Every one has a remedy for this complaint; perhaps the following ointment will be found one of the most effective: Take Barbadoes tar, one ounce; the dust of the lycoperdon, or puff fungus, one drachm. Mix them well together, and rub in a part of it to the roots of the hair, after washing the head with the soap and water. By steadily persevering in these means, and giving an occasional purge, the cure will soon be accomplished.
845. Sickness and Vomiting.—Soon after the birth, children are frequently annoyed by these symptoms: they are occasioned by the indiscreet conduct of the nurses, who are apt to give either improper food or medicine. At this early period, as before remarked, the stomach is incapable of digesting any other food than the milk of its mother; consequently, whatever is forced into it, remains there undigested, until, by a convulsive effort, it is thrown off by vomiting. So long as it remains in the stomach, the child is restless, and in other respects indisposed. It may be relieved by a tea-spoonful of castor-oil, to be repeated, until one or two motions are occasioned.
Children who are dry nursed are most subject to sickness and vomiting; the natural remedy is the breast of a healthy woman. Without this relief, gripings and diarrhea frequently come on and prove fatal.
Children so circumstanced, may be relieved by the following emetic:
Take of ipecacuanha, two drachms; boiling water, four ounces. Let them stand together until the water grows cold, then strain off the liquor. To one ounce of the liquor, add eight drops of antimonial wine. Dose, two tea-spoonfuls every half hour, until it excites vomiting.
846. The Thrush, or sore mouth, is a complaint very painful, and, if neglected, fatal to children. When it first comes on, it resembles small pieces of curd lying loose upon the tongue; it gradually spreads itself over the inside of the mouth, but afterwards rapidly advances to the throat, stomach, and bowels. Therefore, when the white specks appear, proper means should be instantly employed to remove them, or to suspend their progress. If the child be costive, give the following aperient:
Take of calcined magnesia, two scruples; common mint water, two ounces; mix them together. The dose, a dessert-spoonful every half hour, until it operates. Or, take of manna, one ounce; senna leaves, one drachm; common mint-water, four ounces. Boil them together, until the manna be dissolved, then strain off the liquor. Dose, two drachms every half hour, until two or more motions are occasioned.