The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Maternal Management of Children, in Health and Disease., by Thomas Bull, M.D.

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net

Title: The Maternal Management of Children, in Health and Disease.

Author: Thomas Bull, M.D.

Release Date: December 4, 2003 [EBook #10383]

Language: English

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MATERNAL MANAGEMENT OF ***

Produced by Albert R. Mann Library. 2003. Home Economics Archive: Research, Tradition and History (HEARTH). Ithaca, NY: Albert R. Mann Library, Cornell University. http://hearth.library.cornell.edu (Version January 2003).

THE

MATERNAL MANAGEMENT

OF

CHILDREN,

IN HEALTH AND DISEASE.

By Thomas Bull, M.D.

Physician Accoucheur To The Finsbury Midwifery

Institution, And Lecturer On Midwifery,

And On The Diseases Of Women

And Children;

Author Of "Hints To Mothers On The

Management Of Their Health."

1840.

PREFACE.

This little book has been written for the young and inexperienced mother. It is intended to furnish her with that information which the experience and observation of some years convince the author, young mothers, almost without any exception, do not possess; and yet, from ignorance of which, the constitution of many an infant has received irretrievable injury, and life itself but too frequently fallen a sacrifice.

In the first chapters, devoted to the general management of the child in health, the author has endeavoured to teach the young mother, that the prevention of disease is her province, not its cure; that to this object all her best efforts must be directed; and, moreover, that to tamper with medicine, when disease has actually commenced, is to hazard the life of her offspring.

In the fourth chapter it has been attempted to point out, how the first symptoms of disease may be early detected by the parent. The subject has been felt to be a difficult one, and to give particular directions quite out of the question; but it is hoped that the suggestions thrown out will, in some measure, answer the purpose intended. On the advantage of an early and prompt application of remedies in the diseases of childhood, generally so active in their progress and severe in their character, it is unnecessary to offer any observation.

The latter part of the work, consisting of the maternal management of disease, the author regards as a subject of high and serious moment. Small as is the attention which has been hitherto paid to it, yet, in the diseases of infancy and childhood, how invaluable is a careful and judicious maternal superintendence to give effect to the measures prescribed by the physician.

The author has endeavoured to arrange the contents of the work in a manner which shall be most easily understood and readily available; and he now publishes it with the desire to supply, in some degree, a deficiency in this important department of knowledge.

Finsbury Place, June, 1840.

CONTENTS.

Chapter I.

ON THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD.

Sect. - Page

I. On the Dietetics of Infancy - 2

1. Maternal Nursing - 3

Plan of Suckling - 3

Deficiency of Milk - 11

The injurious Effects to Mother and Infant of undue and protracted
Suckling - 15

Mothers who ought never to suckle - 20

2. Wet-nurse Suckling - 27

Choice of a Wet-nurse - 28

Diet and Regimen of a Wet-nurse - 31

3. Artificial Feeding, (bringing up by hand) - 34

The Kind of artificial Food before the sixth Month - 35

The Kind of artificial Food after the sixth Month to the completion of first Dentition - 44

The Kind of artificial Food most suitable under the different
Complaints to which Infants are liable - 48

II. Weaning - 51

The Time when - 51

The Mode - 52

The drying up of the Mother's Milk - 54

III. On the Dietetics of Childhood - 54

General Directions, and of animal Food - 55

Sugar - 60

Salt - 61

Fruits - 62

Water - 63

Wine, Beer, and Spirits - 63

IV. Sleep - 66

During Infancy - 66

During Childhood - 69

V. Bathing and Cleanliness - 72

During Infancy - 72

During Childhood - 75

VI. Clothing - 78

During Infancy - 78

During Childhood - 81

VII. Air and Exercise - 83

In Infancy - 83

In Childhood - 89

Chap. II.

ON THE USE AND ABUSE OF CERTAIN REMEDIES.

I. Aperient Medicine - 97

Castor Oil - 99

Manna - 101

Magnesia and Rhubarb - 102

The Lavement - 105

The Aperient Liniment - 107

II. Calomel - 107

III. Opiates - 110

IV. Leeching - 113

V. Blisters and Poultices - 114

VI. Baths - 117

The Cold-water Plunge Bath - 118

Sea Bathing - 120

The Shower Bath - 123

Ablution, or Sponging - 125

The Warm Bath - 188

Chap. III.

ON TEETHING, AND HINTS UPON THE PERMANENT TEETH.

I. On Teething. - 134

The Manner in which the temporary or milk Teeth appear - 134

The Management of the Infant when Teething is without difficulty - 136

The Management of the Infant in difficult Teething - 139

II. Hints on the permanent or adult Teeth - 148

The Manner in which they appear - 248

Their Value and Importance - 152

Their Management and Preservation - 154

Chap. IV.