Treatment.—­If the child has eaten a big supper, it is well to give a simple emetic, such as warm mustard water, alum and molasses, or goose grease, or melted lard.  Wring out pieces of flannel in hot water and put them on the child’s throat as hot as he can bear them and change them often to keep them hot.  Make a tent by spreading a sheet over an opened umbrella over the crib then place a croup kettle or teakettle close to the crib, directing the steam under the sheet into the tent so that baby may inhale the vapor, taking care not to burn him.  This affords much relief.  If necessary give ten drops of syrup of ipecac until vomiting occurs; a teaspoonful of castor oil should also be given and if the baby is constipated, give an enema of soapsuds and water.  Keep the child indoors the next day.

CONSTIPATION IN BABIES.

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Constipation, Olive Oil Treatment for.—­“Rub the abdomen with a firm yet gentle motion from left to right with pure olive oil.  This is what the doctor told me to do for my babe of three years.”  This treatment will be found very beneficial as the olive oil is very strengthening and the rubbing will always give relief.

2.  Constipation, A Pleasant Treatment for.—­“One-half teaspoonful olive oil, one-half teaspoonful orange juice, three times a day after feeding.”

3.  Constipation, Prunes a Medicine for.—­“Abate heat and gently open the bowels by the use of prunes.  These should be fed to children more often.  This would often prevent sickness.  A very useful way of administering prunes as a medicine is to simmer for one-half hour, a few in water enough to cover, with 1/2 oz. senna leaves; remove the prunes, allow to dry and let the child eat them when needed.  This is very good.”

4.  Constipation, Soothing Syrup Made by a Mother in New York for.—­“One-half ounce spearmint, one-quarter ounce lady’s slipper, one-half ounce rhubarb, one-quarter ounce cinnamon powder; pour one-half pint boiling water on the whole, mix and let stand to boil fifteen minutes, strain and sweeten well with syrup or honey.  Give a teaspoonful every half hour, diminishing as the pain subsides.”  This will be found very beneficial in children, and may be used without any fear whatever, as it is perfectly harmless.

5.  Constipation, Figs as a Medicine for.—­“Grind up equal amounts of figs and senna leaves, put in closed jar and eat dry when needed.”  This will be found especially good for children, and most of them like it.

[612 Mothers’ remedies]

Constipation may be caused by many things, inheritance, malformation of the rectum and other parts, errors of food in the mother and in bottle-fed babies.

What is the treatment?  If the baby is nursed and the mother is constipated, she should at once change her habits and diet.  She should exercise in the open air at least two hours every day, and have a movement daily, even if she must take some mild laxative.