heter should be all in and
in the bowel--not doubled on itself two or three inches in the bowel. If
it is a serious case and the mother nervous, someone else should give
the washing--preferably the physician himself. If the child objects
strenuously, as often happens, it must be done with greater care to be
successful. Remember that a colon irrigation is never given unless it is
absolutely necessary and as a consequence it is given to accomplish a
certain purpose; it must, therefore, be done thoroughly. If it is not,
your child may miss the chance it has of getting over some immediate
difficulty and if the moment of the "chance" is wasted or lost, that
moment will not return. Be thorough, therefore.

Enema.--Some physicians talk about a high enema and a low enema. A
high enema is really an irrigation as described above. The following
remarks apply to low enemas only.

A so-called low enema is given to clean out the rectum of constipated
matter, or for the introduction of food or medicine by rectum, when for
various reasons it is necessary to spare the stomach.

It may be given with the fountain syringe or with the ordinary bulb
(baby) syringe. A catheter may be put on the tip of the syringe if it is
thought best to inject higher up than in the rectum.

When an enema is used in infants or older children for the relief of
constipation, the best medium to use is glycerine. For an infant, one
teaspoonful to an ounce of water is sufficient; for older children, one
tablespoonful to two ounces of water, given with the bulb syringe, will
give prompt results. If the constipation is pronounced, the fecal mass
very hard, an enema of sweet oil, allowed to remain in for ten minutes,
will soften it and permit a movement.

Soap suds are often used. They are good but not as reliable as the
glycerine or oil; if, however, neither of these two are at hand the soap
suds may be given.

Enemas should be carefully given and the liquid slowly injected. If the
fountain syringe is used care must be exercised in not having the bag
too high. If it is too high the liquid will flow in too strongly, either
injuring the bowel wall or causing the child to strain immediately and
pass out the injection before it has an opportunity of accomplishing its
work.

The temperature of the enema should be warm--not hot, and not cold,
simply body heat.

METHODS OF REDUCING FEVER

During the course of acute illness it is frequently necessary to reduce