f has been effected, and more positive disease produced, by the
indiscriminate use of the above powerful drug, either alone or in
combination with other drastic purgatives, than would be credited.
Purgative medicines ought at all times to be exhibited with caution to
an infant, for so delicate and susceptible is the structure of its
alimentary canal, that disease is but too frequently caused by that
which was resorted to in the first instance as a remedy. The bowels
should always be kept free; but then it must be by the mildest and
least irritating means.

It is a very desirable thing, then, to correct the disordered
conditions of the digestive organs of an infant, if possible, without
medicine; and much may be done by changing the nature, and sometimes
by simply diminishing the quantity, of food.

A diarrhoea, or looseness of the bowels, may frequently be checked by
giving, as the diet, sago thoroughly boiled in very weak beef-tea, with
the addition of a little milk. The same purpose is frequently to be
answered by two thirds of arrow-root with one third of milk, or simply
thin arrow-root made with water only; or, if these fail, baked flour,
mixed with boiled milk.

Costiveness of the bowels may frequently be removed by changing the
food to tops and bottoms steeped in hot water, and a small quantity of
milk added, or prepared barley,--mixed in warm water and unboiled milk.

Flatulence and griping generally arise from an undue quantity of food,
which passing undigested into the bowels, they are thus irritated and
disturbed. This may be cured by abstinence alone. The same state of
things may be caused by the food not being prepared fresh at every
meal, or even from the nursing-bottle or vessel in which the food is
given not having been perfectly clean. In this case weak chicken-broth,
or beef-tea freed from fat, and thickened with soft boiled rice or
arrow-root, may be given.

Sect. II. WEANING.

THE TIME WHEN TO TAKE PLACE.--The time when weaning is to take place
must ever depend upon a variety of circumstances, which will regulate
this matter, independently of any general rule that might be laid down.
The mother's health may, in one case, oblige her to resort to weaning
before the sixth month, and, in another instance, the delicacy of the
infant's health, to delay it beyond the twelfth. Nevertheless, as a
general rule, both child and parent being in good health, weaning ought
never to take place earlier