Another excellent method of opening a child's bowels is by means of an enema of warm water,--from half a tea-cupful to a tea-cupful, or even more, according to the age of the child. I cannot speak too highly of this plan as a remedy for costiveness, as it entirely, in the generality of cases, prevents the necessity of administering a particle of aperient medicine by the mouth. The fact of its doing so stamps it as a most valuable remedy--opening physic being, as a rule, most objectionable, and injurious to a child's bowels. Bear this fact--for it is a fact--in mind and let it be always remembered. 450. _What are the most frequent causes of Protrusion of the lower-bowel_? The too common and reprehensible practice of a parent administering frequent aperients, especially calomel and jalap, to her child. Another cause, is allowing him to remain for a quarter of an hour or more at a time on his chair; this induces him to strain, and to force the gut down. 251. _What are the remedies_? If the protrusion of the bowel have been brought on by the abase of aperients, abstain, for the future from giving them; but if medicine be absolutely required, give the mildest--such as either Syrup of Senna or Castor Oil--_and the less of those the better._ If the _external_ application of a purgative will have the desired effects it will in such cases, be better than the _internal_ administration of aperients. Castor Oil used as a Liniment is a good one for the purpose. Let the bowels be well rubbed, every night and morning, for five minutes at a time with the oil. A wet compress to the bowels will frequently open them, and will thus do away with the necessity of giving an aperient--_a most important consideration_. Fold a napkin in six thicknesses, soak it in _cold_ water, and apply it to the bowels; over which put either a thin covering or sheet of gutta-percha, or a piece of oiled-silk; keep it in its place with a broad flannel roller; and let it remain on the bowels for three or four hours, or until they be opened. Try what diet will do, as opening the bowels by a regulated diet is far preferable to the giving of aperients. Let him have either bran-bread or Robinson's Patent Groats, or Robinson's Pure Scotch Oatmeal made into gruel with new milk, or Du Barry's Arabica Revalenta, or a slice of Huntly and Palmer's lump gingerbread. Let him eat stewed prunes, stewed rhubarb, roasted apples, strawberries, raspberries, the inside of grapes and gooseberries, figs, &c. Give him early every morning a draught of _cold_ water. Let me, again, urge you _not_ to give aperients in these cases, or in any case, unless you are absolutely compelled. By following my advice you will save yourself an immense deal of trouble, and your child a long catalogue of misery. Again, I say, look well into the matter, and whenever it be practicable avoid purgatives.