The maternal management of children, in health and diseaseBull, Thomas
Science
The maternal management of children, in health and disease
Bull, Thomas
Child care
In the child of a healthy constitution, which has been properly, that
is, naturally, fed, upon the milk of its mother alone, the symptoms
attending teething will be of the mildest kind, and the management of
the infant most simple and easy.
SYMPTOMS.--The symptoms of natural dentition (which this may be fairly
called) are, an increased flow of saliva, with swelling and heat of the
gums, and occasionally flushing of the cheeks. The child frequently
thrusts its fingers, or any thing within its grasp, into its mouth. Its
thirst is increased, and it takes the breast more frequently, though,
from the tender state of the gums, for shorter periods than usual. It
is fretful and restless; and sudden fits of crying and occasional
starting from sleep, with a slight tendency to vomiting, and even
looseness of the bowels, are not uncommon. Many of these symptoms often
precede the appearance of the tooth by several weeks, and indicate that
what is called "breeding the teeth" is going on. In such cases, the
symptoms disappear in a few days, to recur again when the tooth
approaches the surface of the gum.
TREATMENT.--The management of the infant in this case is very simple,
and seldom calls for the interference of the medical attendant. The
child ought to be much in the open air, and well exercised: the bowels
should be kept freely open with castor oil; and be always gently
relaxed at this time. Cold sponging employed daily, and the surface of
the body rubbed dry with as rough a flannel as the delicate skin of the
child will bear; friction being very useful. The breast should be given
often, but not for long at a time; the thirst will thus be allayed, the
gums kept moist and relaxed, and their irritation soothed, without the
stomach being overloaded. The mother must also carefully attend, at
this time, to her own health and diet, and avoid all stimulant food or
drinks.
From the moment dentition begins, pressure on the gums will be found
to be agreeable to the child, by numbing the sensibility and dulling
the pain. For this purpose coral is usually employed, or a piece of
orris-root, or scraped liquorice root; a flat ivory ring, however, is
far safer and better, for there is no danger of its being thrust into
the eyes or nose. Gentle friction of the gums, also, by the finger of
the nurse, is pleasing to the infant; and, as it seems to have some
effect in allaying irritation, may be frequently resorted to. In
France, and in this country also, it is very much the practice to dip
the liquorice-root, and other substances, into honey, or powdered
sugar-candy; and in Germany, a small bag, containing a mixture of sugar
and spices, is given to the infant to suck, whenever it is fretful and
uneasy during teething. The constant use, however, of sweet and
stimulating ingredients must do injury to the stomach, and renders
their employment very objectionable.
THE MANAGEMENT OF THE INFANT IN DIFFICULT TEETHING.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account