TEACHING TRUTH
We confidently believe that most of the sex immorality seen in young
people is more or less the result of ignorance and curiosity;
therefore we most earnestly desire in this chapter to portray so
interestingly the beautiful story of life as seen in the vegetable and
animal world, that our mother-readers will be seized with the great
desire wisely to convey to the young child's mind this sublime and
beautiful story. The questions most naturally arising in the mind of
the reader at this time are: When shall we begin to tell this story?
How shall we tell it? Where shall we begin? Where shall we stop?
Realizing full well that the subject is usually handled prematurely
and with unpreparedness, we will attempt in this chapter to discuss it
with courage and candor, believing that there is a right way, a right
time, and a right place to impart this information.
A LESSON FROM NATURE
When the little folks are about three or four years of age, when
confidence and trust are at their height, they often come to us
begging for a "story;" and this is the golden opportunity for the
parent or caretaker to tell them the story of Mr. and Mrs. Corn, and
all their little babies; or Mr. and Mrs. Morning Glory and their
little folks. There are a score of other equally interesting and
instructive botanical stories which are just as beautiful in their
sublimity, and fairy-like in their personality. The little children's
eyes grow big with wonder as you tell the story of a whole township of
families by the name of Corn (See Fig. 17), who have their residences
out in the wide country fields.
[Illustration: Fig. 17]
[Illustration: Fig. 18]
We will first introduce the child to Mr. Corn, the tassel, waving
proudly and majestically in the breezes, and seeming to say: "I am
master of all I survey." The little fellow is filled with wonderment
as he learns how the clouds give up their drops of water to quench his
thirst and how the sun smiles upon him to yellow his beard; and how
the wonderful all-important _pollen_ is developed and ripened.
Often the child eagerly asks, "And where, mamma, is Mrs. Corn?" and to
that interested upturned face we relate the pleasing story of the
beautiful silken tresses of Mother Corn. Early in her life she is a
beautiful shade of green, and as she thus gracefully hangs out from
the ear of corn, day by day the smiles of sunshine turn this mother
corn to brown, and then to a still darker shade.
"And where, mamma, are the babies?" the child next inquires; and, as
we take the ear of corn, removing the outer clothing--the husks--we
find the underclothing, a much lighter shade of green, and here now we
are in close contact with the babies themselves--the kernels--and to
each little kernel or baby corn we find mamma closely clinging. Here
is a beautiful opportunity to teach mother-love and mother
watchfulness, as also the opportunity to draw lessons from the baby
kernels sitting there in even rows, with their faces clean, silently
contented--just doing their duty. The stories that may be told are
limitless, and possibly as interesting as are the myths and
fairy-tales, yet all the while as true as truth itself, with no
fakery, no legends--just simple truth.
THE ALL IMPORTANT POLLEN
Now on a second trip into the cornfield, another story may be told of
the important work of the pollen. This "father part" of the plant
falls upon the silken tresses of the "mother part," by which the
pollen is carried down to the sleeping corn-baby seeds--the kernels.
And when the "corn dust" does reach the sleeping seeds a great change
begins to take place. This change is known to the adult as
"impregnation;" to the little child it may be presented as "an
awakening" of the sleeping seeds, so that they begin to grow, to
develop, to expand and push out, until we have the full-grown seeds
seen in the delicious and juicy roasting ear.
Sometimes, in the case of the larger plants and trees, Father Tree may
be miles and miles away from Mother Tree and so this all important
pollen must be carried by the wind or by the bees, and as it blows
against the mother part of the plant-flower she catches it and pushes
it downward to the seed babies. The wind scatters the pollen of the
oak tree, the hazlenut, the walnut, the birch, the willow and many
others; for, without the good kind wind or the bees, the pollen would
never find its way to many a mother flower, and the "fertilization" of
the seed could not take place.
THE MORNING GLORY FAMILY
Perhaps the story of life can be told as beautifully from the
morning-glory as from any other flower. Here the beautiful flower cup
is the home of Father and Mother Morning-Glory and all their little
babies. (See Fig. 18).
As we carefully take away their little home, the flower cup, we have
left a little green cup, and coming up from the center you will see
five little stems, every one of them wearing a hat of powder or pollen
and this--if you please--is Papa Morning-Glory. Look closely and you
will see coming up from the center of these five stems (stamens) one
central stalk without a hat, Mother Morning-Glory, known in botany as
the "pistil"; and as you follow down this pistil you will find an
enlarged part at the base, which is known as the cradle-nest--the home
of the seed babies.
Little was known about this wonderful fertilization of the seeds by
the pollen two hundred years ago, and a whole century passed before
the secret of the blossom and the bees was discovered; and even then
it was not fully realized how great was the work of the bees in
cross-fertilization. Nor was it understood that the beautiful blossom
of the flower, with its sweet nectar, was an exceedingly important
factor in attracting the bees. Another century passed before Darwin
gave to the world the story of the great work performed by the bees in
cross-fertilization--in carrying the pollen from flower to flower,
for it is now a well-known fact that all of the blossoms visited by
the bees produce better fruit and better flowers.
In the flower where the father and mother part matures at the same
time, self-fertilization is the rule. Cross-fertilization occurs in
instances where either the father part or mother part ripen at
different times, in these cases the pollen is carried from plant to
plant by the wind or by the nectar-seeking bees. These busy bees, with
their fluffy little feet and fuzzy coats, become completely covered
with this all-important flower dust, and in seeking nectar from other
flowers they leave the "awakening dust" behind, and thus
cross-fertilization takes place; new types of babies are produced, new
generations of fruits and flowers.
HOW MOTHER NATURE WORKS
Dr. Chadwick, in her _Blossom Babies_, gives us a beautiful recital
concerning the fertilization of plants, which provides an endless
number of interesting stories. The water plants are very interesting
in that the pollen is just light enough to float on the exact level of
the mother part of the flower, otherwise fertilization could never
take place, and there would be no more lovely lilies. Long throated
blossoms are fertilized by their attraction for certain moths or
humming birds who have long tongues. Mother Nature is exceedingly
careful to reproduce her children, and in every conceivable way she
sees to it that her plant-seeds are fertilized and distributed. We are
all familiar with the dandelion and the thistle and a host of others
which fly through the air with actual plumes, some seeds fly with
wings, such as the maple; other seeds travel by clinging or sticking,
such as the cockle burr; still others float and shoot; while we all
know about a lot of seeds that are good to eat, such as the nuts and
fruits, as well as many of the grains, such as corn, etc.
An incubator about hatching time is a wonderful object lesson in
teaching the story of life. Take the children to visit one and let
them actually see the live baby chicks coming forth from the
seed-shells. Other wonderful lessons may be drawn from the mother
horse or the mother cow; and it is impossible to portray the close
companionship, the sublime trust and confidence, which exists between
the mother and the child who have been bound together by these ties
and sentiments of truthfulness, trustfulness, and frankness.
THE SALMON FAMILY
The little fellow is daily learning that everything that grows comes
from a seed, even the salmon which was eaten at lunch yesterday was
the text for an impressive story about Papa and Mamma Salmon. In the
beautiful Columbia river Mother Salmon is swimming about quietly
seeking a shallow place in the stream where she may deposit her
cluster of baby seeds, which looks very much like a mass of tapioca
pudding as they gently sink to the bed of a shallow spot in the river.
There they lay "sound asleep" until Father Salmon, swimming by, is
attracted to the spot and, hesitating, talks something like this to
himself: "Why the idea, here are some helpless fish-baby seeds, they
can't grow and develop without me, here they are sound asleep;" and,
nestling over them, he contributes the self-same and all important
"something"--comparable to the pollen of the plants--which wakes them
up. In the case of the fish the "awakening" substance is not in the
form of a powder as in the plant world; but is in the form of a
semi-liquid mass, much resembling the white of an egg. The little
seeds soon begin to tremble--begin to wake up--and then begin to swell
and grow and develop. In a few days what do you suppose happens to
these little bulging baby seeds? The very same thing that happened to
the chick seed--they burst and out come hundreds of cute little fish
minnows. In just a few hours they are all swimming about in a most
wonderful fish-like manner.
EARLY QUESTIONS
Some day you will be surprised by your little child suddenly asking
you some such question as this: "Mother, where did I come from?" while
in the same frank manner you reply: "Why from your mamma, of course;
where do you think you could have come from? Everything that grows
comes from its mamma--oranges, apples, radishes, cabbages, cats,
dogs, and chickies--everything that grows has to have a mamma and
papa," and they are often satisfied with this answer for a long time.
No child should go to kindergarten without knowing that he came from
his mother, and this knowledge should come to him from his own
mother's lips. These are different days than those in which our
grandmothers lived. The spirit of investigation and of inquiry is in
the air. The moving-picture show makes it necessary for children of
nine or ten to understand these things--to have a knowledge of certain
of the conventionalities of life. Twenty years ago this may not have
been so necessary--the youth of that day might have waited several
years longer for certain phases of his sex instruction. It is highly
important that this knowledge be obtained from a wise and pure and
sympathetic mind--from the child's own parents.
One mother put her little girl's questions off week after week,
saying: "I will tell you when you get older, dear--no, not now, dear;
run away, you are not old enough to know such things, you must forget
about them." Thus the unprepared mother sought to gain time in which
to consult the doctor or the library. Finally the day came when the
mother felt that she was sufficiently wise to answer the query, "Where
did I come from," and so with her heart in her throat she approached
her daughter, saying: "Come, Mary, mother is going to tell you all
about it. I am now ready to answer your question." Imagine her
surprise and astonishment when Mary said: "Oh, you needn't mind,
mother, Kate told me all about it last week." Now the question in my
mind is: how did Kate tell her? How much unnecessary information did
this older and experienced Kate put into the pure mind of this
innocent little girl?
ONE MOTHER'S AWAKENING
One mother in a western state--a county superintendent of
schools--told us the following interesting story of her own
experience, which we think may be of help to some of our mother
readers.
One morning her seven-year old son rushed into the house exclaiming:
"Oh, mother, there is a new calf out in the barn, and I know where it
came from; I saw a wagon load of calves come by here yesterday, and
one of them must have dropped off, for it is right out there in the
barn with old Bess this minute."
The mother was very busy with her papers and her reports, and she let
the incident pass with a smile, thinking it was a very pretty little
story. A week later the six-year old brother came in saying: "Mother,
I think there must have been another wagon load of calves passed by,
and one must have been lost off, for old Nell is cleaning up a little
calf out in the barn for all she is worth," while the older brother
piped up: "Sure, it was another load of calves; that is just exactly
the way the other calf got here;" and the two little fellows went off
to school.
About a month later that county superintendent suddenly became a much
wiser mother than she was before, although her heart was made to ache.
Both boys came home from school one day and the older one met her with
something like this: "I am mad! I've been lied to; all the fellows at
school say I have, and they are making sport of me, too," and with a
glare in his reddened eye he continued, "You know that new calf did
not come off that wagon; you know that calf came from old Bess
herself; all the fellows say so at school, and they are making all
kinds of fun of me, and I don't want to go back. I'd like to run away
from home." The mother quietly drew the boy to her side and reminded
him that she had simply listened; that she had not opened her mouth;
that he came into the room and told about the incident himself, but
this did not satisfy him. He turned to her wounded and crushed,
saying: "Well, you let a fellow believe it, and that's just as bad;"
and this educated mother--this trusted custodian of a county full of
school children--beseeched me to warn mothers everywhere to teach
their children the truth, and to never let a child go to school with a
sex misunderstanding. She told me that it took her six months to get
that boy's confidence back again.
DON'T GET SHOCKED
I believe that many mothers make the sad mistake of showing the child
that they are shocked by trivial sayings and trifling experiences of
their little people. If we could only get it into our heads for once
and for all that our children are born into this world veritable
little thieves and falsifiers, as well as adventurers and explorers,
we would then cease being so shocked and outraged by their frank
statements of what they have heard or have done. Let the mother listen
to all these things with calmness, while she seeks to direct the
child's mind in pure and elevated channels--to help him upward by
imparting "precept upon precept; here a little and there a little."
Children will come in with stories that at first thought do greatly
shock the parent; but under no circumstances should the boy or girl
discover that the parent is shocked, for if he does he will not likely
come again with another such "shocking" difficulty. One mother told me
that her seven-year-old boy, beginning third grade, came into her
bedroom one morning saying: "Mother, I am just busting to say
something," and this mother very wisely said, "Well, say it; certainly
I don't want you to burst," and she told me that this boy whispered to
her three of the filthiest words that he could possibly have heard on
the streets. In relating this experience to me she said: "Do you know,
doctor, that I really did not know what to think at first, but I
remembered that you had taught me never to be shocked, and so I looked
up and asked: "Do you feel better?" whereupon he breathed a big sigh
and exclaimed: "What a relief! I have just been busting to say that to
somebody." Mother, to whom would you rather he would say these things?
to you, or to some little girl out on the street, or to some older
boy? Think what trouble and possible mischief were avoided by
whispering into the sympathetic ear of mother. This wise mother turned
to that little boy and said: "Son, that ear is always waiting for just
such things and whenever you feel like saying something--like getting
it off your mind--you just come to me;" and he came repeatedly. One
time he came in saying: "I don't know whether you want me to play with
Harold or not; he does some of those things you told me about the
other day." And the mother thoughtfully and wisely looked up and said:
"Did he do it in front of his mother? Why of course he didn't. Did he
ask you to go into the bedroom or bathroom and lock the door?" and the
little fellow quickly answered: "Why sure he did; how did you guess
it?" and added "now I suppose you are not going to let me play with
him any more," and this wise mother, knowing that if she denied him
this privilege that it would quite likely be frequently sought, said:
"Why, certainly play with Harold in the open, but whenever he suggests
secrecy--" she did not have time to finish the sentence, the boy said:
"I am wise; whenever he gets to doing that 'funny business' I'll
skiddoo." The confidence between that mother and son, to my mind, was
wonderfully sublime--all the while practical and helpful in his daily
training.
DON'T REPULSE THE CHILD
A little older child sees the fowls, the dogs, or the cats, "mating,"
and then, rushing into the house, inquires what it is all about; and
unless the mother is on her guard some older member of the family may
show surprise and thus thoughtlessly convey to the child's mind that
his question is improper and entirely out of place. To the question,
"What are they doing, mamma?" quietly answer, "Just mating, dear, just
as the flowers mate; everything that lives or grows comes as the
result of mating."
Suppose that you were repulsed every time you approached a dear
friend, your husband, or some other member of the family? Take, for
instance, the matter of a caress or an embrace--how would you react to
repeated rebuff? And so with the little child; he comes into this
world full of confidence and trust, full of wonder and curiosity;
possessed with the spirit of exploration and investigation--everywhere
and all the time he asks questions. Usually, his questions are
answered thoughtfully and without hesitancy, except along the line of
one thought--that of sex. Do not think for one moment that he is
satisfied by your evasive answers. You have but to recall your own
childhood experiences, and remember that today the moving picture
show and general public sentiment has placed the age for such
knowledge from one to five years earlier in this generation than in
the past. I do not care what the child comes into your presence with,
be it the most shocking thing in this world, do not under any
circumstances let it disturb your mental poise, or raise your ire or
shock you; for if you do, then and there--at that moment--occurs a
break in the sublime confidence which the child reposes in you.
NECESSARY MORAL TRAINING
While we are using the plant and animal world as object lessons in
teaching our children the facts of sex and the secrets of life; while
we face the commonplace sex matings of the animals about us without
cringing, without appearing to be shocked when our children call
attention to these things; nevertheless, when the child is old enough
to take cognizance of these phenomena, he is old enough to begin to
receive some definite instruction from his parents regarding the moral
phase of these great biologic problems. We cannot safely and
indefinitely utilize the animal world as an object lesson in sex
education, without at the same time emphasizing the moral difference
between man and the beast.
Many parents treat these sex problems so lightly and endeavor to act
so naturally and unconcerned about these questions, that the child
comes to look upon the promiscuous sexual relations of the animal
world as something altogether natural; and, unless proper moral and
religious training is carried on at this time, he stands in danger of
coming to regard lightly the moral standards of modern society.
At the same time of life that Mother Nature fully develops the sex
instincts--at adolescence--she also awakens the religious emotions;
the one being so necessary for the proper and adequate control of the
other. Let parents take a cue from old Mother Nature, and at the same
time the sex relations of animals are freely discussed with the
growing child, let the mother or father wisely call attention to the
fact that but very few of the animals live family lives as do human
beings. In this connection valuable use--by way of illustration--can
be made of the ostrich and some of the ape family who are loyal and
true to their chosen companions.
Moral and religious instruction must accompany sex-hygiene teaching
just as soon as you leave the realms of botany and enter the sphere of
zoology. We could here relate many a tragic experience which our
patients have passed through as a result of volunteering too much sex
knowledge and at the same time neglecting this very necessary moral
instruction.
SANTA CLAUS AND THE STORK
We must bear in mind that the child believes what we tell him; he
trusts us implicitly and we owe it to him to teach him the truth in
answer to his numerous questions. We must keep his confidence. Take
the matter of Christmas, for instance. How many confidences have been
broken over the falsehood of Santa Claus and the chimney. Two little
fellows hesitated in their play in the back yard, and the following
conversation was heard: "You know that story about Santa Claus is all
a fake." "Sure it is, I know it isn't so, I saw my father and mother
filling the stockings. You know that stork story is all a lie too,
there's nothing to it, babies don't come that way, and now I'm
investigating this Jesus Christ story, I suppose that's all a fake
too." The fact of the matter is, that while these children have
discovered the truth of the first two stories, for a long time they
will query the third story, for to them, that too is mysterious and
fairy-like. They hadn't seen Santa or the Stork and had only heard
about Jesus.
STORY OF THE HUMAN BABY
The story of the human baby may be told to any child of seven to ten
years. Each mother will have to decide in her own mind the right time
to go into the details of the human baby seed. The child should have
had an opportunity to have planted some seeds in the ground, to have
visited an incubator, or to have visited the farm and observed the
family groups of babies--the chicks, pigs, calves, etc.--with their
mothers.
Let me see now how many different baby seeds do we know? Yes, we do
know the radish seeds, many flower seeds, chicken seeds, bird seeds,
corn, potatoes, and many others, and we can tell them all apart. The
boy and girl baby seeds are too tiny to be seen with the eye. They are
so small that it takes about two hundred of them in a row to make one
inch. We can only see these human baby seeds with the aid of a
microscope. It is such a precious seed that it cannot be intrusted to
the ground or to a tree nest for development. The great Wise Father
decided that a mamma would love and care for it better than anything
or anybody in all the world. So, just as there is a cradle bed in the
mamma flower, so there is in the human mother's own warm body, tucked
far away from the cold rains and the hot sun, a little bed, for the
boy and girl baby seeds. Right near to this little seed bed Mother
Nature has prepared a little room, which holds the tiny "waked up"
seed for nearly a year as it slowly grows into a little baby girl or
baby boy.
THE MATING STORY
You remember the story of how Bob Robin found Jenny Robin, don't you?
You remember mamma told you how Bob came up from the southland early
in the spring and asked Jenny in lovely bird song to come and be his
very own wife? How he promised her he would feed her on cherries, and
currants and the fattest of worms? And that she told Bob she loved him
and went to live with him, and how they built that cute little nest to
hold the eggs; and how Jenny Robin sat on the nest until the little
baby robins were all hatched out.
Well, one day papa found mamma. He met her and loved her dearly and
told her he wanted her to come and live with him, and they built their
home nest and were very happy together, because they decided they
would always love each other more than any one else in the world.
After mamma and papa built their home and lived together, one day a
wonderful change came to one of the baby seeds and it awakened and
began to grow. Mother Nature whispered to it, and told it how to find
its way into this little room and there it clung to the wall and grew
for nearly a year. Papa brought mamma nice things to eat, just as Bob
Robin did Jenny. Papa did everything he could to make mamma happy and
comfortable.
For nearly five months this little seed just grew and did not let
anybody know it was there, until one day it began to tap against the
sides of the walls of this little room, and every time it did mamma's
heart just bounded with joy as she thought of the precious seed
growing to be a darling baby--and all inside of her very own body. And
one day, after nearly a whole year had passed, the door to the room
began to open, and, very soon, a lovely baby found its way out of this
special room into the big, big world. Mother Nature then told this
little baby that it might still remain close to the mamma it had been
with so long, and so she taught it how to get its food every day from
mamma's breast. At this point the child usually breaks out by saying,
"Now, mamma, I know just why I love you so much."
UNFOLDING THE TRUTH
I shall always remember with pleasure my own son, not quite
two-and-a-half years old, who sat at the table one day asking numerous
questions such as, "Mamma, what is that? Mamma, where did that come
from?" etc.
He picked up a navel orange, and pointing to the navel said, "What is
that?"
I frankly said to him, "Why, my dear, that is the baby orange."
"Why, Mamma," he exclaimed, "do oranges come from oranges?"
"Certainly, dear child; where else could they come from?"
"But," he says, "Mamma, do potatoes come from potatoes?"
"Why, honey," I said, "Orange babies come from orange mammas, potato
babies from potato mammas, grapes come from grape mammas, little
kitties from kitty mammas, and little boys from their mammas."
We simply mixed all the babies up, just as you would mix up a
delicious fruit salad. We took from the mind all question of mystery
and surprise by quickly and honestly answering his question. Thus, his
first knowledge of his origin, if he is able to recall it, will ever
be associated with oranges, grapes, potatoes, kittens, etc.
We did not tell the whole story for some two or three years later, but
day by day we simply answered the questions as he asked them.
One day, when he was about three, he burst into my bedroom, saying,
"Mamma, dear, I did come from you, didn't I?"
"Why, yes, darling, from nobody else; just from your own mamma and
papa."
"Say, mamma, was my hand in your hand, my foot in your foot, my head
in your head?"
"No, dear," I replied, "You were all curled up as snug as a little
kitty is when it's asleep, and you slept for nearly a year in a little
room underneath mamma's heart."
It was a wonderful story. He threw his chubby arms about my neck, his
legs around my waist, and said: "You dear, dear, mamma. I do love you
and papa more, just awful much."
THE DOCTOR'S PART
In my private sitting-room, where William and I have had many
conferences, there hangs my medical-class picture with classmates and
faculty. A member of my family was one day answering the boy's queries
as to who this one or that one was, etc. Finally, on pointing to one
particular face, the answer came to his inquiry, "That's Dr. P. You
wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him." That evening the little
fellow, just past three years, came to me and asked, "Mamma, didn't
you say I came from you?"
"Yes, dear," I replied.
"Well, Auntie says I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Dr. P. What did
the doctor have to do with it?"
"Why, simply this, dear. The door to the little room in which you grew
in mamma's body wouldn't open, and so kind Dr. P. came and helped open
the door."
"And let me out?" exclaimed the eager child. "Oh, I want to go and see
Dr. P. and thank him for helping me out!"
And this little fellow was neither shocked or surprised, any more
than he was over finding out that orange babies came from orange
mammas.
In the same frank manner in which the simpler questions are answered,
strive to answer these important ones. If we seek to evade, to
postpone, to wrap in mystery these sex questions, the little ones will
not forget but will ponder and worry over them, and seek to obtain
certain knowledge from others who oftentimes tell too much or too
little, and such information is usually mixed with much unnecessary
matter which may or may not be foreign to this particular subject. On
the other hand, if we frankly and honestly answer the question at
hand, curiosity is avoided and the child feels he understands it all.
The subject drops into the background of his mind--into the marginal
consciousness--with the countless other facts he has accumulated. A
sense of "knowledge possession" is as comfortable to the child as it
is to the adult.
TRUSTING YOUR CHILD
Often the question arises: "Will they tell to other children this
newly found knowledge?" If the wise mother makes them feel they are a
part of a "family," and reminds them that such matters as the secrets
about Santa Claus, the stork, and the baby nest are only discussed in
"family groups," they are often seized with the normal pride which
accompanies confidence, and often keep secrets as well or even better
than do most adults.
One day a little man, three-and-a-half years old, was posing for a
photograph. The photographer said: "My little fellow, you pose well.
We've had such a good time together. Where did they get such a lad as
you?"
The mother's heart stood still. From her hiding place behind a large
curtain at the back of the studio, she listened, wondering what would
be his answer.
At first he hesitated, but after a moment's pause, said: "Really, Mr.
W. if you don't know I feel sorry for you, and I'd really like to tell
you, but I can't, it's a secret between me and my mamma."
Children enjoy secrets. If possible, isolate a group of subjects that
are not to be discussed with playmates, such as Santa Claus facts, the
stork story, and the baby story; often the very isolation of one
single fact stands out so big in the child's mind that he is many
times tempted to mention it, when, if it were associated with a whole
group of "family secrets" he would seldom be led to talk about it. As
we have said, children can keep secrets much better than most adults;
and just suppose they _should_ tell something--what harm? With
twenty-five false stories in the neighborhood, suppose one story of
truth should escape! No particular harm would result; but I find they
keep these secrets well.
Numerous questions will arise which should be met with open frankness.
No blush, no shame, should even suggest itself, for we are dealing
with a wonderful truth, so let us give out our answers with clean
hearts and pure minds. The Great Father will bless us and surround our
loved "flock" with a garment of confidence in mother and father that
will protect from much of the evil which is in the world, and,
eventually, our little ones will grow into men and women whose very
life of purity will cast its influence into the social circle. Only
the company of the good and the true and the pure will be sought when
associating with the opposite sex; while, in the end, better mothers
and better fathers will be developed for the work of the next
generation.
TEN POSSIBLE CAUSES OF SECRET VICE
1. The attention of the little folks is often drawn to the sexual
organs by a sensation of itching which accompanies a state of
uncleanliness and filth. The genitals must be kept scrupulously clean.
Elsewhere in this book we paid our respects to the rubber diaper, and
we wish to reiterate at this time that it is in all probability
responsible for a great deal of masturbation. The constant moisture
and heat keeps the genital organs in a state of congestion which is
more or less accompanied by itching sensations.
2. A long or tight foreskin in the male child favors the accumulation
of secretions which not only occasion itching sensations but
oftentimes are the cause of convulsions in early infancy. In the case
of the female, a tight foreskin over the clitoris will retain
secretions which also cause an itching sensation.
3. Unscrupulous nurses sometimes actually teach these little fellows
to masturbate.
4. Lying in bed on the back with a full bladder, in the case of the
boy, often produces an erection of the penis, and this is usually
accompanied by a feeling of fullness which serves to direct the mind
to the genital organs.
5. Lying in bed alone with nothing to do but to investigate often
results in secret vice.
6. The unwise practice of allowing children to visit each other over
night and sleep together, is often productive of mischief.
7. Constantly telling a little girl to keep her feet down, to keep her
dress down, makes her over conscious of sex and otherwise causes the
attention to be directed in unhealthy channels.
8. Teasing a child unnecessarily about a little sweetheart often
produces an emotional reaction which is not altogether desirable.
These suggestions are especially bad in the older children.
9. Unwise sex knowledge is usually productive of curious
investigations, which if not properly followed up, particularly in
those children who are temperamentally secretive, and who do not fully
confide in mother and father, often results in moral misdemeanors.
10. Do not allow two young children habitually to isolate themselves
in their play. Direct their play away from the attic, the basement,
and other places remote from direct observation.
There is no use telling a child not to touch that part of his body,
particularly if it is a boy, for it is going to be absolutely
impossible for him to carry out such instructions. One mother
overheard her caretaker say, "Don't put your hand there, it isn't
nice." Immediately the wise mother called the caretaker to her and
reminded her that most children usually continue to investigate even
though they are told not to, and so the caretaker received this
instruction: "When you see Harry putting his hand to that particular
part of his body, just gently draw it away and divert his attention to
something else, and when he goes to sleep in his little bed teach him
to lie on his side and bring his little hands up under his chin or the
side of his face and remain near him telling him a beautiful story
until the eyes begin to get sleepy and pick him up immediately on
awaking in the morning."
This mother was quite unlike the mother who once came to my office,
saying: "Doctor Lena, I have done everything to prevent my boy's
handling himself, why every time he wakes up at night I am always
awake and I instantly say to him, Charlie where are your hands? You
see Doctor, I am doing the best I know how." Very likely it is
unnecessary to call the attention of the reader to the fact that this
mother was doing more harm than good in constantly calling his
attention to the fact that he did have a sexual side to his nature.
TRUTH VS. EXAGGERATION
And just here let us add that while masturbation is an unclean habit,
an impure habit, and a thing altogether to be shunned, we would not be
honest to ourselves and to our readers if we did not explain that
under no circumstances does it make foolish minds out of sound minds
or insane minds out of sane minds. If your boy or your girl is going
to grow up to be foolish or insane he had a through ticket for the
feebleminded institution or the insane asylum when he was born into
the world. The time when masturbation does affect the mind of the
child is when the mind awakens to the fact that it is allowing an
abnormal, unclean, or filthy habit to dominate mind, soul, and body,
and then, and usually not until then, does this bad habit begin to
cause mental depression and a host of other symptoms that so often
accompany masturbation.
In our worthy efforts to combat the evils of secret vice let us not go
to the other extreme and create such a condition of mind in the youth
of our generation as to lay the foundation for sexual neurasthenia
later on in life, as a result of the protracted worry, constant
brooding, and conscientious condemnation, which they so often
experience following some brief or trivial indulgence in early secret
vice. Let us fight this vice with the truth, and not resort to
over-exaggerated pictures which can only serve to blight the hopes and
destroy the courage of over-sensitive boys and girls after they have
grown up--as they look back on their lives and recall perhaps a single
misstep in their childhood. In this way we can hope to do good today
without mortgaging the child's happiness and mental peace in years to
come.
APPENDIX
APPENDIX
BATHS USED TO REDUCE FEVER
1. _The Sponge Bath._ The child, completely undressed but loosely
wrapped in a wool blanket, is placed on a table so that the mother or
a nurse may conveniently stand while administering the bath. Close at
hand have a number of soft linen towels and a large bowl of tepid
water which may or may not contain a small amount of alcohol,
witch-hazel, salt, or vinegar, according to the doctor's directions.
The upper portion of the body is partially uncovered and the tepid
water is applied with the hands to the skin surface of one arm. The
hands may be dipped in water from one to four times, thus making
repeated applications of the water to the arm. These are followed by
careful drying--patting rather than rubbing. The other arm is now
taken, then the chest, then the back and last the legs.
2. _The Wet-Sheet Pack._ Two light-weight wool blankets are folded to
fit the child; they should extend eighteen inches below the feet and
should be wide enough to lap well in front. A sheet just large enough
to envelop the body is then wrung out of cold water and spread out
over the woolen blankets. The feverish child is entirely disrobed and
is placed on the wet sheet, which is quickly wrapped about the body,
over the chest, under the arms, and between the legs--coming in
contact with the entire skin surface. The dry blankets are quickly
brought around and tucked snugly about the patient. This is a cooling
wet-sheet pack and will often so relieve the nervousness and
irritability of a feverish child that he will go to sleep in the pack.
In the very young child, under two years, it is important to put some
accessory warmth to the feet such as a warm-water bottle--not hot. The
effect of this pack is very quieting, and is indicated when the
temperature of the child reaches 103 F. or more.
3. _The Graduated Bath._ This is usually administered in a large
bathtub and is beneficial in the fevers of the older children. The
temperature of the water should be one or two degrees higher than the
body temperature, for example--if the child's temperature is 103 F.
then the bath starts out with a temperature of 104 or 105 F. The
temperature is then gradually lowered, about a degree every two
minutes, until it reaches 92 or 90 F. A helper should support the head
while the mother or nurse briskly rubs the entire skin surface of the
body. This friction greatly facilitates the fever-reducing work of the
bath because it brings the blood to the surface where it is more
readily cooled by the bath. This bath should last ten or fifteen
minutes.
4. _The Hot Sponge Bath._ Often, in combating the high fever of
typhoid, the hot sponge bath is valuable. The hands are dipped in
water just as hot as can be borne and are applied to the chilly,
mottled skin which is so often seen in high fever. This bath is
administered just as is the tepid sponge bath. Evaporation is allowed
to take place to some extent by delaying the drying. In this instance
the child should be wrapped in a warm wool blanket with only a portion
of the body exposed at one time.
5. _The Hot-Blanket Pack._ The hot-blanket pack is indicated at the
onset of many fevers such as in typhoid, grippe, pneumonia, etc. Like
the wet-sheet pack, the blankets are spread upon the bed, abundant
accessory heat is applied--such as a half-dozen hot-water bottles. In
the absence of these, glass jars or hot ears of corn may be utilized.
Hot bricks or hot stove lids wrapped in paper are also serviceable. A
blanket, in size to suit the individual (an adult would use a full
single blanket, a child one-half of a single blanket), is wrung very
dry from boiling water. This may be done by the means of a wash
wringer, or two persons grasping the blanket by its gathered ends may
so twist it that it looks very much like an old-fashioned twisted
doughnut. The twist is now lowered into boiling water, and as each
pulls the twist wrings itself. This is at once quickly spread out so
as to let the child lay on the center, and then the hot sides are
brought in contact with the skin, just as in the wet-sheet pack. The
dry blankets are now brought quickly and snugly about the child. Just
outside the second dry blanket the accessory heat is placed to the
sides of the trunk, the sides of the thighs, and one at the feet. A
wrapped stove lid or a hot-water bottle is placed over the pelvis and
one under the back. Cold cloths are put on the face and around the
neck, and these should be changed every three minutes. This pack
continues for fifteen or twenty minutes, at the end of which time the
accessory heat and the wet blanket are removed and the patient is
cooled off by a cold mitten friction, a saline rub, a witch-hazel rub,
or an alcohol rub; or the patient may be placed in a tub of water,
temperature 98 F., after which he should be carefully dried off.
6. _Sweating Baths._ Another bath which is effectual at the onset of
grippe or pneumonia is the sweating bath. The bowels should have moved
some time before the treatment. Have ready a large bowl of ice water,
two turkish towels, one sheet, and four wool blankets. The bathtub is
now filled with water at the temperature of 100 F.; which is quickly
raised up to 103 or 104 F. Ice-water towels are applied to the head,
neck and heart. The patient remains in this bath for about ten
minutes, after which he steps out and at once gets into the four hot,
dry blankets previously spread out on the bed. No time is lost, the
patient is quickly wrapped in the hot blankets and sweating continues
for twenty minutes. The covering is now loosened and gradual cooling
takes place. It is well to go to bed at once.
TONIC BATHS
1. _The Cold Mitten Friction._ The cold mitten friction is a bath that
is applicable to any condition where the child or adult needs "toning
up." It should always be preceded by heat to the feet. The following
articles are necessary. Four or five turkish towels, a warm wool
blanket, a hot-water bottle for the feet, a bowl containing water, a
generous piece of ice, and a rough mitten without a thumb. The
patient's clothes are removed and he is wrapped in the warm blanket
with heat to the feet. One part of the body is taken at a time, first
the arm, then the other arm, then the chest, the abdomen, one leg, the
second leg, and last the back and the buttocks. A dry turkish towel
is placed under the part to be treated, and after the mittened hand is
dipped in ice-water, brisk short friction strokes are given to the arm
until it is pink. Several dippings of the mitten in ice-water are
necessary. One cannot be too active in administering this bath. Slow,
Delsarte movements are entirely out of place at this time. Action--and
quick action--is a necessity. No part of the child's body is left
until it is pink. It is an invigorating tonic bath and is indicated in
all conditions of low vitality, functional inactivity, puniness,
rickets, etc.
2. _The Salt Glow._ Fill the bathtub half full of warm water,
temperature 100 F. Slightly moisten one quart of coarse salt. Stand
the patient in the water, placing one foot on the side of the tub
while you rub the entire leg with the salt until it is very pink. The
other leg is treated in the same manner, as also are the arms,
abdomen, chest, and last, the back. By this time he will be all aglow
from head to foot. Rinse off the salt, and give him a cold dash with
the hands or a spray.
THE NEUTRAL BATH
Fill the tub with water at just 97 F., and remain in the bath for
twenty minutes or more, with the eyes covered, all the while
maintaining the temperature at 97 F. Dry gently with a sheet to avoid
exertion and exposure. Go at once to bed.
FOMENTATIONS
Hot fomentations often relieve suffering and are indicated in such
conditions as menstrual pain, abdominal cramps, colic, backaches, etc.
A good substitute for fomentations may be given as follows: Fill a hot
bag half-full of boiling water. Over this place a wet flannel and two
layers of dry flannel. Apply for fifteen or twenty minutes over the
skin area to be treated, finishing up with a cold water or alcohol
rub.
A very effectual way of applying moist heat to any portion of the body
is by the means of hot fomentations which are given as follows:
One-fourth of a single woolen blanket (part cotton) is folded and
grasped at the ends and twisted like an old-fashioned doughnut. The
twist is then immersed in boiling water, the hands still grasping the
dry ends, and then by simply pulling out the twist (widely separating
the hands) the fomentation wrings itself. This is placed steaming hot
over the affected area which has been first covered by a dry flannel.
It is allowed to remain on for three or four minutes, and then another
hot one wrung from the boiling water replaces the cool one. About four
or five such applications are made. The skin should be very red at the
close of this treatment. It is finished up with a quick, cold
application to the reddened skin area.
THE SOAP SHAMPOO
The undressed child is placed upon a low stool in the half-filled
bathtub at 100 F. with the feet in the warm water. A good lather is
applied all over the body with good friction by the means of a shampoo
brush and soap. He is then allowed to sit down in the tub and splash
about all he pleases, rinse the soap off and allow him to have a good
time generally. At the close of the treatment the water is cooled down
and the treatment is finished with a brisk rub with the hands dipped
in cold water. The skin of the child should be pink at the close of
the treatment.
MOIST ABDOMINAL BANDAGE
The moist abdominal bandage is indicated in such conditions as kidney
inflammation which is so often seen in the second week of scarlet
fever; or in congestion of any of the internal organs such as the
liver, the stomach, intestines, etc., and is applied as follows:
Spread out the flannel bandage and over it place the mackintosh. Wring
dry the cotton strip from cold water, and spread it over the
mackintosh. Wrap all three layers, the wet cloth next the skin,
closely about the body, so as to prevent the air from getting under
it. Be sure that the feet are warm while adjusting the bandage. In the
morning remove the bandage, and rub the skin briskly with a turkish
towel dipped in cold water, until the skin is pink and dry. The cotton
strip should be boiled every other day to avoid skin eruptions.
HEATING COMPRESS
The heating compress is indicated in the following cases: Sprained
ankles, rheumatic joints, arthritis, sore throat, etc. Directions:
Wring two thicknesses of cheesecloth from cold water, place over the
painful part, and quickly cover with a mackintosh and two thicknesses
of woolen blanket bandage. On removing in the morning, sponge with
cold water or alcohol.
MUSTARD PASTE
In the bronchitis of small children, particularly babies, mustard
pastes are to be preferred to the hot fomentations which are used to
such great advantage in children above ten. The mustard paste is
administered as follows: One part of mustard and six parts of flour of
the same measurements are quickly stirred up with warm water to a
paste thin enough to spread well upon a piece of thin muslin, which is
large enough to cover twice the part to be treated. One-half of this
muslin is thus covered with the mustard and the dry piece of cloth
brought over. The edges are then folded in such a way that the mustard
will not run out. This is applied to the affected part and allowed to
remain for seven minutes on an infant, nine minutes on a child, and
ten or twelve minutes on an adult. It is then removed and the moisture
which is always seen on the reddened skin surface is _not_ wiped off
but talcum powder is sprinkled on thickly to absorb it. If this is
done, a mustard paste may be repeated every two hours if necessary and
no blistering or other harm will come to the skin.
THE OIL-SILK JACKET
The oil-silk jacket is used in bronchitis of babies and children. It
consists of three layers, the innermost layer of cheesecloth, the
middle layer of thin sheet wadding, and the outer layer of oil-silk.
This jacket should comfortably cover the chest, front, and back; it
has no sleeves, and is opened on the shoulder and under the arm. It
should always follow the mustard paste in bronchitis. There should
always be two such cheesecloth and cotton jackets with the oil-silk
covering so they may be changed every twelve hours, thus allowing for
airing.
STEAM INHALATIONS
1. Steam inhalations are indicated in hoarseness and bronchitis. They
may be given in a number of ways. Perhaps that most convenient for the
young infant is the "bronchitis tent." A sheet completely covers the
crib, and, with the bed amply protected with rubber sheeting or an
extra blanket, steam is allowed to enter under the sheet at the foot
of the bed from a funnel put into the nose of the teakettle. The steam
should continue for seven or eight minutes.
2. A large, heavy-paper funnel is put in the nose of the teakettle
which is boiling on the gas range. The mother holds the child in her
arms while she is enveloped with a sheet which also includes the
funnel. A helper carefully guards the flame. The mother and baby may
thus conveniently get the steam with very little difficulty.
3. For the older child or adult, steam inhalations are to be had from
the ordinary croup kettle or from a twelve- or fourteen-inch tin can
which is filled two-thirds full of boiling water. Over the top is
loosely spread a cheesecloth upon which a few drops of compound
tincture of benzoin or eucalyptus are sprinkled. The opened mouth is
brought near the top of this can and a towel is thrown over the head,
can and all; the patient thus being able satisfactorily to inhale the
medicated steam.
LOTIONS FOR SORE MOUTH
Boric-Acid-and-Myrrh Lotion.
Boric acid 20 grains
Tincture of myrrh 1/2 fluidrachm
Glycerine 1 fluidrachm
Water, enough to make 1 fluid ounce
Apply frequently to the inside of the mouth for inflammation or
thrush.
FOR NOSEBLEED
Tannic acid 2 drachms
Glycerine 1 fluidrachm
Water 2 fluid ounces
To be injected or snuffed into the nose in obstinate cases of
nosebleed.
THROAT GARGLES
Dobell's solution is an excellent throat gargle. A solution of half
alcohol and half water is also a splendid gargle.
MOUTH WASH
Listerine 2 teaspoons
Soda bicarbonate 10 grains
Water 4 ounces
Essence of cinnamon, six drops in one-half glass cold water, may also
be used in brushing the teeth and in cleansing the tongue and mouth.
DISINFECTANTS
1. Carbolic Acid.
Carbolic acid (95%) 6 ounces
Glycerine 4 ounces
Water 1 gallon
Clothes should be soaked in this for several hours, then removed in a
covered receptacle and boiled thoroughly. Sheets may be wet with this
and hung at the doors in case of infectious diseases.
2. Chloride of Lime.
Chloride of Lime 4 ounces
Water (rain) 1 gallon
In typhoid fever, all the movements from the bowels should be
thoroughly mixed with this, covered and allowed to stand several hours
before pouring down the water closet. All vomited matter should be
treated the same way.
POULTICES
There are a number of mush poultices recommended for different
conditions--boils, felons, etc., but we find the aseptic heating
compress to be as effectual as any of these dirty, mush poultices and
we suggest that our readers try the boracic-acid poultice which is put
on as follows: Over any infected area or abrasion of the skin a thick
padding of cotton moistened by a saturated boracic-acid solution is
placed. This is entirely covered with wax paper or oiled-silk, and
held in place by a binder. It is sanitary and much to be preferred to
any of the mush poultices of bygone days.
COUGH SYRUP
A very useful cough syrup may be made as follows: Two tablespoons of
flaxseed are steeped on the stove until clear, the jelly strained and
flavored quite sour with lemon juice to which is added rock candy for
sweetening. This will often effectively relieve the irritating coughs
of childhood.
LOTIONS FOR CHAPPED HANDS
No. 1. Glycerine 3 ounces
Tr. Benzoin 1/2 ounce
Water 1 ounce
No. 2. Glycerine 2 ounces
Lemon juice 1/2 ounce
Tr. Myrrh 1/2 ounce
No. 3. Glycerine 2 ounces
Rose Water 2 ounces
Acetic Acid 2 ounces
ECZEMA
We wish to submit two very useful prescriptions for that troublesome
skin disease which is so annoying in childhood as well as in adult
life. Prescription No. 1 is a clear fluid, and after the affected area
is thoroughly cleansed with resinol soap and rinsed in soft water, the
lotion is applied and allowed to dry. No. 2 is then patted on with
sterile cotton and often repeated to keep the eczematous skin area
moist. This has proved curative in many persistent cases.
Lotion No. 1.
Acid Carbolic 1 drachm
Listerine 1 drachm
Rose Water 3 ounces
Alcohol q. s. 6 ounces
Apply No. 1 and allow to dry of itself.
Lotion No. 2.
Ichthyol 4 drachms
Lime Water 1 ounce
Oil sweet almonds 1 ounce
Glycerine 1½ ounces
Rose Water 1½ ounces
Apply No. 2 and repeat to keep moist.
CONSTIPATION
We submit the following home regime, which has proved successful to
many sufferers for the treatment of constipation.
1. On rising in the morning, remove the moist abdominal bandage
(mentioned above); drink two-thirds of a glass of cold water; and
spend fifteen to twenty minutes in the following exercises, before
dressing: Abdominal lifting with deep breathing, auto-massage, leg
raising, trunk twisting, trunk bending--forward and to sides; lying
down for the trunk raising, and sitting for the trunk circumduction.
Immediately following these exercises, go to stool. Have feet raised
from the floor eight or ten inches, in order to simulate the squatting
position.
2. Breakfast should include bran or bran bread, and two or three of
the following foods: Apples with skins, grapefruit, cranberries with
skins (but little sugar), and figs. Immediately after breakfast walk
fifteen minutes in the open air, practicing deep abdominal breathing.
If the results at stool before breakfast were not satisfactory,
vaseline rectum and go to stool again.
3. Lunch should consist of fruit only, while dinner should include
bran bread and two of the following foods: Spinach, celery, carrots,
parsnips, squash, or cabbage.
4. Before retiring, walk in the open air for fifteen minutes; after
undressing, exercise same as morning; and on retiring, apply the moist
abdominal bandage.
TABLE OF POISONS AND ANTIDOTES
_Poison._ _Antidotes._
Unknown { Emetic, followed by Jeaunel's antidote
{ and soothing drinks.
Acid--acetic, hydrochloric, { An alkali, such as magnesia, chalk,
sulphuric, nitric { whiting, soda, soap; followed by
{ soothing drinks or sweet oil.
Acid--carbolic, creosote { Epsom salts in abundance; soap; no
{ oil. Dilute alcohol.
Acid--oxalic, including { Emetic, followed by lime (as chalk,
"salts of lemon" { plaster, whiting) or magnesia, but
{ not by potash or soda; then soothing
{ drinks.
Acid--prussic { Fresh air; ammonia to nostrils; cold
{ douche; artificial respiration.
Aconite { Emetic, followed by digitalis; no pillow
{ under head; free stimulation.
Alcohol (brandy, etc.) { Emetic; cold douche on head; warmth
{ and artificial respiration.
Alkalies--ammonia, spirits { Vinegar or lemon juice, followed by
of hartshorn, lye, caustic { soothing drinks or sweet oil.
potash {
Antimony (tartar emetic). { Emetic if vomiting is not already
{ profuse; then tannic acid freely, or
{ strong tea; later, milk or other
{ soothing drinks; finally, castor oil
{ to empty the bowels.
{ Emetic, quickly followed by plenty of
{ a fresh mixture of the tincture of
{ chloride of iron with calcined magnesia,
Arsenic (Fowler's { washing or baking soda, or
solution, Paris { water of ammonia, or by Jeaunel's
green, "Rough { antidote. Then white of egg, soothing
on Rats") { drinks, or sweet oil; castor oil
{ to empty bowels.
Atropine (see Belladonna).
{ Emetic; tannic acid freely; cold to
Belladonna (atropine) { head; coffee. Stimulants and
{ warmth if needed.
Blue stone; blue vitriol (see
Copper).
{ Emetic (but often useless); external
Chloral { heat; stimulants; strong coffee;
{ strychnine; atropine; artificial
respiration.
Chloroform, inhaled { Cold douche; friction of skin; inverting
{ child; artificial respiration.
Copper (blue stone; blue { Emetic, followed by white of egg or
vitriol; verdigris) { milk, yellow prussiate of potash;
{ then soothing drinks.
{ Emetic, followed by white of egg or
Corrosive sublimate { milk; soothing drinks; tannic acid
(bichlorid of mercury) { freely; castor oil to open bowels.
Cyanide of potash (see
Acid, prussic).
Fowler's solution (see
Arsenic).
{ Inhalation of oxygen; artificial
Gas (illuminating gas, coal { respiration; ammonia to nostrils;
gas) { cold douche.
Iodine {Starch or flour mixed with water given
{ freely; emetic; soothing drinks.
Laudanum (see Opium).
Lead (sugar of lead) {Emetic, followed by Epsom salts;
{ white of egg or milk; alum.
Matches (see Phosphorus).
Morphine (see Opium).
Nux vomica (see Strychnine).
{Emetic (but generally useless);
Opium (including laudanum, { permanganate of potash in doses of 4
morphine, paregoric, { or 5 grains if case is seen early;
soothing syrups, { strong coffee; atropine; keep child
etc.) { awake and breathing by cold douche to
{ head and spine, walking, etc., but
{ not to extent of exhaustion;
{ artificial respiration.
Paregoric (see Opium).
Paris green (see Arsenic).
Phosphorus (match-heads, {Emetic; then permanganate of potash
some roach and rat poisons) { in doses of 4 or 5 grains well
{ diluted, and frequently repeated;
{ then Epsom salts or magnesia to
{ open bowels, but no milk or oil of
{ any kind.
Poisonous plants (Jimson {Emetic, followed by tannic acid;
weed, poisonous mushrooms, { strong coffee or brandy; ammonia
deadly nightshade, { to nostrils; external warmth;
tobacco, etc.) { artificial respiration.
Prussic acid (see Acid, prussic).
Silver nitrate (lunar caustic) {Table-salt, followed by emetic; milk
{ or white of eggs.
Spoiled food {Emetic, followed by castor oil as
{ purgative.
Strychnine (nux vomica, {Emetic, followed by tannic acid,
some rat poisons) { bromide of potash freely, or chloral.
Tartar emetic (see Antimony)
TABLE SHOWING THE AVERAGE WEIGHT, HEIGHT, AND CIRCUMFERENCE OF HEAD
AND CHEST OF BOYS[D]
At birth.
Weight 7½ pounds
Height 20½ inches
Chest 13½ inches
Head 14 inches
One year.
Weight 21 pounds
Height 29 inches
Chest 18 inches
Head 18 inches
Two years.
Weight 27 pounds
Height 32 inches
Chest 19 inches
Head 19 inches
Three years.
Weight 32 pounds
Height 35 inches
Chest 20 inches
Head 19¼ inches
Four years.
Weight 36 pounds
Height 38 inches
Chest 20¾ inches
Head 19¾ inches
Five years.
Weight 41 pounds
Height 41½ inches
Chest 21½ inches
Head 20½ inches
Six years.
Weight 45 pounds
Height 44 inches
Chest 23 inches
Seven years.
Weight 49½ pounds
Height 46 inches
Chest 23½ inches
Eight years.
Weight 54½ pounds
Height 48 inches
Chest 24½ inches
Nine years.
Weight 60 pounds
Height 50 inches
Chest 25 inches
Ten years.
Weight 66½ pounds
Height 52 inches
Chest 26 inches
[D] Weights for the first four years are without clothes, after that
with ordinary house clothes.
The weight of girls is on the average about one pound less than boys.
They are about the same in height.
ICHTHYOL SUPPOSITORIES
Ichthyol 5 per cent
Cocoa Butter q. s. ad. to make 24 suppositories.
Sig. Use one suppository in the rectum each evening for hemorrhoids.
OIL ENEMA
The best way to administer an oil enema is by means of a special enema
can which holds one pint, to which is attached a rubber tube. It is
wise not to use an ordinary fountain syringe as the oil spoils the
rubber very quickly. This oil is allowed to flow in slowly, under low
pressure, and should be retained over night. Any oil is acceptable,
the cheaper sweet oils will serve just as well as olive oil.
TABLE OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Disease.
|Incubation lasts--
| |Date of characteristic symptom from beginning of invasion.
| | |Characteristic symptom.
| | | |Other principal symptoms.
| | | | |Whole duration of disease from onset.
| | | | | |Quarantine lasts from onset.
| | | | | |
Typhoid fever.
|7 to 10 days.
| |7th or 8th day.
| | |Rose-red, slightly elevated spots.
| | | |Apathy; diarrhoea; nosebleed; headache.
| | | | |2 to 4 weeks.
| | | | | |While disease lasts.
Scarlet fever.
|1 to 7 days.
| |1st or 2d day.
| | |Intense, bright-red blush over body.
| | | |Sore throat; often vomiting with onset.
| | | | |7 to 9 days or more (not including
| | | | | desquamation).
| | | | | |6 weeks.
Measles.
|10 to 11 days.
| |4th day.
| | |Dusky or purplish-red, slightly elevated spots,
| | | scattered and in characteristic groupings.
| | | |Cold in head; running eyes; cough; hoarseness.
| | | | |7 to 8 days.
| | | | | |3 weeks.
German measles.
|7 to 21 days.
| |1st day.
| | |Pale, rose-red spots or uniform blush; no
| | | characteristic groupings.
| | | |Slight sore throat; sometimes slight running
| | | | of eyes and nose.
| | | | |3 to 4 days.
| | | | | |3 weeks.
Chicken-pox.
|13 to 17 days.
| |1st day.
| | |Pea-sized, scattered vesicles.
| | | |None; or slight fever.
| | | | |A week or less.
| | | | | |3 to 4 weeks.
Varioloid (Variola).
|7 to 12 days.
| |3d day (may be 1st or 2d).
| | |Red, elevated papules; then vesicles; then often
| | | pustules.
| | | |Headache; backache; vomiting.
| | | | |About 14 days.
| | | | | |4 to 8 weeks.
Vaccinia (Vaccination).
|1 to 3 days.
| |1st day (3d after vaccination).
| | |A red papule, becoming a vesicle and then a pustule;
| | | surrounded by a broad red area.
| | | |Often feverishness and malaise.
| | | | |About 3 weeks.
| | | | | |None.
Erysipelas.
|3 to 7 days.
| |1st or 2d day.
| | |Bright-red blush; puffy skin; often vesicles.
| | | |Fever; pain.
| | | | |4 to 6 days, or several weeks if it
| | | | | spreads.
| | | | | |Averages 2 weeks.
Diphtheria.
|2 to 12 days.
| |1st or 2d day.
| | |White membrane on tonsils and other parts of throat.
| | | |Debility; fever.
| | | | |10 to 14 days.
| | | | | |3 to 4 weeks.
Whooping-cough.
|2 to 7 days.
| |7th to 14th day.
| | |A prolonged paroxysm of coughing followed by a
| | | crowing inspiration (whoop).
| | | |Vomiting; spitting of blood.
| | | | |6 to 8 weeks.
| | | | | |6 to 8 weeks (while whoop lasts).
Mumps.
|7 to 21 days.
| |1st day.
| | |Swelling in front, below, and behind the ear and
| | | below the jaw.
| | | |Pain when chewing.
| | | | |A week or less.
| | | | | |3 to 4 weeks.
Influenza.
|Uncertain. Probably 1 to 7 days.
| |1st day.
| | |Fever, prostration.
| | | |Various respiratory, digestive, or nervous
| | | | symptoms, commonest being general aching and
| | | | cough.
| | | | |3 or 4 days to two weeks or more.
| | | | | |While disease lasts.
HOT COLONIC FLUSHING
The hot colonic flushing is particularly serviceable in combating the
sick headaches of migraine. They should be taken at night just before
retiring with the temperature of water as hot as can be borne, from
108 to 110 F. Half of the water is allowed to flow into the colon and
is retained as long as possible. This brings the heat in close contact
with the sympathetic nervous system whose headquarters is in the
abdomen.
ENEMAS
_Position for an Enema._ Lie on left side, knees brought up against
abdomen, with the left arm well underneath. This will relax the
abdominal muscles and allow the water to pass upward more freely. The
water should be allowed to flow until it is felt low on the right
side.
_The one, two, three enema_ is an injection that is used for the
relief of gas in the bowel. It consists of the following: One part
epsom salts, two parts glycerine, and three parts soap suds. It is
introduced by the aid of the colon tube and retained as long as is
possible.
Glycerine and soapy water, equal parts, may be introduced into the
bowel for temporary relief of a persistent constipation.
In instances when feeding by the mouth is impossible, _nutrient
enemas_ should be given every three or four hours during the day. The
absorption does not take place in the large bowel as readily as in the
small intestines, so only a small amount of a more highly concentrated
solution is given at one time. A child one year of age will be given
one teaspoon, from one to four years of age a teaspoon to a tablespoon
is allowed, and up to twelve years from one to eight tablespoons are
given in the nutrient enema. Peptonized meat preparations may be
employed in greater concentration than directed by the use of the
mouth. Peptonized milk containing an egg is often used. The pepsin is
added to the mixture only when warm, and is injected at once.
EMETICS
1. A glass of warm water containing as much common table
salt as can be dissolved.
2. A teaspoon of mustard in a large glass of warm water.
3. A teaspoon of syrup of ipecac, repeated in fifteen minutes
if necessary.
Any one of these emetics is useful in instances where it is desirable
to empty the stomach at once.
A CALORIE
A calorie is the heat unit used in the estimation of the fuel value of
various foods. For instance, an ordinary slice of homemade bread
contains 100 calories. An ordinary fig contains almost 100 calories. A
large orange or an apple or a glass of grape juice contains about 100
calories. There are 100 calories in three teaspoons of sugar or honey.
A complete food list with the estimation of calorie value of foods is
found in _The Science of Living_, page 370, while on page 99 of the
same book is a very helpful table showing the amounts of various foods
required to equal 100 calories. The reader will find this exceedingly
practical in estimating food values for the household.
ACIDIFYING AND ALKALINIZING FOODS
Since we find that in all acute diseases the acidity of the urine is
greatly increased and in time of health it is less acid, we submit two
lists of foods which tend to acidify the urine or to alkalinize the
urine.
FOODS WHICH TEND TO ACIDIFY.
1. _Animal Foods_: All forms of flesh foods, fish, fowl, etc.,
including all kinds of meat broths, soups, beef tea, bouillon, etc.
2. _Eggs._ 3. _Breadstuffs_: All kinds of breads, whether made of
wheat, rye or corn, crackers, toasts, griddle cakes, etc. 4.
_Pastries._ All sorts of pies and cakes--except fruit pies, and other
desserts containing milk or sour fruits.
5. _Cereals_: Rice, oatmeal, and breakfast foods of all kinds,
including the flaked and toasted breakfast foods.
6. _Peanuts_, plums, prunes, and cranberries. Plums and cranberries
fall in this column because of their benzoic acid, which the body
cannot fully oxidize.
FOODS WHICH TEND TO ALKALINIZE.
1. _Dairy Products_: Milk, ice cream, cottage cheese, cheese,
buttermilk, etc.
2. _Potatoes_ and _bananas_.
3. _Soups_: All forms of vegetable and fruit soups and broths.
4. _Fruit Juices_: All the fresh fruit juices except plums.
5. _Fresh Fruits_: All fresh fruits, sweet and sour, except plums and
cranberries.
6. _Vegetables_: All kinds, especially beets, carrots, celery,
lettuce, and muskmelon.
7. _Dried Fruits_: Figs, raisins, dates, currants--all except prunes.
8. _The Legumes_: Beans, peas, and lentils.
9. _The Nuts_: All the nuts belong in this column, including almonds
and chestnuts.
CEREAL WATERS, ETC.
It is often necessary to give the infant or the young child cereal
water to replace food in occasions of summer diarrhoea, etc.
1. _Barley Water._
One tablespoon of barley flour in one pint of water. Boil for one-half
hour, strain, and add sufficient boiled water to make one pint.
2. _Flaxseed Tea._
One tablespoon of flaxseed, one pint of boiling water; let stand and
keep warm for one hour; strain. Add juice of lemon.
3. _Oatmeal Jelly._
Four tablespoons of oatmeal, one pint of water; boil for three hours
in double boiler, adding water from time to time; strain.
4. _Toast Water._
One, two, or three slices of bread toasted dark brown, but not burned.
Put in one quart of boiling water, cover, and strain when cold.
5. _Arrowroot Water._
Wet two teaspoons of arrowroot with a little cold water, and rub until
smooth; then stir into one pint of boiling water and boil for five
minutes, stirring all the while.
6. _Oatmeal Water._
One tablespoon of oatmeal to one pint of boiling water, cover and let
simmer for one hour. Add water from time to time as it evaporates;
strain.
7. _Rice Water._
One tablespoon of (washed) rice to one pint of water. Boil three hours
adding water from time to time.
FRUIT JUICES
Fruit juices are exceedingly beneficial all through life; particularly
is this true during early childhood when the little ones are so likely
to be constipated. Any of the fruit juices are good, particularly the
juices from oranges, raisins, prunes, apples, pears, and cranberries.
All these juices are better cooked than raw with the exception of
orange juice. All children should have some fruit juice every day. For
the very young baby the juices are strained through a wire strainer
and a clean cheesecloth so as to remove every particle of solid
matter, and there should be added an equal amount of cold, boiled
water for the infant under ten months.
LEMONADE AND EGGNOGS
Lemonade, along with orangeade, grapefruitade and limeade should be
used for children above a year. They should be well diluted and not
too sweet.
Eggnogs are splendid for children who need to be helped along with
their diet. They may be given at the close of the meal, never between
meals--unless so prescribed by a physician. The stomach should have
ample time to complete the work of digesting one meal before another
partial meal is allowed to enter it. Eggnogs consist of a well-beaten
egg into which there is placed a small amount of sugar, flavoring with
either nutmeg, vanilla, or cinnamon, and the glass filled up with rich
milk.
MILKSHAKE
Milkshake is a delightful drink. The white of an egg with one or two
teaspoons of sugar, two tablespoons of chopped ice, flavoring, and
one ounce of cream are briskly shaken in a milk-shaker for two
minutes. Cold milk is added to fill the glass.
MEAT AND MEAT JUICES
Beef extracts are regarded by the medical profession as purely
stimulants. Beef juice is practically without food value. In the
preparation of beef juice the extractives and juices leave the fibre.
The food is in the fibre of the meat. The extractives are purely of a
stimulating order. We do not advocate the giving of beef tea and beef
juices to children; as a rule, we think that cereal, gruels, strained
soups, and milk are preferable.
The only reason for cooking meats is to destroy the parasites such as
tapeworm, trichina, etc., which are so often found in the meat. The
cooking of meat decreases its digestibility, as raw meat is more
easily digested than cooked meat, but we feel it is necessary to
advocate the cooking of meat in order to kill the parasites.
CODDLED EGG
A fresh egg, shell on, is placed in boiling water which is immediately
after removed from the fire. The egg then cooks slowly in the water,
which gradually cools, for seven or eight minutes, when the white
should be about the consistency of jelly. For a delicate digestion the
white only should be given, with salt; it can be easily separated from
the yolk. The above is the best form of egg for the young child. Later
on the eggs may be soft boiled or poached, or even soft scrambled.
SOUPS
Two varieties of soups are given children. In the early months of
childhood, from six years to eighteen months, the soups are usually
strained, but after eighteen months, soups may be thickened with flour
and rich milk making a cream soup of it. Most vegetables make good
soups. The pulp from such vegetables as asparagus, carrots, beans,
peas, tomatoes, and potatoes are made into cream soups by the addition
of a little flour, rich milk, butter, and a dash of salt.
BREADS
New breads should never be given to a child. Only bread twenty-four
hours old should ever be given to a child under six years; it should
be cut into slices and allowed to dry out; and even then is better if
slightly toasted. We publish a recipe for bran bread and bran biscuits
which are exceedingly good for children and adults.
_Recipe for Bran Bread._ Two eggs, beaten separately; three-fourths of
a cup of molasses, with one round teaspoon soda; one cup of sour
cream; one cup of sultana seedless raisins; one cup of wheat flour,
with one heaping teaspoon baking powder; two cups of bran; stir well
and bake one hour.
_Bran Biscuits._ Mix one pint of bran, one-half pint of flour, and one
level teaspoon of baking soda. Mix one-half pint of milk and four
tablespoons of molasses. Add this to the bran mixture and bake in gem
pans.
INDEX
INDEX
Abortion,
advice on occurrence of, 39;
care needed at third month of pregnancy, 38;
consequences of, 7, 8;
defined, 39;
remedy for threatened, 38;
warning signs of, 38.
_See also_ Miscarriage; Pregnancy
Adenitis, 345
Adenoids, 303
Air, supply of fresh, for baby, 213-17, 219
Baby,
care of the: Abdomen, shape of, at birth, 105;
advice in care of baby, 377-78;
bathing, 107-8, 111-12, 190-201;
bed for, arrangement of, 108, 115;
bouncing harmful, 226;
bowels and bladder, training of, 242;
breast of baby, care of, 229;
buttocks, care of, 200;
chafing, how prevented, 201, 333;
chest, shape of, 105;
circumcision, when desirable, 110;
clothing of the, 108;
constipation, 279;
cord, dressing of, 107;
diet after first year, 245-47;
ears, treatment of, 198-99;
exercise of baby, 223;
eyes, treatment of, 107, 198-99;
falls, to be prevented, 228;
feeding the, 109;
genitals of the, how cared for, 110, 200;
habits to be guarded against, 378;
hair, treatment of, 201, 233;
handling, 111;
head, treatment of, 104, 233, 344;
legs of, at birth, 105;
lifting the baby, how accomplished, 228;
mouth, treatment of, 199;
necessities for newborn baby, 60-61, 64;
nose, treatment of, 198-99;
pulse and respiration, 105;
putting to sleep, 127, 217;
registration of birth of, 113;
respiration, how started at birth, 105-6;
second summer, care during, 230;
skin of baby, 106;
stools, regulation of, 142;
temperature of baby, 226;
the "spoiled" baby, 128;
things bad for babies, list of, 377;
treatment of baby during and after birth, 67, 69;
umbilicus, how cared for, 112;
urine of baby, 109, 223;
warmth necessary, 225;
water, how and when administered, 140, 222;
weight of baby at birth, 106;
when to give first feeding, 70.
_See also_ Colic; Crying; Nursery; Nursing
the baby; Sleep; Urine; _see
also_ under several diseases
Babyhood, 1
Backache, cause of, 43;
method of relief for, 43-44
Bathing the baby, toilet, etc., 190-201.
_See also_ Baby, care of the
Bed for baby. _See_ Baby, care of the; Sleep
Bed-wetting, 328. _See also_ Urine
Birthmarks, discussion of, 16, 17, 18, 40, 338
Bites, of dogs, snakes, cats, etc., 349
Blindness, precautions to avoid, in new-born infant, 69, 331.
_See also_ Baby, care of the
Blisters (fever), 338
Blood-pressure, 46;
observation of, 3
Boils, 337
Bottle feeding,
additional foods, 153;
bottle, preparation of, 149;
ice-box, home-made, 148;
intervals between meals, 153;
nipple, how withdrawn, 152;
position of baby during feeding, 150-51;
quantity of food, 148;
refrigeration a necessity, 148;
rules for, 154;
schedule for, 147;
stomach, capacity of, 148;
time allowance for, 152;
traveling, food for baby while, 153;
treatment of baby after, 152;
water, when and how administered, 147
Bowel, prolapse of the, 283
Bow legs, how avoided, 228
Bran bread, recipes for, 448
Bravery, how to instil in a child, 382-84
Breasts,
caked (mastitis), care of, 100, 136 ff.;
changes in, a sign of pregnancy, 4;
care of, during pregnancy, 33.
_See also_ Pregnancy
Bronchitis, 304
Bruises, 354
Burns, 358
Calisthenics, how applied, 244
Caretaker (for children), 376-77
Carriages and go-carts, 227
Chafing, 333.
_See also_ Baby, care of the
Chicken-pox, 294-95
Chilblains, 356
Child culture, 1
Cleft palate, 341
Clothing the baby,
bands, 204;
booties, 206;
caps, 210;
diapers, 204;
errors in clothing, 208;
layette, the, 203-208;
nightgowns, wrappers, and slips, 207;
rules for, 212;
shirts, 204;
shoes, 210;
short clothes, 209;
skirts and petticoats, 206;
sleeping-bag, 207;
stockings, 206;
suggestions for, 202;
suits for play, 210;
winter garments, 211;
wraps, 210
Clubfoot, 342
Colds, 300, 301
Colic, causes and treatment of, 129-32, 142, 274
Confinement,
bed and accessories, 61-62, 64;
calculation of date of, 5, 6;
preparations for, 53 ff., 57;
supplies needed for, 58 ff.;
room for, 61.
_See also_ Labor
Constipation,
treatment of, 31, 40;
in baby, 184, 185, 279
Contagious diseases,
how contracted, 285;
incubation period of various, 287;
spread of, 286.
_See also_ under various diseases
Convulsions, 326
Coughing, 255
Cramps, 41
Croup, 306
Crying,
abnormal, 124;
birth cry, 123;
cause of, 132;
colicky cry, 129;
fretful cry, 125;
habit cry, 127;
healthy crying, 123;
hunger cry, 124;
illness cause of, when, 129;
pain cry, 126;
"spoiled-baby" crying, 128;
temper cry, 128;
thirst cry, 124
Cuts, wounds, etc., 353
Deaf-mutism, 331
Deafness, 302
Deformities, causes of, 17
Delivery, calculation of date of, 5, 6
Depressors, function of, 9, 15
Determiners, function of, 9, 15
Development of child, 240-41
Diarrhoea, 185, 280
Diet:
Appetite, improvement of the, 401;
assimilation, 360;
baby, diet of, 245-47;
cellulose, 365;
eating between meals, 368;
elimination, 360-62;
fats, 364;
food requirement (daily), 369;
foods, full value of, 366;
for children, 367;
fruit sugars, 363;
hygiene, 400;
mineral salts, 364;
nutrition, 362;
proteins, 363;
starches, 363;
treatment of child, daily program for, 402-4;
water, 365.
_See also_ Feeding the baby;
Nursing the baby
Digestion:
Disorder of, chronic indigestion, 275;
stomach, disordered, 278;
stomatitis or thrush, 279;
vomiting, 274.
_See also_ under various diseases
Diphtheria, 296
Discipline, methods of, 316-22
Dislocations and fractures, 254
Doctor, choice of, 55
Earache, 351
Ears, running, 299
Eclampsia, 47, 48;
prevention of, 50.
_See also_ Urine
Eczema, 334-35
Embryonic development, 11, 12
Enema, how administered, 280
Exercise, necessity of, during pregnancy, 27
Exercise of baby, 223
Eye infections, 298
Eyes, ears, and nose,
care of, 198;
foreign bodies in, 351
Fainting, 359
Fear, overcoming of, in children, 380-82
Feeble-mindedness, 331
Feeding the baby:
Bottle-fed baby, healthy characteristics of, 178;
changes in food to be gradual, 179;
constipation, how treated, 185, 279;
diarrhoea, cause of, 185, 280;
dissatisfaction, signs of, 181;
flatulence, 182;
formula, choice of, for, 178;
infant foods, 187-89;
mistakes in formulas, 180;
mixed feeding, 186;
overfeeding, 183;
vomiting, 182;
weight of baby, 183.
_See also_ Diet; Milk; Nursing the baby
Fertilization, process of, 8, 9
Fever, 264.
_See also_ Sickness of child
Flatulence.
_See_ Feeding the baby
"Flour ball," how prepared, 175
Foods,
for baby, 153, 165-76;
full value of, 366.
_See also_ Bottle feeding; Infant foods; Milk
Freckles, 336
Frostbites, 356
Games for children, 392
Germ plasm, 8
Glands, enlarged, 345
Goitre, 42
Governesses, 370-75
Grippe, 302
Habits, inculcation of good, 380-89
Harelip, 341
Headache,
in children, 326;
relief for, during pregnancy, 45;
sign of auto-intoxication during pregnancy, 47
Heartburn, care for, 36
Hemorrhoids, treatment of, 41
Heredity,
effect of, on individual, 9, 14;
extent of influence of, 14, 15, 19, 20
Hip-joint disease, 343
Hives, 336
Homemaking, 370-75
Hookworm, 278
Hospital,
recommended for confinement, 55-56;
requisites for, 60
Housekeeping, 370-75
Hygiene,
of baby, 222-31;
of child, 400-4.
_See also_ Diet
Hysteria, prevention of, 315
Indigestion, 275
Infant foods, 187-89.
_See also_ Feeding the baby; Nursing the baby
Infant welfare, 178
Insects, bites of, 348
Insomnia,
relief for, 45;
in children, 323
Itch, the, 339-40
Jaundice, 276
Kissing the baby, precautions against, 224
Labor,
analgesia in, 86;
anesthesia in, 84-92;
bath, preliminary, 64;
care of mother during and after, 67-68;
chloroform and ether, administration of, 91;
duration of, 65;
duties of nurse before and during, 67;
"false pains" in, 66;
fear in, importance of allaying, 84;
laughing gas (nitrous oxid), administration of, 85;
effect of, 87;
pain of, 71, 84-85;
preparations for, 64-65, 67, 72-73;
progress of, 65;
second stage of, 66;
"sunrise slumber" in, 84-90;
symptoms of approaching, 64;
third stage of, 66;
"twilight sleep" in, 71-72, 73-83;
what to do in, before arrival of doctor, 67
Layette. _See_ Clothing of baby
Leucorrhea, relief for, 37-38
Lice, 339
Lime water, use of, in baby's food, 173
Lochia, the, 97
Lying-in period, the, 93;
abdominal binder, 97;
"after-pains," 95;
bowels, care of, 98;
breast binder, 97;
"cold-mitten friction" during, 95;
cystitis, how avoided, 100;
diet, rules for the, 98;
getting up from bed, when to be permitted, 99;
hemorrhage, treatment of, 100;
infection, advice for treatment of, 100;
lochia, the, 97;
nipples, care of, 98;
nurse, duties of, during, 93;
pneumonia, how avoided, 100;
rest and exercise during, 94;
temperature of mother, 96;
toilet of the vulva, 96
Malaria, 346
Maternal instinct, the, 1
Maternal impressions, explained and discussed, 16
Measles, 293-94
Medical supervision in early days of pregnancy, 2
Medicine chest, the, 270
Meningitis, 329
Menstruation,
cessation of, a sign of pregnancy, 4;
cessation of, due to other causes than pregnancy, 4;
passage of ovum at time of, 9.
_See also_ Pregnancy
Milk,
acidity, how counteracted, 158;
analysis of cow's, 156;
analysis of mother's, 156;
annatto, test for, 159;
boiling, when necessary, 161;
bottled milk, care of, 163;
bottles, care of, 166;
buttermilk, when used, 174;
certified milk, 161;
condensed milk, how used, 175;
cow's milk, modification of, 157;
cream gauge, 158;
cream, gravity of, 172;
dairy, essentials of a good, 159;
"flour ball," the, 175;
food, special, 175;
formulas for feeding, 171, 173;
goat's milk, use of, 157;
herd milk desirable, 159;
lactometer, 158;
lime water, use of, 173;
"modification" of cow's milk, 165;
nipples, care of, 166;
pasteurization of, 162;
peptonized, 174;
preparation of, 168-70;
schedule for feeding, 171;
seven per cent milk, 173;
spores, how guarded against, 163;
sterilization of, 162;
sugar, use of, with, 157;
"top-milk" formula, 172;
whey, how used, 176.
_See also_ Feeding the baby
Milk crust, 198
Miscarriage,
care needed at seventh month of pregnancy, 39;
causes of, 39;
defined, 390.
_See also_ Abortion; Pregnancy
Monstrosities, causes of, 17
Moral training of child, 415-24
Morning sickness,
a sign of pregnancy, 4;
remedies for, 35 ff.;
vomiting (pernicious), 44.
_See also_ Pregnancy
Mothercraft, 1;
science of, 2, 370-75
Motherhood,
characterized, 1;
preparation for, 2
Mouth of baby, care of, 199
Mouth wash for use during pregnancy, 30
"Mulberry Mass," the, 11
Mumps, 291
Nails, ingrowing, 342
Nature, lessons from, in teaching children, 405-12
Navel, bleeding from the, 284
Nervousness,
hereditary (in child), 308-10;
how overcome, 310-14, 323-32
Nervous system, absence of connection between, of mother and child, 18
Nitrous oxid, effects of, 87-90
Nosebleed, 352
Nurse, choice of, 56-57
Nursery,
bath equipment, 121;
bed, arrangement of, 108, 115, 119;
cleanliness, necessity for, 122;
equipment of, 114;
heating and ventilation, 118;
lighting, 120;
refrigerator, 268;
sleeping blanket, 118;
ventilation of, 120
Nursing the baby,
caked breasts, 136-37;
diet of mother, 135;
foods to be avoided by mother, 136;
hygiene of nursing mother, 134;
importance of, 133;
irritability of mother, effect of, 142;
mastitis (caked breast), treatment for, 100;
milk supply, how increased, 143;
mixed feeding, 186;
mother's milk, constituents of, 139;
overheating of mother to be guarded against, 142;
position of mother when, 141;
regularity in feeding, 141;
sore nipples, how treated, 138;
stools, regulation of, 142;
successful or unsuccessful, how determined, 142-43;
time of first feeding, 139;
to be avoided, when, 144;
water, administering, 140;
wet nurse, the, 145.
_See also_ Bottle feeding; Diet
Ovary, the, 8
Ovum, development of, into foetus, 11, 12
Paralysis, infantile, 330
Parents, relation of to children, 413-24
Pernicious vomiting. _See_ Morning sickness
Physician, selection of, for treatment during pregnancy, 21-22
Pigeon toe, 342
Placenta, role of, 18
Play and recreation, 390-91
Playmates of children, 311
Pneumonia, 307
Poisons and antidotes, 356-58
Pott's disease, 343
Pregnancy:
Bathing, necessity of, during, 29;
blood-pressure in, 49, 50, 52;
breasts, care of the, 33;
cheerful anticipation, advantages of, 4;
clothing appropriate during, 22;
constipation, how avoided during, 31-33, 40;
convulsions, treatment for, 48;
craving for special food, in, 40;
diet during, 24 ff.;
dizziness during, 47;
duration of, 5, 12;
exercise, necessity of, 27;
fresh air, necessity of, 29;
goitre in, 42;
hemorrhoids, treatment of, 41;
hygiene of, 21 ff.;
irritation of the bladder, 37;
kidney complications, 3;
medical supervision in early days of, 2;
mental state during, how regulated, 33;
miscarriage, danger of, at seventh month, 39;
morning sickness, remedies for, 35;
progress of, 11, 12;
quickening, 5;
resentfulness of mother, consequences of, 3;
rest, necessity of, 28;
signs of, 4;
swellings in, 42, 47;
teeth, care of, during, 30;
urine, diminution of, 47;
urine, testing of, 30;
vision, blurring of, the, 47;
water, necessity of, in, 26.
_See also_ Abortion; Miscarriage
Puerperium. _See_ Lying-in period
"Quickening," 5. _See also_ Pregnancy
Rheumatism, 344
Rickets, 345
Ringworm, 337
Rupture, 283
Saint Vitus' Dance, 330
Saliva, flow of, not indicative of teeth-cutting, when, 233
Scalds, 358
Scarlet fever, 292-93
Scurvy, 344
Senses of new born baby, 232, 233
Shortening clothes of baby. _See_ Clothing the baby
Sickness of the child:
Abdomen in sickness, 254;
breathing, 256;
chest in sickness, 254;
convalescence, 272-73;
cough, the, 255;
cry of infant in sickness, 255;
disinfectants for sick room, 269;
examination of sick child, 260;
facial expression, 254;
feeding directions, 259;
fever, 264;
gestures indicating sickness, 253;
head indicates sickness, 254;
medicine chest, the, 270;
medicines, 263;
mouth, the, 257;
nurse, the, 251;
nursing records, 262;
patent medicines, 271;
position of, in sickness, 252;
pulse, the, 257;
sick room, location of, etc., 266;
skin color, 253;
stools, the, 258;
swallowing, 258;
temperature and pulse, 263;
temperature, the, 257;
treatment of sick child, 261;
urine, the, 258. _See also_ under
several diseases
Skin troubles, 333
Sleep:
Air, supply of fresh, 213-17, 219;
bed-clothes, 219;
bedtime for baby, 218;
daily naps, 221;
food, effect of, on, 220;
position of baby in, 218;
putting baby to, 127, 217;
requirements of, by baby, 217;
soothing syrups, 220;
waking up in night, 219
Smallpox, 295
Soothing syrups, 220
Sore throat, 302
Spasms, 326
Speech of baby, 243
Sperm, blending of, with ovum, 11
Spinal curvature, 342-44
Spoiling the child, 310
Sprains, 355
Stools of baby, 184, 185
Stream of life, the, 8
Sucking habits in baby, to be guarded against, 224, 378
Suggestion, effect of, 19, 380-89
Summer complaint, 278.
_See also_ Diarrhoea; Dysentery
Sunrise slumber. _See_ Labor
Suppressors, function of, 9, 15
Swallowing of bones, buttons, etc., 350
Syphilis, 346, 347
Teeth, care of, during pregnancy, 30
Teething, 234-37;
suggestions for treatment during, 237
Thrush, 279
Tonsils, diseased, 303;
tonsilitis, 302
Toys, selection of, 230
Tuberculosis, 346
Twilight sleep. _See_ Labor
Twitchings, 327.
_See also_ Nervousness, hereditary
Typhoid fever, 288-91
Umbilical cord, function of, 18
Uremic poisoning. _See_ Urine
Urine:
Albumin and casts in, 47, 50;
bed-wetting, 328;
diminution of, during pregnancy, 47;
disturbance in, a sign of pregnancy, 4, 5;
eclampsia, 3;
examination of, 3;
irritation of the bladder, 37;
retention of, by child, 328;
testing of, during pregnancy, 30, 42, 45, 49, 55;
toxemia, indications of, 48;
uremic poisoning, 3;
urinating after labor, 97;
urination of baby, 223;
urine an index of disease or sickness, 258.
_See also_ Pregnancy; Sickness of child
Uterus, entrance of fertilized ovum into, 9, 10
Vaccination, 295
Varicose veins, 41
Vice, secret, causes of, 421
Vomiting, 274.
_See also_ Digestion, disorders of; Feeding the baby
Vulva, toilet of the, 96
Vulvovaginitis, 334
Walking of baby, 244
Warts, 338
Water:
Administered to baby, when, 222;
necessity of, during pregnancy, 26, 45, 48, 50;
part played by in nutrition of body, 365
Water on brain, 331
Weaning:
Breast-fed babies, 241;
bottle-fed babies, 241
Weight of baby, 183, 238-39
Whooping cough, 297
Worms, 276