The maternal management of children, in health and diseaseBull, Thomas
Science
The maternal management of children, in health and disease
Bull, Thomas
Child care
The supposed influence of the imagination of the mother, in the
production of the above appearances in the texture of the skin of her
infant, has been fully discussed in the author's work "Hints to
Mothers, etc." This part of the subject is, however, foreign to the
present inquiry, which chiefly has reference to the probable effect of
their presence upon the health of the child.
They may be divided into two classes: the brownish mole, and claret-
stain; and small but somewhat elevated tumours, either of a dark blue,
livid colour, or of a bright vermilion hue.
MOLES AND STAINS.--They are of no importance, as far as the health of
the infant is concerned. If situated in the face, however, they
frequently cause great disfigurement, as the claret-stain, which may be
seen sometimes to occupy nearly half the face. But they happily do not
increase in size, remaining stationary through life; and as any
operation that might be proposed for their removal, would only cause an
equal, if not greater, deformity, they ought to be left alone.
COLOURED SPOTS OR TUMOURS.--These vary in their number, size, and
situation. The same child is sometimes born with many of them. They may
be as small as a pea, or as large as a crown piece. They are not only
found on the skin, but on the lips, in the mouth, etc. etc.
These, also, sometimes remain stationary in their size, having no
tendency to enlarge, unless, indeed, they are subjected to friction or
pressure. But as they frequently require surgical aid, in which case,
the earlier the application of remedial measures, the less severe in
their kind, and the greater the probability of a speedy and successful
result,--so is it always important for the mother early to obtain a
medical opinion, that the measure of interference or non-interference
may be decided.
Sect. II. DISORDERS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS OF THE INFANT.
INDIGESTION, FLATULENCE, VOMITING, GRIPING, AND LOOSENESS.
Disorder of the stomach and bowels is one of the most fruitful sources
of the diseases of infancy. Only prevent their derangement, and, all
things being equal, the infant will be healthy and flourish, and need
not the aid of physic or physicians. Experience daily proves, that a
large proportion of the children who die in infancy are lost from
derangement of these organs, as the primary cause.
There are many causes which may give rise to these affections; many of
them appertain to the mother's system, some to that of the infant. All
are capable, to a great extent, of being prevented or remedied. It is,
therefore, most important that a mother should not be ignorant or
misinformed upon this subject. It is the prevention of these
affections, however, that will be principally dwelt upon in this
chapter; for let the mother ever bear in mind, and act upon the
principle, that the prevention of disease alone belongs to her; the
cure to the physician.
For the sake of clearness and reference, these disorders will be
spoken of as they occur:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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