A Book of Medical Discourses, in Two Parts — John Shaqi
A Book of Medical Discourses, in Two PartsCrumpler, Rebecca Lee
Science
A Book of Medical Discourses, in Two Parts
Crumpler, Rebecca Lee
Child care; Children -- Health and hygiene; Infants -- Care; Infants -- Health and hygiene; Women -- Health and hygiene
If, after the milk has appeared, the glands harden and the milk veins
become knotty and painful, I also make use of the following means to
relieve quickly: Steep half an ounce of Indian Posy, or Life Everlasting
herb, in a pint of water. Oil the hands, and bathe in the same way I
have described, with the decoction as hot as can be borne, the patient
being in an easy, half sitting posture. In the intervals of rest, she
should drink a teacupful quite hot, with or without sugar. When the
tumor is considerably advanced, the process of breaking it up is often
very painful, and may even cause fainting; but relief is sure if the
work is patiently performed and courageously endured. The pain of that
is light compared to the torture, for weeks together, of abscesses. The
herb has no more specific action than that of relaxing the system
through the aid of the absorbents or sweat glands. It relaxes the skin,
and is safe to drink as a diet to increase the flow of milk. A child may
be born perfectly healthy, yet even for days be slow to take hold of the
nipple; whereas many seize hold at once. The friends fret and declare
the babe is starving, if it does not desire to suck. If they could only
read the meaning in those little eyes as they open and shut, they would
know the secret—rest, simply rest, preparatory to the task. Many young
mothers have no prominence to the nipple, so that neglect on the part of
the nurse may cause such to lose the benefits of suckling. A friendly
adult or child could soon draw out the nipple by sucking so that the
babe can get hold; after which the nipple cups should be kept in
constant use, till the babe is strong enough to keep the glands soft,
and the nipple pliable. Usually, at this juncture, all sorts of teas are
suggested: molasses water, milk and sugar and water; and should the
child dare to cry, after the plentiful administration of one or all
these teas, up steps an experienced old friend, or grandma, who declares
that it must have “catnip tea.” So the world-renowned catnip tea is
authoritatively given, while are related the many cases in which the
drug was known to have cured wind colic, and how it quiets and fattens
generally. Only when the child belches, and refuses to let any more go
down its throat, does the pouring in cease. And even this is sometimes
taken as an indication that the babe is full, and needs to be trotted to
make room for more. Some babes are eager to suck at birth, even seizing
hold of the sponge as it passes the mouth in washing the face. If babes
are not fed just when they fret and whine, some knowing ones say they
“suck wind.” Well, is it not natural that they should suck wind, since
they are in the world? If they are allowed to lie quietly for a few
hours, and are then given a few drops of sweet cream or milk, without
sugar, they will give scarcely any trouble, and in due time nature will
furnish strength to obtain with ease the amount of nourishment suitable
to the delicate organs of digestion.
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