sts of an oval bulb of
soft rubber and a soft rubber or a hard rubber tip. It holds one or
two ounces.

_What is the most essential thing in preventing or overcoming
constipation?_

The formation of the habit of having the bowels move every day
regularly at the same hour, and proper early training (see page 156).

_What is the best hour?_

In most cases immediately after the first meal in the morning.

_What are some simple means by which constipation may be relieved?_

The best are diet, suppositories, and massage.

The changes to be made in the milk of constipated infants have been
mentioned on page 82. The addition to the milk of some of the malted
foods, such as Mellin's food or malted milk, is sometimes useful. For
little children the fruit juices are particularly beneficial when
given half an hour or more before the first morning feeding, with half
a glass of water.

For older children the amount of white bread, toast, and potato,
should be reduced, and green vegetables oatmeal, and Graham bread
given, with plenty of fruit twice a day. Raw scraped apples are
sometimes of more value than any other fruit.

The best suppositories for continuous use are probably the gluten
suppositories of the Health Food Company. One should be given the
first thing in the morning. They act rather slowly, usually in about
two hours. In obstinate cases one may also be used at bedtime.
Glycerine suppositories act more quickly, but are too irritating for
regular use.

Massage consists in rubbing the abdomen, which may be done in one of
two ways: Beginning at the right groin, the hand is carried up to the
ribs, then across to the opposite side, then around to the left groin.
The abdomen is stroked gently at first, and afterward deeper pressure
used as the child becomes accustomed to it. The second method is by
rubbing the deeper parts with a circular movement--the fingers not
moving upon the skin--making a series of small circles, beginning at
the right groin and following the same course as described above.
Either method should be employed for six or eight minutes twice a day,
at almost any regular time, except soon after a meal.

DIARRHOEA

_In case a child is taken with diarrhoea, what should be done?_

With a moderate looseness of the bowels in an older child, solid food
should be stopped, and boiled milk given diluted with gruel; the child
should be kept perfectly quiet, as walking about always aggravates
such a d