What are the early symptoms of brain diseases? Temperature is usually very
high, 104 degrees F. and over. There is stupor or delirium, and vomiting
is common; light hurts the eyes; the child jumps and starts at the
slightest noise, unless the hearing is affected. There is often a squint,
the eyes may be turned upward, and the lids may be only half closed during
sleep. The pupils are dilated or contracted, Sometimes one pupil is larger
than natural, while the other is smaller.
What can I do for these symptoms? Cold to the head, either by ice bags or
cold water cloths. The room should be dark and quiet. No food given unless
ordered, and then bland and very little at a time. A doctor should always
be called for such symptoms; castor oil to move the bowels should be given
or an enema of soap-suds and water. This helps to draw the blood from the
brain, also keep the feet warm and head cool.
SCALD HEAD (in Babies) Milk Crust.--This is often due to neglect in
regularly removing the free secretion, or due sometimes to an inflammation
of the little sebaceous follicles of the skin. It occurs on the scalp
most. The hair should be cut short, and soften the crusts with warm olive
oil, or vaselin may be left on the scalp over night, then wash off the
crusts with warm water and castile soap. An ointment can be made of
vaselin or cold cream, and two per cent resorcin, and applied after the
crust is resumed. Spread on linen and hold it in place by a thin cap, wash
this off every day with olive oil and apply the salve fresh. Water should
not be used oftener than once a week--oxide of zinc ointment is also good.
[618 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--l. Cleaning Baby's Head, Common Lard for.--"Nothing
is better than common lard. Grease the head good at night, using plenty of
lard, especially if very heavily coated. Let stand over night, the lard
softens the coating so you can take a fine comb and remove it. Comb from
the forehead back. You need never have any scale on the baby's head." Care
should be taken in using a fine comb, as it will very often make a child's
head very sore.