1.  Expose the surface of the part to the external air, so that a coagulum of blood may form at the orifice:  this simple mode will frequently arrest it.

2.  If this fail, make compression upon the part:  this is one of the most effectual means of restraining haemorrhage.  It is to be effected by taking a piece of lint folded three or four thicknesses, and the size of the finger-nail, to be steadily pressed upon the open orifice with the point of the finger until the blood has ceased to flow.  The pledget of lint, however, must not be removed for some hours afterwards, or the bleeding will break out afresh.

3.  If the compression fails in stopping the bleeding, or from the situation of the leech-bites it cannot be adopted, because there is no firm point of resistance upon which to make pressure, the part may be dusted with starch or gum arabic powder, or, if this is of no avail, the wound may be touched with lunar caustic.

If none of these measures are successful, the assistance of the medical attendant must be obtained; and if firm pressure be made upon the part, no serious loss of blood can ensue before his arrival.

Leeches should never be resorted to by a parent for any of the diseases of infancy, without medical direction.

Sect.  V.—­Blisters and poultices.

A blister should never be applied for any infantile disease, except when ordered by a medical man, as its injudicious use might greatly aggravate the complaint.

There are also one or two precautions in reference to the mode of the application of a blister, which it is always right for a parent to attend to.  From the great irritability of the skin, it should never be allowed to remain on longer than from two to four hours.  At the expiration of this time, the surface will usually become red and inflamed; and, if the blister is removed, and the part dressed with fresh spermaceti ointment spread on lint, or with a soft bread and water poultice, a full blister will soon be raised:  the little patient is thus saved much suffering, and a very troublesome sore prevented.  A piece of tissue or silver paper, interposed between the blister and the skin, will answer the same purpose; the blister will act well, and the evils before alluded to will be prevented.

After a blister has been two or three hours applied, its edge should be carefully raised, to ascertain the effect produced; and if the surface be much inflamed, more particularly if little points of vesication (watery bladders) are present, it should be removed, and the above directions attended to.

Mustard poultices are invaluable in some of the diseases of infancy and childhood, and therefore frequently ordered.