20. If a child has a groin rupture (an inguinal rupture), can that also be cured?
Certainly, if, soon after birth, it be properly attended to. Consult a medical man, and he will supply you with a well-fitting truss, which will eventually cure him. If the truss be properly made (under the directions of an experienced surgeon) by a skillful surgical-instrument maker, a beautiful, nicely fitting truss will be supplied, which will take the proper and exact curve of the lower part of the infant’s belly, and will thus keep on without using any under-strap whatever—a great desideratum, as these under-straps are so constantly wetted and soiled as to endanger the patient constantly catching cold. But if this under-strap is to be superseded, the truss must be made exactly to fit the child—to fit him like a ribbon; which is a difficult thing to accomplish, unless it be fashioned by a skillful workman. It is only lately that these trusses have been made without under-straps. Formerly the under-straps were indispensable necessaries.
These groin ruptures require great attention and supervision, as the rupture (the bowel) must, before putting on the truss, be cautiously and thoroughly returned into the belly; and much care should be used to prevent the chafing and galling of the tender skin of the babe, which an ill-fitting truss would be sure to occasion. But if care and skill be bestowed on the case, a perfect cure might in due time be insured. The truss must not be discontinued until a perfect cure be effected.
Let me strongly urge you to see that my advice is carried out to the very letter, as a groin rupture can only be cured in infancy and in childhood. If it be allowed to run on, unattended to, until adult age, he will be obliged to wear a truss all his life, which would be a great annoyance and a perpetual irritation to him.
CLOTHING.
21. Is it necessary to have a flannel cap in readiness to put on as soon as a babe is born?
Sir Charles Locock considers that a flannel cap is not necessary, and asserts that all his best nurses have long discarded flannel caps. Sir Charles states that since the discontinuance of flannel caps infants have not been more liable to inflammation of the eyes.
Such authority is, in my opinion, conclusive. My advice, therefore, to you is, by all means discontinue the use of flannel caps.
22. What kind of a belly-band do you recommend—a flannel or a calico one?
I prefer flannel, for two reasons—first, on account of its keeping the child’s bowels comfortably warm; and, secondly, because of its not chilling him (and thus endangering cold, etc.) when he wets himself. The belly-band ought to be moderately but not tightly applied, as, if tightly applied, it would interfere with the necessary movements of the bowels.