The maternal management of children, in health and disease

by Thomas Bull

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.