72. A child is subject to a slight cough during dentition—called by nurses “tooth-cough”—which a parent would not consider of sufficient importance to consult a doctor about; pray tell me if there is any objection to a mother giving her child a small quantity either of syrup of white poppies or of paregoric to ease it?
A cough is an effort of nature to bring up any secretion from the lining membrane of the lungs, or from the bronchial tubes, hence it ought not to be interfered with. I have known the administration of syrup of white poppies, or of paregoric, to stop the cough, and thereby to prevent the expulsion of the phlegm, and thus to produce either inflammation of the lungs or bronchitis. Moreover, both paregoric and syrup of white poppies are, for a young child, dangerous medicines (unless administered by a judicious medical man), and ought never to be given by a mother.
In the month of April, 1844, I was sent for in great haste to an infant, aged seventeen months, who was laboring under convulsions and extreme drowsiness, from the injudicious administration of paregoric, which had been given to him to ease a cough. By the prompt administration of an emetic he was saved.
73. A child who is teething is subject to a “breaking-out,” more especially behind the ears—which is most disfiguring, and frequently very annoying; what would you recommend?
I would apply no external application to cure it, as I should look upon it as an effort of the constitution to relieve itself; and should expect, if the “breaking-out” were repelled, that either convulsions, or bronchitis, or inflammation of the lungs, or water on the brain would be the consequence.
The only plan I should adopt would be, to be more careful in his diet: to give him less meat (if he be old enough to eat animal food), and to give him, once or twice a week, a few doses of mild aperient medicine; and, if the irritation from the “breaking-out” be great, to bathe it occasionally either with a little warm milk and water, or with rose water.
EXERCISE.
74. Do you recommend exercise in the open air for a baby? and if so, how soon after birth?
I am a great advocate for having exercise in the open air. “The infant in arms makes known its desire for fresh air by restlessness—it cries, for it cannot speak its wants: is taken abroad, and is quiet.”
The age at which he ought to commence taking exercise will, of course, depend upon the season and upon the weather. If it be summer, and the weather be fine, he should be carried in the open air a week or a fortnight after birth; but if it be winter, he ought not, on any account, to be taken out under the month, and not even then, unless the weather be mild for the season, and it be the middle of the day. At the end of two months he should breathe the open air more frequently. And after the expiration of three months he ought to be carried out every day, even if it be wet under foot, provided it be fine above, and the wind be neither in an easterly nor in a northeasterly direction; by doing so we shall make him strong and hearty, and give the skin that mettled appearance which is so characteristic of health. He must, of course, be well clothed.