IX. IN like manner, it also may happen that the Infant is born with its Urinary Passage shut up; upon which Occasion, a convenient Apertion must also be made with a proper Lancet: Which Operation must likewise be perform’d with great Prudence and Ingenuity.
X. MOREOVER, It also sometimes falls out, that the Child is infected with the Venereal Lues, from the Predominancy of that Distemper in the Mother; which Case easily discovers itself by many Pustules and Ulcers appearing at the Birth in diverse Parts of its Body, especially about the Head, Belly, Thighs and Clunes: Upon which the Cure may be pertinently protracted to a more advanced Age, tho’ prudent Measures may be taken, to keep the Distemper under, but if the Condition be Malignant, the Remedy is commonly prevented by Death.
XI. FINALLY as to the small or puny Faults of Nature, such as a distorted or wry Mouth, crooked or flat Nose, thick or flabby Lips, rough or ugly Visage, or the like Blemishes,——
THE Child’s Body being tractable like a piece of Wax, or the Potter’s Clay, These may be Judiciously corrected and Ingeniously amended, and a more Delectable and Amiable Form given to[[186]] every Part; as in Case of any Blemish of the Eyes, whether they be Discoloured, or Sparkling, Dim or Short-sighted, Squint or Goggle, Rolling or Goat-eyed; a Lovely black Colour, and a graceful Beauty, may be also artfully given them[[187]].
NOW (I think) These are all the most common Symptoms or Indispositions which the Child brings with it into the World; which being thus briefly discuss’d, I come at length to——
CHAP. XI.
Of the Sundry Symptoms and Diseases, peculiarly incident to the Infant after its Birth.
NOTWITHSTANDING that the Child may be born free from all apparent Symptoms of any Indisposition, and however careful the Honest Nurse may be of its Diet and Regimen; yet it seldom happens, but it undergoes some one or more of the following subitaneous Inconveniencies, viz.——
I. Gripes or Pains of the Belly, which may proceed either from the Meconium, its not being timely, or not fully evacuated; or from the Nurse’s Milk, its generating Wind and acid Humours, either by her using improper flatulent Food, or from the Babe’s sucking more Milk than its Stomach can digest: Or the same Pains and Gripes may also proceed from the Effects of cold Air, or from Worms in the Intestines, or from the unseasonable use of Pap, &c.
THIS Affection in general is known by the Inquietude and Crying of the Infant, which is now (in a manner) averse to the Breast, continually turning itself here and there, without Rest or Intermission of Pain; But more particularly, This proceeding from the Meconium, may be distinguished and known by the Colour of the Excrements, since the Meconium is always black, and as soon as it is altogether voided, the Stool becomes pale; and that may be readily cured by the means already prescribed[[188]]. If this Affection proceeds from Wind, it may be known by the Child’s frequently belching and the Belly’s swelling, if from Cold, the use of Pap, or from any pituitous viscid Humour, the Belly is most commonly bound, and the Cure differs but little from the preceeding Case. If from corrupted Milk or acid Humours, the Condition is most commonly attended with a Diarrhæa, and the Excrements are of a greenish or Saffron Colour: The Cure of which, depends upon proper Abstergents and Evacuations. If at last from Worms, their proper Diagnosticks shew it, of which in their Place.