As these complaints are, in a great measure, owing to want of cleanliness, the most effectual means of preventing them are, to wash the parts frequently with cold water, to change the linen often, and, in a word, to keep the child in all respects thoroughly clean. When this is not sufficient, the excoriated parts may be sprinkled with absorbent or drying powders; as burnt hartshorn, tutty, chalk, crabs claws prepared, and the like. When the parts affected are very sore, and tend to a real ulceration, it will be proper to add a little sugar of lead to the powders; or to anoint the place with the camphorated ointment. If the parts be washed with spring water, in which a little white vitriol has been dissolved, it will dry and heal them very powerfully. One of the best applications for this purpose, is to dissolve some fuller’s earth in a sufficient quantity of hot water; and after it has stood till it is cold, to rub it gently upon the galled parts once or twice a-day.
STOPPAGE OF THE NOSE.
The nostrils of infants are often plugged up with a gross mucus, which prevents their breathing freely, and likewise renders it difficult for them to suck or swallow.
Some in this case order, after a suitable purge, two or three grains of white vitriol dissolved in half an ounce of marjoram-water, and filtered, to be applied now and then to the nostrils with a linen rag. Wedelius says, If two grains of white vitriol, and the same quantity of elaterium, be dissolved in half an ounce of marjoram-water, and applied to the nose, as above directed, that it brings away the mucus without sneezing.
In obstinate cases these medicines may be tried; but I have never found any thing necessary, besides rubbing the nose at bed-time with a little sweet oil, or fresh butter. This resolves the filth, and renders the breathing more free[[189]].
OF VOMITING.
From the delicate state of children, and the great sensibility of their organs, a vomiting or looseness may be induced by any thing that irritates the nerves of the stomach or intestines. Hence these disorders are much more common in childhood than in the more advanced periods of life. They are seldom however dangerous, and ought never to be considered as diseases, unless when they are violent, or continue so long as to exhaust the strength of the patient.
Vomiting may be excited by an over-quantity of food; by food that is of such a nature as to irritate the nerves of the stomach too much; or by the sensibility of the nerves being so much increased as to render them unable to bear the stimulus of even the mildest element.
When vomiting is occasioned by too much food, it ought to be promoted, as the cure will depend upon cleansing the stomach. This may be done either by a few grains of ipecacuanha, or a weak solution of emetic tartar, as mentioned before. When it is owing to food of an acrid or irritating quality, the diet ought to be changed, and aliment of a milder nature substituted in its stead.
When vomiting proceeds from an increased degree of sensibility, or too great an irritability of the nerves of the stomach, such medicines as have a tendency to brace and strengthen that organ, and to abate its sensibility, must be used. The first of these intentions may be answered by a slight infusion of the Peruvian bark, with the addition of a little rhubarb and orange-peel; and the second by the saline draughts, to which a few drops of liquid laudanum may be occasionally added.