling silk dresses ought not to be worn in sick-chambers--they are quite out of place there4 ,if the child be asleep1 or if he be dozing1 perfect stillness must he enjoined1 not even a whisper should be heard3-- ,in the sick-room be calm1 ,more gently and with care4 ,lest any jar or sudden noise1 ,come sharply unaware4 ,you cannot tell the harm4 ,the mischief it may bring1 ,to wake the sick one suddenly1 ,besides the suffering4 ,the broken sleep excites ,fresh pain1 increased distress2 ,the quiet slumber undisturb'd ,soothes pain and restlessness4 ,sleep is the gift of ,god3 ,oh6 bear these words at heart1 ',he giveth ,his beloved sleep1' ,and gently do thy part4 ,footnote3 ,household verses on ,health and ,happiness4 ,london3 ,jarrold and ,sons4 ,a most delightful little volume4 ,if there be other children1 let them be removed to a distant part of the house2 or1 if the disease be of an infectious nature1 let them be sent away from home altogether4 ,in all illnesses--and bear in mind the following is most important advice--a child must be encouraged to try and make water1 whether he ask or not1 at least four times during the twenty-four hours2 and at any other time1 if he express the slightest inclination to do so4 ,i have known a little fellow to hold his water1 to his great detriment1 for twelve hours1 because either the mother bad in her trouble forgotten to inquire1 or the child himself was either too ill or too indolent to make the attempt4 ,see that the medical man's directions are1 to the very letter1 carried out4 ,do not fancy that you know better than he does1 otherwise you have no business to employ him4 ,let him1 then1 have your implicit confidence and your exact obedience4 ,what you may consider to be a trifling matter1 may frequently be of the utmost importance1 and may sometimes decide whether the case shall end either in life or death6 ,lice4--,it is not very poetical1 as many of the grim facts of every-day life are not1 but1 unlike a great deal of poetry1 it is unfortunately too true that after a severe and dangerous illness1 especially after a bad attack of fever1 a child's head frequently becomes infested with vermin--with lice4 ,it therefore behoves a mother herself to thoroughly examine1 by means of a fine-tooth comb1 ,footnote3 ,which fine-tooth comb ought not to be used at any other time except for the purpose of examination1 as the constant use of a fine-tooth comb would scratch the scalp1 and would encourage a quantity of scurf to accumulate4 her child's head1 in order to satisfy her mind that there be no vermin there4 ,as soon as he be well enough1 he ought to resume his regular ablutions--that is to say1 that he must go again regularly into his tub1 and have his head every morning thoroughly washed with soap and water4 ,a mother ought to be particular in seeing that the nurse washes the hair-brush at least once every week2 if she does not do so1 the dirty brush which had during the illness been used1 might contain the nits--the eggs of the lice--and would thus propagate the vermin1 as they will1 when on the head of the child1 soon hatch4 ,if there be already lice on the head1 in addition to the regular washing every morning with the soap and water1 and after the head has been thoroughly dried1 let the hair be well and plentifully dressed with camphorated oil--the oil being allowed to remain on until the next washing on the following morning4 ,lice cannot live in oil 7more especially if1 as in camphorated oil1 camphor be dissolved in it71 and as the camphorated oil will not1 in the slightest degree1 injure the hair1 it is the best application that can be used4 ,but as soon as the vermin have disappeared1 let the oil be discontinued1 as the natural oil of the hair is1 at other times1 the only oil that is required on the head4 ,the nit--the egg of the louse--might be distinguished from scurf 7although to the naked eye it is very much like it in appearance7 by the former fastening firmly on one of the hairs as a barnacle would on a rock1 and by it not being readily brushed off as scurf would1 which latter 7scurf7 is always loose4 #bei4 ,my child1 in the summer time1 is much tormented with fleas3 what are the best remedies8 ,a small muslin bag1 filled with camphor1 placed in the cot or bed1 will drive fleas away4 ,each flea-bite should1 from time to time1 be dressed by means of a camel's hair brush1 with a drop or two of ,spirit of ,camphor2 an ounce bottle of which ought1 for the purpose1 to be procured from a chemist4 ,camphor is also an excellent remedy to prevent bugs from biting4 ,bugs and fleas have a horror of camphor2 and well they might1 for it is death to them6 ,there is a famous remedy for the destruction of fleas manufactured in ,france1 entitled ,la ,poudre ,insecticide1 which1 although perfectly harmless to the human economy1 is utterly destructive to fleas4 ,bugs are best destroyed either by ,creosote or by oil of ,turpentine3 the places they do love to congregate in should be well saturated by means of a brush1 with the creosote or with the oil of turpentine4 ,a few dressings will effectually destroy both them and their young ones4 #bfj4 ,is not the pulse a great sign either of health or of disease8 ,it is1 and every mother should have a general idea of what the pulse of children of different ages should be both in health and in disease4 ,every person should know how to ascertain the state of the pulse in health2 then1 by comparing it with what it is when he is ailing1 he may have some idea of the urgency of his case4 ,parents should know the healthy pulse of each child1 since now and then a person is born with a peculiarly slow or fast pulse1 and the very case in hand may be of such peculiarity4 ,an infant's pulse is #adj1 a child of seven about #hj1 and from #bj to #fj years it is #gj beats a minute1 declining to #fj at fourscore4 ,a healthful grown person beats #gj times in a minute1 declining to #fj at fourscore4 ,at #fj1 if the pulse always exceeds #gj1 there is a disease2 the machine working itself out1 there is a fever or inflammation somewhere1 and the body is feeding on itself1 as in consumption1 when the pulse is quick4 #bfa4 ,suppose a child to have had an attack either of inflammation of the lungs or of bronchitis1 and to be much predisposed to a return3 what precautions would you take to prevent either the one or the other for the future8 ,i would recommend him to wear fine flannel instead of lawn shirts2 to wear good lamb's-wool stockings above the knees1 and good1 strong1 dry shoes to his feet2 to live1 weather permitting1 a great part of every day in the open air2 to strengthen his system by good nourishing food--by an abundance of both milk and meat 7the former especially72 to send him1 in the autumn1 for a couple of months1 to the sea-side2 to administer to him1 from time to time1 cod-liver oil2 in short1 to think only of his health1 and to let learning1 until he be stronger1 be left alone4 ,i also advise either table salt or bay salt1 or ,tidman's ,sea ,salt1 to be added to the water in which the child is washed with in the morning1 in a similar manner as recommended in answer to a previous question4 #bfb4 ,then do you not advise such a child to be confined within doors8 ,if any inflammation be present1 or if he have but just recovered from one1 it would be improper to send him into the open air1 but not otherwise1 as the fresh air would be a likely means of strengthening the lungs1 and thereby of preventing an attack of inflammation for the future4 ,besides1 the more a child is coddled within doors1 the more likely will he be to catch cold1 and to renew the inflammation4 ,if the weather be cold1 yet neither wet nor damp1 he ought to be sent out1 but let him be well clothed2 and the nurse should have strict injunctions not to stand about entries or in any draughts--indeed1 not to stand about at all1 but to keep walking about all the time she is in the open air4 ,unless you have a trustworthy nurse1 it will be well for you either to accompany her in her walk with your child1 or merely to allow her to walk with him in the garden1 as you can then keep your eye upon both of them4 #bfc4 ,if a child be either chicken-breasted1 or if he be narrow-chested1 are there any means of expanding and of strengthening his chest8 ,learning ought to be put out of the question1 attention must be paid to his health alone1 or consumption will probably mark him as its own6 ,let him live as much as possible in the open air2 if it be country1 so much the better4 ,let him rise early in the morning1 and let him go to bed betimes2 and if he be old enough to use the dumb-bells1 or what is better1 an ,india-rubber chest-expander1 he should do so daily4 ,he ought also to be encouraged to use two short sticks1 similar to1 but heavier than1 a policeman's staff1 and to go1 every morning1 through regular exercises with them4 ,as soon as he is old enough1 let him have lessons from a drill-sergeant and from a dancing master4 ,let him be made both to walk and to sit upright1 and let him be kept as much as possible upon a milk diet1 ,footnote3 ,where milk does not agree1 it may generally be made to do so by the addition of one part of lime water to seven parts of new milk4 ,moreover1 the lime will be of service in hardening his bones1 and1 in these cases1 the bones require hardening4 and give him as much as he can eat of fresh meat every day4 ,cod liver oil1 a tea-spoonful or a dessert-spoonful1 according to his age1 twice a day1 is serviceable in these cases4 ,stimulants ought to be carefully avoided4 ,in short1 let every means be used to nourish1 to strengthen1 and invigorate the system1 without1 at the same time1 creating fever4 ,such a child should be a child of nature1 he ought almost to live in the open air1 and throw his books to the winds4 ,of what use is learning without health8 ,in such a case as this you cannot have both4 #bfd4 ,if a child be round-shouldered1 or if either of his shoulder-blades have grown out1 what had better be done8 ,many children have either round shoulders1 or have their shoulder blades grown out1 or have their spines twisted1 from growing too fast1 from being allowed to slouch in their gait1 and from not having sufficient nourishing food1 such as meat and milk1 to support them while the rapid growth of childhood is going on4 ,if your child be affected as above described1 nourish him well on milk and on farinaceous food1 and on meat once a day1 but let milk be his staple diet2 he ought1 during the twenty four hours1 to take two or three pints of new milk4 ,he should almost live in the open air1 and must have plenty of play4 ,if you can so contrive it1 let him live in the country4 ,when tired1 let him lie1 for half an hour1 two or three times daily1 flat on his back on the carpet4 ,let him rest at night on a horse-hair mattress1 and not on a feather bed4 ,let him have every morning1 if it be summer1 a thorough cold water ablution1 if it be winter1 let the water be made tepid4 ,let either two handfuls of table salt or a handful of bay salt be dissolved in the water4 ,let the salt and water stream well over his shoulders and down his back and loins4 ,let him be well dried with a moderately coarse towel1 and then let his back be well rubbed1 and his shoulders be thrown back-exercising them much in the same manner as in skipping1 for five or ten minutes at a time4 ,skipping1 by-the-by1 is of great use in these cases1 whether the child be either a boy or a girl-using1 of course1 the rope backwards1 and not forwards4 ,let books be utterly discarded until his shoulders have become strong1 and thus no longer round1 and his shoulder-blades have become straight4 ,it is a painful sight to see a child stoop like an old man4 ,let him have1 twice daily1 a tea-spoonful or a dessert-spoonful 7according to his age7 of cod-liver oil1 giving it him on a full and not on an empty stomach4 ,when he is old enough1 let the drill-sergeant give him regular lessons1 and let the dancing-master be put in requisition4 ,let him go through regular gymnastic exercises1 provided they are not of a violent character4 ,but1 bear in mind1 let there be in these cases no mechanical restraints--no shoulder-straps1 no abominable stays4 ,make him straight by natural means--by making him strong4 ,mechanical means would only1 by weakening and wasting the muscles1 increase the mischief1 and thus the deformity4 ,in this world of ours there is too much reliance placed on artificial1 and too little on natural means of cure4 #bfe4 ,what are the causes of ,bow ,legs in a child2 and what is the treatment8 ,weakness of constitution1 poor and insufficient nourishment1 and putting a child1 more especially a fat and heavy one1 on his legs too early4 ,treatment4--,nourishing food1 such as an abundance of milk1 and1 if he be old enough1 of meat2 iron medicines2 cod-liver-oil2 thorough ablution1 every morning of the whole body2 an abundance of exercise1 either on pony1 or on donkey1 or in carriage1 but not1 until his legs be stronger1 on foot4 ,if they are much bowed1 it will be necessary to consult an experienced surgeon4 #bff4 ,if a child1 while asleep1 wet his bed is there any method of preventing him from doing so8 ,let him be held out just before he himself goes to bed1 and again when the family retires to rest4 ,if1 at the time1 he be asleep1 he will become so accustomed to it1 that he will1 without awaking1 make water4 ,he ought to be made to lie on his side2 for1 if he be put on his back1 the urine will rest upon an irritable part of the bladder1 and1 if he be inclined to wet his bed1 he will not be able to avoid doing so4 ,he must not be allowed to drink much with his meals1 especially with his supper4 ,wetting the bed is an infirmity with some children--they cannot help it4 ,it is1 therefore1 cruel to scold and chastise them for it4 ,occasionally1 however1 wetting the bed arises from idleness2 in which case1 of course1 a little wholesome correction might be necessary4 ,water-proof ,bed-sheeting--one yard by three-quarters of a yard--will effectually preserve the bed from being wetted1 and ought always1 on these occasions1 to be used4 ,a mother ought1 every morning1 to ascertain for herself1 whether a child have wet his bed2 if he have1 and if1 unfortunately1 the water-proof cloth have not been used1 the mattress1 sheets1 and blankets must be instantly taken to the kitchen fire and be properly dried4 ,inattention to the above has frequently caused a child to suffer either from cold1 from a fever1 or from an inflammation2 not only so1 but1 if they be not dried1 he is wallowing in filth and in an offensive effluvium4 ,if both mother and nurse were more attentive to their duties--in frequently holding a child out1 whether he ask or not--a child wetting his bed would be the exception1 and not1 as it frequently is1 the rule4 ,if a child be dirty1 you may depend upon it1 the right persons to blame are the mother and the nurse1 and not the child6 #bfg4 ,if a child should catch ,small-pox1 what are the best means to prevent pitting8 ,he ought to be desired neither to pick nor to rub the pustules4 ,if he be too young to attend to these directions1 his hands must be secured in bags 7just large enough to hold them71 which bags should he fastened round the wrists4 ,the nails must be cut very close4 ,cream smeared1 by means of a feather1 frequently in the day1 on the pustules1 affords great comfort and benefit4 ,tripe liquor 7without salt7 has1 for the same purpose1 been strongly recommended4 ,i myself1 in several cases1 have tried it1 and with the happiest results4 ,it is most soothing1 comforting1 and healing to the skin4 #bfh4 ,can you1 tell me of any plan to prevent ,chilblaine1 or1 if a child be suffering from them1 to cure them8 ,first1 then1 the way to prevent them4--,let a child1 who is subject to them1 wear1 in the winter time1 a square piece of wash-leather over the toes1 a pair of warm lamb's-wool stockings1 and good shoes2 but1 above all1 let him be encouraged to run about the house as much as possible1 especially before going to bed2 and on no account allow him either to warm has feet before the fire1 or to bathe them in hot water4 ,if the feet be cold1 and the child be too young to take exercise1 then let them be well rubbed with the warm hand4 ,if adults suffer from chilblains1 ,i have found friction1 night and morning1 with horse-hail flesh-gloves1 the best means of preventing them4 ,secondly1 the way to cure them4--,if they be unbroken3 the old-fashioned remedy of onion and salt is one of the best of remedies4 ,cut an onion in two2 take one-half of it1 dip it in table salt and well rub1 for two or three minutes1 the chilblain with it4 ,the onion and salt is a famous remedy to relieve that intolerable itching which sometimes accompanies chilblains3 then let them be covered with a piece of lint1 over which a piece of wash-leather should be placed4 ,if they be broken1 let a piece of lint be spread with spermaceti-cerate1 and be applied1 every morning1 to the part1 and let a white-bread poultice be used every night4 #bfi4 ,during the winter time my child's hands1 legs1 c41 chap very much2 what ought ,i to do8 ,let a tea-cupful of bran be tied up in a muslin bag1 and be put1 over the night1 into either a large water-can or jug of rain water2 ,footnote3 ,rain water ought always to be used in the washing of a child2 pump water is likely to chap the skin1 and to make it both rough and irritable4 and let this water from the can or jug be the water he is to be washed with on the following morning1 and every morning until the chaps be cured4 ,as often as water is withdrawn1 either from the water-can or from the jog1 let fresh rain water take its place1 in order that the bran may be constantly soaking in it4 ,the bran in the bag should be renewed about twice a week4 ,take particular care to dry the skin well every time he be washed2 then1 after each ablution1 as well as every night at bed-time1 rub a piece of deer's suet over the parts affected3 a few dressings will perform a cure4 ,the deer's suet may be bought at any of the shops where venison is sold4 ,another excellent remedy is glycerine1 ,footnote3 ,glycerine prepared by ,price's ,patent ,candle ,company is by far the best4 ,sometimes1 if the child's skin be very irritable1 the glycerine requires diluting with water--say1 two ounces of glycerine to be mixed in a bottle with four ounces of rain water--the bottle to be well shaken just before using it4 which should be smeared1 by means of the finger or by a camel's hair brush1 on the parts affected1 two or three times a day4 ,if the child be very young1 it might be necessary to dilute the glycerine with rose-water2 fill a small bottle one-third with glycerine1 and fill up the remaining two-thuds of the bottle with rose-water--shaking the bottle every time just before using it4 ,the best soap to use for chapped hands is the glycerine soap3 no other being required4 #bgj4 ,what is the best remedy for ,chapped ,lips8 ,cold-cream 7which may be procured of any respectable chemist7 is an excellent application for chapped lips4 ,it ought1 by means of the finger1 to be frequently smeared on the parts affected4 #bga4 ,have the goodness to inform me of the different varieties of ,worms that infest a child's bowels8 ,principally three--#a1 ,the tape-worm2 #b1 the long round-worm2 and #c1 the most frequent of all1 the common thread or maw-worm4 ,the tape-worm infests the whole course of the bowels1 both small and large3 the long round-worm1 principally the small bowels1 occasionally the stomach2 it sometimes crawls out of the child's mouth1 causing alarm to the mother2 there is1 of course1 no danger in its doing so3 the common thread-worm or maw-worm infests the rectum or fundament4 #bgb4 ,what are the causes of ,worms8 ,the causes of worms are3 weak bowels2 bad and improper food1 such as unripe1 unsound1 or uncooked fruit1 and much green vegetables2 pork1 especially underdone pork2 ,footnote3 ,one frequent1 if not the most frequent1 cause of tape-worm is the eating of pork1 more especially if it be underdone4 ,underdone pork is the most unwholesome food that can he eaten1 and is the most frequent cause of tape-worm known4 ,underdone beef also gives tape-worm2 let the meat1 therefore1 be well and properly cooked4 ,these facts ought to be borne in mind1 as prevention is always better than cure4 an abundance of sweets2 the neglecting of giving salt in the food4 #bgc4 ,what are the symptoms and the treatment of ,worms8 ,the symptoms of worms are--emaciation2 itching and picking of the nose2 a dark mark under the eyes2 grating1 during sleep1 of the teeth2 starting in the sleep2 foul breath2 furred tongue2 uncertain appetite--sometimes voracious1 at other times bad1 the little patient sitting down very hungry to his dinner1 and before scarcely tasting a mouthful1 the appetite vanishing2 large bowels2 colicky pains of the bowels2 slimy motions2 itching of the fundament4 ,tape-worm and round-worm1 more especially the former1 are apt1 in children1 to produce convulsions4 ,tape-worm is very weakening to the constitution1 and usually causes great emaciation and general ill-health2 the sooner1 therefore1 it is expelled from the bowels the better it will be for the patient4 ,many of the obscure diseases of children arise from worms4 ,in all doubtful cases1 therefore1 this fact should be borne in mind1 in order that a thorough investigation may be instituted4 ,with regard to treatment1 a medical man ought1 of course1 to be consulted4 ,he will soon use means both to dislodge them1 and to prevent a future recurrence of them4 ,let me caution a mother never to give her child patent medicines for the destruction of worms4 ,there is one favourite quack powder1 which is composed principally of large doses of calomel1 and which is quite as likely to destroy the patient as the worms6 ,no1 if your child have worms1 put him under the care of a judicious medical man1 who will soon expel them1 without1 at the same tune1 injuring health or constitution6 #bgd4 ,how may worms be prevented from infesting a child's bowels8 ,worms generally infest weak bowels2 hence1 the moment a child becomes strong worms cease to exist4 ,the reason why a child is so subject to them is owing to the improper food which is usually given to him4 ,when he be stuffed with unsound and with unripe fruits1 with much sweets1 with rich puddings1 and with pastry1 and when he is oftentimes allowed to eat his meat without salt1 and to bolt his food without chewing it1 is there any wonder that he should suffer from worms8 ,the way to prevent them is to avoid such things1 and1 at the same time1 to give him plenty of salt to his fresh and well-cooked meat4 ,salt strengthens and assists digestion1 and is absolutely necessary to the human economy4 ,salt is emphatically a worm destroyer4 ,the truth of this statement may be readily tested by sprinkling a little salt on the common earth-worm4 ,what a comfort and real requisite to human life is salt6 ,it enters into the constituents of the human blood1 and to do without it is wholly impossible4--,the ,grocer4 ,to do without it is wholly impossible6 ,these are true words4 ,look well to it1 therefore1 ye mothers1 and beware of the consequences of neglecting such advice1 and see for yourselves that your children regularly eat salt with their food4 ,if they neglect eating salt with their food1 they must of necessity have worms1 and worms that will eventually injure them1 and make them miserable4 ,all food1 then1 should be flavoured with salt2 flavoured1 that is to say1 salt should be used in each and every kind of food--not in excess1 but in moderation4 #bge4 ,you have a great objection to the frequent administration of aperient medicines to a child3 can you advise any method to prevent their use8 ,although we can scarcely call constipation a disease1 yet it sometimes leads to disease4 ,the frequent giving of aperients only adds to the stubbornness of the bowels4 ,i have generally found a draught1 early every morning1 of cold pump water1 the eating either of ,huntley and ,palmer's loaf ginger-bread1 or of oatmeal gingerbread1 a variety of animal and vegetable food1 ripe sound fruit1 ,muscatel raisins1 a fig1 or an orange after dinner1 and1 when he be old enough1 coffee and milk instead of tea and milk1 to have the desired effect1 more especially if1 for a time1 aperients be studiously avoided4 #bgf4 ,have you any remarks to make on ,rickets8 ,rickets is owing to a want of a sufficient quantity of earthy matter in the bones2 hence the bones bend and twist1 and lose their shape1 causing deformity4 ,rickets generally begins to show itself between the first and second years of a child's life4 ,such children are generally late in cutting their teeth1 and when the teeth do come they are bad1 deficient of enamel1 discoloured1 and readily decay4 ,a rickety child is generally stunted in stature2 he has a large head1 with overhanging forehead1 or what nurses call a watery-head-shaped forehead4 ,the fontanelles1 or openings of the head1 as they are called1 are a long time in closing4 ,a rickety child is usually talented2 his brain seems to thrive at the expense of his general health4 ,his breast-bone projects out1 and the sides of his chest are flattened2 hence he becomes what is called chicken-breasted or pigeon-breasted2 his spine is usually twisted1 so that he is quite awry1 and1 in a bad case1 he is hump-backed2 the ribs1 from the twisted spine1 on one side bulge out2 he is round-shouldered2 the long bones of his body1 being soft1 bend2 he is bow-legged1 knock-kneed1 and weak-ankled4 ,rickets are of various degrees of intensity1 the humpbacked being among the worst ,there are many mild forms of rickets2 weak ankles1 knocked-knees1 bowed-legs1 chicken-breasts1 being among the latter number4 ,many a child1 who is not exactly hump-backed1 is very round-shouldered1 which latter is also a mild species of rickets4 ,show me a child that is rickety1 and ,i can generally prove that it is owing to poor living1 more especially to poor milk4 ,if milk were always genuine1 and if a child had an abundance of it1 my belief is that rickets would be a very rare disease4 ,the importance of genuine milk is of national importance4 ,we cannot have a race of strong men and women unless1 as children1 they have had a good and plentiful supply of milk4 ,it is utterly impossible4 ,milk might well be considered one of the necessaries of a child's existence4 ,genuine1 fresh milk1 then1 is one of the grand preventatives1 as well as one of the best remedies1 for rickets4 ,many a child would not now have to swallow quantities ,of cod-liver oil if previously he had imbibed quantities of good genuine milk4 ,an insufficient and a poor supply of milk in childhood sows the seeds of many diseases1 and death often gathers the fruit4 ,can it be wondered at1 when there is so much poor and nasty milk in ,england1 that rickets in one shape or another is so prevalent8 ,when will mothers arouse from their slumbers1 rub their eyes1 and see clearly the importance of the subject8 ,when will they know that all the symptoms of rickets ,i have just enumerated usually proceed from the want of nourishment1 more especially from the want of genuine1 and of an abundance of1 milk8 ,there are1 of1 course1 other means of warding off rickets besides an abundance of nourishing food1 such as thorough ablution1 plenty of air1 exercise1 play1 and sunshine2 but of all these splendid remedies1 nourishment stands at the top of the list4 ,i do not mean to say that rickets always proceeds from poorness of living--from poor milk4 ,it sometimes arises from scrofula1 and is an inheritance of one or of both the parents4 ,rickety children1 if not both carefully watched and managed1 frequently1 when they become youths1 die of consumption4 ,a mother1 who has for some time neglected the advice ,i have just given1 will often find1 to her grievous cost1 that the mischief has1 past remedy1 been done1 and that it is now too late6--too late6 #bgg4 ,how may a child be prevented from becoming rickety8 or1 if he be rickety1 how ought he to be treated8 ,if a child be predisposed to be rickety1 or if he be actually rickety1 attend to the following rules3-- ,let him live well1 on good nourishing diet1 such as on tender rump-steaks1 cut very fine1 and mixed with mashed potatoes1 crumb of bread1 and with the gravy of the meat4 ,let him have1 as ,i have before advised1 an abundance of good new milk--a quart or three pints during every twenty-four hours4 ,let him have milk in every form--as milk gruel1 ,du ,barry's ,arabica ,revalenta made with milk1 batter and rice puddings1 suet puddings1 bread and milk1 etc4 ,to harden the bones1 let lime water be added to the milk 7a table-spoonful to each tea-cupful of milk47 ,let him have a good supply of fresh1 pure1 dry air4 ,he must almost live in the open air--the country1 if practicable1 in preference to the town1 and the coast in summer and autumn4 ,sea bathing and sea breezes are often1 in these cases1 of inestimable value4 ,he ought not1 at an early age1 to be allowed to bear his weight upon his legs4 ,he must sleep on a horse-hair mattress1 and not on a feather bed4 ,he should use every morning cold baths in the summer and tepid baths in the winter1 with bay salt 7a handful7 dissolved in the water4 ,friction with the hand must1 for half an hour at a time1 every night and morning1 be sedulously applied to the back and to the limbs4 ,it is wonderful how much good in these cases friction does4 ,strict attention ought to be paid to the rules of health as laid down in these ,conversations4 ,whatever is conducive to the general health is preventive and curative of rickets4 ,books1 if he be old enough to read them1 should be thrown aside2 health1 and health alone1 must be the one grand object4 ,the best medicines in these cases are a combination of cod-liver oil and the wine of iron1 given in the following manner3--,put a tea-spoonful of wine of iron into a wine-glass1 half fill the glass with water1 sweeten it with a lump or two of sugar1 then let a tea-spoonful of cod-liver oil swim on the top2 let the child drink it all down together1 twice or three times a day4 ,an hour after a meal is the best time to give the medicine1 as both iron and cod-liver oil sit better on a full than on an empty stomach4 ,the child in a short time will become fond of the above medicine1 and will be sorry when it is discontinued4 ,a case of rickets requires great patience and steady perseverance2 let1 therefore1 the above plan have a fair and long-continued trial1 and ,i can then promise that there will be every probability that great benefit will be derived from it4 #bgh4 ,if a child be subject to a scabby eruption about the mouth1 what is the best local application8 ,leave it to nature4 ,do not1 on any account1 apply any local application to heal it2 if you do1 you may produce injury2 you may either bring on an attack of inflammation1 or you may throw him into convulsions4 ,no6 ,this breaking-out is frequently a safety-valve1 and must not therefore be needlessly interfered with4 ,should the eruption be severe1 reduce the child's diet2 keep him from butter1 from gravy1 and from fat meat1 or1 indeed1 for a few days from meat altogether2 and give him mild aperient medicine2 but1 above all things1 do not quack him either with calomel or with grey-powder4 #bgi4 ,will you have the goodness to describe the eruption on the face and on the head of a young child1 called ,milk-,crust or ,running ,scall8 ,milk-crust is a complaint of very young children--of those who are cutting their teeth--and1 as it is a nasty looking complaint1 and frequently gives a mother a great deal of trouble1 of anxiety1 and annoyance1 it will be well that you should know its symptoms1 its causes1 and its probable duration4 ,symptoms4--,when a child is about nine months or a year old1 small pimples are apt to break out around the ears1 on the forehead1 and on the head4 ,these pimples at length become vesicles 7that is to say1 they contain water71 which run into one large one1 break1 and form a nasty dirty-looking yellowish1 and sometimes greenish1 scab1 which scab is moist1 indeed1 sometimes quite wet1 and gives out a disagreeable odour1 and which is sometimes so large on the head as actually to form a skullcap1 and so extensive on the face as to form a mask4 ,these1 ,i am happy to say1 are rare cases4 ,the child's beauty is1 of1 course1 for a time completely destroyed1 and not only his beauty1 but his good temper2 for as the eruption causes great irritation and itching1 he is constantly clawing himself1 and crying with annoyance the great part of the day1 and sometimes also of the night--the eruption preventing him from sleeping4 ,it is not contagious1 and soon after he has cut the whole of his first set of teeth it will get well1 provided it has not been improperly interfered with4 ,causes4--,irritation from teething2 stuffing him with overmuch meat1 thus producing a humour1 which ,nature tries to get rid of by throwing it out on the surface of the body2 the safest place she could fix on for the purpose2 hence the folly and danger of giving medicines and applying external applications to drive the eruption in4 ,diseased nature oftentimes breaks forth in strange eruptions1 and cures herself in this way1 if she be not too much interfered with1 and if the eruption be not driven in by injudicious treatment4 ,i have known in such cases disastrous consequences to follow over-officiousness and meddlesomeness4 ,nature is trying all she can to drive the humour out1 while some wiseacres are doing all they can to drive the humour in4 ,duration4--,as milk-crust is a tedious affair1 and will require a variety of treatment1 it will be necessary to consult an experienced medical man2 and although he will be able to afford great relief1 the child will not1 in all probability1 be quite free from the eruption until he have cut the whole of his first set of teeth--until he be upwards of two years and a half old--when1 with judicious and careful treatment1 it will gradually disappear1 and eventually leave not a trace behind4 ,it will be far better to leave the case alone--to get well of itself--rather than to try to cure the complaint either by outward applications or by strong internal medicines2 the remedy is often worse than the disease1 of this ,i am quite convinced4 #bhj4 ,have you any advice to give me as to my conduct towards my medical man8 ,give him your entire confidence4 ,be truthful and be candid with him4 ,tell him the truth1 the whole truth1 and nothing but the truth4 ,have no reservations2 give him1 as near as you can1 a plain1 unvarnished statement of the symptoms of the disease4 ,do not magnify1 and do not make too light of any of them4 ,be prepared to state the exact time the child first showed symptoms of illness4 ,if he have had a shivering fit1 however slight1 do not fail to tell your medical man of it4 ,note the state of the skin2 if there be a breaking-out--be it ever so trifling--let it be pointed out to him4 ,make yourself acquainted with the quantity and with the appearance of the urine1 taking care to have a little of it saved1 in case the doctor may wish to see and examine it4 ,take notice of the state of the motions--their number during the twenty-four hours1 their colour1 their smell1 and their consistence1 keeping one for his inspection4 ,never leave any of these questions to be answered by a servant2 a mother is the proper person to give the necessary and truthful answers1 which answers frequently decide the fate of the patient4 ,bear in mind1 then1 a mother's untiring care and love1 attention and truthfulness1 frequently decide whether1 in a serious illness1 the little fellow shall live or die6 ,fearful responsibility6 ,a medical man has arduous duties to perform2 smooth1 therefore1 his path as much as you can1 and you will be amply repaid by the increased good he will be able to do your child4 ,strictly obey a doctor's orders--in diet1 in medicine1 in everything4 ,never throw obstacles in his way4 ,never omit any of his suggestions2 for1 depend upon it that if he be a sensible man1 directions1 however slight1 ought never to be neglected2 bear in mind1 with a judicious medical man1 ,that nothing walks with aimless feet4--,tennyson4 ,if the case be severe1 requiring a second opinion1 never of your own accord call in a physician1 without first consulting and advising with your own medical man4 ,it would be an act of great discourtesy to do so4 ,inattention to the foregoing advice has frequently caused injury to the patient1 and heart-burnings and ill-will among doctors4 ,speak1 in the presence of your child1 with respect and kindness of your medical man1 so that the former may look upon the latter as a friend--as one who will strive1 with ,god's blessing1 to relieve his pain and suffering4 ,remember the increased power of doing good the doctor will have if the child be induced to like1 instead of dislike1 him4 ,not only be careful that you yourself speak before your child1 respectfully and kindly of the medical man1 but see that your domestics do so likewise2 and take care that they are never allowed to frighten your child1 as many silly servants do1 by saying that they will send for the doctor1 who will either give him nasty medicine1 or will perform some cruel operation upon him4 ,a nurse-maid should1 then1 never for one moment be permitted to make a doctor an object of terror or of dislike to a child4 ,send1 whenever it be practicable1 for your doctor early in the morning1 as he will then make his arrangements accordingly1 and can by daylight better ascertain the nature of the complaint1 more especially if it be a skin disease4 ,it is utterly impossible for him to form a correct opinion of the nature of a breaking-out either by gas or by candle light4 ,if the illness come on at night1 particularly if it be ushered in either with a severe shivering1 or with any other urgent symptom1 no time should be lost1 be it night or day1 in sending for him1 ,a little fire is quietly trodden out1 ,which1 being sufier'd1 rivers cannot quench4 ,shakespeare4 ,,warm ,,baths #bha4 ,have the goodness to mention the complaints of a child for which warm baths are useful4 #a4 ,convulsions2 #b4 ,pains in the bowels1 known by1 the child drawing up his legs1 screaming violently1 etc42 #c4 ,restlessness from teething2 #d4 ,flatulence4 ,the warm bath acts as a fomentation to the stomach and the bowels1 and gives ease where the usual remedies do not rapidly relieve4 #bhb4 ,will you mention the precautions1 and the rules to be observed in gutting a child info a warm bath8 ,carefully ascertain before he be immersed in the bath that the water be neither too hot nor too cold4 ,carelessness1 or over-anxiety to put him in the water as quickly as possible1 has frequently1 from his being immersed in the bath when the water was too hot1 caused him great pain and suffering4 ,from #if to #ih degrees of ,fahrenheit is the proper temperature of a warm bath4 ,if it be necessary to add fresh warm water1 let him be either removed the while1 or let it not be put in when very hot2 for if boiling water be added to increase the heat of the bath1 it naturally ascends1 and may scald him4 ,again1 let the fresh water be put in at as great a distance from him as possible4 ,the usual time for him to remain in a bath is a quarter of an hour or twenty minutes4 ,let the chest and the bowels be rubbed with the hand while he is in the bath4 ,let him be immersed in the bath as high up as the neck1 taking care that he be the while supported under the armpits1 and that his head be also rested4 ,as soon as he comes out of the bath1 he ought to be carefully but quickly rubbed dry2 and if it be necessary to keep up the action on the skin1 he should be put to bed1 between the blankets2 or if the desired relief has been obtained1 between the sheets1 which ought to have been previously warmed1 where1 most likely1 he will fall into a sweet refreshing sleep4 ,,warm ,,external ,,applications4 #bhc4 ,in case of a child suffering pain either in his stomach or in his bowels1 or in case he has a feverish cold1 can you tell me of the best way of applying heat to them8 ,in pain either of the stomach or of the bowels1 there is nothing usually affords greater or speedier relief than the external application of heat ,the following are four different methods of applying heat3--#a4 ,a bag of hot salt--that is to say1 powdered table-salt--put either into the oven or into a frying-pan over the fire1 and thus made hot1 and placed in a flannel bag1 and then applied1 as the case may be1 either to the stomach or to the bowels4 ,hot salt is an excellent remedy for these pains4 #b4 ,an india-robber hot-water bottle1 ,footnote3 ,every house where there are children ought to have one of these ,india-rubber hot-water bottles4 ,it may be procured at any respectable ,vulcanised ,india-rubber warehouse4 half filled with hot water--it need not be boiling--applied to the stomach or to the bowels1 will afford great comfort #c4 ,another and an excellent remedy for these cases is a hot bran poultice4 ,the way to make it is as follows3--,stir bran into a ,vessel containing either a pint or a quart 7according to size of poultice required7 of boiling water1 until it be the consistence of a nice soft poultice1 then put into a flannel bag and apply it to the part affected4 ,when cool1 dip it from time to time in hot water4 #d4 ,in case a child has a feverish cold1 especially if it be attended1 as it sometimes is1 with pains in the bowels1 the following is a good external application4--,take a yard of flannel1 fold it in three widths1 then dip it in very hot water1 wring it out tolerably dry1 and apply it evenly and neatly round and round the bowels2 over this1 and to keep it in its place1 and to keep in the moisture1 put on a dry flannel bandage1 four yards long and four inches wide4 ,if it be put on at bed-time1 it ought to remain on all night4 ,where there are children1 it is desirable to have the yard of flannel and the flannel bandage in readiness1 and then a mother will be prepared for emergencies4 ,either the one or the other1 then1 of the above applications will usually1 in pains of the stomach and bowels1 afford great relief4 ,there is one great advantage of the external application of heat--it can never do harm2 if there be inflammation1 it will do good2 if there be either cramps or spasms of the stomach1 it will be serviceable2 if there be colic1 it will be one of the best remedies that can be used2 if it be a feverish cold1 by throwing the child into a perspiration1 it will be beneficial4 ,it is well for a mother to know how to make a white bread poultice2 and as the celebrated ,abernethy was noted for his poultices1 ,i will give you his directions1 and in his very words3--,scald out a basin1 for you can never make a good poultice unless you have perfectly boiling water1 then1 having put in some hot water1 throw in coarsely crumbled bread1 and cover it with a plate4 ,when the bread has soaked up as much water as it will imbibe1 drain off the remaining water1 and there will be left a light pulp4 ,spread it a third of an inch thick on folded linen1 and apply it when of the temperature of a warm bath4 ,it may be said that this poultice will be very inconvenient if there be no lard in it1 for it will soon get dry2 but this is the very thing you want1 and it can easily be moistened by dropping warm water on it1 whilst a greasy poultice will be moist1 but not wet4--,south's ,household ,surgery4 ,,accidents4 #bhd4 ,supposing a child to cut his finger1 what is the best application8 ,there is nothing better than tying it up with rag in its blood1 as nothing is more healing than blood4 ,do not wash the blood away1 but apply the rag at once1 taking care that no foreign substance be left in the wound4 ,if there be either glass or dirt in it1 it will of course be necessary to bathe the cut in warm water1 to get rid of it before the rag be applied4 ,some mothers use either salt or ,fryar's ,balsam1 or turpentine1 to a fresh wound2 these plans are cruel and unnecessary1 and frequently make the cut difficult to heal4 ,if it bleed immoderately1 sponge the wound freely with cold water4 ,if it be a severe cut1 surgical aid1 of course1 will be required4 #bhe4 ,if a child receive a blow1 causing a bruise1 what had better be done8 ,immediately smear a small lump of fresh butter on the part affected1 and renew it every few minutes for two or three hours2 this is an old-fashioned1 but a very good remedy4 ,olive oil may--if fresh butter be not at hand--be used1 or soak a piece of brown-paper in one third of ,french brandy and two-thirds of water1 and immediately apply it to the part2 when dry renew it4 ,either of these simple plans--the butter plan is the best--will generally prevent both swelling and disfiguration4 ,a ,black ,eye4--,if a child1 or indeed any one else1 receive a blow over the eye1 which is likely to cause a black eye1 there is no remedy superior to1 nor more likely to prevent one1 than well buttering the parts for two or three inches around the eye with fresh butter1 renewing it every few minutes for the space of an hour or two2 if such be well and perseveringly done1 the disagreeable appearance of a black eye will in all probability be prevented4 ,a capital remedy for a black eye is the ,arnica ,lotion1-- ,take of--,tincture of ,arnica1 one ounce2 ,water1 seven ounces2 ,to make a ,lotion4 ,the eye to be bathed by means of a soft piece of linen rag1 with this lotion frequently2 and1 between times1 let a piece of linen rag1 wetted in the lotion1 be applied3 to the eye1 and be fastened in its place by means of a bandage4 ,the white lily leaf1 soaked in brandy1 is another excellent remedy for the bruises of a child4 ,gather the white lily blossoms when in full bloom1 and put them in a wide-mouthed bottle of brandy1 cork the bottle1 and it will then always be ready for use4 ,apply a leaf to the part affected1 and bind it on either with a bandage or with a handkerchief4 ,the white lily root sliced is another valuable external application for bruises4 #bhf4 ,if a child fall upon his head and be stunned1 what ought to be done8 ,if he fall upon his head and be stunned1 he will look deadly pale1 very much as if he had fainted4 ,he will in a few minutes1 in all probability1 regain his consciousness4 ,sickness frequently supervenes1 which makes the case more serious1 it being a proof that injury1 more or less severe1 has been done to the brain2 send1 therefore1 instantly for a medical man4 ,in the meantime1 loosen both his collar and neckerchief1 lay him flat on his back1 sprinkle cold water upon his face1 open the windows so as to admit plenty of fresh air1 and do not let people crowd round him1 nor shout at him1 as some do1 to make him speak4 ,while he is in an unconscious state1 do not on any account whatever allow a drop of blood to be taken from him1 either by leeches or from the arm-venesection2 if you do1 he will probably never rally1 but will most likely sleep the sleep that knows not breaking4 #bhg4 ,a nurse sometimes drops an infant and injures his back2 what ought to be done8 ,instantly send for a surgeon2 omitting to have proper advice in such a case has frequently made a child a cripple for life4 ,a nurse frequently1 when she has dropped her little charge1 is afraid to tell her mistress2 the consequences might then be deplorable4 ,if ever a child scream violently without any assignable cause1 and the mother is not able for some time to pacify him1 the safer plan is that she send for a doctor1 in order that he might strip and carefully examine him2 much after misery might often be averted if this plan were more frequently followed4 #bhh4 ,have you any remarks to make and directions to give on accidental poisoning by lotions1 by liniments1 etc8 ,it is a culpable practice of either a mother or nurse to leave external applications within the reach of a child4 ,it is also highly improper to put a mixture and an external application 7such as a lotion or a liniment7 on the same tray or on the same mantel-piece4 ,many liniments contain large quantities of opium1 a tea-spoonful of which would be likely to cause the death of a child4 ,hartshorn and oil1 too1 has frequently been swallowed by children1 and in several instances has caused death4 ,many lotions contain sugar of lead1 which is also poisonous4 ,there is not1 fortunately1 generally sufficient lead in the lotion to cause death2 but if there be not enough to cause death1 there may be more than enough to make the child very poorly4 ,all these accidents occur from disgraceful carelessness4 ,a mother or a nurse ought always1 before administering a dose of medicine to a child1 to read the label on the bottle2 by adopting this simple plan many serious accidents and much after misery might be averted4 ,again1 ,i say1 let every lotion1 every liniment1 and indeed everything for external use1 be either locked up or be put out of the way1 and far away from all medicine that is given by the mouth4 ,this advice admits of no exception4 ,if your child have swallowed a portion of a liniment containing opium1 instantly send for a medical man4 ,in the meantime force a strong mustard emetic 7composed of two tea-spoonfuls of flour of mustard1 mixed in half a tea-cupful of warm water7 down his throat4 ,encourage the vomiting by afterwards forcing him to swallow warm water4 ,tickle the throat either with your finger or with a feather4 ,souse him alternately in hot and then in a cold bath4 ,dash cold water on his head and face4 ,throw open the windows4 ,walk him about in the open air4 ,rouse him by slapping him1 by pinching him1 and by shouting to him2 rouse him1 indeed1 by every means in your power1 for if you allow him to go to sleep1 it will1 in all probability1 be the sleep that knows no waking6 ,if a child have swallowed hartshorn and oil1 force him to drink vinegar and water1 lemon-juice and water sweetened with sugar1 barley water1 and thin gruel4 ,if he have swallowed a lead lotion1 give him a mustard emetic1 and then vinegar and water1 sweetened either with honey or with sugar1 to drink4 #bhi4 ,are not lucifer matches poisonous8 ,certainly1 they are very poisonous2 it is1 therefore1 desirable that they should be put out of the reach of children4 ,a mother ought to be very strict with servants on this head4 ,moreover1 lucifer matches are not only poisonous but dangerous1 as a child might set himself on fire with them4 ,a case bearing on the subject has just come under my own observation4 ,a little boy three years old1 was left alone for two or three minutes1 during which time he obtained possession of a lucifer match1 and struck a light by striking the match against the wall4 ,instantly there was a blaze4 ,fortunately for him1 in his fright1 he threw the match on the floor4 ,his mother at this moment entered the room4 ,if his clothes had taken fire1 which they might have done1 had he not have thrown the match away1 or if his mother had not been so near at hand1 he would1 in all probability1 have either been severely burned or have been burned to death4 #bij4 ,if a child's clothes take fire1 what ought to be done to extinguished them8 ,lay him on the floor1 then roll him either in the rug1 or in the carpet1 or in the door-mat1 or in any thick article of dress you may either have on1 or have at hand--if it be woollen1 so much the better2 or1 throw him down1 and roll him over and over on the floor1 as1 by excluding the atmospheric air1 the flame will go out3--hence the importance of a mother cultivating presence of mind4 ,if parents were better prepared for such emergencies1 such horrid disfigurations and frightful deaths would be less frequent4 ,you ought to have a proper fire-guard before the nursery grate1 and should be strict in not allowing your child to play with fire4 ,if he still persevere in playing with it1 when he has been repeatedly cautioned not to do so1 he should be punished for his temerity4 ,if anything would justify corporal chastisement1 it would surely be such an act of disobedience4 ,there are only two acts of disobedience that ,i would flog a child for--namely1 the playing with fire and the telling of a lie6 ,if after various warnings and wholesome corrections he still persist1 it would be well to let him slightly taste the pain of his doing so1 either by holding his hand for a moment very near the fire1 or by allowing him to slightly touch either the hot bar of the grate or the flame of the candle4 ,take my word for it the above plan1 will effectually cure him--he will never do it again4 ,it would be well for the children of the poor to have pinafores made either of woollen or of stuff materials4 ,the dreadful deaths from burning1 which so often occur in winter1 too frequently arise from cotton pinafores first taking fire4 ,footnote3 ,it has been computed that upwards of #ajjj children are annually burned to death by accident in ,england4 ,if all dresses after being washed1 and just before being dried1 were1 for a short time1 soaked in a solution of tungstate of soda1 such clothes1 when dried1 would1 be perfectly fire-proof4 ,tangstate of soda may be used either with or without starch2 but full directions for the using of it will1 at the time of purchase1 be given by the chemist4 #bia4 ,is a burn more dangerous than a scald8 ,a burn is generally more serious than a scald4 ,burns and scalds are more dangerous on the body1 especially on the chest1 than either on the face or on the extremities4 ,the younger the child1 the greater the danger4 ,scalds both of the mouth and the throat1 from a child drinking boiling water from the spout of a tea-kettle1 are most dangerous4 ,a poor person's child is1 from the unavoidable absence of the mother1 sometimes shut up in the kitchen by himself1 and being very thirsty1 and no other water being at hand1 he is tempted1 in his ignorance1 to drink from the tea-kettle3 ,if the water be unfortunately boiling1 it will most likely prove to him to be a fatal draught6 #bib4 ,what are the best immediate applications to a scald or to a burn8 ,there is nothing more efficacious than flour4 ,it ought to be thickly applied over the part affected1 and should be kept in its place either with a rag and a bandage1 or with1 strips of old linen4 ,if this be done1 almost instantaneous relief will be experienced1 and the burn or the scald1 if superficial1 will soon be well4 ,the advantage of flour as a remedy1 is this1 that it is always at hand4 ,i have seen some extensive bums and scalds cured by the above simple plan4 ,another excellent remedy is1 cottonwool of superior quality1 purposely made for surgeons4 ,the burn or the scald ought to be enveloped in it2 layer after layer should be applied until it be several inches thick4 ,the cotton-wool must not be removed for several days4 ,these two remedies1 flour and cotton-wool1 may be used in conjunction2 that is to say1 the flour may be thickly applied to the scald or to the burn1 and the cotton wool over all4 ,prepared lard--that is to say1 lard without salt ,footnote3 ,if there be no other lard in the house but lard with salt1 the salt may be readily removed by washing the lard in cold water4 ,prepared lard--that is to say1 lard without salt--can1 at any moment1 be procured from the nearest druggist in the neighbourhood--is an admirable remedy for burns and for scalds4 ,the advantages of lard are1--7#a47 ,it is almost always at hand2 7#b47 ,it is very cooling1 soothing1 and unirritating to the part1 and it gives almost immediate freedom from pain2 7#c47 ,it effectually protects and sheathes the burn or the scald from the air2 7#d47 ,it is readily and easily applied3 all that has to be done is to spread the lard either on pieces of old linen rag1 or on lint1 and then to apply them smoothly to the parts affected1 keeping them in their places by means of bandages--which bandages may be readily made from either old linen or calico shirts4 ,dr ,john ,packard1 of ,philadelphia1 was the first to bring this remedy for burns and scalds before the public--he having tried it in numerous instances1 and with the happiest results4 ,i myself have1 for many years been in the habit of prescribing lard as a dressing for blisters1 and with the best effects4 ,i generally advise equal parts of prepared lard and of spermaceti-cerate to be blended together to make an ointment4 ,the spermaceti-cerate gives a little more consistence to the lard1 which1 in warm weather especially1 is a great advantage4 ,another valuable remedy for burns is carron-oil2 which is made by mixing equal parts of linseed-oil and lime-water in a bottle1 and shaking it up before using it4 ,cold applications1 such as cold water1 cold vinegar and water1 and cold lotions1 are most injurious1 and1 in many cases1 even dangerous4 ,scraped potatoes1 sliced cucumber1 salt1 and spirits of turpentine1 have all been recommended2 but1 in my practice1 nothing has been so efficacious as the remedies above enumerated4 ,do not wash the wound1 and do not dress it more frequently than every other day4 ,if there be much discharge1 let it be gently sopped up with soft old linen rag2 but do not1 on any account1 let the burn be rubbed or roughly handled4 ,i am convinced that1 in the majority of cases1 wounds are too frequently dressed1 and that the washing of wounds prevents the healing of them4 ,it is a great mistake1 said ,ambrose ,pare1 to dress ulcers too often1 and to wipe their surfaces clean1 for thereby we not only remove the useless excrement1 which is the mud or sanies of ulcers1 but also the matter which forms the flesh4 ,consequently1 for these reasons1 ulcers should not be dressed too often4 ,it is nature1 and not the surgeon1 that really cures the wound1 and it is done1 like all ,nature's works1 principally in secret1 by degrees1 and by patience1 and resents much interference4 ,the seldom-dressing of a wound and patience are1 then1 two of the best remedies for effecting a cure4 ,shakspeare1 who seemed to know surgery1 as he did almost everything else beside was quite cognisant of the fact3-- ,how poor are they1 that have not patience ,what wound did ever heal1 but by degrees ,the burn or the scald may1 after the first two days1 if severe1 require different dressings2 but1 if it be severe1 the child ought of course to be immediately placed under the care of a surgeon4 ,if the scald be either on the leg or on the foot1 a common practice is to take the shoe and the stocking off2 in this operation the skin is also at the same time very apt to be removed4 ,now1 both the shoe and the stocking ought to be slit up1 and thus be taken off1 so that neither unnecessary pain nor mischief may be caused4 #bic4 ,if a bit of quick-lime should accidentally enter the eye of my child1 what ought to be done8 ,instantly1 but tenderly remove1 either by means of a camel's hair brush1 or by a small spill of paper1 any bit of lime that may adhere to the ball of the eye1 or that may be within the eye or on the eye-lashes2 then well bathe the eye 7allowing a portion to enter it7 with vinegar and water-one part of vinegar to three parts of water1 that is to say1 a quarter fill a clean half-pint medicine bottle with vinegar1 and then fill it up with spring water1 and it will be ready for use4 ,let the eye be bathed for at least a quarter of an hour with1 it ,the vinegar will neutralise the lime1 and will rob it of its burning properties4 ,having bathed the eye with vinegar and water for a quarter of an hour1 bathe it for another quarter of an hour simply with a little warm water1 after which1 drop into the eye two or three drops of the best sweet-oil1 put on an eye-shade made of three thicknesses of linen rag1 covered with green silk1 and then do nothing more until the doctor arrive4 ,if the above rules be not promptly and properly followed out1 the child may irreparably lose his eyesight2 hence the necessity of conversations of this kind1 to tell a mother1 provided immediate assistance cannot be obtained1 what ought instantly to be done2 for moments1 in such a case1 are precious4 ,while doing all that ,i have just recommended1 let a surgeon be sent for1 as a smart attack of inflammation1 of the eye is very apt to follow the burn of lime2 but which inflammation will1 provided the previous directions have been promptly and efficiently followed out1 with appropriate treatment1 soon subside4 ,the above accident is apt to occur to a child who is standing near a building when the slacking of quicklime is going on1 and where portions of lime in the form of powder are flying about the air4 ,it would be well not to allow a child to stand about such places1 as prevention is always better than cure4 ,quicklime is sometimes called caustic-lime--it well deserves its name1 for it is a burning-lime1 and if proper means be not promptly used1 will soon burn away the sight4 #bid4 ,if any other foreign substance should enter the eye1 what is the best method of removing it8 ,if there be grit1 or sand1 or dust1 or particle of coal1 or gnat1 or a hair1 or an eye-lash in the eye1 it ought to be tenderly removed by a small tightly-folded paper spill1 holding down the lower lid with the fore-finger of the left hand the while2 and the eye1 if inflamed1 should be frequently bathed with warm milk and water2 but generally as soon as the cause is removed the effect will cease1 and after treatment will be unnecessary4 ,if a particle of metal be sticking on the cornea of the eye1 as it sometimes does1 it will require the skilled hand of a surgeon to remove it4 ,any foreign substance1 however minute1 in the eye1 is very painful2 but a piece of burning lime is excruciating4 ,shakspeare gives a graphic description of the pain from the presence of any foreign substance1 however small1 in the eye3-- ,oh heaven6--that there were but a mote in yours1 ,a grain1 a dust1 a gnat1 a wand'ring hair1 ,any annoyance in that precious sense6 ,then1 feeling what small things are boist'rous there1 ,your vile intent must needs seem horrible4 #bie4 ,what ought to be done in a case of choking8 ,how often does a hungry little child1 if not carefully watched1 fill his mouth so full1 and swallow lumps of food in such hot haste1 as to choke himself-- ,with eager feeding1 food doth choke the feeder ,shakespeare4 ,treatment4-,instantly put your finger into the throat and feel if the substance be within reach2 if it be food1 force it down1 and thus liberate the breathing2 should it be a hard substance1 endeavour to hook it out2 if you cannot reach it1 give a good smart blow or two with the flat of the hand on the back2 or1 as recommended by contributor to the ,lancet1 on the chest1 taking care to seize the little patient1 and place him between your knees side ways1 and in this or some other manner to compress the abdomen the belly1 otherwise the power of the blow will be lost by the yielding of the abdominal parieties walls of the belly1 and the respiratory effort will not be produced4 ,if that does not have the desired effect1 tickle the throat with your finger1 so as to ensure immediate vomiting1 and the subsequent ejection of the offending substance4 #bif4 ,should my child be bitten by a dog supposed to be mad1 what ought to be done8 ,instantly well rub for the space of five or ten seconds--seconds1 not minutes--a stick of nitrate of silver 7lunar-caustic7 into the wound4 ,the stick of lunar-caustic should be pointed1 like a cedar pencil for writing1 in order the more thoroughly to enter the wound4 ,footnote3 ,a stick of pointed nitrate of silver1 in a case1 ready for use1 may be procured of any respectable chemist4 ,this1 if properly done directly after the bite1 will effectually prevent hydrophobia4 ,the nitrate of silver acts not only as a caustic to the part1 but it appears effectually to neutralise the poison1 and thus1 by making the virus perfectly innocuous1 is a complete antidote4 ,if it be either the lip1 or the parts near the eye1 or the wrist1 that have been bitten1 it is far preferable to apply the caustic than to cut the part out2 as the former is neither so formidable1 nor so dangerous1 nor so disfiguring as the latter1 and yet it is equally as efficacious4 ,i am indebted to the late ,mr ,youatt1 the celebrated veterinary surgeon1 for this valuable antidote or remedy for the prevention of the most horrible1 heart-rending1 and incurable disease known4 ,mr ,youatt had an immense practice among1 dogs as well as among horses4 ,he was a keen observer of disease1 and a dear lover of his profession1 and he had paid great attention to rabies-- dog-madness4 ,he and his assistants had been repeatedly bitten by rabid dogs2 but knowing that he was in possession of an infallible preventive remedy1 he never dreaded the wounds inflicted either upon himself or upon his assistants4 ,mr ,youatt never knew lunar-caustic1 if properly and immediately applied1 to fail4 ,it is1 of course1 only a preventive4 ,if hydrophobia be once developed in the human system1 no antidote has ever yet1 for this fell and intractable disease1 been found4 ,while walking the ,london ,hospitals1 upwards of forty years ago1 ,i received an invitation from ,mr ,youatt to attend a lecture on rabies--dog-madness4 ,he had1 during the lecture1 a dog present labouring under incipient madness4 ,in a day or two after the lecture1 he requested me and other students to call at his infirmary and see the dog1 as the disease was at that time fully developed4 ,we did so1 and found the poor animal raving mad--frothing at the mouth1 and snapping at the iron bars of his prison4 ,i was particularly struck with a peculiar brilliancy and wildness of the dog's eyes4 ,he seemed as though1 with affright and consternation1 he beheld objects unseen by all around4 ,it was pitiful to witness his frightened and anxious countenance4 ,death soon closed the scene6 ,i have thought it my duty to bring the value of lunar-caustic as a preventive of hydrophobia prominently before your notice1 and to pay a tribute of respect to the memory of ,mr ,youatt--a man of talent and of genius4 ,never kill a dog supposed to be mad who has bitten either a child1 or any one else1 until it has1 past all doubt1 been ascertained whether he be really mad or not4 ,he ought1 of course1 to be tied up2 and be carefully watched1 and be prevented the while from biting any one else4 ,the dog by all means should be allowed to live at least for some weeks1 as the fact of his remaining well will be the best guarantee that there is no fear of the bitten child having caught hydrophobia4 ,there is a foolish prejudice abroad1 that a dog1 be he mad or not1 who has bitten a person ought to be immediately destroyed2 that although the dog be not at the time mad1 but should at a future period become so1 the person who had been bitten when the dog was not mad1 would1 when the dog became mad1 have hydrophobia6 ,it seems almost absurd to bring the subject forward2 but the opinion is so very general and deep-rooted1 that ,i think it well to declare that there is not the slightest foundation of truth in it1 but that it is a ridiculous fallacy6 ,a cat sometimes goes mad1 and its bite may cause hydrophobia2 indeed1 the bite of a mad cat is more dangerous than the bite of a mad dog4 ,a bite from a mad cat ought to be treated precisely in the same manner-namely1 with the lunar-caustic--as for a mad dog4 ,hydrophobia was by our forefathers graphically called water-fright3 it was well named1 for the horror of swallowing water is1 by an hydrophobic patient1 most intense1 and is the leading symptom of this fell and incurable disease4 ,a bite either from a dog or from a cat who is not mad1 from a cat especially1 is often venomous and difficult to heal4 ,the best application is1 immediately to apply a large hot white bread poultice to the part1 and to renew it every four hours2 and1 if there be much pain in the wound1 to well foment the part1 every time before applying the poultice1 with a hot camomile and poppy-head fomentation4 ,scratches of a cat are best treated by smearing1 and that freely and continuously for an hour1 and then afterwards at longer intervals1 fresh butter on the part affected4 ,if fresh butter ,be not at hand1 fresh lard--that is to say1 lard without salt--will answer the purpose4 ,if the pain of the scratch be very intense1 foment the part affected with hot water1 and then apply a hot white bread poultice1 which should be frequently renewed4 #big4 ,what are the best remedies in ease of a sting from either a bee or a wasp8 ,extract the sting1 if it have been left behind1 either by means of the pair of dressing forceps1 or by the pressure of the hollow of a small key--a watch-key will answer the purpose2 then1 the blue-bag 7which is used in washing7 moistened with water1 should be applied to the part2 or a few drops of solution of potash1 ,footnote3 ,which may be instantly procured of a druggist4 or apply moist snuff or tobacco1 rubbing it well in1 ,footnote3 ,a ,bee-master4 ,the ,times1 ,july #bh1ahfd4 and renew from time to time either of them3 if either of these be not at hand1 either honey1 or treacle1 or fresh butter1 will answer the purpose4 ,should there be much swelling or inflammation1 foment the part with hot water1 and then apply hot bread poultice1 and renew it frequently4 ,in eating apricots1 or peaches1 or other fruit1 they ought beforehand to be carefully examined1 in order to ascertain that no wasp is lurking in them2 otherwise1 it may sting the throat1 and serious consequences will ensue4 #bih4 ,if a child receive a fall1 causing the skin to be grazed1 can you tell me of a good application8 ,you will find gummed paper an excellent remedy3 the way of preparing it is as follows3--,apply evenly1 by means of a small brush1 thick mucilage of gum-arabic to cap-paper2 hang it up to dry1 and keep it ready for use4 ,when wanted1 cut a portion as large as may be requisite1 then moisten it with your tongue1 in the same manner you would a postage stamp1 and apply it to the grazed part4 ,it may be removed when necessary by simply wetting it with water4 ,the part in two or three days will be well4 ,there is usually a margin of gummed paper sold with postage stamps2 this will answer the purpose equally well4 ,if the gummed paper be not at hand1 then frequently1 for the space of an hour or two1 smear the part affected with fresh butter4 #bii4 ,in case of a child swallowing by mistake either laudanum1 or paregoric1 or ,godfrey's ,cordial1 or any other preparation of opium1 what ought to be done8 ,give1 as quickly as possible1 a strong mustard emetic2 that is to say1 mix two tea-spoonfuls of flour of mustard in half a tea-cupful of water1 and force it down his throat4 ,if free vomiting be not induced1 tickle the upper part of the swallow with a feather1 drench the little patient's stomach with large quantities of warm water4 ,as soon as it can be obtained from the druggist1 give him the following emetic draught-- ,take of--,sulphate of ,zinc1 one scruple2 ,simple ,syrup1 one drachm4 ,distilled ,water1 seven drachms2 ,to make a ,draught4 ,smack his buttocks and his back1 walk him1 or lead him1 or carry him about in the fresh air1 shake him by the shoulders1 pat his hair1 tickle his nostrils1 shout and holler in his ears1 plunge him into a warm bath and then into a cold bath alternately4 ,well sponge his head and face with cold water1 dash cold water on his head1 face1 and neck1 and do not1 on any account1 until the effects of the opiate are gone off1 allow him to go to sleep1 if you do1 he will never wake again6 ,while doing all those things1 of course1 you ought to lose no time in sending for a medical man4 #cjj4 ,have you any observation to make on parent's allowing the ,deadly ,nightshade 7,atropa ,belladonna7 to grow in their gardens8 ,i wish to caution you not on any account to allow the ,belladonna--the ,deadly ,nightshade--to grow in your garden4 ,the whole plant--root1 leaves1 and berries--is poisonous and the berries1 being attractive to the eye1 are very alluring to children4 #cja4 ,what is the treatment of poisoning by ,belladonna8 ,instantly send for a medical man1 but1 in the mean time1 give an emetic-a mustard emetic--mix two teaspoonfuls of flour of mustard in half a tea-cupful of warm water1 and force it down the child's throat then drench him with warm water1 and tickle the upper part of his swallow either with a feather or with the finger1 to make him sick as the grand remedy is an emetic to bring up the offending cause4 ,if the emetic has not acted sufficiently1 the medical man when he arrives may deem it necessary to use the stomach pump1 but remember not a moment must be lost1 for moments are precious in a case of belladonna poisoning1 in giving a mustard emetic1 and repeating it again and again until the enemy be dislodged4 ,dash cold water upon his head and face2 the best way of doing which is by means of a large sponge1 holding his head and his face over a wash-hand basin1 half filled with cold water1 and filling the sponge from the basin1 and squeezing it over his head and face1 allowing the water to continuously stream over them for an hour or two1 or until the effects of the poison have passed away4 ,this sponging of the head and face is very useful in poisoning by opium1 as well as in poisoning by belladonna2 indeed1 the treatment of poisoning by the one is very similar to the treatment of poisoning by the other4 ,i1 therefore1 for the further treatment of poisoning by belladonna1 beg to refer you to a previous ,conversation1 on the treatment of poisoning by opium4 #cjb4 ,should a child put either a pea or a bead1 or any other foreign substance1 up the nose1 what ought to be done8 ,do not attempt to extract it yourself1 or you might push it further in1 but send instantly for a surgeon1 who will readily remove it1 either with a pair of forceps1 or by means of a bent probe1 or with a director4 ,if it be a pea1 and it be allowed for any length of time to remain in1 it will swell1 and will thus become difficult to extract1 and may produce great irritation and inflammation4 ,a child ought not to be allowed to play with peas or with beads 7unless the beads are on a string71 as he is apt1 for amusement1 to push them up his nose4 #cjc4 ,if a child have put either a pea1 a bean1 a bead1 a cherry-stone1 or any other smooth substance1 into his ear1 what ought to be done to remove it8 ,turn his head on one side1 in order to let the ear with the pea or the bead in it be undermost1 then give with the flat of your hand two or three sharp1 sudden slaps or boxes on the other1 or uppermost ear1 and most likely the offending substance will drop out4 ,poking at the ear will1 in the majority of cases1 only send the substance further in1 and will make it more difficult 7if the above simple plan does not succeed7 for the medical man to remove4 ,the surgeon will1 in all probability1 syringe the ear2 therefore have a supply of warm water in readiness for him1 in order that no time may be lost4 #cjd4 ,if an earwig or any other living thing1 should get into the ear of a child1 what ought to be done8 ,lay the child on his side1 the affected ear being uppermost1 and fill the ear1 from a tea-spoon1 with either water or sweet oil4 ,the water or oil will carry the living thing1 whatever it be1 out of the ear1 and the child is at once relieved4 #cje4 ,if a child swallow a piece of broken glass1 what ought to be done8 ,avoid purgatives1 as the free action on the bowels would be likely to force the spiculae of glass into the mucous membrane of the bowels1 and thus would wound them1 and might cause ulceration1 and even death4 ,the object of treatment will be to allow them to pass through the intestines well enveloped by the other contents of the tube1 and for this purpose a solid1 farinaceous diet should be ordered1 and purgatives scrupulously avoided4--,shaw's ,medical ,remembrancer1 by ,hutchinson4 #cjf4 ,if a child swallow a pin1 what should be done8 ,treat him as for broken glass4 ,give him no aperients1 or it might1 in action1 force the pin into the bowel4 ,i have known more than one instance where a child1 after swallowing a pin1 to have1 voided it in his motion4 #cjg4 ,if a child swallow a coin of any kind1 is danger likely1 to ensue1 and what ought to be done8 ,there is1 as a rule1 no danger4 ,a dose or two of castor oil will be all that is usually necessary4 ,the evacuations ought to be carefully examined until the coin be discovered4 ,i once knew a child swallow a pennypiece1 and pass it in his stool4 #cjh4 ,if a child1 while playing with a small coin 7such as either a threepenny or a fourpenny piece71 or any other substance1 should toss it into his mouth1 and inadvertently allow it to enter the windpipe1 what ought to be done8 ,take hold of him by the legs1 allowing his head to hang downwards2 then give him with the palm of your hand several sharp blows on his back1 and you may have the good fortune to see the coin coughed out of his mouth4 ,of course1 if this plan does not succeed1 send instantly1 for a medical man4 #cji4 ,how can a mother prevent her child from having an accident8 ,by strict supervision over frim on her own part1 and by not permitting her child to be left to the tender mercies of servants2 by not allowing him to play with fire1 to swing over banisters1 and to have knives and playthings of a dangerous character2 to keep all poisonous articles and cutting instruments out of his reach2 and1 above all and before all1 insisting1 lovingly1 affectionately1 but firmly1 upon implicit obedience4 ,accidents generally arise from one of three causes1 namely1 either from wilful disobedience1 or from gross carelessness1 or from downright folly4 ,i quite agree with ,davenant1 that they do not arise from chance-- ,if we consider accident1 ,and how1 repugnant unto sense1 ,it pays desert with bad event1 ,we shall disparage ,providence4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,,boyhood ,,and ,,girlhood4 ,just at the age 'twixt boy and youth ,when thought is speech and speech is truth--,,scott ',tis with him e'en standing water4 ,between man and boy--,,shakespeare ,standing with reluctant feet1 ,where the brook and river meet1 ,womanhood and childhood fleet--,,longfellow ,,ablution1 ,,etc4 #caj4 ,have you any remarks to make on the ablution of boys and girls8 ,how is it that a mother thinks it absolutely necessary 7which it really is7 that her babe's whole body should1 every morning1 be washed2 and yet who does not deem it needful that her girl or boy1 of twelve years old1 should go through the process of daily and thorough ablution8 ,if the one case be necessary1 sure ,i am that the other is equally if not more needful4 ,thorough ablution of the body every morning at least is essential to health4 ,i maintain that no one can be in the enjoyment of perfect health who does not keep his skin--the whole of his skin--clean4 ,in the absence of cleanliness1 a pellicle forms on the skin which engenders disease4 ,moreover1 a person who does not keep his skin clean is more susceptible of contracting contagious disease1 such as small-pox1 typhus fever1 cholera1 diphtheria1 scarlet fever1 etc4 ,thorough ablution of the body is a grand requisite of ,i maintain that no one can be perfectly healthy unless he thoroughly wash his body--the whole of his body2 if filth accumulate which1 if not washed off1 it is sure to do1 disease must1 as a matter of course1 follow4 ,besides1 ablution is a delightful process2 it makes one feel fresh and sweet1 and young and healthy2 it makes the young look handsome1 and the old look young6 ,thorough ablution might truly be said both to renovate and to rejuvenise6 ,a scrupulously clean skin is one of the grand distinctive characteristics both of a lady and of a gentleman1 ,dirty people are not only a nuisance to themselves1 but to all around2 they are not only a nuisance but a danger1 as their dirty bodies are apt to carry from place to place contagious diseases4 ,it is important that parts that are covered should be kept cleaner than parts exposed to the air1 as dirt is more apt to fester in dark places2 besides1 parts exposed to the air have the advantage of the air's sweetening properties2 air acts as a bath1 and purifies the skin amazingly4 ,it is desirable to commence a complete system of washing early in life1 as it then becomes a second nature1 and cannot afterwards be dispensed with4 ,one accustomed to the luxury of his morning ablution1 if anything prevented him from taking it1 would feel most uncomfortable2 he would as soon think of dispensing with his breakfast as with his bath4 ,every boy1 every girl1 and every adult1 ought each to have either a room or a dressing-room to himself or to herself1 in order that he or she might strip to the skin and thoroughly wash themselves2 no one can wash properly and effectually without doing so4 ,now1 for the paraphernalia required for the process--7#a47 ,a large nursery basin1 one that will hold six or eight quarts of water 7,wedgwood's make being considered the best72 7#b47 ,a piece of coarse flannel1 a yard long and half a yard wide2 7#c47 ,a large sponge2 7#d47 ,a tablet either of the best yellow or of curd soap2 7#e47 ,two towels-one being a diaper1 and the other a ,turkish rubber4 ,now1 as to the manner of performing ablution4 ,you ought to fill the basin three parts full with rain water1 then1 having well-soaped and cleansed your hands1 re-soap them1 dip your head and face into the water1 then with the soaped hands well rub and wash your head1 face1 neck1 chest1 and armpits2 having done which1 take the wetted sponge1 and go over all the parts previously travelled over by the soaped hands2 then fold the flannel1 as you would a neck-kerchief1 and dip it in the water1 then throw it1 as you would a skipping-rope1 over your shoulders and move it a few times from right to left and from left to right1 and up and down1 and then across the back and loins2 having done which1 dip the sponge in the water1 and holding your head over the water1 let the water stream from the sponge a time or two over your head1 neck1 and face4 ,dip your head and face in the water1 then put your hands and arms 7as far as they will go7 into the water1 holding them there while you can count thirty4 ,having reduced the quantity of water to a third of a basinful1 place the basin on the floor1 and sit 7while you can count fifty7 in the water2 then put one foot at a time in the water1 and quickly rub1 with soaped hands1 up and down your leg1 over the foot1 and pass your thumb between each toe 7this latter procedure tends to keep away soft corns72 then take the sponge1 filled with water1 and squeeze it over your leg and foot1 from the knee downwards1--then serve your other leg and foot in the same way4 ,by adopting the above plan1 the whole of the body will1 every morning1 be thoroughly washed4 ,a little warm water might at first1 and during the winter time1 be added1 to take off the chill2 but the sooner quite cold water is used the better4 ,the body ought to be quickly dried 7taking care to wipe between each toe71 first with the diaper1 and then with the ,turkish rubber4 ,in drying your back and loins1 you ought to throw as you would a skipping-rope1 the ,turkish rubber over your shoulders1 and move it a few times front side to side1 until the parts be dry4 ,although the above description is necessarily prolix1 the washing itself ought to be very expeditiously performed2 there should be no dawdling over it1 otherwise the body will become chilled1 and harm instead of good will be the result4 ,if due dispatch be used1 the whole of the body might1 according to the above method1 be thoroughly washed and dried in the space of ten minutes4 ,a boy ought to wash his head1 as above directed1 every morning1 a girl1 who has much hair1 once a week1 with soap and water1 with flannel and sponge4 ,the hair1 if not frequently washed1 is very dirty1 and nothing is more repulsive than a dirty head6 ,it might be said1 ,why do you go into particulars8 why dwell so much upon minutiae8 ,every one1 without being told1 knows how to wash himself6 ,i reply1 ,that very few people do know how to wash themselves properly2 it is a misfortune that they do not--they would be healthier and happier and sweeter if they did6 #caa4 ,have you any remarks to make on boys and girls learning to swim8 ,let me strongly urge you to let your sons and daughters be early taught to swim4 ,swimming is a glorious exercise--one of the best that can be taken2 it expands the chest2 it promotes digestion2 it develops the muscles1 and brings into action some muscles that in any other form of exercise are but seldom brought into play2 it strengthens and braces the whole frame1 and thus makes the swimmer resist the liability of catching cold2 it gives both boys and girls courage1 energy1 and self-reliance1--splendid qualities in this rough world of ours4 ,swimming is oftentimes the means of saving human life2 this of itself would be a great recommendation of its value4 ,it is a delightful amusement2 to breast the waves is as exhilarating to the spirits as clearing on horse-back a five-barred gate4 ,the art of learning to swim is quite as necessary to be learned by a girl as by a boy2 the former has similar muscles1 lungs1 and other organs to develop as the latter4 ,it is very desirable that in large towns swimming-baths for ladies should be instituted4 ,swimming ought1 then1 to be a part and parcel of the education of every boy and of every girl4 ,swimming does not always agree4 ,this sometimes arises from a person being quite cold before he plunges into the water4 ,many people have an idea that they ought to go into the water while their bodies are in a cool state4 ,now this is a mistaken notion1 and is likely to produce dangerous consequences4 ,the skin ought to be comfortably warm1 neither very hot nor very cold1 and then the bather will receive every advantage that cold bathing can produce1 ,if he go into the bath whilst the body is cold1 the blood becomes chilled1 and is driven to internal parts1 and thus mischief is frequently produced4 ,a boy1 after using cold bathing1 ought1 if it agree with him1 to experience a pleasing glow over the whole surface of his body1 his spirits and appetite should be increased1 and he ought to feel stronger2 but if it disagree with him1 a chilliness and coldness1 a lassitude and a depression of spirits1 will be the result2 the face will be pale and the features will be pinched1 and1 in some instances1 the lips and the nails will become blue2 all these are signs that cold bathing is injurious1 and1 therefore1 that it ought on no account to be persevered in1 unless these symptoms have hitherto proceeded from his going into the bath whilst he was quite cold4 ,he may1 previously to entering the bath1 warm himself by walking briskly for a few minutes4 ,where cold1 sea water bathing does not agree1 warm sea bathing should be substituted4 #cab4 ,which do you prefer--sea bathing or fresh water bathing8 ,sea bathing4 ,sea bathing is incomparably superior to fresh water bathing2 the salt water is far more refreshing and invigorating2 the battling with the waves is more exciting2 the sea breezes1 blowing on the nude body1 breathes 7for the skin is a breathing apparatus7 health and strength into the frame1 and comeliness into the face2 the sea water and the sea breezes are splendid cosmetics2 the salt water is one of the finest applications1 both for strengthening the roots and brightening the colour of the hair1 provided grease and pomatum have not been previously used4 #cac4 ,have you any directions to give as to the time and the seasons1 and the best mode of sea bathing8 ,summer and autumn are the best seasons of the year for cold sea bathing--,august and ,september being the best months4 ,to prepare the skin for the cold sea bathing1 it would be well1 before taking a dip in the sea1 to have on the previous day a warm salt water bath4 ,it is injurious1 and even dangerous1 to bathe immediately after a full meal2 the best time to bathe is about two hours after breakfast-that is to say1 at about eleven or twelve o'clock in the forenoon4 ,the bather as soon as he enters the water1 ought instantly to wet his head2 this may be done either by his jumping at once from the machine into the water1 or1 if he have not the courage to do so1 by plunging his head without loss of time completely under the water4 ,he should remain in the water about a quarter of an hour1 but never longer than half an hour4 ,many bathers by remaining a long time in the water do themselves great injury4 ,if sea bathing be found to be invigorating-- and how often to the delicate it has proved to be truly magical--a patient may bathe once every day1 but on no account oftener4 ,if he be not strong1 he had better1 at first1 bathe only every other day1 or even only twice a week4 ,the bather1 after leaving the machine1 ought for half an hour to take a brisk walk in order to promote a reaction1 and thus to cause a free circulation of the blood4 #cad4 ,do you think a tepid bath ,footnote3 ,a tepid bath from #fb to #if degrees of1 ,fahrenheit4 may be more safely used8 ,a tepid bath may be taken at almost any time1 and a bather may remain longer in one1 with safety1 than in a cold bath4 #cae4 ,do you approve of warm bathing8 ,a warm1 bath ,footnote3 ,a warm bath from #ig to #ajj degrees of ,fahrenheit may with advantage be occasionally used--say1 once a week4 ,a warm bath cleanses the skin more effectually than either a cold or a tepid bath2 but1 as it is more relaxing1 ought not to be employed so often as either of them4 ,a person should not continue longer than ten minutes in a warm bath4 ,once a week1 as a rule is quite often enough for a warm bath2 and it would be an excellent plan if every boy and girl and adult would make a practice of having one regularly every week1 unless any special reason should arise to forbid its use4 #caf4 ,but does not warm bathing1 by relaxing the pores of the skin1 cause a person to catch cold if he expose himself to the air immediately afterwards8 ,there is1 on this point1 a great deal of misconception and unnecessary fear4 ,a person1 immediately after using a warm bath1 should take proper precautions--that is to say1 he must not expose himself to draughts1 neither ought he to wash himself in cold water1 nor should he1 immediately after taking one1 drink cold water4 ,but he may follow his usual exercise or employment1 provided the weather be fine1 and the wind be neither in the east nor the north-east4 ,every house of any pretension ought to have a bathroom4 ,nothing would be more conducive to health than regular systematic bathing4 ,a hot and cold bath1 a sitz bath1 and a shower bath--each and all in their turn--are grand requisites to preserve and procure health4 ,if the house cannot boast of a bath-room1 then the ,corporation ,baths 7which nearly every large town possesses7 ought to be liberally patronised4 ,,management ,,of ,,the ,,hair #cag4 ,what is the best application for the hair8 ,a sponge and cold water1 and two good hair-brushes4 ,avoid grease1 pomatum1 bandoline1 and all abominations of that kind4 ,there is a natural oil of the hair1 which is far superior to either ,rowland's ,macassar ,oil or any other oil6 ,the best scent for the hair is an occasional dressing of soap and water2 the best beautifier of the hair is a downright thorough good brushing with two good hair brushes6 ,again1 ,i say1 avoid grease of all kinds to the hair4 ,and as for woman's hair1 don't plaster it with scented and sour grease1 or with any grease2 it has an oil of its own4 ,and don't tie up your hair tight1 and make it like a cap of iron over your skull4 ,and why are your ears covered8 ,you hear all the worse1 and they are not the cleaner4 ,besides1 the ear is beautiful in itself1 and plays its own part in the concert of the features4 ,footnote3 ,health4 ,by ,john ,brown1 ,m4,d4 ,if the hair cannot1 without some application1 be kept tidy1 then a little castor oil1 scented1 might1 by means of an old tooth-brush1 be used to smooth it2 castor oil is1 for the purpose1 one of the most simple and harmless of dressings2 but1 as ,i said before1 the hair's own natural oil cannot be equalled1 far less surpassed6 ,if the hair fall off1 the castor oil1 scented with a few drops either of otto of roses or of essence of bergamot1 is a good remedy to prevent its doing so2 a little of it ought1 night and morning1 to be well rubbed into the roots of the hair4 ,cocoa-nut oil is another excellent application for the falling off of the hair1 and can never do harm1 which is more than can be said of many vaunted remedies for the ,hair6 ,,clothing4 #cah4 ,do you approve of a boy wearing flannel next to the skin8 ,england is so variable a climate1 and the changes from heat to cold1 and from dryness to moisture of the atmosphere1 are so sudden1 that some means are required to guard against their effects4 ,flannel1 as it is a bad conductor of heat1 prevents the sudden changes from affecting the body1 and thus is a great preservative against cold4 ,flannel is as necessary in the summer as in the winter time2 indeed1 we are more likely both to sit and to stand in draughts in the summer than in the winter2 and thus we are more liable to become chilled and to catch cold4 ,woollen shirts are now much worn2 they are very comfortable and beneficial to health4 ,moreover1 they simplify the dress1 as they supersede the necessity of wearing either both flannel and linen1 or flannel and calico shirts4 #cai4 ,flannel sometimes produces great irritation of the skin3 what ought to be done to prevent it8 ,have a moderately fine flannel1 and persevere in its use2 the skin in a few days will bear it comfortably4 ,the ,angola and wove-silk waistcoats have been recommended as substitutes1 but there is nothing equal to the old-fashioned ,welsh flannel4 #cbj4 ,if a boy have delicate lungs1 do you approve of his wearing a prepared hare-skin over the chest8 ,i do not3 the chest may be kept too warm as well as too cold4 ,the hare-skin heats the chest too much1 and thereby promotes a violent perspiration2 which1 by his going into the cold air1 may become suddenly checked1 and may thus produce mischief4 ,if the chest be delicate1 there is nothing like flannel to ward off colds4 #cba4 ,after an attack of ,rheumatic ,fever1 what extra clothing do you advise8 ,in the case of a boy1 or a girl1 just recovering from a severe attack of ,rheumatic ,fever1 flannel next the skin ought always1 winter and summer1 to be worn--flannel drawers as well as a flannel vest4 #cbb4 ,have you any remarks to make on boys' waistcoats8 ,fashion in this1 as in most other instances1 is at direct variance with common sense4 ,it would seem that fashion was intended to make work for the doctor1 and to swell the bills of mortality6 ,it might be asked1 ,what part of the chest1 in particular1 ought to be kept warm8 ,the upper part needs it most4 ,it is in the upper part of the lungs that tubercles 7consumption7 usually first make their appearance2 and is it not preposterous to have such parts1 in particular1 kept cool8 ,double-breasted waistcoats cannot be too strongly recommended for delicate youths1 and for all men who have weak chests4 #cbc4 ,have you any directions to give respecting the shoes and the stockings8 ,the shoes for winter should be moderately thick and waterproof4 ,if boys and girls be delicate1 they ought to have double soles to their shoes1 with a piece of bladder between each sole1 or the inner sole may be made of cork2 either of the above plans will make the soles of boots and shoes completely water-proof4 ,in wet or dirty weather ,india-rubber over-shoes are useful1 as they keep the upper as well as the under leathers perfectly dry4 ,the socks1 or stockings1 for winter1 ought to be either lambs-wool or worsted2 it is absurd to wear cotton socks or stockings all the year round4 ,i should advise a boy to wear socks not stockings1 as he will then be able to dispense with garters4 ,garters1 as ,i have remarked in a previous ,conversation1 are injurious--they not only interfere with the circulation of the blood1 but also1 by pressure1 injure the bones1 and thus the shape of the legs4 ,boys and girls cannot be too particular in keeping their feet warm and dry1 as cold wet feet are one of the most frequent exciting causes of bronchitis1 of sore throats1 and of consumption4 #cbd4 ,when should a girl begin to wear stays8 ,she ought never to wear them4 #cbe4 ,do not stays strengthen the body8 ,no2 on the contrary1 they weaken it 7#a47 ,they1 weaken the muscles4 ,the pressure upon them causes them to waste2 so that1 in the end1 a girl cannot do without them1 as the stays are then obliged to perform the duty of the wasted muscles4 7#b47 ,they weaken the lungs by interfering with their functions4 ,every inspiration is accompanied by a movement of the ribs4 ,if this movement be impeded1 the functions of the lungs are impeded likewise1 and1 consequently1 disease is likely to follow1 and either difficulty of breathing1 or cough1 or consumption1 may ensue4 7#c7 ,they weaken the heart's action1 and thus frequently produce palpitation1 and1 perhaps1 eventually1 organic or incurable disease of the heart 7#d7 ,they weaken the digestion1 by pushing down the stomach and the liver1 and by compressing the latter1 and thus induce indigestion1 flatulence1 and liver-disease4 ,footnote3 ,several years ago1 while prosecuting my anatomical studies in ,london ,university ,college ,dissecting rooms1 on opening a young women1 ,i discovered an immense indentation of the liver large enough to admit a rolling pin1 produced by tight lacing6 7#e7 ,they weaken the bowels1 by impeding their proper peristaltic 7spiral7 motion1 and thus might produce either constipation or a rupture4 ,is it not presumptuous to imagine that man can improve upon ,god's works1 and that if more support had been required1 the ,almighty would not have given it8-- ,god never made his work for man to mend--,dryden4 #cbf4 ,have you any remarks to make on female dress8 ,there is a perfect disregard of health in everything appertaining to fashion4 ,parts that ought to be kept warm1 remain unclothed1 the upper portion of the chest1 most prone to tubercles 7consumption71 is completely exposed1 the feet1 great inlets to cold1 are covered with thin stockings1 and with shoes as thin as paper4 ,parts that should have full play are cramped and hampered1 the chest is cribbed in with stays1 the feet with tight shoes1--hence causing deformity1 and preventing a free circulation of blood4 ,the mind1 that ought to be calm and unruffled1 is kept in a constant state of excitement by balls1 and concerts1 and plays4 ,mind and body sympathise with each other1 and disease is the consequence4 ,night is turned into day1 and a delicate girl leaves the heated ball room1 decked out in her airy finery1 to breathe the damp and cold air of night4 ,she goes to bed1 but1 for the first few hours1 she is too much excited to sleep1 towards morning1 when the air is pure and invigorating1 and1 when to breathe it1 would be to inhale health and life1 she falls into a feverish slumber1 and wakes not until noon-day4 ,oh1 that a mother should be so blinded and so infatuated6 #cbg4 ,have you any observations to make on a girl wearing a green dress8 ,it is injurious to wear a green dress1 if the colour have been imparted to it by means of ,scheele's green1 which is arsenite of copper--a deadly poison4 ,i have known the arsenic to fly off from a green dress in the form of powder1 and to produce1 in consequence1 ill-health4 ,gas-light green is a lovely green1 and free from all danger1 and is fortunately superseding the ,scheele's green both in dresses and in worsted work4 ,i should advise my fair reader1 when she selects green as her colour1 always to choose the gas-light green1 and to wear and to use for worsted work no other green besides1 unless it be imperial green4 ,,diet4 #cbh4 ,which is the more wholesome1 coffee or tea1 where milk does not agree1 for a youth's breakfast8 ,coffee1 provided it be made properly1 and provided the boy or the girl take a great deal of out-door exercise2 if a youth be much confined within doors1 black tea is preferable to coffee4 ,the usual practice of making coffee is to boil it1 to get out the strength6 ,but the fact is1 the process of boiling boils the strength away2 it drives off that aromatic1 grateful principle1 so wholesome to the stomach1 and so exhilarating to the spirits2 and1 in lieu of which1 extracts its dregs and impurities1 which are both heavy and difficult of digestion4 ,the coffee ought1 if practicable1 to be freshly ground every morning1 in order that you may be quite sure that it be perfectly genuine1 and that none of the aroma of the coffee has flown off from long exposure to the atmosphere4 ,if a youth's bowels be inclined to be costive1 coffee is preferable to tea for breakfast1 as coffee tends to keep the bowels regular4 ,fresh milk ought always to be added to the coffee in the proportion of half coffee and half new milk4 ,if coffee does not agree1 then black tea should be substituted1 which ought to be taken with plenty of fresh milk in it4 ,milk may be frequently given in tea1 when it otherwise would disagree4 ,when a youth is delicate1 it is an excellent plan to give him1 every morning before he leaves his bed1 a tumblerful of new milk4 ,the draught of milk1 of course1 is not in any way to interfere with his regular breakfast4 #cbi4 ,do you approve of a boy eating meat with his breakfast8 ,this will depend upon the exercise he uses4 ,if he have had a good walk or run before breakfast1 or if he intend1 after breakfast1 to take plenty of athletic out-door exercise1 meat1 or a rasher or two of bacon1 may1 with advantage1 be eaten2 but not otherwise4 #ccj4 ,what is the best dinner for a youth8 ,fresh mutton or beef1 a variety of vegetables1 and a farinaceous pudding4 ,it is a bad practice to allow him to dine1 exclusively1 either on a fruit pudding1 or on any other pudding1 or on pastry4 ,unless he be ill1 he must1 if he is to be healthy1 strong1 and courageous1 eat meat every day of his life4 ,all courageous animals are carnivorous1 and greater courage is to be expected in a people1 such as the ,english1 whose food is strong and hearty1 than in the half-starved commonalty of other countries4--,sir ,w4 ,temple4 ,let him be debarred from rich soups and from high-seasoned dishes1 which only disorder the stomach and inflame the blood4 ,it is a mistake to give a boy or a girl broth or soup1 in lieu of meat for dinner2 the stomach takes such slops in a discontented way1 and is not at all satisfied4 ,it may be well1 occasionally1 to give a youth with his dinner1 in addition to his meat1 either good soup or good broth not highly seasoned1 made of good meat stock4 ,but after all that can be said on the subject1 a plain joint of meat1 either roast or boiled1 is far superior for health and strength than either soup or broth1 let it be ever so good or so well made4 ,he should be desired to take plenty of time over his dinner1 so that he may be able to chew his food well1 and thus that it may be reduced to an impalpable mass1 and be well mixed with the saliva1--which the action of the jaws will cause to be secreted--before it passes into the stomach4 ,if such were usually the case1 the stomach would not have double duty to perform1 and a boy would not so frequently lay the foundation of indigestion1 etc41 which may embitter1 and even make miserable1 his after-life4 ,meat1 plain pudding1 vegetables1 bread1 and hunger for sauce 7which exercise will readily give71 is the best1 and1 indeed1 should be1 as a rule1 the only dinner he should have4 ,a youth ought not to dine later than two o'clock4 #cca4 ,do you consider broths and soups wholesome8 ,the stomach can digest solid much more readily than it can liquid food2 on which account the dinner1 specified above1 is far preferable to one either of broth or of soup4 ,fluids in large quantities too much dilute the gastric juice1 and over-distend the stomach1 and hence weaken it1 and thus produce indigestion3 indeed1 it might truly be said that the stomach often takes broths and soups in a grumbling way6 #ccb4 ,do you approve of a boy drinking beer with his dinner8 ,there is no objection to a little good1 mild table-beer1 but strong ale ought never to be allowed4 ,it is1 indeed1 questionable whether a boy1 unless he take unusual exercise1 requires anything but water with his meals4 #ccc4 ,do you approve of a youth1 more especially if he be weakly1 having a glass or two of wine after dinner8 ,i disapprove of it3 his young blood does not require to be inflamed1 and his sensitive nerves excited1 with wine2 and1 if he he delicate1 ,i should be sorry to endeavour to strengthen him by giving him such an inflammable fluid4 ,if he be weakly1 he is more predisposed to put on either fever or inflammation of some organ2 and1 being thus predisposed1 wine would be likely to excite either the one or the other of them into action4 ,wine and youth are fire upon fire4--,fielding4 ,a parent ought on no account to allow a boy to touch spirits1 however much diluted2 they are1 to the young1 still more deadly in their effects than wine4 #ccd4 ,have you any objection to a youth drinking tea8 ,not at all1 provided it be not green tea1 that it be not made strong1 and that it have plenty of milk in it4 ,green tea is apt to make people nervous1 and boys and girls ought not even to know what it is to be nervous4 #cce4 ,do you object to supper for a youth8 ,meat suppers are highly prejudicial4 ,if he be hungry 7and if he have been much in the open air1 he is almost sure to be71 a piece of bread and cheese1 or of bread and butter1 with a draught either of new milk or of table beer1 will form the best supper he can have4 ,he ought not to sup later than eight o'clock4 #ccf4 ,do you approve of a boy having anything between meals8 ,i do not2 let him have four meals a day1 and he will require nothing in the intervals4 ,it is a mistaken notion that little and often is best1 ,the stomach requires rest as much as1 or perhaps more than 7for it is frequently sadly over-worked7 any other part of the body4 ,i do not mean that he is to have much and seldom3 moderation1 in everything1 is to be observed4 ,give him as much as a growing boy requires 7and that is a great deal71 but do not let him eat gluttonously1 as many indulgent parents encourage their children to do4 ,intemperance in eating cannot be too strongly condemned4 #ccg4 ,have you any objection to a boy having pocket money8 ,it is a bad practice to allow a boy much pocket money2 if he be so allowed1 he will be loading his stomach with sweets1 fruit1 and pastry1 and thus his stomach will become cloyed and disordered1 and the keen appetite1 so characteristic of youth1 will be blunted1 and ill-health will ensue4 ,in a public education1 boys early learn intemperance1 and if the parents and friends would give them less money upon their usual visits1 it would be much to their advantage1 since it may justly be said that a great part of their disorders arise from surfeit1 'plus occidit gula quam gladius' 7gluttony kills more than the sword74--,goldsmith4 ,how true is the saying that many people dig their graves with their teeth4 ,you may depend upon it that more die from stuffing than from starvation6 ,there would be little for doctors to do if there were not so much stuffing and imbibing of strong drinks going on in the world6 ,,air ,,and ,,exercise4 #cch4 ,have you any remarks to make on fresh air and exercise for boys and girls8 ,girls and boys1 especially the former1 are too much confined within doors4 ,it is imperatively necessary1 if you wish them to be strong and healthy1 that they should have plenty of fresh air and exercise2 remember1 ,i mean fresh air--country air1 not the close air of a town4 ,by exercise1 ,i mean the free unrestrained use of their limbs4 ,girls1 in this respect1 are unfortunately worse off than boys1 although they have similar muscles to develop1 similar lungs that require fresh air1 and similar nerves to be braced and strengthened4 ,it is not considered lady-like to be natural--all then3 movements must be measured by rule and compass6 ,the reason why so many young girls of the present day are so sallow1 under-sized1 and ill-shaped1 is for the want of air and exercise4 ,after a time the want of air and exercise1 by causing ill health1 makes them slothful and indolent-it is a trouble for them to move from their chairs6 ,respiration1 digestion1 and a proper action of the bowels1 imperatively demand fresh air and exercise4 ,ill health will inevitably ensue if boys and girls are cooped up a great part of the day in a close room4 ,a distinguished writer of the present day says3 ,the children of the very poor are always out and about4 ,in this respect they are an example to those careful mammas who keep their children1 the whole day long1 in their chairs1 reading1 writing1 ciphering1 drawing1 practising music lessons1 doing crotchet work1 or anything1 in fact1 except running about in spite of the sunshine always peeping in and inviting them out of doors2 and who1 in the due course of time1 are surprised to find their children growing up with incurable heart1 head1 lung1 or stomach complaints4 #cci4 ,what is the lest exercise for a youth8 ,walking or running3 provided either of them be not carried to fatigue1--the slightest approach to it should warn a youth to desist from carrying it further4 ,walking exercise is not sufficiently insisted upon4 ,a boy or a girl1 to be in the enjoyment of good health1 ought to walk at least ten miles every day4 ,i do not mean ten miles at a stretch1 but at different times of the day4 ,some young ladies think it an awfully long walk if they manage a couple of miles6 ,how can they1 with such exercise1 expect to be well8 ,how can their muscles be developed8 ,how can their nerves be braced8 ,how can their spines be strengthened and be straight8 ,how can their blood course merrily through their blood-vessels8 ,how can their chests expand and be strong8 ,why1 it is impossible6 ,ill health must be the penalty of such indolence1 for ,nature will not be trifled with6 ,walking exercise1 then1 is the finest exercise that can be taken1 and must be taken1 and that without stint1 if boys and girls are to be strong and well6 ,the advantage of our climate is1 that there is not a day in the whole year that walking exercise cannot be enjoyed4 ,i use the term enjoyed advisedly4 ,the roads may1 of course1 be dirty2 but what of that ,a good thick pair of boots will be the remedy4 ,do then1 let me entreat you1 insist upon your--girls and boys taking plenty of exercise2 let them almost live in the open air6 ,do not coddle them2 this is a rough2 world of ours1 and they must rough it2 they must be knocked about a great deal1 and the knocks will do them1 good4 ,poor youths who are1 as it were1 tied to their mother's apron strings1 are much to be pitied2 they are usually puny and delicate1 and effeminate1 and utterly deficient of self-reliance4 #cdj4 ,do you approve of--horse or pony exercise for boys and girls8 ,most certainly ,i do2 but still it ought not to supersede walking4 ,horse or pony exercise is very beneficial1 and cannot be too strongly recommended4 ,one great advantage for those living in towns1 which it has over walking1 is1 that a person may go further into the country1 and thus be enabled to breathe a purer and more healthy atmosphere4 ,again1 it is a much more amusing exercise than walking1 and this1 for the young1 is a great consideration indeed4 ,horse exercise is for both boys and girls a splendid exercise2 it improves the figure1 it gives grace to the movements1 it strengthens the chest1 it braces the muscles1 and gives to the character energy and courage4 ,both boys and girls ought to be early taught to ride4 ,there is nothing that gives more pleasure to the young than riding either on a pony or on a horse1 and for younger children1 even on that despised1 although useful animal1 a donkey4 ,exercise1 taken with pleasure1 is doubly beneficial4 ,if girls were to ride more on horseback than they now do1 we should hear less of crooked spines and of round shoulders1 of chlorosis and of hysteria1 and of other numerous diseases of that class1 owing1 generally1 to debility and to mismanagement4 ,those ladies who affect the saddle are usually much healthier1 stronger1 and straighter than those who either never or but seldom ride on horseback4 ,siding on horseback is both an exercise and an amusement1 and is peculiarly suitable for the fair sex1 more especially as their modes of exercise are somewhat limited1 ladies being excluded from following many games1 such as cricket1 and foot-ball1 both of which are practised1 with such zest and benefit1 by the rougher sex4 #cda4 ,do you approve of carriage exercise8 ,there is no muscular exertion in carriage exercise2 its principal advantage is1 that it enables a person to have a change of air1 which may be purer than the one he is in the habit of breathing4 ,but1 whether it be so or not1 change of air frequently does good1 even1 if the air be not so pure4 ,carriage exercise1 therefore1 does only partial good1 and ought never to supersede either walking or horse exercise4 #cdb4 ,what is the best time of the day1 for the taking of exercise8 ,in the summer time1 early in the morning and before breakfast1 as cool morning air exhilarates young blood like wine4 ,if a boy cannot take exercise upon an empty stomach1 let him have a slice of bread and a draught of milk4 ,when he returns home he will be able to do justice to his breakfast4 ,in fine weather he cannot take too much exercise1 provided it be not carried to fatigue4 #cdc4 ,what is the best time for him to keep quiet8 ,he ought not to take exercise immediately after--say for half an hour after--a hearty meal1 or it will be likely to interfere with his digestion4 ,,amusements4 #cdd4 ,what amusements do you recommend for a boy as being most beneficial to health8 ,manly games--such as rowing1 skating1 cricket1 quoits1 foot-ball1 rackets1 single-stick1 bandy1 bowls1 skittles1 and all gymnastic exercises4 ,such games bring the muscles into proper action1 and thus cause them to be fully developed4 ,they expand and strengthen the chest2 they cause a due circulation of the blood1 making it to bound merrily through the blood-vessels1 and thus to diffuse health and happiness in its course4 ,another excellent amusement for boys1 is the brandishing of clubs4 ,they ought to be made in the form of a constable's staff1 but should be much larger and heavier4 ,the manner of handling them is so graphically described by ,addison that ,i cannot do better than transcribe it--,when ,i was some years younger than ,i am at present1 ,i used to employ myself in a more laborious diversion1 which ,i learned from a ,latin treatise of exercises that is written with great erudition2 it is there called the ,greek3 skiomachia or the fighting with a man's own shadow1 and consists in the brandishing of two short sticks grasped in each hand1 and loaded with plugs of lead at either end4 ,this opens the chest1 exercises the limbs1 and gives a man all the pleasure of boxing without the blows4 ,i could wish that several learned men would lay out that time which they employ in controversies and disputes about nothing1 in this method of fighting with their own shadows4 ,it might conduce very much to evaporate the spleen which makes them uneasy to the public as well as to themselves4 ,another capital1 healthful game is single-stick1 which makes a boy to gain an upright and elastic carriage1 and to learn the use of his limbs4--,h4 ,kingsley4 ,single-stick may be taught by any drill-sergeant in the neighbourhood4 ,do everything to make a boy strong4 ,remember1 the glory of young men is their strength4 ,if games were more patronised in youth1 so many miserable1 nervous1 useless creatures would not abound4 ,let a boy or girl1 then1 have plenty of play2 let half of his or her time be spent in play4 ,there ought to be a gymnasium established in every town of the kingdom4 ,the gymnasium1 the cricket ground1 and the swimming bath1 are among our finest establishments1 and should be patronised accordingly4 ,first of all1 by an abundance of exercise and fresh air make your boys and girls strong1 and then1 in due time1 they will be ready and be able to have their minds properly cultivated4 ,unfortunately1 in this enlightened age1 we commence at the wrong end--we put the cart before the horse--we begin by cultivating the mind1 and we leave the body to be taken care of afterwards2 the results are1 broken health1 precocious1 stunted1 crooked1 and deformed youths1 and premature decay4 ,one great advantage of gymnastic exercise is1 it makes the chest expand1 it fills the lungs with air1 and by doing so strengthens them amazingly1 and wards off many diseases4 ,the lungs are not sufficiently exercised and expanded2 boys and girls1 girls especially1 do not as a rule half fill their lungs with air2 now air to the lungs is food to the lungs1 and portions of the lungs have not half their proper food1 and in consequence suffer4 ,it is very desirable that every boy and girl should1 every day of his or her life1 and for a quarter of an hour at least each time1 go through a regular breathing exercise--that is to say1 should be made to stand upright1 throw back the shoulders1 and the while alternately and regularly fully fill and fully empty the lungs of air4 ,if this plan were daily followed1 the chest and lungs would be wonderfully invigorated1 and the whole body benefited4 #cde4 ,is playing the flute1 blowing the bugle1 or any other wind instrument1 injurious to health8 ,decidedly so3 the lungs and the windpipe are brought into unnatural action by them4 ,if a boy be of a consumptive habit1 this will1 of course1 hold good with tenfold force4 ,if a youth must be musical let him be taught singing1 as that1 provided the lungs be not diseased1 will be beneficial4 #cdf4 ,what amusements do you recommend for a girl8 ,archery1 skipping1 horse exercise1 croquet1 the hand-swing1 the fly-pole1 skating1 and dancing1 are among the best4 ,archery expands the chest1 throws back the shoulders1 thus improving the figure1 and develops the muscles4 ,skipping is exceedingly good exercise for a girl1 every part of the body being put into action by it ,horse exercise is splendid for a girl2 it improves the figure amazingly--it is most exhilarating and amusing2 moreover1 it gives her courage and makes her self-reliant ,croquet develops and improves the muscles of the arms1 beautifies the complexion1 strengthens the back1 and throws out the chest4 ,croquet is for girls and women what cricket is for boys and men--a glorious game4 ,croquet has improved both the health and the happiness of womankind more than any game ever before invented4 ,croquet1 in the bright sunshine1 with the winds of heaven blowing about the players1 is not like a ball in a stifling hot ball-room1 with gas-lights poisoning the air4 ,croquet is a more sensible amusement than dancing2 it brings the intellect as well as the muscles into play4 ,the man who invented croquet has deserved greater glory1 and has done more good to his species1 than many philosophers whose names are emblazoned in story4 ,hand-swing is a capital exercise for a girl1 the whole of the body is thrown into action by it1 and the spine1 the shoulders1 and the shoulder-blades1 are especially benefited4 ,the fly-pole1 too1 is good exercise for the whole of the muscles of the body1 especially of the legs and the arms4 ,skating is for a girl excellent exercise1 and is as exhilarating as a glass of champagne1 but will do her far more good6 ,skating improves the figure1 and makes a girl balance and carry herself upright and well2 it is a most becoming exercise for her1 and is much in every way to be commended4 ,moreover1 skating gives a girl courage and self-reliance4 ,dancing1 followed as a rational amusement1 causes a free circulation of the blood1 and provided it does not induce her to sit up late at night1 is most beneficial4 #cdg4 ,if dancing be so beneficial why are balls such fruitful sources of coughs1 of cold1 and consumptions8 ,on many accounts4 ,they induce young ladies to sit up late at night2 they cause them to dress more lightly than they are accustomed to do2 and thus thinly clad1 they leave their homes while the weather is perhaps piercingly cold1 to plunge into a suffocating1 hot ballroom1 made doubly injurious by the immense number of lights1 which consume the oxygen intended for the due performance of the healthy functions of the lungs4 ,their partners1 the brilliancy of the scene1 and the music1 excite their nerves to undue and thus to unnatural1 action1 and what is the consequence8 ,fatigue1 weakness1 hysterics1 and extreme depression follow4 ,they leave the heated ball-room when the morning has far advanced1 to breathe the bitterly cold and frequently damp air of a winter's night1 and what is the result8 ,hundreds die of consumption1 who might otherwise have lived4 ,ought there not1 then1 to be a distinction between a ball at midnight and a dance in the evening8 #cdh4 ,but still1 would you have a girl brought up to forego the pleasure of a ball8 ,if a parent prefer her so-called pleasures to her health1 certainly not2 to such a mother ,i do not address myself4 #cdi4 ,have you any remarks to make on singing1 or on reading aloud8 ,before a mother allows her daughter to take lessons in singing1 she should ascertain that there be no actual disease of the lungs1 for if there be1 it will probably excite it into action2 but if no disease exist1 singing or reading aloud is very conducive to health4 ,public singers are seldom known to die of consumption4 ,singing expands the chest1 improves the pronunciation1 enriches the voice for conversation1 strengthens the lungs1 and wards off many of their diseases4 #cej4 ,do you approve of corporal punishments in schools8 ,i do not4 ,i consider it to be decidedly injurious both to body and mind4 ,is it not painful to witness the pale cheeks and the dejected looks of those boys who are often flogged8 ,if their tempers are mild1 their spirits are broken2 if their dispositions are at all obstinate1 they become hardened and wilful1 and are made little better than brutes4 ,footnote3 ,i would have given him1 ,captain ,fleming1 had he been my son1 quoth old ,pearson the elder1 such's good sound drubbing as he never would have forgotten--never6 ,pooh6 pooh6 my good sir4 ,don't tell me4 ,never saw flogging in the navy do good4 ,kept down brutes2 never made a man yet4--,dr ,norman ,macleod in ,good ,words1 ,may #ahfa4 ,a boy who is often flogged loses that noble ingenuousness and fine sensibility so characteristic of youth4 ,he looks upon his school as his prison1 and his master as his gaoler1 and as he grows up to manhood1 hates and despises the man who has flogged him4 ,corporal punishment is revolting1 disgusting1 and demoralising to the boy2 and is degrading to the schoolmaster as a man and as a ,christian1 ,if schoolmasters must flog1 let them flog their own sons4 ,if they must ruin the tempers1 the dispositions1 and the constitution of boys1 they have more right to practise upon their own than on other people's children6 ,oh6 that parents would raise--and that without any uncertain sound--their voices against such abominations1 and the detestable cane would soon be banished the school-room6 ,i am confident that no boy1 says ,addison1 who will not be allured by letters without blows1 will never be brought to anything with them4 ,a great or good mind must necessarily be the worse for such indignities2 and it is a sad change to lose of its virtue for the improvement of its knowledge4 ,no one has gone through what they call a great school1 but must have remembered to have seen children of excellent and ingenuous natures 7as have afterwards appeared in their manhood74 ,i say1 no man has passed through this way of education but must have seen an ingenuous creature expiring with shame1 with pale looks1 beseeching sorrow1 and silent tears1 throw up its honest sighs1 and kneel on its tender knees to an inexorable blockhead1 to be forgiven the false quantity of a word in making a ,latin verse4 ,the child is punished1 and the next day he commits a like crime1 and so a third1 with the same consequence4 ,i would fain ask any reasonable man whether this lad1 in the simplicity of his native innocence1 full of shame1 and capable of any impression from that grace of soul1 was not fitter for any purpose in this life than after that spark of virtue is extinguished in him1 though he is able to write twenty verses in an evening8 ,how often is corporal punishment resorted to at school because the master is in a passion1 and he vents his rage upon the poor school-boy's unfortunate back6 ,oh6 the mistaken notion that flogging will make a bad-behaved boy a good boy2 it has the contrary effect4 ',i dunno how 'tis1 sir1' said an old farm labourer1 in reply to a question from his clergyman respecting the bad behaviour of his children1 ',i dunno how 'tis2 ,i beats 'em till they're black and blue1 and when they won't kneel down to pray ,i knocks 'em down1 and yet they ain't good4'--,the ,birmingham ,journal4 ,in an excellent article in ,temple ,bar7,november #ahfd7 on flogging in the army1 the following sensible remarks occur3--,in nearly a quarter of a century's experience with soldiers1 the writer has always1 and without a single exception1 found flogging makes a good man bad1 and a bad man worse4 ,with equal truth it may be said that1 without a single exception1 flogging makes a good boy bad1 and a bad boy worse4 ,how many men owe their ferocity to the canings they received when school-boys6 ,the early floggings hardened and soured them1 and blunted their sensibility4 ,dr ,arnold of ,rugby1 one of the best schoolmasters that ,england ever produced1 seldom caned a boy--not more than once or twice during the half year2 but when he did cane him1 he charged for the use of the cane each time in the bill1 in order that the parents might know how many times their son had been punished4 ,at some of our public schools now-a-days1 a boy is caned as many times in a morning as the worthy doctor would have caned him during the whole half year2 but then1 the doctor treated the boys as gentlemen1 and trusted much to their honour2 but now many schoolmasters trust much to fear1 little to honour1 and treat them as brute beasts4 ,it might be said that the discipline of a school cannot be maintained unless the boys be frequently caned1 that it must be either caning or expulsion4 ,i deny these assertions4 ,dr ,arnold was able to conduct his school with honour to himself1 and with immense benefit to the rising generation1 without either frequent canings or expulsions4 ,the humane plan1 however1 requires at first both trouble and patience2 and trouble some schoolmasters do not like1 and patience they do not possess2 the use of the cane is quick1 sharp1 decisive1 and at the time effective4 ,if caning be ever necessary1 which it might occasionally be1 for the telling of lies for instance1 or for gross immorality1 let the head master himself be the only one to perform the operation1 but let him not be allowed to delegate it to others4 ,a law ought in all public schools to be in force to that effect4 ,high time that something were done to abate such disgraceful practices4 ,never should a schoolmaster1 or any one else1 be allowed1 on any pretence whatever1 to strike a boy upon his head4 ,boxing of the ears has sometimes caused laceration of the drum of the ear1 and consequent partial deafness for life4 ,boxing of the ears injures the brain1 and therefore the intellect4 ,it might be said1 that ,i am travelling out of my province in making remarks on corporal chastisement in schools8 ,but1 with deference1 ,i reply that ,i am strictly in the path of duty4 ,my office is to inform you of everything that is detrimental to your children's health and happiness2 and corporal punishment is assuredly most injurious both to their health and happiness4 ,it is the bounden duty of every man1 and especially of every medical man1 to lift up his voice against the abominable1 disgusting1 and degrading system of flogging1 and to warn parents of the danger and the mischief of sending boys to those schools where flogging is1 except in rare and flagrant cases1 permitted4 #cea4 ,have you any observations to make on the selection1 of a female boarding-school8 ,home education1 where it be practicable1 is far preferable to sending a girl to school2 as at home1 her health1 her morals1 and her household duties1 can be attended to much more effectually than from home4 ,moreover1 it is a serious injury to a girl1 in more ways than one1 to separate her from her own brothers3 they very much lose their affection for each other1 and mutual companionship 7so delightful and beneficial between brothers and sisters7 is severed4 ,if home education be not practicable1 great care must be taken in making choice of a school4 ,boarding school education requires great reformation4 ,accomplishments1 superficial acquirements1 and brain-work1 are the order of the day2 health is very little studied4 ,you ought1 in the education of your daughters1 to remember that they1 in a few years1 will be the wives and the mothers of ,england2 and1 if they have not health and strength1 and a proper knowledge of household duties to sustain their characters1 what useless1 listless wives and mothers they will make6 ,remember1 then1 the body1 and not the mind1 ought1 in early life1 to be principally cultivated and strengthened1 and that the growing brain will not bear1 with impunity1 much book learning4 ,the brain of a school-girl is frequently injured by getting up voluminous questions by rote1 that are not of the slightest use or benefit to her1 or to any one else4 ,instead of this ridiculous system1 educate a girl to be useful and self-reliant4 ,from babyhood they are given to understand that helplessness is feminine and beautiful2 helpfulness1 except in certain received forms of manifestation1 unwomanly and ugly4 ,the boys may do a thousand things which are 'not proper for little girls4'--,a ,woman's ,thoughts about ,women4 ,from her twelfth to her seventeenth year1 is the most important epoch of a girl's existence1 as regards her future health1 and consequently1 in a great measure1 her future happiness2 and one1 in which1 more than at any other period of her life1 she requires a plentiful supply of fresh air1 exercise1 recreation1 a variety of innocent amusements1 and an abundance of good nourishment--more especially of fresh meat2 if therefore you have determined on sending your girl to school1 you must ascertain that the pupils have as much plain wholesome nourishing food as they can eat1 ,footnote3 ,if a girl have an abundance of good nourishment1 the schoolmistress must1 of coarse1 be remunerated for the necessary and costly expense2 and how can this be done on the paltry sum charged at cheap boarding schools8 ,it is utterly impossible6 ,and what are we to expect from poor and insufficient nourishment to a fast-growing girl1 and at the time of life1 remember1 when she requires an extra quantity of good sustaining1 supporting food8 ,a poor girl1 from such treatment1 becomes either consumptive or broken down in constitution1 and from which she never recovers1 but drags on a miserable existence4 that the school be situated in a healthy spot1 that it be well-drained1 that there be a large play-ground attached to it1 that the young people are allowed plenty of exercise in the open air--indeed1 that at least one-third of the day is spent there in croquet1 skipping1 archery1 battle-dore and shuttlecock1 gardening1 walking1 running1 c4 ,take care that the school-rooms are well-ventilated1 that they are not over-crowded1 and that the pupils are allowed chairs to sit upon1 and not those abominations--forms and stools4 ,if you wish to try the effect of them upon yourselves1 sit for a couple of hours without stirring upon a form or upon a stool1 and1 take my word for it1 you will insist that forms and stools be banished for ever from the schoolroom4 ,assure yourself that the pupils are compelled to rise early in the morning1 and that they retire early to rest2 that each young lady has a separate bed ,footnote3 ,a horse-hair mattress should always be preferred to a feather-bed4 ,it is not only better for the health1 but it improves the figure and that many are not allowed to sleep in the same room1 and that the apartments are large and well-ventilated4 ,in fine1 their health and their morals ought to be preferred far above all their accomplishments4 #ceb4 ,they use1 in some schools1 straight-backed chairs to make a girl sit upright1 and to give strength to her back3 do you approve of them8 ,certainly not3 the natural and the graceful curve of the back is not the curve of a straight-backed chair4 ,straight-backed chairs are instruments of torture1 and are more likely to make a girl crooked than to make her straight4 ,sir ,astley ,cooper ridiculed straight-backed chairs1 and well he might4 ,it is always well for a mother to try1 for some considerable time1 such ridiculous inventions upon herself before she experiments upon her unfortunate daughter4 ,the position is most unnatural4 ,i do not approve of a girl lounging and lolling on a sofa2 but1 if she be tired and wants to rest herself1 let her1 like any other reasonable being1 sit upon a comfortable ordinary chair4 ,if you want her to be straight1 let her be made strong2 and if she is to be strong1 she must use plenty of exercise and exertion1 such as drilling1 dancing1 skipping1 archery1 croquet1 hand-swinging1 horse-exercise1 swimming1 bowls1 etc4 ,this is the plan to make her back straight and her muscles strong4 ,why should we bring up a girl differently from a boy8 ,muscular exercises1 gymnastic performances1 and health-giving exertion1 are unladylike1 forsooth6 ,,household ,,work ,,for ,,girls4 #cec4 ,do you recommend household work as a means of health for my daughter8 ,decidedly3 whatever you do1 do not make a fine lady of her1 or she will become puny and delicate1 listless1 and miserable4 ,a girl1 let her station be what it might1 ought1 as soon as she be old enough1 to make her own bed4 ,there is no better exercise to expand the figure and to beautify the shape than is bed-making4 ,let her make tidy her own room4 ,let her use her hands and her arms4 ,let her1 to a great extent1 be self-reliant1 and let her wait upon herself4 ,there is nothing vulgar in her being useful4 ,let me ask1 of what use are many girls of the present day8 ,they are utterly useless4 ,are they happy8 ,no1 for the want of employment1 they are miserable--,i mean bodily employment1 household work4 ,many girls1 now-a-days1 unfortunately1 are made to look upon a pretty face1 dress1 and accomplishments1 as the only things needed6 ,and1 when they do become women and wives--if ever they do become women and wives--what miserable lackadaisical wives1 and what senseless1 useless mothers they will make6 ,,choice ,,of ,,profession ,,or ,,trade4 #ced4 ,what profession or trade would you recommend a boy of a delicate or of a consumptive habit to follow8 ,if a youth be delicate1 it is a common practice among parents either to put him to some light in-door trade1 or1 if they can afford it1 to one of the learned professions4 ,such a practice is absurd1 and fraught with danger4 ,the close confinement of an in-door trade is highly prejudicial to health4 ,the hard reading requisite to fit a man to fill1 for instance1 the sacred office1 only increases delicacy of constitution4 ,the stooping at a desk1 in an attorney's office1 is most trying to the chest4 ,the harass1 the anxiety1 the disturbed nights1 the interrupted meals1 and the intense study necessary to fit a man for the medical profession1 is still more dangerous to health than either law1 divinity1 or any in-door trade4 ,sir ,walter ,scott says of the country surgeon1 that he is worse fed and harder wrought than any one else in the parish1 except it be his fiorse4--,brown's ,horoe ,subsecivoe4 ,a modern writer1 speaking of the life of a medical man1 observes1 ,there is no career which so rapidly wears away the powers of life1 because there is no other which requires a greater activity of mind and body4 ,he has to bear the changes of weather1 continued fatigue1 irregularity in his meals1 and broken rest2 to live in the midst of miasma and contagion4 ,if in the country1 he has to traverse considerable distances on horseback1 exposed to wind and storm2 to brave all dangers to go to the relief of suffering humanity4 ,a fearful truth for medical men has been established by the table of mortality of ,dr4 ,caspar1 published in the ,british ,review4 ,of #ajjj members of the medical profession1 #fjj died before their sixty-second year2 whilst of persons leading a quiet life--such as agriculturists or theologians--the mortality is only #cdg4 ,if we take #ajj individuals of each of these classes1 #dc theologians1 #dj agriculturists1 #ce clerks1 #cb soldiers1 will reach their seventieth year2 of #ajj professors of the healing art1 #bd only will reach that age4 ,they are the sign-posts to health2 they can show the road to old age1 but rarely tread it themselves4 ,if a boy1 therefore1 be of a delicate or of a consumptive habit1 an out-door calling should be advised1 such as that of a farmer1 of a tanner1 or a land-surveyor2 but1 if he be of an inferior station of society1 the trade of a butcher may be recommended4 ,tanners and butchers are seldom known to die of consumption4 ,i cannot refrain from reprobating the too common practice among parents of bringing up their boys to the professions4 ,the anxieties and the heartaches which they undergo if they do not succeed 7and how can many of them succeed when there is such a superabundance of candidates87 materially injure their health4 ,i very much wonder1 says ,addison1 at the humour of parents1 who will not rather choose to place their sons in a way of life where an honest industry cannot but thrive1 than in stations where the greatest probity1 learning1 and good sense1 may miscarry4 ,how many men are country curates1 that might have made themselves aldermen of ,london by a right improvement of a smaller sum of money than what is usually laid out upon a learned education8 ,a sober1 frugal person1 of slender parts and a slow apprehension1 might have thrived in trade1 though he starves upon physic2 as a man would be well enough pleased to buy silks of one whom he could not venture to feel his pulse4 ,vagellius is careful1 studious1 and obliging1 but withal a little thick-skulled2 he has not a single client1 but might have had abundance of customers4 ,the misfortune is that parents take a liking to a particular profession1 and therefore desire their sons may be of it2 whereas1 in so great an affair of life1 they should consider the genius and abilities of their children more than their own inclinations4 ,it is the great advantage of a trading nation1 that there are very few in it so dull and heavy who may not be placed in stations of life which may give them an opportunity of making their fortunes4 ,a well-regulated commerce is not1 like law1 physic1 or divinity1 to be overstocked with hands2 but1 on the contrary1 flourishes by multitudes1 and gives employment to all its professors4 ,fleets of merchantmen are so many squadrons of floating shops1 that vend our wares and manufactures in all the markets of the world1 and find out chapmen under both the tropics4 #cee4 ,then1 do you recommend a delicate youth to be brought up either to a profession or to a trade8 ,decidedly2 there is nothing so injurious for a delicate boy1 or for anyone else1 as idleness4 ,work1 in moderation1 enlivens the spirits1 braces the nerves1 and gives tone to the muscles1 and thus strengthens the constitution4 ,of all miserable people1 the idle boy1 or the idle man1 is the most miserable6 ,if you be poor1 of course you will bring him up to some calling2 but if you be rich1 and your boy be delicate 7if he be not actually in a consumption71 you will1 if you are wise1 still bring him up to some trade or profession4 ,you will1 otherwise1 be making a rod for your own as well as for your son's back4 ,oh1 what a blessed thing is work6 #cef4 ,have you any remarks to make on the sleep of boys and girls8 ,sleeping-rooms1 are1 generally1 the smallest in the house1 whereas1 for health's sake1 they ought to be the largest ,if it be impossible to have a large bedroom1 ,i should advise a parent to have a dozen or twenty holes 7each about the size of a florin7 bored with a centre-bit in the upper part of the chamber door1 and the same number of holes in the lower part of the door1 so as constantly to admit a free current of air from the passages4 ,if this cannot readily be done1 then let the bedroom door be left ajar all night1 a door chain being on the door to prevent intrusion2 and1 in the summer time1 during the night1 let the window-sash1 to the extent of about two or three inches1 be left open4 ,if there be a dressing-room next to the bedroom1 it will be well to have the dressing-room window1 instead of the bedroom window1 open at night4 ,the dressing-room door will regulate the quantity of air to be admitted into the bedroom1 opening it either little or much1 as the weather might be cold or otherwise4 ,fresh air during deep is indispensable to health4--,if a bedroom be close1 the sleep1 instead of being calm and refreshing1 is broken and disturbed2 and the boy1 when he awakes in the morning1 feels more fatigued than when he retired to rest4 ,if sleep is to be refreshing1 the air1 then1 must be pure1 and free from carbonic acid gas1 which1 is constantly being evolved from the lungs4 ,if sleep is to be health-giving1 the lungs ought to have their proper food--oxygen1 and not to be cheated by giving them instead a poison--carbonic acid gas4 ,it would be well for each boy to have a separate room to himself1 and each girl a separate room to herself4 ,if two boys are obliged1 from the smallness of the house1 to sleep in one room1 and if two girls1 from the same cause1 are compelled to occupy the same chamber1 by all means let each one have a separate bed to himself and to herself1 as it is so much more healthy and expedient for both boy and girl to sleep alone4 ,the roof of the bed should be left open--that is to say1 the top of the bedstead ought not to be covered with bed furniture1 but should be open to the ceiling1 in order to encourage a free ventilation of air4 ,a bed-curtain may be allowed on the side of the bed where there are windy currents of air2 otherwise bed-curtains and valances ought on no account to be allowed4 ,they prevent a free circulation of the air4 ,a youth should sleep on a horse-hair mattress4 ,such mattresses greatly improve the figure and strengthen the frame4 ,during the day time1 provided it does not rain1 the windows must be thrown wide open1 and1 directly after he has risen from bed1 the clothes ought to be thrown entirely back1 in order that they may become1 before the bed be made1 well ventilated and purified by the air-- ,do yon wish to be healthy8-- ,then keep the home sweet1 ,as soon as you're up ,shake each blanket and sheet4 ,leave the beds to get fresh ,on the close crowded floor ,let the wind sweep right through-- ,open window and door ,the bad air will rush out ,as the good air comes in1 ,just as goodness is stronger ,and better than sin4 ,do this1 it's soon done1 ,in the fresh morning air1 ,it will lighten your labour ,and lessen your care ,you are weary--no wonder1 ,there's weight and there's gloom ,hanging heavily round ,in each over full room4 ,be sure all the trouble ,is profit and gain ,for there's head ache and heart-ache1 ,and fever and pain ,hovering round1 settling down ,in the closeness and heat ,let the wind sweep right through ,till the air's fresh and sweet1 ,and more cheerful you'll feel ,through the toil of the day1 ,more refreshed you'll awake ,when the night's paved away ,footnote3 ,household ,verses on ,health and ,happiness ,london4 ,jarrold and ,sons4 ,every mother should read these ,verses4 ,plants and flowers ought not to be allowed to remain in a chamber at night4 ,experiments have proved that plants and flowers take up1 in the day-time1 carbonic acid gas 7the refuse of respiration71 and give off oxygen 7a gas so necessary and beneficial to health71 but give out1 in the night season1 a poisonous exhalation4 ,early rising cannot be too strongly insisted upon2 nothing is more conducive to health and thus to long life4 ,a youth is frequently allowed to spend the early part of the morning in bed1 breathing the impure atmosphere of a bedroom1 when he should be up and about1 inhaling the balmy and health-giving breezes of the morning3-- ,rise with the lark1 and with the lark to bed3 ,the breath of night's destructive to the hue ,of ev'ry flower that blows4 ,go to the field1 ,and ask the humble daisy why it sleeps ,soon as the sun departs8 ,why close the eyes ,of blossoms infinite long ere the moon ,her oriental veil puts off8 ,think why1 ,nor let the sweetest blossom ,nature boasts ,be thus exposed to night's unkindly damp4 ,well may it droop1 and all its freshness lose1 ,compell'd to taste the rank and pois'nous steam ,of midnight theatre and morning ball ,gire to repose the solemn hour she claims2 ,and from the forehead of the morning steal ,the sweet occasion4 ,oh6 there is a charm ,which morning has1 that gives the brow of age1 a smack of youth1 and makes the lip of youth ,shed perfume exquisite4 ,expect it not ,ye who till noon upon a down-bed lie1 ,indulging feverish sleep4--,hurdis4 ,if early rising be commenced in childhood it becomes a habit1 and will then probably be continued through life4 ,a boy ought on no account to be roused from his sleep2 but1 as soon as he be awake in the morning1 he should be encouraged to rise4 ,dozing--that state between sleeping and waking--is injurious2 it enervates both body and mind1 and is as detrimental to health as dram drinking6 ,but if he rise early he must go to bed betimes2 it is a bad practice to keep him up until the family retire to rest4 ,he ought1 winter and summer1 to seek his pillow by nine o'clock1 and should rise as soon as he awake in the morning4 ,let me urge upon a parent the great importance of not allowing the chimney of any bedroom1 or of any room in the house1 to be stopped1 as many are in the habit of doing to prevent1 as they call it1 a draught1 but to prevent1 as ,i should call it1 health4 #ceg4 ,how many hours of deep ought a boy to have8 ,this1 of course1 will depend upon the exercise he takes3 but1 on an average1 he should have every night at least eight hours4 ,it is a mistaken notion that a boy does better with little sleep4 ,infants1 children1 and youths require more than those who are further advanced in years2 hence old people can frequently do with little sleep4 ,this may in a measure be accounted for from the quantity of exercise the young take4 ,another reason may be1 the young have neither racking pain1 nor hidden sorrow1 nor carking care1 to keep them awake2 while1 on the contrary1 the old have frequently1 the one1 the other1 or all3-- ,care keeps his watch on every old man's eye1 ,and where care lodges1 sleep will never lie4--,shakspeare4 ,,on ,,the ,,teeth ,,and ,,the ,,gums4 #ceh4 ,what are the beet means of keeping the teeth and the gums in a healthy state8 ,i would recommend the teeth and the gums to be well brushed with warm salt and water1 in the proportion of one large tea-spoonful of1 salt to a tumbler of water4 ,i was induced to try the above plan by the recommendation of an ,american writer--,todd4 ,the salt and water should be used every night4 ,the following is an excellent tooth-powder3-- ,take of--,finely-powder ,peruvian ,bark2 '' ,prepared ,coral2 '' ,prepared ,chalk2 '' ,myrrh1 of each half an ounce '' ,orris root1 a quarter of an ounce3 ,mix them well together in a mortar1 and preserve the powder in a wide mouthed stoppered bottle4 ,the teeth ought to be well brushed with the above tooth-powder every morning4 ,if the teeth be much decayed1 and if1 in consequence1 the breath be offensive1 two ounces of finely-powdered charcoal well mixed with the above ingredients will be found a valuable addition4 ,some persons clean their teeth every morning with soap2 if soap be used it ought to be ,castile soap2 and if the teeth be not white and clean1 ,castile soap is an excellent cleanser of the teeth1 and may be used in lieu of the tooth powder as before recommended4 ,there are few persons who brush their teeth properly4 ,i will tell you the right way4 ,first of all procure a tooth brush of the best make1 and of rather hard bristles1 to enable it to penetrate into all the nooks and corners of the teeth2 then1 having put a small quantity of warm water into your mouth1 letting the principal of it escape into the basin1 dip your brush in warm water1 and if you are about using ,castile soap1 rub the brush on a cake of the soap1 and then well brush your teeth1 first upwards and then downwards1 then from side to side--from right to left1 and from left to right--then the backs of the teeth1 then apply the brush to the tops of the crowns of the teeth both of the upper and of the lower jaw1--so that every part of each tooth1 including the gums1 may in turn be well cleansed and be well brushed4 ,be not afraid of using the brush2 a good brushing and dressing will do the teeth and the gums an immensity of good2 it will make the breath sweet1 and will preserve the teeth sound and good4 ,after using the brush the mouth must1 of course1 be well rinsed out with warm water4 ,the finest get of teeth ,i ever saw m my life belonged to a middle-aged gentleman2 the teeth had neither spot nor blemish1 they were like beautiful pearls4 ,he never had toothache in his life1 and did not know what toothache meant6 ,he brushed his teeth1 every morning1 with soap and water1 in the manner ,i have previously recommended4 ,i can only say to you--go and do likewise6 ,camphor ought never to be used as an ingredient of tooth-powder1 it makes the teeth brittle4 ,camphor certainly has the effect of making the teeth1 for a time1 look very white2 but it is an evanescent beauty4 ,tartar is apt to accumulate between and around the teeth2 it is better in such a case not to remove it by sealing instruments1 but to adopt the plan recommended by ,dr ,richardson1 namely1 to well brush the teeth with pure vinegar and water4 ,,prevention ,,of ,,disease1 ,,etc #cei4 ,if a boy or a girl show great precocity of intellect1 is any organ likely to become affected8 ,a greater quantity of arterial blood is sent to the brain of those who are prematurely talented1 and hence it becomes more than ordinarily developed4 ,such advantages are not unmixed with danger2 this same arterial blood may exite and feed inflammation1 and either convulsions1 or water on the brain1 or insanity1 or1 at last1 idiocy may follow4 ,how proud a mother is in having a precocious child6 ,how little is she aware that precocity is frequently an indication of disease6 #cfj4 ,how can danger in such a case be warded off8 ,it behoves a parent1 if her son be precocious1 to restrain him--to send him to a quiet country place1 free from the excitement of the town2 and when he is sent to school1 to give directions to the master that he is not on any account to tax his intellect 7for a master is apt1 if he have a clever boy1 to urge him forward72 and to keep him from those institutions where a spirit of rivalry is maintained1 and where the brain is thus kept in a state of constant excitement4 ,medals and prizes are well enough for those who have moderate abilities1 but dangerous1 indeed1 to those who have brilliant ones4 ,an over-worked precocious brain is apt to cause the death of the owner2 and if it does not do so1 it in too many instances injures the brain irreparably1 and the possessor of such an organ1 from being one of the most intellectual of children becomes one of the most commonplace of men4 ,let me urge you1 if you have a precocious child1 to give1 and that before it be too late1 the subject in question your best consideration4 #cfa4 ,are precocious boys in their general health usually strong or delicate8 ,delicate3 nature seems to have given a delicate body to compensate for the advantages of a talented mind4 ,a precocious youth is predisposed to consumption1 more so than to any other disease4 ,the hard study which he frequently undergoes excites the disease into action4 ,it is not desirable1 therefore1 to have a precocious child4 ,a writer in ,eraser's ,magazine speaks very much to the purpose when he says1 ,give us intellectual beef rather than intellectual veal4 #cfb4 ,what ,habit of body is most predisposed to scrofula8 ,he or she who has a moist1 cold1 fair1 delicate and almost transparent skin1 large prominent blue eyes1 protuberant forehead1 light-brown or auburn hair1 rosy cheeks1 pouting lips1 milk-white teeth1 long neck1 high shoulders1 small1 flat1 and contracted chest1 tumid bowels1 large joints1 thin limbs1 and flabby muscles1 is the person1 most predisposed to scrofula4 ,the disease is not entirely confined to the above2 sometimes she or he who has black hair1 dark eyes and complexion1 is subject to it1 but yet1 far less frequently than the former4 ,it is a remarkable fact that the most talented are the most prone to scrofula1 and being thus clever their intellects are too often cultivated at the expense of their health4 ,in infancy and childhood1 either water on the brain or mesenteric disease2 in youth1 pulmonary consumption is frequently their doom3 they are like shining meteors2 their life is short1 but brilliant4 #cfc4 ,how may scrofula be warded off8 ,strict attention to the roles of health is the means to prevent scrofula4 ,books1 unless as an amusement1 ought to be discarded4 ,the patient must almost live in the open air1 and his residence should be a healthy country place1 where the air is dry and bracing2 if it be at a farm-house1 in a salubrious neighbourhood1 so much the better4 ,in selecting a house for a patient predisposed to scrofula1 good pure water should be an important requisite2 indeed for every one who values his health4 ,early rising in such a case is most beneficial4 ,wine1 spirits1 and all fermented liquors ought to be avoided4 ,beef-steaks and mutton-chops in abundance1 and plenty of milk and of farinaceous food--such as rice1 sago1 arrowroot1 c41 should be his diet4 ,scrofula1 if the above rules be strictly and perseveringly followed1 may be warded off2 but there must be no half measures1 no trying to serve two masters--to cultivate at the same time the health and the intellect4 ,the brain1 until the body becomes strong1 must not be taxed4 ,you may prevent scrofula by care1 but that some children are originally predisposed to the disease there cannot be the least doubt1 and in such cases the education and the habits of youth should be so directed as to ward off a complaint1 the effects of which are so frequently fatal4--,sir ,astley ,cooper on ,scrofula4 #cfd4 ,but suppose the disease to be already formed1 what must then be done8 ,the plan recommended above must still be pursued1 not by fits and starts1 but steadily and continuously1 for it is a complaint that requires a vast deal of patience and great perseverance4 ,warm and cold sea-bathing in such a case are generally most beneficial4 ,in a patient with confirmed scrofula it will of course be necessary to consult a skilful and experienced doctor4 ,but do not allow without a second opinion any plan to be adopted that will weaken the system1 which is already too much depressed4 ,no1 rather build up the body by good nourishing diet 7as previously recommended71 by cod-liver oil1 by a dry bracing atmosphere1 such as1 either ,brighton1 or ,ramsgate1 or ,llandudno2 or if the lungs be delicate1 by a more sheltered coast1 such as1 either ,st ,leonards or ,torquay4 ,let no active purging1 no-mercurials1 no violent1 desperate remedies be allowed4 ,if the patient cannot be cured without them1 ,i am positive that he will not be cured with them4 ,but do not despair2 many scrofulous patients are cured by time and by judicious treatment ,but if desperate remedies are to be used1 the poor patient had better by jar be left to ,nature3 ,let me fall now into the hand of the ,lord2 for very great are his mercies2 but let me not fall into the hand of man4--,chronicles4 #cfe4 ,have you any remarks to make on a girl stooping8 ,a girl ought never to be allowed to stoop3 stooping spoils the figure1 weakens the chest1 and interferes with the digestion4 ,if she cannot help stooping1 you may depend upon it that she is in bad health1 and that a medical man ought to be consulted4 ,as soon as her health is improved the dancing-master should be put in requisition1 and calisthenic and gymnastic exercises should be resorted to4 ,horse exercise and swimming in such a case are very beneficial ,the girl should live well1 on good nourishing diet1 and not be too closely confined either to the house or to her lessons4 ,she ought during the night to lie on a horsehair mattress1 and during the day1 for two or three hours1 flat on1 her back on a reclining board4 ,stooping1 if neglected1 is very likely to lead to consumption4 #cff4 ,if a boy be round-shouldered and slouching in his gait1 what ought to be done8 ,let him be drilled2 there is nothing more likely to benefit him than drilling4 ,you never see a soldier round-shouldered nor slouching in his gait ,he walks every inch like a man4 ,look at the difference in appearance between a country bumpkin and a soldier6 ,it is the drilling that makes the difference3 ,oh1 for a drill-sergeant to teach them to stand upright1 and to turn out their toes1 and to get rid of that slouching1 hulking gait1 which gives such a look of clumsiness and stupidity6 ,footnote3 ,a4 ,k1 ,h4 ,b41 ,fraser's ,magazine1 ,october #ahfa4 #cfg4 ,my daughter has grown out of shape1 she has grown on one ride1 her spine is not straight1 and her ribs bulge out more on the one side than on the other2 what is the cause1 and can anything be done to remedy the deformity8 ,the causes of this lateral curvature of the spine1 and consequent bulging out of the ribs that you have just now described1 arise either from delicacy of constitution1 from the want of proper exercise1 from too much learning1 or from too little play1 or from not sufficient or proper nourishment for a rapidly-growing body4 ,i am happy to say that such a case1 by judicious treatment1 can generally be cured--namely1 by gymnastic exercises1 such as the hand-swing1 the fly-pole1 the patent parlour gymnasium1 the chest-expander1 the skipping rope1 the swimming bath2 all sorts of out-door games1 such as croquet1 archery1 c42 by plenty of good nourishment1 by making her a child of ,nature1 by letting her almost live in the open air1 and by throwing books to the winds4 ,but let me strongly urge you not1 unless ordered by an experienced surgeon1 to allow any mechanical restraints or appliances to be used4 ,if she be made strong1 the muscles themselves will pull both the spine and the ribs into their proper places1 more especially if judicious games and exercises 7as ,i have before advised71 and other treatment of a strengthening and bracing nature1 which a medical man will indicate to you1 be enjoined4 ,mechanical appliances will1 if not judiciously applied1 and in a proper case1 waste away the muscles1 and will thus increase the mischief2 if they cause the ribs to be pushed in in one place1 they will bulge them out in another1 until1 instead of being one1 there will be a series of deformities4 ,no1 the giving of strength and the judicious exercising of the muscles are1 for a lateral curvature of the spine and the consequent bulging out of one side of the ribs1 the proper remedies1 and1 in the majority of cases1 are most effectual1 and quite sufficient for the purpose4 ,i think it well to strongly impress upon a mother's mind the great importance of early treatment4 ,if the above advice be followed1 every curvature in the beginning might be cured4 ,cases of several years' standing might1 with judicious treatment1 be wonderfully relieved4 ,bear in mind1 then1 that if the girl is to be made straight1 she is first of all to be made strong2 the latter1 together with the proper exercises of the muscles1 will lead to the former2 and the earlier a medical man takes it in hand1 the more rapid1 the more certain1 and the more effectual will be the cure4 ,an inveterate1 long-continued1 and neglected case of curvature of the spine and bulging out of the ribs on one side might require mechanical appliances1 but such a case can only be decided on by an experienced surgeon1 who ought always1 in the first place1 to be consulted4 #cfh4 ,is a slight spitting of blood to be looked upon as a dangerous symptom8 ,spitting of blood is always to be looked upon with suspicion2 even when a youth appears1 in other respects1 to be in good health1 it is frequently the forerunner of consumption4 ,it might be said that1 by mentioning the fact1 ,i am unnecessarily alarming a parent1 but it would be a false kindness if ,i did not do so3-- ,i most be cruel1 only to be kind4--,shakspeare4 ,let me ask1 ,when is consumption to be cured8 ,is it at the onset1 or is it when it is confirmed8 ,if a mother had been more generally aware that spitting of blood was frequently the forerunner of consumption1 she would1 in the management of her offspring1 have taken greater precautions2 she would have1 made everything give way to the preservation of their health2 and1 in many instances1 she would have been amply repaid by having the lives of her children spared to her4 ,we frequently hear of patients1 in confirmed consumption1 being sent to ,mentone1 to ,madeira1 and to other foreign parts4 ,can anything be more cruel or absurd8 ,if there be any disease that requires the comforts of home--and truly may an ,englishman's dwelling be called home6--and good nursing more than another1 it is consumption4 #cfi4 ,what it the death-rate of consumption in ,england8 ,at what age does consumption most frequently occur8 ,are girls more liable to it than boys8 ,what are the symptoms of this disease8 ,it is asserted1 on good authority1 that there always are in ,england1 #gh1jjj cases of consumption1 and that the yearly death-rate of this fell disease alone is #ci1jjj6 ,consumption more frequently shows itself between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one3 after then1 the liability to the disease gradually diminishes1 until1 at the age of forty-five1 it becomes comparatively rare4 ,boys are more prone to this complaint than girls4 ,some of the most important symptoms of pulmonary consumption are indicated by the stethoscope2 but1 as ,i am addressing a mother1 it would1 of course1 be quite out of place to treat of such signs in ,conversations of this kind4 ,the symptoms it might be well for a parent to recognise1 in order that she may seek aid early1 ,i will presently describe4 ,it is perfectly hopeless to expect to cure consumption unless advice be sought at the onset1 as the only effectual good in this disease is to be done at first4 ,it might be well to state that consumption creeps on insidiously4 ,one of the earliest symptoms of this dreadful scourge is a slight1 dry1 short cough1 attended with tickling and irritation at the top of the throat4 ,this cough generally occurs in the morning2 but1 after some time1 comes on at night1 and gradually throughout the day and the night4 ,frequently during the early stage of the disease a slight spitting of blood occurs4 ,now1 this is a most dangerous symptom2 indeed1 ,i may go so far as to say that1 as a rule1 it is almost a sure sign that the patient is in the first stage of a consumption4 ,there is usually hoarseness1 not constant1 but coming on if the patient be tired1 or towards the evening2 there is also a sense of lassitude and depression1 shortness of breath1 a feeling of being quickly wearied--more especially on the slightest exertion4 ,the hair of a consumptive person usually falls off1 and what little remains is weak and poor2 the joints of the fingers become enlarged1 or clubbed as it is sometimes called2 the patient loses flesh1 and1 after some time1 night sweats make their appearance3 then we may know that hectic fever has commenced4 ,hectic begins with chilliness1 which is soon followed by flushings of the face1 and by burning heat of the hands and the feet1 especially of the palms and the soles4 ,this is soon succeeded by perspirations4 ,the patient has generally1 during the day1 two decided paroxysms of hectic fever--the one at noon1 which lasts above five hours2 the other in the evening1 which is more severe1 and ends in violent perspirations1 which perspirations continue the whole night through4 ,he may1 during the day1 have several attacks of hectic flushes of the face1 especially after eating2 at one moment he complains of being too hot1 and rushes to the cool air2 the next moment he is too cold1 and almost scorches himself by sitting too near the fire4 ,whenever the circumscribed hectic flush is on the cheek1 it looks as though the cheek had been painted with vermilion1 then is the time when the palms of the hands are burning hot4 ,crabbe1 in the following lines1 graphically describes the hectic flush3-- ,when his thin cheek assumed a deadly hue1 ,and all the rose to one small spot withdrew3 ,they call'd it hectic2 'twas a fiery flush1 ,more fix'd and deeper than the maiden blush4 ,the expectoration at first is merely mucus1 but after a time it assumes a characteristic appearance2 it has a roundish1 flocculent1 woolly form1 each portion of phlegm keeping1 as it were1 distinct2 and if the expectoration be stirred in water1 it has a milk-like appearance4 ,the patient is commonly harassed by frequent bowel complaints1 which rob him of what little strength he has left4 ,the feet and ankles swell4 ,the perspiration1 as before remarked1 comes on in the evening1 continues all night--more especially towards morning1 and while the patient is asleep2 during the time he is awake1 even at night1 he seldom sweats much4 ,the thrush generally shows itself towards the close of the disease1 attacking the tongue1 the tonsils1 and the soft palate1 and is a sure harbinger of approaching death4 ,emaciation rapidly sets in4 ,if we consider the immense engines of destruction at work-viz41 the-colliquative 7melting7 sweats1 the violent bowel complaints1 the vital parts that are affected1 the harassing cough1 the profuse expectoration1 the hectic fever1 the distressing exertion of struggling to breathe--we cannot be surprised that consumption had hung out her red flag of no surrender1 and that death soon closes the scene4 ,in girls1 provided they have been previously regular1 menstruation gradually declines1 and then entirely disappears4 #cgj4 ,what are the causes of consumption8 ,the predisposing causes of consumption are the tuberculous habit of body1 hereditary predisposition1 narrow or contracted chest1 deformed spine1 delicacy of constitution1 bad and scanty diet1 or food containing but little nourishment1 impure air1 close in-door confinement in schools1 in shops1 and in factories1 ill-ventilated apartments1 dissipation1 late hours1 over-taxing with book-learning the growing brain1 thus producing debility1 want of proper out-door exercises and amusements1 tight lacing2 indeed1 anything and everything1 that either will debilitate the constitution1 or will interfere with1 or will impede1 the proper action of the lungs1 will be the predisposing causes of this fearful and lamentable disease4 ,an ill1 poor1 and insufficient diet is the mother of many diseases1 and especially of consumption3 ,whatsoever was the father of a disease1 an ill diet was the mother4 ,the most common exciting causes of consumption are slighted colds1 neglected inflammation of the chest1 long continuance of influenza1 sleeping in damp beds1 allowing wet clothes to dry on the body1 unhealthy employments--such as needle-grinding1 pearl button making etc4 #cga4 ,supposing a youth to have spitting of blood1 what precautions would you take to prevent it from ending in consumption8 ,let his health be the first consideration2 throw books to the winds2 if he be at school1 take him away2 if he be in trade1 cancel his indentures2 if he be in the town1 send him to a sheltered healthy spot in the country1 or to the south coast2 as1 for instance1 either to ,st ,leonards-on-,sea1 to ,torquay1 or to the ,isle of ,wight4 ,i should be particular in his clothing1 taking especial care to keep his chest and feet warm4 ,if he did not already wear flannel waistcoats1 let it be winter or summer1 ,i should recommend him immediately to do so3 if it be winter1 ,i should advise him also to take to flannel drawers4 ,the feet must be carefully attended to2 they ought to be kept both warm and dry1 the slightest dampness of either shoes or stockings should cause them to be immediately changed4 ,if a boy1 he ought to wear double-breasted waistcoats2 if a girl1 high dresses4 ,the diet must be nutritious and generous2 he should be encouraged to eat plentifully of beef and mutton4 ,there is nothing better for breakfast1 where it agree1 than milk2 indeed1 it may be frequently made to agree by previously boiling it4 ,good home-brewed ale or sound porter ought1 in moderation1 to be taken4 ,wine and spirits must on no account be allowed4 ,i caution parents in this particular1 as many have an idea that wine1 in such cases1 is strengthening1 and that rum and milk is a good thing either to cure or to prevent a cough6 ,if it be summer1 let him be much in the open air1 avoiding the evening and the night air4 ,if it be winter1 he should1 unless the weather be mild for the season1 keep within doors4 ,particular attention ought to be paid to the point the wind is in1 as he should not be allowed to go out if it is either in the north1 in the east1 or in the north-east2 the latter is more especially dangerous4 ,if it be spring1 and the weather be favourable1 or summer or autumn1 change of air1 more especially to the south-coast--to the ,isle of ,wight1 for instance-- would be desirable2 indeed1 in a case of spitting of blood1 ,i know of no remedy so likely to ward off that formidable1 and1 generally1 intractable complaint--consumption--as change of air4 ,the beginning of the autumn is1 of course1 the beat season for visiting the coast4 ,it would be advisable1 at the commencement of ,october1 to send him either to ,italy1 to the south of ,france--to ,mentone ,footnote3 ,see ,winter and ,spring on the ,shores of the ,mediterranean1 ,by ,j4 ,henry ,bennet1 ,m4,d41 ,london3 ,churchill4--or to the mild parts of ,england--more especially either to ,hastings1 or to ,torquay1 or to the ,isle of ,wight--to winter4 ,but remember1 if he be actually in a confirmed consumption1 ,i would not on any account whatever let him leave his home2 as then the comforts of home will far1 very far1 out-weigh any benefit of change of air4 #cgb4 ,suppose a youth to be much predisposed to a sore throat1 what precautions ought he to take to ward off future attacks8 ,he must use every morning thorough ablution of the body1 beginning cautiously2 that is to say1 commencing with the neck one morning1 then by degrees1 morning after morning1 sponging a larger surface1 until the whole of the body be sponged4 ,the chill at first must be taken off the water2 gradually the temperature ought to be lowered until the water be quite cold1 taking care to rub the body thoroughly dry with a coarse towel--a ,turkish rubber being the best for the purpose4 ,he ought to bathe his throat externally every night and morning with luke-warm salt and water1 the temperature of which must be gradually reduced until at length no warm water be added4 ,he should gargle his throat either with barm1 vinegar1 and sage tea1 ,footnote3 ,a wine-glassful of barm1 a wine-glassful of vinegar1 and the remainder sage tea1 to make a half-pint bottle of gargle4 or with salt and water--two tea-spoonfuls of table salt dissolved in a tumbler of water4 ,he ought to harden himself by taking plenty of exercise in the open air4 ,he must1 as much as possible1 avoid either sitting or standing in a draught1 if he be in one1 he should face it4 ,he ought to keep his feet warm and dry4 ,he should take as little aperient medicine as possible1 avoiding especially both calomel and blue pill4 ,as he grows up to manhood he ought to allow his beard to grow1 as such would be a natural covering for his throat4 ,i have known great benefit to arise from this simple plan4 ,the fashion is now to wear the beard1 not to use the razor at all1 and a sensible fashion ,i consider it to be4 ,the finest respirator in the world is the beard4 ,the beard is not only good for sore throats1 but for weak chests4 ,the wearing of the beard is a splendid innovation1 it saves no end of trouble1 is very beneficial to health1 and is a great improvement to the human face divine4 #cgc4 ,have you any remarks to make on the almost universal habit of boys and of very young men smoking8 ,i am not now called upon to give an opinion of the effects of tobacco smoking on the middle-aged and on the aged4 ,i am addressing a mother as to the desirability of her sons1 when boys1 being allowed to smoke4 ,i consider tobacco smoking one of the most injurious and deadly habits a boy or young man can indulge in4 ,it contracts the chest and weakens the lungs1 thus predisposing to consumption4 ,it impairs the stomach1 thus producing indigestion4 ,it debilitates the brain and nervous system1 thus inducing epileptic fits and nervous depression4 ,it stunts the growth1 and is one cause of the present race of pigmies4 ,it makes the young lazy and disinclined for work4 ,it is one of the greatest curses of the present day4 ,the following cases prove1 more than any argument can prove1 the dangerous and deplorable effects of a boy smoking4 ,i copy the first case from ,public ,opinion4 ,the ,france mentions the following fact as a proof of the evil consequences of smoking for boys--',a pupil in one of the colleges1 only twelve years of age1 was some tune since seized with epileptic fits1 which became worse and worse in spite of all the remedies employed4 ,at last it was discovered that the lad had been for two years past secretly indulging in the weed4 ,effectual means were adopted to prevent his obtaining tobacco1 and he soon recovered4' ,the other case occurred about fifteen years ago in my own practice4 ,the patient was a youth of nineteen4 ,he was an inveterate smoker4 ,from being a bright intelligent lad1 he was becoming idiotic1 and epileptic fits were supervening4 ,i painted to him1 in vivid colours1 the horrors of his case1 and assured him that if he still persisted in his bad practices1 he would soon become a drivelling idiot6 ,i at length1 after some trouble and contention1 prevailed upon him to desist from smoking altogether4 ,he rapidly lost all epileptic symptoms1 his face soon resumed its wonted intelligence1 and his mind asserted its former power4 ,he remains well to this day1 and is now a married man with a family4 #cgd4 ,what are the best methods to restrain a violent bleeding from the nose8 ,do not1 unless it be violent1 interfere with a bleeding from the nose4 ,a bleeding from the nose is frequently an effort of ,nature to relieve itself1 and therefore1 unless it be likely to weaken the patient1 ought not to be restrained4 ,if it be necessary to restrain the bleeding1 press firmly1 for a few minutes1 the nose between the finger and the thumb2 this alone will often stop the bleeding2 if it should not1 then try what bathing the nose and the forehead and the nape of the neck with water quite cold from the pump1 will do4 ,if that does not succeed1 try the old-fashioned remedy of putting a cold large door-key down the back4 ,if these plans fail1 try the effects either of powdered alum or of powdered matico1 used after the fashion of snuff--a pinch or two either of the one or of the other1 or of both1 should be sniffed up the bleeding nostril4 ,if these should not answer the purpose1 although they almost invariably will1 apply a large lump of ice to the nape of the neck1 and put a small piece of ice into the patient's mouth for him to suck4 ,if these methods do not succeed1 plunge the hand and the fore-arm into cold water1 keep them in for a few minutes1 then take them out1 and either hold1 or let be held up1 the arms and the hands high above the head3 this plan has frequently succeeded when others have failed4 ,let the room he kept cool1 throw open the windows1 and do not have many in the room to crowd around the patient4 ,doubtless ,dr ,richardson's local anaesthetic--the ether spray--playing for a few seconds to a minute on the nose and up the bleeding nostril1 would act most beneficially in a severe case of this kind1 and would1 before resorting to the disagreeable operation of plugging the nose1 deserve a trial4 ,i respectfully submit this suggestion to my medical brethren4 ,the ether--rectified ether--used for the spray ought to be perfectly pure1 and of the specific gravity of #j4gbc4 ,if the above treatment does not soon succeed1 send for a medical man1 as more active means1 such as plugging of the nostrils--which1 is not done unless in extreme cases--might be necessary4 ,but before plugging of the nose is resorted to1 it will be well to try the effects of a cold solution of alum3-- ,take of--,powdered ,alum1 one drachm2 ,water1 half a pint3 ,to make a ,lotion4 ,a little of the lotion should be put into the palm of the hand and sniffed up the bleeding nostril2 or1 if that does not succeed1 some of the lotion ought1 by means of a syringe1 to be syringed up the nose4 #cge4 ,in case of a young lady fainting1 what had better be done8 ,lay her flat upon her back1 taking care that the head be as low as1 or lower than1 the body2 throw open the-windows1 do not crowd around her1 ,footnote3 ,shakspeare knew the great importance of not crowding around a patient who has fainted4 ,he says-- ,so play the foolish throngs with one that swoons2 ,come all to help him1 and so stop the air ,by which he should revive4 unloosen her dress as quickly as possible2 ascertain if she have been guilty of tight-lacing--for fainting is sometimes produced by that reprehensible practice4 ,apply smelling salts to her nostrils2 if they be not at hand1 burn a piece of rag under her nose2 dash cold water upon her face2 throw open the window2 fan her2 and do not1 as is generally done1 crowd round her1 and thus prevent a free circulation of air4 ,as soon as she can swallow1 give her either a draught of cold water or a glass of wine1 or a tea-spoonful of sal-volatile in a wine-glassful of water4 ,to prevent fainting for the future4--,i would recommend early hours2 country air and exercise2 the stays1 if worn at all1 to be worn slack2 attention to diet2 avoidance of wine1 beer1 spirits1 excitement1 and fashionable amusements4 ,sometimes the cause of a young lady fainting1 is either a disordered stomach1 or a constipated state of the bowels4 ,if the fainting have been caused by disordered stomach1 it may be necessary to stop the supplies1 and give the stomach1 for a day or two1 but little to do2 a fast will frequently prevent the necessity of giving medicine4 ,of course1 if the stomach be much disordered1 it will be desirable to consult a medical man4 ,if your daughter's fainting have originated from a costive state of the bowels 7another frequent cause of fainting71 ,i beg to refer you to a subsequent ,conversation1 in which ,i will give you a list of remedies for the prevention and the treatment of constipation4 ,a young lady's fainting occasionally arises from debility--from downright weakness of the constitution2 then the best remedies will be1 change of air to the coast1 good nourishing diet1 and the following strengthening mixture3 ,take of--,tincture of ,perchloride of ,iron1 two drachms2 ,tincture of ,calumba1 six drachms2 ,distilled ,water1 seven ounces3 ,two table-spoonfuls of this mixture to be taken three times a day4 ,or for a change1 the following3-- ,take of--,wine of ,iron1 one ounce and a half ,distilled ,water1 six ounces and a half ,to make a ,mixture4 ,two table spoonfuls to be taken three times a day4 ,iron medicines ought always to be taken after instead of before a meal4 ,the best times of the day for taking either of the above mixtures will be eleven o'clock1 four o'clock1 and seven o'clock4 #cgf4 ,you had a great objection to a mother administering calomel either to an infant or to a child1 have you the same objection to a boy or a girl taking it when he or she requires an aperient8 ,equally as great4 ,it is my firm belief that the frequent use1 or rather the abuse1 of calomel and of other preparations of mercury1 is often a source of liver disease and an exciter of scrofula4 ,it is a medicine of great value in some diseases1 when given by a judicious medical man1 but1 at the same time1 it is a drag of great danger when either given indiscriminately1 or when too often prescribed4 ,i will grant that in liver diseases it frequently gives temporary relief1 but when a patient has once commenced the regular use of it1 he cannot do without it1 until1 at length1 the functional ends in organic disease of the liver4 ,the use of calomel predisposes to cold1 and thus frequently brings on either inflammation or consumption4 ,family aperient pills ought never to contain1 in any form whatever1 a particle of mercury4 #cgg4 ,will you give me a list of remedies for the prevention and for the cure of constipation8 ,if you find it necessary to give your son or daughter an aperient1 the mildest should be selected1 for instance1 an agreeable and effectual one1 is an electuary composed of the following ingredients-- ,take of--,beat ,alexandria ,senna1 powdered1 one ounce ,best figs1 two ounces1 ,best ,raisins 7stoned71 two ounces1 ,all chopped very fine4 ,the size of a nutmeg or two to be eaten1 either early in the morning or at bedtime4 ,or1 one or two tea-spoonfuls of ,compound ,confection4 of ,senna 7lenitive electuary7 may occasionally1 early in the morning1 be taken4 ,or1 for a change1 a tea-spoonful of ,henry's ,magnesia1 in half a tumblerful of warm water4 ,if this should not be sufficiently active1 a tea-spoonful of ,epsom salts should be given with the magnesia4 ,a ,seidlitz ,powder forms another safe and mild aperient1 or one or two ,compound ,rhubarb ,pills may be given at bed time4 ,the following prescription for a pill1 where an aperient is absolutely necessary1 is a mild1 gentle1 and effective one for the purpose-- ,take of--,extract of ,socotrine ,aloes1 eight grains1 ,compound ,extract of ,colocynth1 forty-eight grains1 ,hard ,soap1 twenty four grains1 ,treacle1 a sufficient quantity ,to make twenty four ,pills4 ,one or two to be taken at bedtime occasionally4 ,but1 after all1 the best opening medicines are--cold ablutions every morning of the whole body1 attention to diet1 variety of food1 bran-bread1 grapes1 stewed prunes1 ,french plums1 ,muscatel raisins1 figs1 fruit both cooked and raw--if it be ripe and sound1 oatmeal porridge1 lentil powder1 in the form of ,du ,barry's ,arabica ,revalenta1 vegetables of all kinds1 especially spinach1 exercise in the open air1 early rising1 daily visiting the water-closet at a certain hour--there is nothing keeps the bowels open so regularly and well as establishing the habit of visiting the water-closet at a certain hour every morning1 and the other rules of health specified in these ,conversations4 ,if more attention were paid to these points1 poor school boys and school girls would not be compelled to swallow such nauseous and disgusting messes as they usually do to their aversion and injury4 ,should these plans not succeed 7although in the majority of cases1 with patience and perseverance1 they will7 ,i would advise an enema once or twice a week1 either simply of warm water1 or of one made of gruel1 table-salt1 and olive-oil1 in the proportion of two table-spoonfuls of salt1 two of oil1 and a pint of warm gruel1 which a boy may administer to himself1 or a girl to herself1 by means of a proper enema apparatus4 ,hydropathy is oftentimes very serviceable in preventing and in curing costiveness2 and as it will sometimes prevent the necessity of administering medicine1 it is both a boon and a blessing4 ,hydropathy also supplies us with various remedies for constipation4 ,from the simple glass of cold water1 taken early in the morning1 to the various douches and sea-baths1 a long list of useful appliances might be made out1 among which we may mention the 'wet compresses' worn for three hours over the abdomen bowels1 with a gutta percha covering4 ,i have here a word or two to say to a mother who is always physicking her family4 ,it is an unnatural thing to be constantly dosing either a child1 or any one else1 with medicine4 ,one would suppose that some people were only sent into the world to be physicked6 ,if more care were paid to the rules of health1 very little medicine would be required6 ,this is a hold assertion2 but ,i am confident that it is a true one4 ,it is a strange admission for a medical man to make1 but1 nevertheless1 my convictions compel me to avow it4 #cgh4 ,what is the reason girls are so subject to costiveness8 ,the principal reason why girls suffer more from costiveness than boys1 is that their habits are more sedentary2 as the best opening medicines in the world are an abundance of exercise1 of muscular exertion1 and of fresh air4 ,unfortunately1 poor girls in this enlightened age must be engaged1 sitting all the while1 several hours every day at fancy work1 the piano1 and other accomplishments2 they1 consequently1 have little time for exercise of any kind4 ,the bowels1 as a matter of course1 become constipated2 they are1 therefore1 dosed with pills1 with black draughts1 with brimstone and treacle--,oh6 the abomination6 --and with medicines of that class1 almost ad infinitum4 ,what is the consequence8 ,opening medicines1 by constant repetition1 lose their effects1 and1 therefore1 require to be made stronger and still stronger1 until at length1 the strongest will scarcely act at all1 and the poor unfortunate girl1 when she becomes a woman1 if she ever does become one1 is spiritless1 heavy1 doll1 and listless1 requiring daily doses of physic1 until she almost lives on medicine6 ,all this misery and wretchedness proceed from ,nature's laws having been set at defiance1 from artificial means taking the place of natural ones--from a mother adopting as her rule and guide fashion and folly1 rather than reason and common sense4 ,when will a mother awake from her folly and stupidity8 ,this is strong language to address to a lady1 but it is not stronger than the subject demands4 ,mothers of ,england do1 let me entreat you1 ponder well upon what ,i have said4 ,do rescue your girls from the bondage of fashion and of folly1 which is worse than the bondage of the ,egyptian task masters1 for the ,israelites did1 in making bricks without straw1 work m the open air--,so the people were scattered abroad throughout all the land of ,egypt to gather stubble instead of straw1 but your girls1 many of them1 at least1 have no work1 either in the house or in the open air--they have no exercise whatever4 ,they are poor1 drawling1 dawdling1 miserable nonentities1 with muscles1 for the want of proper exercise1 like ribands1 and with faces1 for the lack of fresh air1 as white as a sheet of paper4 ,what a host of charming girls are yearly sacrificed at the shrine of fashion and of folly4 ,another1 and a frequent cause of costiveness1 is the bad habit of disobeying the call of having the bowels opened4 ,the moment there is the slightest inclination to relieve the bowels1 instantly it ought to be attended to1 or serious results will follow4 ,let me urge a mother to instil into her daughter's mind the importance of this advice4 #cgi4 ,young people are subject to pimples on the face1 what is the remedy8 ,these hard red pimples 7acne--the grub pimple7 are a common and an obstinate affection of the skin1 affecting the forehead1 the temples1 the nose1 the chin1 and the cheeks1 occasionally attacking the neck1 the shoulders1 the back1 and the chest2 and as they more frequently affect the young1 from the age of #ae to #ce1 and are disfiguring1 they cause much annoyance4 ,these pimples are so well known by most persons as scarcely to need description2 they are conical1 red1 and hard2 after a while1 they become white1 and yellow at the point1 then discharge a thick1 yellow-coloured matter1 mingled with a whitish substance1 and become covered by a hard brown scab1 and lastly1 disappear very slowly1 sometimes very imperfectly1 and often leaving an ugly scar behind them4 ,to these symptoms are not unfrequently added considerable pain1 and always much unsightliness4 ,when these little cones have the black head of a 'grub' at their point1 they constitute the variety termed spotted acne4 ,these latter often remain stationary for months1 without increasing or becoming red2 but when they inflame1 they are in nowise different in their course from the common kind4--,wilson on ,healthy ,skin4 ,i find1 in these cases1 great benefit to be derived from bathing the face1 night and morning1 with strong salt and water--a table-spoonful of table-salt to a tea-cupful of water2 by paying attention to the bowels2 by living on plain1 wholesome1 nourishing food2 and by taking a great of out-door exercise4 ,sea-bathing1 in these cases1 is often very beneficial4 ,grubs and worms have a mortal antipathy to salt4 #chj4 ,what is the cause of a ,gum-boil8 ,a decayed root of a tooth1 which causes inflammation and abscess of the gum1 which abscess breaks1 and thus becomes a gum-boil4 #cha4 ,what is the treatment of a ,gum-boil8 ,foment the outside of the face with a hot camomile and poppy head fomentation1 ,footnote3 ,four poppy heads and four ounces of camomile blows to be boiled in four pints of water for half an hoar1 and then to be strained to make the fomentation4 and apply to the gum-boil1 between the cheek and the gum1 a small white bread and milk poultice1 ,footnote3 ,cut a piece of bread1 about the size of the little finger-- without breaking it into crumb--pour boiling hot milk upon it1 cover it over1 and let it stand for five minutes1 then apply the soaked bread over the gum-boil1 letting it rest between the cheek and the gum4 which renew frequently4 ,as soon as the gum-boil has become quiet1 by all means have the affected tooth extracted1 or it might cause disease1 and consequently serious injury of the jaw2 and whenever the patient catches cold there will be a renewal of the inflammation1 of the abscess1 and of the gum-boil1 and1 as a matter of course1 renewed pain1 trouble1 and annoyance4 ,moreover1 decayed fangs of teeth often cause the breath to be offensive4 #chb4 ,what is the best remedy for a ,corn8 ,the best remedy for a hard corn is to remove it4 ,the usual method of cutting1 or of paring a corn away1 is erroneous4 ,the following is the right way--,cut with a sharp pair of pointed scissors around the circumference of the corn4 ,work gradually round and round and towards the centre4 ,when you have for some considerable distance well loosened the edges1 you can either with your fingers or with a pair of forceps generally remove the corn bodily1 and that without pain and without the loss of any blood3 this plan of treating a corn ,i can recommend to you as being most effectual4 ,if the corn be properly and wholly removed it will leave a small cavity or round hole in the centre1 where the blood-vessels and the nerve of the corn--vulgarly called the root--really were1 and which1 in point of fact1 constituted the very existence or the essence of the corn4 ,moreover1 if the corn be entirely removed1 you will1 without giving yourself the slightest pain1 be able to squeeze the part affected between your finger and thumb4 ,hard corns on the sole of the foot and on the sides of the foot are best treated by filing--by filing them with a sharp cutting file 7flat on one side and convex on the other7 neither too coarse nor too fine in the cutting4 ,the corn ought1 once every day1 to be filed1 and should daily be continued until you experience a slight pain1 which tells you that the end of the corn is approaching4 ,many cases of hard corn that have resisted every other plan of treatment1 have been entirely cured by means of the file4 ,one great advantage of the file is1 it cannot possibly do any harm1 and may be used by a timid person--by one who would not readily submit to any cutting instrument being applied to the corn4 ,the file1 if properly used1 is an effectual remedy for a hard corn on the sole of the foot4 ,i myself have seen the value of it in several cases1 particularly in one case1 that of an old gentleman of ninety five1 who had had a corn on the sole of his foot for upwards of half a century1 and which had resisted numerous1 indeed almost innumerable remedies1 at length ,i recommended the file1 and after a few applications entire relief was obtained1 and the corn was completely eradicated4 ,the corns between the toes are called soft corns4 ,a soft corn is quickly removed by the strong ,acetic ,acid--,acid4 ,acetic ,fort--which ought to be applied to the corn every night by means of a camel's hair brush4 ,the toes should be kept asunder for a few minutes1 in order that the acid may soak in1 then apply between the toes a small piece of cotton wool4 ,galbanum ,plaster spread either on wash leather1 or on what is better1 on an old white kid glove1 has been1 in one of our medical journals1 strongly recommended as a corn plaster1 it certainly is an admirable one1 and when the corn is between the toes is sometimes most comfortable--affording immense relief4 ,corns are like the little worries of life--very teazing and troublesome a good remedy for a corn--which the ,galbanum ,plaster undoubtedly is-is therefore worth knowing4 ,hard corns1 then1 on the sole and on the side of the foot are best treated by the file1 hard corns on the toes by the scissors1 and soft corns between the toes either by the strong ,acetic ,acid or by the ,galbanum ,plaster4 ,in the generality of cases the plans recommended above1 if properly performed1 will effect a cure1 but if the corn1 from pressure or from any other cause1 should return1 remove it again1 and proceed as before directed4 ,if the corn have been caused either by tight or by ill fitting shoes1 the only way to prevent a recurrence is1 of course1 to have the shoes1 properly made by a clever shoemaker--by one who thoroughly understands his business1 and who will have a pair of lasts made purposely for the feet4 ,footnote3 ,as long as fashion instead of common sense is followed in the making of both boots and shoes1 men and women will1 as a matter of course1 suffer from corns4 ,it has1 often struck me as singular1 when all the professions and trades are so overstocked1 that there should be1 as there is in every large town1 such a want of chiropodists 7corn-cutters7--of respectable chiropodists--of men who would charge a fixed sum for every visit the patient may make1 for instance to every working man a shilling1 and to every gentleman half-a-crown or five shillings for each sitting1 and not for each corn 7which latter system is a most unsatisfactory way of doing business74 ,i am quite sure that of such a plan were adopted1 every town of any size in the kingdom would employee regularly one chiropodist at least4 ,however we might dislike some few of the ,american customs1 we may copy them with advantage in this particular--namely1 in having a regular staff of chiropodists both in civil and in military life4 ,the ,german method of making boots and shoes is a capital one for the prevention of corns1 as the boots and shoes are made1 scientifically to fit a real and not an ideal foot4 ,one of the best preventatives of as well as of the best remedies for corns1 especially of soft corns between the toes1 is washing the feet every morning as recommended in a previous ,conversation1 ,footnote3 ,youth--,ablution1 page #bej4 taking especial care to wash with the thumb1 and afterwards to wipe with the towel between each toe4 #chc4 ,what are the best remedies to destroy a ,wart8 ,pure nitric acid1 ,footnote3 ,a very small quantity of ,pure ,nitric ,acid--just a drain at the bottom of a stoppered bottle--is all that is needed1 and which may be procured of a chemist4 carefully applied to the wart by means of a small stick of cedar wood--a camel's hair pencil-holder--every other day1 will soon destroy it4 ,care must be taken that the acid does not touch the healthy skin1 or it will act as a caustic to it4 ,the nitric acid should be preserved in a stoppered bottle and must be put out of the reach of children4 ,glacial ,acetic ,acid is another excellent destroyer of warts3 it should1 by means of a camel's hair brush1 be applied to each wart1 every night just before going to bed4 ,the warts will1 after a few applications1 completely disappear4 #chd4 ,what is the best remedy for tender feet1 for sweaty feet1 and for smelling feet8 ,cold water3 bathing the feet in cold water1 beginning with tepid water2 but gradually from day to day reducing the warm until the water be quite cold4 ,a large nursery-basin one-third full of water1 ought to be placed on the floor1 and one foot at a time should be put in the water1 washing the while with a sponge the foot1 and with the thumb between each toe4 ,each foot should remain in the water about half a minute4 ,the feet ought1 after each washing1 to be well dried1 taking care to dry with the towel between each toe4 ,the above process must be repeated at least once every day--every morning1 and if the annoyance be great1 every night as well4 ,a clean pair of stockings ought in these cases to be put on daily1 as perfect cleanliness is absolutely necessary both to afford relief and to effect a cure4 ,if the feet be tender1 or if there be either bunions1 or corns1 the shoes and the boots made according to the ,german method 7which are fashioned according to the actual shape of the foot7 should alone be worn4 #che4 ,what are the causes of so many young ladies of the present day being weak1 nervous1 and unhappy8 ,the principal causes are--ignorance of the laws of health1 ,nature's laws being set at nought by fashion and by folly1 by want of fresh air and exercise1 by want of occupation1 and by want of self-reliance4 ,weak1 nervous1 and unhappy6 ,well they might be6 ,what have they to make them strong and happy8 ,have they work to do to brace the muscles8 ,have they occupation--useful1 active occupation--to make them happy8 ,no6 they have neither the one nor the other6 #chf4 ,what diseases are girls most subject to8 ,the diseases peculiar to girls are--,chlorosis--,green-sickness--and ,hysterics4 #chg4 ,what are the usual causes of ,chlorosis8 ,chlorosis is caused by torpor and debility of the whole frame1 especially of the womb4 ,it is generally produced by scanty or by improper food1 by the want of air and of exercise1 and by too close application within doors4 ,here we have the same tale over again--close application within doors1 and the want of fresh air and of exercise4 ,when will the eyes of a mother he opened1 to this important subject8--the most important that can engage her attention6 #chh4 ,what is the usual age for ,chlorosis to occur and what are the symptoms8 ,chlorosis more frequently attacks girls from fifteen to twenty years of age2 although unmarried women1 much older1 occasionally have it4 ,i say unmarried1 for1 as a rule1 it is a complaint of the single4 ,the patient1 first of all1 complains of being languid1 tired1 and out of spirits2 she is fatigued with the slightest exertion2 she has usually palpitation of the heart 7so as to make her fancy that she has a disease of that organ1 which1 in all probability1 she has not72 she has shortness of breath1 and a short dry cough2 her face is flabby and pale2 her complexion gradually assumes a yellowish or greenish hue--hence the name of chlorosis2 there is a dark1 livid circle around her eyes2 her lips lose their colour1 and become almost white2 her tongue is generally white and pasty1 her appetite is bad1 and is frequently depraved--the patient often preferring chalk1 slate pencil1 cinder1 and even dirt1 to the daintiest food1 indigestion frequently attends chlorosis1 she has usually pains over the short-ribs1 on the left side1 she suffers greatly from wind--is frequently nearly choken by it1 her bowels are generally costive1 and the stools are unhealthy1 she has pains in her hips1 loins1 and back1 and her feet and ankles are oftentimes swollen4 ,the menstrual discharge is either suspended or very partially performed1 if the latter1 it is usually almost colourless4 ,hysterical fits not unfrequently occur during an attack of chlorosis4 #chi4 ,how may ,chlorosis be prevented8 ,if health were more and fashion were less studied1 chlorosis would not be such a frequent complaint4 ,this disease generally takes its rise from mismanagement--from ,nature's laws having been set at defiance4 ,i have heard a silly mother express an opinion that it is not genteel for a girl to eat heartily6 ,such language is perfectly absurd and cruel4 ,how often1 too1 a weak mother declares that a healthy1 blooming girl looks like a milk maid6 ,it would be well if she did6 ,how true and sad it is1 that a pale1 delicate face1 and clear eyes1 indicative of consumption1 are the fashionable desiderata at present for complexion4--,dublin ,university ,magazine4 ,a growing girl requires plenty of good nourishment--as much as her appetite demands1 and if she have it not1 she will become either chlorotic1 or consumptive1 or delicate4 ,besides1 the greatest beautifier in the world is health1 therefore1 by a mother studying the health of her daughter1 she will1 at the same time1 adorn her body with1 beauty6 ,i am sorry to say that too many parents think more of the beauty than of the health of their girls4 ,sad and lamentable infatuation6 ,nathaniel ,hawthorne--a distinguished ,american--gives a graphic description of a delicate young lady4 ,he says--,she is one of those delicate nervous young creatures not uncommon in ,new ,england1 and whom ,i suppose to have become what we find them by the gradually refining away of the physical system among young women4 ,some philosophers choose to glorify this habit of body by terming it spiritual1 but in my opinion1 it is rather the effect of unwholesome food1 bad air1 lack of out-door exercise1 and neglect of bathing1 on the part of these damsels and their female progenitors1 all resulting in a kind of hereditary dyspepsia4 ,nathaniel ,hawthorne was right4 ,such ladies1 when he wrote1 were not uncommon1 but within the last two or three years1 to their great credit be it spoken1 a change has come o'er the spirit of their dreams1 and they are wonderfully improved in health1 for1 with all reverence be it spoken1 ,god helps them who help themselves1 and they have helped themselves by attending to the rales of health--,the women of ,america are growing more and more handsome every year for just this reason4 ,they are growing rounder of chest1 fuller of limb1 gaining1 substance and development in every direction4 ,whatever may be urged to the contrary we believe this to be a demonstrable fact4 ,when the rising generation of ,american girls once begin to wear thick shoes1 to take much exercise in the open air1 to skate1 to play at croquet1 and to affect the saddle1 it not only begins to grow more wise but more healthful1 and which must follow as the night the day--more beautiful--,the ,round ,table4 ,if a young girl had plenty-of wholesome meat1 varied from day to day1 either plain roast or boiled1 and neither stewed1 nor hashed1 nor highly seasoned for the stomach1 if she has had an abundance of fresh air for her lungs1 if she had plenty of active exercise1 such as skipping1 dancing1 running1 riding1 swimming1 for her muscles1 if her clothing were warm and loose1 and adapted to the season1 if her mind were more occupied with active useful occupation1 such as household work1 than at present1 and if she were kept calm and untroubled from the hurly-burly and excitement of fashionable life--chlorosis would almost be an unknown disease4 ,it is a complaint of rare occurrence with country girls1 but of great frequency with fine city ladies4 #cij4 ,what treatment should you advise8 ,the treatment which would prevent should be adopted when the complaint first makes its appearance4 ,if the above means do not quickly remove it1 the mother must then apply to a medical man1 and he will give medicines which will soon have the desired effect4 ,chlorosis is very amenable to treatment4 ,if the disease be allowed for any length of time to run on1 it may produce either organic--incurable--disease of the heart1 or consumption or indigestion1 or confirmed ill-health4 #cia4 ,at what period of life is a lady most prone in ,hysterics1 and what are the symptoms8 ,the time of life when hysterics occur is generally from the age of fifteen to fifty4 ,hysterics come on by paroxysms--hence they are called hysterical fits4 ,a patient1 just before an attack1 is low-spirited2 crying without a cause2 she is nervous1 as it is called2 she has flushings of the face2 she is at other times very pale2 she has shortness of breath and occasional palpitations of the heart2 her appetite is usually bad2 she passes quantities of colourless limpid urine1 having the appearance of pump water2 she is much troubled with flatulence in her bowels1 and1 in consequence1 she feels bloated and uncomfortable4 ,the wind at length rises upwards towards the stomach1 and still upwards to the throat1 giving her the sensation of a ball stopping her breathing1 and producing a feeling of suffocation4 ,the sensation of a ball in the throat 7globus hystericus7 is the commencement of the fit4 ,she now becomes partially insensible1 although she seldom loses complete consciousness4 ,her face becomes flushed1 her nostrils dilated1 her head thrown back1 and her stomach and bowels enormously distended with wind4 ,after a short time she throws her arms and her legs about convulsively1 she beats her breast1 tears her hair and clothes1 laughs boisterously and screams violently2 at other times she makes a peculiar noise2 sometimes she sobs and her face is much distorted4 ,at length she brings up enormous quantities of wind2 after a time she bursts into a violent flood of tears1 and then gradually comes to herself4 ,as soon as the fit is at an end she generally passes enormous quantities of colourless limpid urine4 ,she might1 in a short time1 fall into another attack similar to the above4 ,when she comes to herself she feels exhausted and tired1 and usually complains of a slight headache1 and of great soreness of the body and limbs4 ,she seldom remembers what has occurred during the fit4 ,hysterics are sometimes frightful to witness1 but1 in themselves1 are not at all dangerous4 ,hysterics--an hysterical fit--is sometimes styled hysterical passion4 ,shakspeare1 in one of his plays1 calls it hysterica passio-- ,oh how this1 mother1 swells up toward my ,heart6 ,hysterica passio6 ,sir ,walter ,scott graphically describes an attack--,the hysterical passion that impels tears is a terrible violence--a sort of throttling sensation--then succeeded by a state of dreaming stupidity #cib4 ,what are the causes of ,hysterics8 ,delicate health1 chlorosis1 improper and not sufficiently nourishing food1 grief1 anxiety1 excitement of the mind1 closely confined rooms1 want of exercise1 indigestion1 flatulence and tight-lacing1 are the causes which usually produce hysterics4 ,hysterics are frequently feigned1 indeed1 oftener than any other complaint1 and even a genuine case is usually much aggravated by a patient herself giving way to them4 #cic4 ,what do you recommend an hysterical lady to do8 ,to improve her health by proper management1 to rise early and to take a walk1 that she may breathe pure and wholesome air1--indeed1 she ought to live nearly half her time in the open air1 exercising herself with walking1 skipping1 etc41 to employ her mind with botany1 croquet1 archery1 or with any out-door amusement1 to confine herself to plain1 wholesome1 nourishing food1 to avoid tight lacing2 to eschew fashionable amusements2 and1 above all1 not to give way to her feelings1 but1 if she feel an attack approaching1 to rouse herself4 ,if the fit be upon her1 the better plan is1 to banish all the male sex from the room1 and not even to have many women about her1 and for those around to loosen her dress2 to lay her in the centre of the room1 flat upon the ground1 with a pillow under her head1 to remove combs and pins and brooches from her person2 to dash cold water upon her face2 to apply cloths1 or a large sponge wetted in cold water1 to her head2 to throw open the window1 and then to leave her to herself2 or1 at all events1 to leave her with only one female friend or attendant4 ,if such be done1 she will soon come round2 but what is the usual practice8 ,if a girl be in hysterics1 the whole house1 and perhaps the neighbourhood1 is roused2 the room is crowded to suffocation2 fears are openly expressed by those around that she is in a dangerous state2 she hears what they say1 and her hysterics are increased ten-fold4 #cid4 ,have you any remarks to make on a patient recovering from a severe illness8 ,there is something charming and delightful in the feelings of a patient recovering from a severe illness3 it is like a new birth3 it is almost worth the pain and anguish of having been ill to feel quite well again3 everything around and about him wears a charming aspect--a roseate hue3 the appetite for food returns with pristine vigour2 the viands1 be they ever so homely1 never tasted before so deliciously sweet2 and a draught of water from the spring has the flavour of ambrosial nectar3 the convalescent treads the ground as though he were on the ambient air2 and the earth to him for a while is ,paradise3 the very act of living is a joy and gladness3-- ,see the wretch that long has tost ,on the thorny bed of pain ,again repair his vigour lost ,and walk and run again4 ,the meanest flow'ret of the vale1 ,the amplest note that swells the gale1 ,the common air1 the earth1 the skies1 ,to him are opening ,paradise4--,grey 99 99 99 99 99 ,,concluding ,,remarks ,if this book is to be of use to mothers and to the rising generation1 as ,i humbly hope and trust that it has been1 and that it will be still more abundantly1 it ought not to be listlessly read1 merely as a novel or as any other piece of fiction2 but it must be thoughtfully and carefully studied1 until its contents1 in all its bearings1 be completely mastered and understood4 99 99 99 99 99 ,in conclusion3 ,i beg to thank you for the courtesy1 confidence1 and attention ,i have received at your hands2 and to express a hope that my advice1 through ,god's blessing1 may not have been given in vain2 but that it may be--one among many--an humble instrument for improving the race of our children--,england's priceless treasures6 ,o1 that the time may come1 and may not be far distant1 ,that our sons may grow up as the young plants1 and that our daughters may be as the polished corners of the temple6 ,,index4 ,,ablution of a child of an infant of a youth thorough1 of boy and girl ,accidents of children how to prevent ,acne1 symptoms and treatment of ,advice to a mother if her infant be poorly to ,mr ,pater familias ,ailments1 the distinction between between serious and slight of infants ,air and exercise for youth the importance of good the necessity of fresh1 and changing the ,airing an infant's clothes ,alternately to each breast ,american ladies ,amusements for a child for a boy for a girl ,ankles1 weak ,antipathies of a child ,aperients for a child for an infant for a new-born babe for a youth danger of frequent ,appeal to mothers ,appetite1 on a child losing his ,applications1 hot ,apron1 washing ,archery ,arnold1 ,dr1 on corporal punishment ,arrow-root for an infant ,artificial food for an infant at breast ,asses' milk ,,babes should kick on floor ,babe's clothing ,babe himself taking exercise ,babyhood1 the language of ,baby daughter ,baked crumb of bread for an infant flour for an infant ,bakers' and home made bread ,bathing after full meal ,baths1 cold1 tepid1 and warm warm1 as a remedy for flatulence ,beard1 best respirator ,bed1 on placing child in ,beds1 feather purification of ,bed-rooms1 the ventilation of cool large a plan to ventilate ,bee1 the sting of ,beef1 salted or boiled ,beer1 on giving child ,belladonna1 poisoning by ,belly-band1 best kind when to discontinue ,beverage for a child ,black-eye1 remedies for ,bladder and bowels of an infant ,bleeding from navel1 how to restrain of nose ,blood1 spitting of ,blows and bruises ,boarding schools for females on cheap 7note7 ,boiled bread for infants' food flour for infants' food ,boils1 the treatment of ,boots and shoes ,bottles1 the best nursing ,boulogne sore-throat ,bow-legs ,bowels1 large1 of children looseness of protrusion of lower regulation of1 by diet ,boys should be made strong ,brain1 water on the ,bran to soften water ,bran ,poultices ,breakfast of a child of a youth ,breast on early putting an infant to ,breathing exercise ,brimstone and treacle ,brown and ,polson's ,corn ,flour ,bronchitis1 the treatment of ,broth for ,infants for a new born infant and soup ,brothers and sisters ,bruises1 remedies for ,bullying a child ,burns and scalds ,butter1 wholesome ,,cadbury',s ,cocoa ,essence ,calomel1 the danger of a mother prescribing the ill effects of ,camphor makes teeth brittle ,caning a boy ,caps1 flannel ,care in preparation of food ,carpets in nurseries ,carriage exercise ,carron oil in burns ,castor oil to heal the bowels ,cat1 bites and scratches of a ,chafings of infants1 the treatment of ,chairs1 straight backed ,change of air linen in sickness ,chapped hands1 legs1 c lips ,chest1 keeping warm the upper part of the ,chicken breasted and narrow breasted children pox ,chilblains ,child should dine with parents ,child-crowing the treatment of a paroxysm of ,children's hour parties ,chimneys1 on the stopping of ,chiropodists 7note7 ,chloralum as a disinfectant ,chlorosis and green sickness not in rural districts ,choking1 what to be done in a case of ,cholera infantum ,cisterns1 best kind of ,clothes1 on airing an infant's the ill effects of tight ,clothing of children of infants during winter of youths ,coffee as an aperient and tea ,coin1 on the swallowing of a ,cold bed-room healthy ,cold1 a feverish on child always catching feet1 method to warm ,concluding remarks on infancy ,conclusion ,constipation1 prevention and cure of ,consumption attacks the upper part of the lungs the age at which it usually appears causes of death rate importance of early consulting a medical man in spitting of blood in symptoms of ,consumptive patient1 the treatment of a ,convulsions of children cause insensibility from hooping-cough no pain in ,cooked fruit for child ,corns ,corn plaster1 an excellent ,coroners inquests on infants ,corporal punishment at schools ,costiveness of infants1 the means to prevent remedies for the reason why so prevalent in weak children ,cough1 the danger of stopping a ,cow1 the importance of having the milk from one pox lymph direct from heifer from healthy child ,cream and egg1 #bjj and water for babe ,crinoline and burning of ladles ,crib1 covering head of ,croquet for girls ,crossness in a sick child ,croup the treatment of ,cry of infant ,cure1 artificial and natural ,curious phenomenon in scarlet fever ,cut finger1 the application for ,,dancing1 and skipping ,danger of constantly giving physic ,delicate child1 plan to strengthen a ,dentition lancing of gums second painful ,diarrhoea of infants treatment of ,diet of a child who has cut his teeth of children of a dry nursed child of infants on a mother being particular in attending to variety of for child of youth ,dietary in infants ,dieting a child ,dinner for a child youth ,diphtheria symptoms1 causes1 and treatment of ,dirty child ,diseased nature and strange eruptions ,diseases of children girls infants obscure the prevention of produced by tight lacing symptoms of serious ,disinfectants in scarlet fever ,doctor on early calling in ,dog the bide of a ,doleful child ,don't ,dowle on ,the ,foot and its ,covering ,drainage ,dress1 female of a child while asleep of a babe1 child1 and youth ,dresses1 high for delicate child ,dressing babe for sleep ,dribbling bibs ,drinking fountains ,dropping child1 danger of ,dry nursed children1 the best food for ,dusting powder for infants ,dysentery1 symptoms and treatment of ,,ear1 discharges from removal of a pea or bead from ,ear-ache1 treatment of wig in ear ,early rising ,education of children infant schools home1 the best for girls ,education1 modern for youth ,eggs for children ,electuary of figs ,emetic tarter dangerous for child ,eneme apparatus 7note7 of warm water ,engravings in nurseries ,eruptions about the mouth ,excorations applications for best remedy for ,exercise best composing medicine during teething for children in wet weather on violently tossing infants horse and pony an infant himself taking in very cold weather in wet weather for youth ,eve1 substances in ,,faecal matter in pump-water ,fainting from constipation from debility from disordered stomach ,falling-off of hair ,falls on the head ,farinaceous food give babes wind ,fash on dangerous effects of strictly attending to the present1 of dressing children ,fashionable desiderata for complexion ,favouritism ,feeding bottles infants1 proper times for at breast new born babe with gruel ,feet smelling sweating tender ,female dress ,fire1 on a child playing with danger of back to in night nursery the manner of extinguishing1 if clothes be on guards ,fire-proof1 making dresses ,flannel cap for babe night-gowns shifts for a delicate child waistcoats to wash child with ,flatulence1 remedies for ,fleas1 to drive away ,flute1 bugle and other wind-instruments ,fly pole ,fog1 on sending a child out in ,folly1 of giving physic after vaccination ,food1 artificial1 during snacking care in preparing infant's for dry-nursed infants for infants who are sucking ,formula1 for milk1 water1 salt1 and sugar ,friction after ablation ,frightening a child ,fruit as an aperient during teething ,,garters impede circulation ,gently speak to child ,gin or pepperment in infant's food ,giving joy to a child ,glass1 a child swallowing broken ,gluttony ,glycerine ,goats' milk ,godfrey's ,cordial poisoning by treatment ,grazed skin ,green dresses poisonous paper hangings for nurseries peas as a vegetable ,gripings for infants ,groin rupture ,gross superstition1 ,grub-pimple ,gums1 the lancing of the ,gum-bod1 cause and treatment ,gum-sticks1 the best ,gymnasium1 value of ,,hair1 the best application for falling off making tidy management of ,half-washed and half starved child ,hand-swing ,happiness to a child ,happy child ,hard's ,farinaceous ,food ,hardening of children's constitutions of infants ,hartehorn1 on swallowing ,hats for a child1 the best kind ,hawthorn1 ,nathaniel1 on ,american ladies ,head1 fall upon ,heat1 external application of ,hectic flush1 description of ,hiccups of infants ,hints conducive to the well-doing of a child ,home of childhood--the nursery ,hooping-cough obstinate treatment of ,horse exercise for boys or girls and pony exercise ,hot-water bag or bottle ,household work for girls ,hurdle on early rising ,hydrophobia ,hysterica passio ,hysterics ,,ice1 on the value of ,illness1 recovery from ,importance of our subject ,india-rubber hot-water bottle ,ingoldsby ,legend on thumb-sucking ,infants should be encouraged to use exertion ,infant schools ,ipecacuantis wine1 preservation of ,,joyful to bed1 on sending child ,,ladies affecting the saddle ,laudanum1 poisoning by ,laugh of a child ,law1 physic1 and divinity ,leaden cisterns ,learning without health ,leech bites1 the way to restrain bleeding from ,lessons for child ,lice in head after illness ,light1 best artificial1 for nursery the importance of1 to health ,lightly clad child ,lime in the eye to harden the bones ,lime-water and milk ,looseness of the the bowels the treatment ,love of children ,lucifer-matches the poisonous effects of ,luncheon for a child ,lungs1 inflammation of precautions to symptoms of treatment of ,lying lips of a child ,,mad ,,dog1 the bite of description of ,magnesia to cool a child ,management of child's mother's question ,massacre of innocents ,mattresses1 horse-hair1 best for child ,may1 the month of ,meals1 a child's ,measles and scarlet fever treatment of ,meat1 daily1 on giving raw in long-standing diarrhoea in exhaustive diseases when a child should commence taking ,meddlesome treatment ,medical man1 a mother's treatment towards ,medicine1 the best way of administering on giving new-born infants on making palatable 7note7 ,menstruating female during suckling ,mercury1 on the danger of parents giving ,milk1 on the importance of having it from ,,one cow bad1 very nasty for babe indispensable in every form or meat1 or both a plan to make a child take sugar of1 and water the value of1 for children unboiled a way to prevent1 turning sour -crust ,mismanaged baby ,modified small-pox and chicken-pox ,mother fretting1 injurious to infant a foolish of many diseases ,mother's and cow's milk1 on mixing health during suckling influence ,motions1 healthy1 of babe ,mumps ,,naaman1 the ,syrian ,napkins1 when to dispense with ,nature's physic ,navel1 management of the rupture of sore -string separation of ,neaves' ,farinaceous ,food ,nervous and unhappy young ladies ,nettle-rash ,new-born infants and aperients when feeble ,night-commode ,night-terrors ,nose1 removal of foreign substances from bleeding from1 means to restrain ,nurse1 on the choice of a a lazy strong and active young1 not desirable for the sick ,nursery-basin of a sick child a child's own domain selection1 warming1 ventilation1 arrangements of on the light of a must be airy observations1 further windows to be often opened ,nursing-bottles1 the best ,,opium1 a case of poisoning by the danger of administering to infants the treatment of poisoning by ,over-education ,over-lying a child ,,pain1 convulsions1 and death ,paint-boxes dangerous as toys ,parental baby-slaughter ,parritch1 the halesome ,peevishness of a child1 the plan to allay ,perambulators ,physicking a child1 on the frequent ,pies and ,puddings ,pimples on the face1 treatment of ,pin1 on a child swallowing ,pins1 in dressing of babe ,play1 a course of education in ,play-grounds for children and play ,pleasant words to a child ,poisoning1 accidental by the breath ,poppy-syrup ,pork an improper meat for children ,position of a sleeping child ,potatoes for children ,poultice1 a white-bread ,powder1 dusting ,precocity of intellect ,precocious youths1 the health of ,prescriptions for a child ,princess of ,wales and her baby 7note7 ,professions and trades ,proper person to wash an ,infant ,prunes1 the best way of stewing ,profession or trade1 choice of1 for delicate youth delicate youth should be brought up to ,puddings for children ,pals of child ,pye ,chavasse's ,fresh ,air ,treatment of scarlet fever ,milk ,food ,,quack ,,medicines ,quacking an infant ,quick lime in eye ,,rain ,,water ,recapitulation of ablution ,red gum ,respiration1 products of poisonous ,rest1 the best time for a child to retire to ,re-vaccination1 ,importance of every seven years recommended by ,jenner ,revalenta ,arabica ,rheumatic fever1 flannel vest and drawers ,ribs1 bulging out of ,rice1 prepared as an infant's food ,rich children ,richardson1 ,dr1 ether spray ,rickets various degrees of ,roberton on child-crowing ,rocking-chairs1 and rockers to cradle1 ,rocking infants to sleep ,rooms ill effects1 of dark ,round shoulders ,round worm ,running scall ,rupture ,rusks ,,sallowness1 cause of in young girls ,salt water and fresh water should be added to an infants food bag of hot necessary to human life ,salt-and water ablations for a delicate child for teeth and gums meats for children ,scalds and burns of mouth ,scarlatina ,scarlet-fever and diphtheria the contagion of the danger of giving aperients in the dropsy of ,fresh ,air ,treatment of hybrid management of child after and measles1 the importance of distinguishing between the principal danger of purification of house after treatment of utter prostration in ,schools1 female boarding public ,screaming in sleep ,scrofula prevention of ,scurfy head ,sea-bathing and fresh-water bathing for a young child ,secrets1 talking1 before child ,senna as an aperient ,shivering fit1 importance of attending to a treatment of ,shoes1 plan to waterproof preferable to boots sound and whole and stockings for children and youths the ill effects of tight ,shortening an infant ,shoulder-blades growing out ,sick child1 the nursing of a not to be staffed with food ,sick-room1 management of1 ,sickness of infants ,singing and reading aloud beneficial to a child ,single-stick ,sitting with back to fire ,sitz-bath for protrusion of bowels ,skating for boys and girls ,skin1 grazed ,sleep of children ,sleep1 infant's in middle of day beneficial much1 necessary for infants temperature of an infant's bedroom during right time of putting a child to putting infants to of youth -walker ,sleeping on lap -rooms1 importance of well-ventilating ,sleepless child ,slippers1 the best for sick-room 7note7 ,small-pox a pest and disgrace modified when in neighborhood1 to prevent pitting of ,smoking1 on a boy ,smothering of infants1 the cause ,socks and ,stockings for a child ,soda1 ill effects of washing clothes with ,sounds1 joyful ,soups and broths ,speak gently to a child ,spencer1 a knitted worsted ,spines1 distorted ,spine1 injury to curvature of twisted ,spirits1 deadly effects of1 to the young ,spitting of blood precautions ,spurious croup ,stammering1 cause of cure of ,stays1 the ill effects of ,stillness of sick-room ,sting of bee or wasp ,stir-about and milk ,stockings and shoes ,stooping in a girl ,stopping of chimneys ,stoves in nursery ,strawberry-tongue ,stuffing a sick child with food a babe ,stuffing of the nose of infants ,stunning of a child ,stye1 treatment of ,substitute for mother's milk ,sucking of thumb ,suckling1 the proper times of ,suet pudding ,sugar for infants confectionery -of-milk raw1 as an aperient ,sun-stroke ,sunday ,supper for a child and for a youth ,surfeit water and saffron tea ,sweet things and sour digestion ,sweetmeats and cakes ,swimming1 on boys and girls ,symptoms of serious diseases ,,tape-,,worm ,taste for things refined ,tea1 on giving a child green1 the ill effects of ,teeth1 attention to1 importance of child should not have meat till he have cut several the diet of a child who has cut all his and gums right way of brushing appearance and number of first set of second set of second crop of ,teething causing convulsions eruptions from frequent cause of sickness fruitful source of disease purging during restlessness from second symptoms and treatment of painful in town or country ,temperature and ventilation of a nursery of a warm-bath ,thread-worm ,throats1 sore1 precautions to prevent ,thrush1 cause1 symptoms1 prevention and cure of ,thumb best gum-stick ,tight bands1 belts1 and hats ,tight-lacing1 the ill effects of ,times for suckling an infant ,tobacco-smoking for boys cases illustrating the danger of ,toe-nails1 the right way of cutting1 ,tongue-tied1 an infant ,tooth-cough1 ,tooth-powder1 an excellent ,top-crust of bread as infant's food ,tossing an infant ,tous-les-mois ,toys1 children's painted with arsenic ,trade or profession for delicate youth1 ,treatment of a delicate child of some urgent serious diseases ,troubles of child ,truth1 the love of ,tub1 commencement of washing infant in ,tubbing a child ,tumbling and rolling of a child ,,vaccination appearance of scab arm after giving medicine after1 making babe poorly ,veal for a child ,vegetables for a child ,ventilation1 and stopping of chimneys and sleep of a nursery ,violet-powder ,,walking1 on the early1 of infants exercise1 value in his sleep1 a child ,warm-bathe for children external applications ,warts ,washing of boys and girls ,washing a child an infant a new-born infant's head with brandy ,washing a nursery floor ,wasp1 the sting of a ,water1 on the importance of good1 on the brain closet1 on going regularly to1 cold and warm for ablution1 hard for drinking -fright pure1 essential to health to whole of skin ,weaned child1 the diet of a ,weaning1 proper time and manner of ,weather1 on a child almost living in the air in flue on the sending a child out in wet ,weight of new-born infants 7note7 ,wet flannel application ,wet-nurse diet of for feeble babe management of ,wetting the bed during sleep ,wheezing of a new-born infant ,white lily leaf for bruises ,wind1 babe suffering from ,windows of a nursery ,wind pipe1 foreign substance in ,wine and youth ,wine for children and youths ,winter clothing ,woolen garments ,worms quick medicines for