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Home Medical and Vet Remedies, as Recommended by 19th and 20th century Doctors and Vets! |
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Home Medical and Vet Remedies, as Recommended by 19th and 20th century Doctors and Vets! |
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Diarrhea.A second form of diarrhea is often accompanied by considerable fever, indisposition for the breast and general restlessness ; not infrequently vomiting occurs both at the beginning of the attack and repeatedly after attempts at nursing. While such symptoms often usher in a serious illness, yet in numerous instances a little careful management completely restores the health of the child within a few days. The first requirement is to afford the stomach and bowels an opportunity for repose, as a preparation for their return to 'the natural condition. Hence the breast should be withheld for half¾ day, during which time the child ma^be either entirely deprived of nourishment or fed with a little thin barley water; a warm bath, followed by the application of clean warm flannel clothing, will usually suffice to accomplish the desired object. In some of these cases it may be necessary to administer four or five drops of castor oil with a single drop of laudanum or five to ten of paregoric if the child be a year old \ the latter agents, however, indeed all forms of opium, should be withheld from infants under three months of age, except when given by the direction of the physi cian ; for children are peculiarly susceptible to the action of this drug, which may therefore have unexpected and serious effects. While, then, the simple diarrhea of infancy already described need rarely occasion anxiety or interference by the use of medicine, yet there are circumstances which may modify this general statement. First of all is the occurrence of these troubles during the process of teething ; for at this time there may occur, in consequence of the nervous excitability which results from the irritation in the gums, more serious and obstinate difficulty than would otherwise result. During teething, then, even the slight and simple diarrhea should not be ignored. It is often asserted and generally believed by mothers that teething is in itself sufficient to induce diarrhea ; this is, indeed, possible, but in fact the frequent occurrence of diarrhea during teething is to be ascribed not to this process, but to some of the usual causes which exert at this time more than the usual effect. Let not the mother, therefore, delude herself into the belief that the diarrhea is unavoidable and requires no attention; it is extremely important that these diarrheas of teething be at once controlled, in order that the child be not compelled to endure this additional irritation and drain upon its strength. In these cases a simple change of air, especially from the city to the country, will often restore the bowels at once to their natural condition. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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