fore the second year and a half of the infant's life;
and for this very cogent reasons exist. For instance, convulsions may
thus be induced, which often terminate fatally.

The most proper age for removing this deformity by operation, is from
that of two years and a half to four years.

BLEEDING FROM THE NAVEL-STRING.

Bleeding from the navel-string will sometime take place hours after it
has been supposed to be carefully secured. This will arise, either from
the cord being carelessly tied, or from its being unusually large at
birth, and in a few hours shrinking so much that the ligature no
longer sufficiently presses on the vessels. In either case, it is of
importance that the attendants in the lying-in-room should understand
how to manage this accident when it occurs, that it may not prove
injurious or fatal to the child.

THE MODE OF ARRESTING THE BLEEDING.--The clothes of the child and the
flannel roller must be taken off;--the whole cord without delay must be
unwrapped, and then a second ligature be applied below the original
one, (viz. nearer to the body of the infant,) taking great care that
it shall not cut through the cord when drawn very tight, but at the
same time drawing it sufficiently tight to compress the vessels.

The ligature should be composed of fine linen threads, three or four
thicknesses, and not of tape or bobbin, or any substance of this
nature, as it cannot be relied on for this purpose.

ULCERATION OR IMPERFECT HEALING OF THE NAVEL.

The cord separates from the navel generally some time between the
fifth and fifteenth day from delivery, and the part usually heals
without giving the slightest trouble.

This, however, is not always the case, for sometimes a thin discharge
will take place, which, if the part be examined, will be found to
proceed from a small growth about the size, perhaps, of a pea, or even
less. This must be removed by applying a little powdered alum,--or, if
this fail, it should be once or twice slightly touched with blue-stone,
and afterwards dressed with calamine cerate.

At other times, though fortunately very rarely, excoriation of the
navel and the parts around takes place, which quickly spreads, and
assumes an angry and threatening character. If, however, the attention
of the medical man is called to it early, it will always do well: until
his directions are given, apply a nicely made bread and water poultice.

BLEEDING FROM THE NAVEL.