Advice to a Mother on the Management of Her Children

by Pye Henry Chavasse

If the child be fat and gross, cod-liver oil would he improper; a mild aperient, such as rhubarb and magnesia, would then be the best medicine.

244. What are the symptoms of Ear-ache?

A young child screaming shrilly, violently, and continuously, is oftentimes owing to ear-ache; carefully, therefore, examine each ear, and ascertain if there be any discharge; if there be, the mystery is explained.

Screaming from ear-ache may be distinguished from the screaming from bowel-ache by the former (ear-ache) being more continuous—indeed, being one continued scream, and from the child putting his hand to his head; while, in the latter (bowel-ache), the pain is more of a coming and of a going character, and he draws up his legs to his bowels. Again, in the former (ear-ache), the secretions from the bowels are natural; while, in the latter (bowel-ache), the secretions from the bowels are usually depraved, and probably offensive. But a careful examination of the ear will generally at once decide the nature of the case.

213. What is the best remedy for Ear-ache?

Apply to the ear a small flannel bag, filled with hot salt—as hot as can be comfortably borne, or foment the ear with a flannel wrung out of hot camomile and poppy head decoction. A roasted onion, inclosed in muslin applied to the ear, is an old-fashioned and favourite remedy, and may, if the bag of hot salt, or if the hot fomentation do not relieve, be tried. Put into the ear, but not very far, a small piece of cotton wool, moistened with warm olive oil. Taking care that the wool is always removed before a fresh piece be substituted, as if it be allowed to remain in any length of time, it may produce a discharge from the ear. Avoid all cold applications. If the ear-ache be severe, keep the little fellow at home, in a room of equal temperature, but well-ventilated, and give him, for a day or two, no meat.

If a discharge from the ear should either accompany or follow the ear-ache, more especially if the discharge be offensive, instantly call in a medical man, or deafness for life may be the result.

A knitted or crotcheted hat, with woollen rosettes over the ears, is, in the winter time, an excellent hat for a child subject to ear-ache. The hat may be procured at any baby-linen warehouse.

246. What are the causes and the treatment of discharges from the Ear?

Cold, measles, scarlet fever, healing up of "breakings out" behind the ear; pellets of cotton wool, which had been put in the ear, and had been forgotten to be removed, are the usual causes of discharges from the ear. It generally commences with ear-ache.