Part 15 (2/2)

HOW ITS EXISTENCE MAY BE DETERMINED.--The best guide for a parent to determine whether it exist or not, is for her to watch whether the infant can protrude the tip of the tongue beyond the lips: if so, it will be able to suck a good nipple readily, and nothing need or ought to be done. No mother will unnecessarily expose her infant to an operation, which, unless very carefully performed, is not altogether unattended with danger; and, if she suspects any defect of this kind to exist, she has only to observe the circ.u.mstance mentioned above, to satisfy her mind upon the subject.

MOLES AND MARKS ON THE SKIN, ETC.

The supposed influence of the imagination of the mother, in the production of the above appearances in the texture of the skin of her infant, has been fully discussed in the author's work ”Hints to Mothers, etc.” This part of the subject is, however, foreign to the present inquiry, which chiefly has reference to the probable effect of their presence upon the health of the child.

They may be divided into two cla.s.ses: the brownish mole, and claret- stain; and small but somewhat elevated tumours, either of a dark blue, livid colour, or of a bright vermilion hue.

MOLES AND STAINS.--They are of no importance, as far as the health of the infant is concerned. If situated in the face, however, they frequently cause great disfigurement, as the claret-stain, which may be seen sometimes to occupy nearly half the face. But they happily do not increase in size, remaining stationary through life; and as any operation that might be proposed for their removal, would only cause an equal, if not greater, deformity, they ought to be left alone.

COLOURED SPOTS OR TUMOURS.--These vary in their number, size, and situation. The same child is sometimes born with many of them. They may be as small as a pea, or as large as a crown piece. They are not only found on the skin, but on the lips, in the mouth, etc. etc.

These, also, sometimes remain stationary in their size, having no tendency to enlarge, unless, indeed, they are subjected to friction or pressure. But as they frequently require surgical aid, in which case, the earlier the application of remedial measures, the less severe in their kind, and the greater the probability of a speedy and successful result,--so is it always important for the mother early to obtain a medical opinion, that the measure of interference or non-interference may be decided.

Sect. II. DISORDERS OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS OF THE INFANT.

INDIGESTION, FLATULENCE, VOMITING, GRIPING, AND LOOSENESS.

Disorder of the stomach and bowels is one of the most fruitful sources of the diseases of infancy. Only prevent their derangement, and, all things being equal, the infant will be healthy and flourish, and need not the aid of physic or physicians. Experience daily proves, that a large proportion of the children who die in infancy are lost from derangement of these organs, as the primary cause.

There are many causes which may give rise to these affections; many of them appertain to the mother's system, some to that of the infant. All are capable, to a great extent, of being prevented or remedied. It is, therefore, most important that a mother should not be ignorant or misinformed upon this subject. It is the prevention of these affections, however, that will be princ.i.p.ally dwelt upon in this chapter; for let the mother ever bear in mind, and act upon the principle, that the prevention of disease alone belongs to her; the cure to the physician.

For the sake of clearness and reference, these disorders will be spoken of as they occur:--

To the infant at the breast.

At the period of weaning.

And to the infant brought up by hand.

1. TO THE INFANT AT THE BREAST.

<script>