_Serious_ diseases, _with a few exceptions_, and which I will indicate in subsequent conversations, ought never to be treated by a parent, not even in the _early_ stages, for it is in the early stages that the most good can generally be done. It is utterly impossible for any one who is not trained to the medical profession to understand a _serious_ disease in all its bearings, and thereby to treat it satisfactorily. There are some exceptions to these remarks. 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_ diseases, where delay in obtaining _immediate_ medical assistance might be death. I bow to his superior judgment, and have supplied the deficiency in subsequent conversations. The ailments and the diseases of infants, such as may, in the absence of the doctor, be treated by a parent, are the following: Chafings, Convulsions, Costiveness, Flatulence, Gripings, Hiccup, Looseness of the Bowels (Diarrhœa), Dysentery, Nettle-rash, Red-gum, Stuffing of the Nose, Sickness, Thrush. In all these complaints I will tell you—_What to do_, and—_What_ NOT _to do_. 93. _What are the causes and the treatment of chafing?_ The want of water: inattention and want of cleanliness are the usual causes of chafing. _What to do._—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 them—and, afterward, they should be thoroughly but tenderly dried with a soft towel, and then be dusted, either with finely-powdered starch made of wheaten flour, or with violet powder, or with finely-powdered native carbonate of zinc, or they should be bathed with finely-powdered fuller’s-earth and tepid water. [Illustration: INFANCY.—THE FIRST STEP.] If, in a few days, the parts be not healed, discontinue the above treatment, and use the following application: Beat up well together the whites of two eggs, then add, drop by drop, two tablespoonfuls of brandy. When well mixed put it into a bottle and cork it up. Before using it let the excoriated parts be gently bathed with lukewarm rain water, and, with a soft napkin, be tenderly dried; then, by means of a camel’s-hair brush, apply the above liniment, having first shaken the bottle. But bear in mind, after all that can be said and done, _that there is nothing in these cases like water_—there is nothing like keeping the parts clean, and the only way of _thoroughly_ effecting this object is _by putting him every morning_ INTO _his tub_. _What_ NOT _to do_.—Do not apply white lead, as it is a poison. Do not be afraid of using _plenty_ of water, as cleanliness is one of the most important items of the treatment. 94. _What are the causes of convulsions in an infant?_