When children are about cutting their teeth, they slaver much, are
feverish, hot, and uneasy; their gums swell, and are very painful;
they are sometimes loose in the bowels, and at other times costive;
and occasionally convulsions come on.
Leeches are often serviceable when applied behind the ears; as are
also blisters.
_Scarifying the Gums._
Instead of giving narcotics to children cutting their teeth, it
is strenuously recommended to have their tumid gums divided by a
lancet down to the tooth; an operation at once safe and unattended
with pain. If done in time, by removing the cause of the complaint,
all the symptoms will disappear of themselves. Instead of giving
preparations of opium, it will be found, in the majority of cases,
far better to administer calomel, in minute doses, as this medicine
is well known to possess peculiar efficacy in promoting absorption in
these parts. The body, if costive, should be kept regularly open, and
if there should be looseness of the bowels, it should by no means be
discouraged. Instead of coral, or any other hard body, let the child
nibble at a piece of wax candle.