BLEEDING FROM THE NAVEL-STRING.
Bleeding from the navel-string will sometime take place hours after it has been supposed to be carefully secured. This will arise, either from the cord being carelessly tied, or from its being unusually large at birth, and in a few hours shrinking so much that the ligature no longer sufficiently presses on the vessels. In either case, it is of importance that the attendants in the lying-in-room should understand how to manage this accident when it occurs, that it may not prove injurious or fatal to the child.
THE MODE OF ARRESTING THE BLEEDING.—The clothes of the child and the flannel roller must be taken off;—the whole cord without delay must be unwrapped, and then a second ligature be applied below the original one, (viz. nearer to the body of the infant,) taking great care that it shall not cut through the cord when drawn very tight, but at the same time drawing it sufficiently tight to compress the vessels.
The ligature should be composed of fine linen threads, three or four thicknesses, and not of tape or bobbin, or any substance of this nature, as it cannot be relied on for this purpose.
ULCERATION OR IMPERFECT HEALING OF THE NAVEL.
The cord separates from the navel generally some time between the fifth and fifteenth day from delivery, and the part usually heals without giving the slightest trouble.
This, however, is not always the case, for sometimes a thin discharge will take place, which, if the part be examined, will be found to proceed from a small growth about the size, perhaps, of a pea, or even less. This must be removed by applying a little powdered alum,—or, if this fail, it should be once or twice slightly touched with blue-stone, and afterwards dressed with calamine cerate.
At other times, though fortunately very rarely, excoriation of the navel and the parts around takes place, which quickly spreads, and assumes an angry and threatening character. If, however, the attention of the medical man is called to it early, it will always do well: until his directions are given, apply a nicely made bread and water poultice.
BLEEDING FROM THE NAVEL.
Sometimes, a day or two after the cord separates, or at the time of separation, bleeding takes place from the navel: fortunately, this very seldom occurs; indeed, it is very rarely met with; and I only mention it, to observe that, upon its occurrence, the point of the finger should be placed over the part, and pressure steadily applied until medical assistance is obtained.