A mother before she gives an aperient to her child should ponder well upon what I have said upon the subject, it being a vital question, affecting, as it does, the well-being and the well-doing of her child.
144. But, if a child's bowels be very costive, what is to be done to relieve them?
Do not give him a grain or a drop of opening medicine, but in lieu thereof, administer, by means of a 6 oz. India-rubber Enema Bottle, half a tea-cup or a tea-cupful, according to the age of the child, [Footnote: For a babe, from birth until he be two years old, one, two, or three table-spoonfuls of warm water will be sufficient, and a 2 oz. Enema Bottle will be the proper size for the purpose of administering it.] of warm water; now this will effectually open the bowels, without confining them afterwards, which opening physic would most assuredly do!
145. Is it necessary to give a child luncheon?
If he want anything to eat between breakfast and dinner let him have a piece of dry bread; and if he have eaten very heartily at dinner, and, like Oliver Twist, "asks for more!" give him, to satisfy his craving, a piece of dry bread. He will never eat more of that than will do him good, and yet he will take sufficient to satisfy his hunger, which is very important.
146. What ought now to be his dinner?
He should now have meat, either mutton or beef, daily, which must be cut up very small, and should be mixed with mealy, mashed potato and gravy. He ought always to be accustomed to eat salt with his dinner. Let a mother see that this advice is followed, or evil consequences will inevitably ensue. Let him be closely watched, to ascertain that he well masticates his food, and that he does not eat too quickly; for young children are apt to bolt their food.
147. Have you any objection to pork for a change?
I have a great objection to it for the young. It is a rich, gross, and therefore unwholesome food for the delicate stomach of a child. I have known it, in several instances, produce violent pain, sickness, purging, and convulsions. If a child be fed much, upon such meat, it will be likely to produce "breakings-out" on the skin. In fine, his blood will put on the same character as the food he is fed with. Moreover, pork might be considered a strong meat, and "strong meat and strong drink can only be taken by strong men."
148. Do you approve of veal for a child?