A suppository is a mild and ready way of opening the bowels of a child. When he is two or three years old and upwards, a candle suppository is better than a soap suppository. The way of preparing it is as follows: Cut a piece of dip-tallow candle—the length of three inches—and insert it as you would a clyster pipe, about two inches up the fundament, allowing the remaining inch to be in sight, and there let the suppository remain until the bowels be opened.
245. What are the most frequent causes of Protrusion of the lower bowel?
The too common and reprehensible practice of a parent administering frequent aperients, especially calomel and jalap, to her child. Another cause, is allowing him to remain for a quarter of an hour or more at a time on his chair; this induces him to strain, and to force the gut down.
246. What are the remedies?
If the protrusion of the bowel have been brought on by the abuse of aperients, abstain for the future from giving them; but if medicine be absolutely required, give the mildest—such as either syrup of senna or castor oil—and the less of those the better.
If the external application of a purgative will have the desired effect, it will, in such cases, be better than the internal administration of aperients. Dr. Merriman’s Purgative Liniment[[248]] is a good one for the purpose. Let the bowels be well rubbed every night and morning, for five minutes at a time, with the liniment.
A wet compress to the bowels will frequently open them, and will thus do away with the necessity of giving an aperient—a most important consideration. Fold a napkin in six thicknesses, soak it in cold water, and apply it to the bowels, over which put either a thin covering or sheet of gutta-percha, or a piece of oiled silk; keep it in its place with a broad flannel roller, and let it remain on the bowels for three or four hours, or until they be opened.
Try what diet will do, as opening the bowels by a regulated diet is far preferable to the giving of aperients. Let him have either bran-bread, Robinson’s Patent Groats made into gruel with new milk, or Du Barry’s Arabica Revalenta, or a slice of Huntley and Palmer’s lump gingerbread. Let him eat stewed prunes, stewed rhubarb, roasted apples, strawberries, raspberries, the inside of grapes and gooseberries, figs, etc. Give him early every morning a draught of cold water.
Let me, again, urge you not to give aperients in these cases, or in any case, unless you are absolutely compelled. By following my advice you will save yourself an immense deal of trouble, and your child a long catalogue of misery. Again, I say, look well into the matter, and whenever it be practicable, avoid purgatives.
Now, with regard to the best manner of returning the bowel, lay the child upon the bed on his face and bowels, with his hips a little raised; then smear lard on the forefinger of your right hand (taking care that the nail be cut close) and gently with your forefinger press the bowel into its proper place.