will often allay a
severe attack of the colic. Catnip tea is also a good remedy.
A drop of essence of peppermint in 6 or 7 teaspoonfuls of hot water
will give relief.
If the stools are green and the child is very restless, give
chamomilla.
If the child is suffering from constipation, and undigested curds of
milk appear in its faeces, and the child starts suddenly in its sleep,
give nux vomica.
An injection of a few spoonfuls of hot water into the rectum with
a little asafoetida is an effective remedy, and will be good for an
adult.
_CONSTIPATION._
1. This is a very frequent ailment of infants. The first thing
necessary is for the mother to regulate her diet.
2. If the child is nursed regularly and held out at the same time of
each day, it will seldom be troubled with this complaint. Give plenty
of _water_. Regularity of habit is the remedy. If this method fails,
use a soap suppository. Make it by paring a piece of white castile
soap round. It should be made about the size of a lead pencil, pointed
at the end.
3. Avoid giving a baby drugs. Let the physician administer them if
necessary.
_DIARRHOEA._
Great care should be exercised by parents in checking the diarrhoea of
children. Many times serious diseases are brought on by parents being
too hasty in checking this disorder of the bowels. It is an infant's
first method of removing obstructions and overcoming derangements of
the system.
_SUMMER COMPLAINT._
1. Summer complaint is an irritation and inflammation of the lining
membranes of the intestines. This may often be caused by teething,
eating indigestible food, etc.
2. If the discharges are only frequent and yellow and not accompanied
with pain, there is no cause for anxiety; but if the discharges
are green, soon becoming gray, brown and sometimes frothy, having
a mixture of phlegm, and sometimes containing food undigested, a
physician had better be summoned.
3. For mild attacks the following treatment may be given:
1) Keep the child perfectly quiet and keep the room well aired.
2) Put a drop of tincture of camphor on a teaspoonful of sugar,
mix thoroughly; then add 6 teaspoonfuls of hot water and give a
teaspoonful of the mixture every ten minutes. This is indicated where
the discharges are watery, and where there is vomiting and coldness of
the feet and hands. Chamomilla is also an excellent remedy. Ipecac and
nux vomica may also be given.
In giving homoeopathic remedi
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