alm of the hand. While it is in the bath its body,
and especially its arms and legs, should be briskly rubbed by the hands
of an assistant in order to keep the circulation active. A rectal
injection of soap suds or plain salt and water (see page 579) should be
given while the child is in the bath, because, as explained above, a
large percentage of these cases are caused by gastro-intestinal
derangements. The rectal injection will likely remove the cause. An
ordinary convulsion lasts from five to ten minutes. When the child is
removed from the bath it should be placed in a warm, comfortable bed and
kept absolutely quiet. A hot-water bottle may be put near its feet and
an ice-bag or cold cloths should be kept on its head. It should be given
a full dose of castor oil and allowed to go to sleep. Its diet should
consist of light broths for two or three days and during this time it
should not be disturbed or annoyed by too much attention. This is as far
as it is wise or safe for any mother to go in the treatment of
convulsions. A physician should be called in every instance, because a
convulsion should never be regarded lightly. Many children have become
idiots, others have been afflicted with paralysis, because of
inattention at the proper time.

SUMMARY:--

1st. Convulsions must always be regarded as serious.

2nd. Convulsions demand prompt treatment.

3rd. Every mother should know that an English mustard bath--hot--is the
first resort in convulsions.

4th. While this is being done she can read the home treatment in this
book and carry it out before the doctor comes.

5th. If the fit is not caused by some stomach or intestinal trouble,
have the physician find out the cause and tell you what to do, and do it
faithfully, because if you neglect the proper treatment the child may
become idiotic or paralyzed.

BED WETTING. ENURESIS--INCONTINENCE

Enuresis, or incontinence of urine, is customary in infancy. Just when
urination becomes a voluntary act depends upon the development and
training of the individual child. As a rule children can be taught to
control this function during the day, or while awake, about the tenth
month. It is not under control during sleep until a much later period,
usually by the end of the second year, but lack of control should not be
regarded as abnormal until the child has entered the fourth year. If the
child fails to control the act of urination during the day at the end of
the second