Whilst these efforts are being made, some other individual must endeavour to maintain or restore the warmth of the infant's body, by gently but constantly pressing and rubbing its limbs between his warm hands. And after respiration is established, the face must still be freely exposed to the air, whilst the warmth of the limbs and body is carefully sustained.
It will sometimes happen—and to this circumstance the operator should be fully alive—that when the child begins to manifest symptoms of returning animation, its tongue will be drawn backwards and upwards against the roof of the mouth, filling up the passage to the throat, and preventing further inflation of the lungs. This is to be remedied by the introduction of the fore-finger to the upper and back part of the child's tongue, and gently pressing it downwards and forwards, by which the difficulty will be removed, and the air again passes.
THE WARM BATH.—More reliance may be placed upon the above measure to restore animation, than upon the warm bath. Still this is sometimes useful, and therefore must not be neglected. Whilst inflation is going on, the bath may be got ready, then resorted to, and if unsuccessful, inflation may and ought again to be followed up.[FN#28] If the bath is useful at all, it will be so immediately upon putting the infant into it; respiration will be excited, followed by a cry; and if this does not occur at once, it would be wrong to keep the child longer in the bath, as it would be only losing valuable time which ought to be devoted to other efforts. The temperature of the bath should be about 100 degrees; and if, upon plunging the infant into it, it fortunately excite the respiratory effort, it should then be taken out, rubbed with dry but hot flannels, and, when breathing is fully established, laid in a warm bed, or, what is still better, in its mother's bosom; letting it, however, have plenty of air.
[FN#28] We should not relinquish our endeavours at resuscitation under two or three hours, or even longer; and if ultimately successful, the state of the infant should be carefully watched for two or three days.
INJURIES RECEIVED DURING BIRTH.
If a labour be long and tedious, the head and body of the child may be bruised and disfigured.
The shape of the head is frequently altered by the compression it has undergone, so that it may be elongated, and measure from the chin to the back of the head as much as six or seven inches. This always excites surprise, sometimes apprehension, in the minds of the attendants: there is no ground for it. It must be allowed to regain its natural shape without interference.
Tumours or swellings upon the head are very common. They arise from pressure upon the part during the labour. The only treatment that is required, or safe, is, freedom from all pressure, and the application of cold lotions composed of brandy or vinegar and water. The swelling will gradually subside. It will be right to direct the attention of the medical man to this circumstance.
The face may be frightfully disfigured from the above cause, exceedingly black, and the features distorted. Nothing is necessary here; in a few days the face will recover its proper appearance.