NOTWITHSTANDINGthat theChildmay be born free from all apparentSymptomsof anyIndisposition, and however careful the Honest Nurse may be of itsDietandRegimen; yet it seldom happens, but it undergoes some one or more of thefollowing subitaneous Inconveniencies, viz.——
I.GripesorPainsof theBelly, which may proceed either from theMeconium, its not being timely, or not fully evacuated; or from theNurse’sMilk, its generatingWindandacid Humours, either by her using improper flatulentFood, or from theBabe’ssucking moreMilkthan itsStomachcan digest: Or the samePainsandGripesmay also proceed from theEffectsof coldAir, or fromWormsin theIntestines, or from theunseasonable useofPap,&c.
THISAffection in general is known by theInquietudeandCryingof theInfant, which is now (in a manner) averse to theBreast, continually turning itself here and there, without Rest or Intermission ofPain; But more particularly,Thisproceeding from theMeconium, may be distinguished and known by theColourof theExcrements, since theMeconiumis alwaysblack, and as soon as it is altogether voided, theStoolbecomespale; andthatmay be readily cured by the means already prescribed[188].If thisAffectionproceeds fromWind, it may be known by theChild’sfrequentlybelchingand theBelly’sswelling, if fromCold, theuseofPap, or from anypituitous viscid Humour, theBellyis most commonlybound, and theCurediffers but little from the preceedingCase. If from corruptedMilkoracid Humours, theConditionis most commonly attended with aDiarrhæa, and theExcrementsare of a greenish orSaffron Colour: TheCureof which, depends upon properAbstergentsand Evacuations. If at last fromWorms, their properDiagnosticksshew it, of which in their Place.
II.SOMETIMESanExtensionor shooting forth of theNavelhappens to theChild, and that frequently to the Bigness of anEgg, more or less; whichCaseis properly call’d anExomphalon, and proceeds either from the continualCries, or violentCoughsof theInfant, or from aLaxationorRuptureof thePeritonæum, or sometimes from anExulcerationof theNavel.
INthisCondition, whatever theCausemay be, the sooner that theCureis undertaken, the more easily it is perform’d; for which End, after removing the Causes ofCryingorCoughing, the relaxedPeritonæummay be strengthened and astringed; as when bursten, it may be reunited and consolidated by properCataplasmsandSwaths; after replacing theIntestines(if fallen down) keeping theChildfor the most part inBed, with itsBellyalwaysloose, and nevertoo full.
III.ANDthe same is the Method ofCure, inCaseof anIntestinalRupture, otherwise call’dEnterocele, i. e.Hernia; only, That aTrussis now more convenient than aSwath: However in this Place I would observe that allTumoursof theScrotum, are not to be mistaken for the presentBursten Case; because the same may also happenfrom aWatry Humourcollected in that Part, which is more properly call’d anHydrocele, and is easily distinguish’d from theEnterocele: Insomuch, that, in thisConditiontheTumouris most commonly, in one part of theScrotum, I mean in itsRightorLeft Side; when also the fallenIntestinesmay be perceiv’d by theTouch; as theRuptureorHolethrough which theIntestinesare fallen, may be by theFinger: Whereas in theCaseof anHydrocele, theTumouris commonly inboth Sides, and theScrotumis more puffed up, neither is there anyHoleof aRuptureto be found in thePeritonæum. TheCureof whichCasedepends entirely upon properAbsorbents, orDiscutients, for resolving and drying up theWater, or dissipating theWind, and afterwards uponCorroborativesfor confirming theParts. But after All, in the mean Time thisTumouris also sometimes, upon occasion, properly open’d by aLANCETto evacuate itspreternatural Contents.
IV.ANInflammationorExulcerationof theNavelmay happen to theChild, by theString’sfalling off too soon, or before it be fully clos’d andcicatriz’d; which may proceed from any violent Agitation of theBelly, by continualCrying, vehementCoughing, &c. as it also may from an unskilfulLigatureof theString, or from coldAir; upon which sometimes follows a great loss ofBlood, and evenDeathitself, if not timely prevented.
THISInflammationis known by theNavel’sswelling-up, being red and hard withHeatandPulsation; In whichCaseafter appeasing theInfant’sCoughs, orCries, &c.—I would apply to it theUnguentum refrigerans Galeni & Populeon, each one half mix’d; or a smallBolsterdip’d in theOil of Roseswith a littleVinegar.
BUT, and if theNavelcontinuesUlcer’dafter the falling of theStringfrom it; in thatCaseproperDesiccativeandAstringent Medicinesareto be apply’d, such as smallRagsdipp’d inLime-Water, but not too strong; or inPlantane-Water, wherein a littleAlumhas been dissolved. If theUlcerbe but small, aPledgetofDry Lintwill be sufficient; observing always to keep a goodLinnen Compresson theTopof whatsoeverRemedyis us’d, with aSwathto keep all fast, until theNavelbe perfectly heal’d andcicatriz’d; lest at the same time it should also force itselfoutwards, as in the ’foregoingCase.
V.THEChildis also very frequently troubled with theAphthæ, orUlcers of the Mouth; commonly call’d theThrush: Proceeding either from vitiousMilk, or from itsCorruption, in theStomach; emitting sharpVapours, which readily affect the tender Skin and Superfice of theInfant’sMouth, andthatthe more easily, because the sameTunick, orSkin, which invests theMouth, is common to theGullet, which naturally communicates theAffectionsof theVentricleto theJaws. Hence it is that theNice Tasteof thedelicateTongueso readily distinguishes allRelishes; and hence it is that the IngeniousPhysician, by looking upon theTongueonly, is able to judge of the prevailingIntemperamentof the whole Body.
THECureof theseThrushes, proceeding as aforesaid from theacid Vapoursof badMilk, or from its illDigestion, depends properly and entirely upon defeating and obtunding theAcrimony, byproper Absorbents, and gentlePurgatives.
VI.ANOTHERSymptomnot only familiar, but evenNatural, to allChildren, is theirTeething; which tho’Thisbe the mere Work ofNature, yet because of the variousDistempersandSymptoms, which commonly attend and conjoin thisDentition, it is not improperly reckon’d in theCategoryof theDiseasesofInfants: Which however is to be understood, not of theSimpleDentition, but of the difficultBreeding of Teeth; Not but that theChildis furnished withTeetheven beforeBirth, tho’ they lurk so long in their properSockets, being cover’d with theGums, until their due Time ofEruption[189]. Tho’ in theInterim, it has been observed that someChildrenhave brought eminentTeethwith them into the World[190], as it is also forInstance, particularly reported ofLewisthe XIV ofFrance.
BUThowever theTeethmost commonly break out about theSeventh Month, and first those call’dDentes Incisores, or thefourfore-Teeth; which after a shortInterval, are followed by thetwoDog-Teeth, commonly call’d theEye-Teeth; and at last succeeded by the eightCheek-TeethorGrinders, in each Jaw; the two last of theMolares, properly calledDentes Sapientiæ, springing only out about, or after the one and twentieth Year. Now as thisEruption, particularlythatof theDog-Teeth, because of their very deepRootand smallNerve, cannot happen without anexquisite Sense, andintense Painto theInfant; so, from the continualSolutionof theGums, many præternaturalAffectionsseize theChild, according toHippocrates’sCatalogue[191]; to which, in short, I must only refer: Because if I was to enter upon the particularDetailof allThese, I should extend theLimitsof thisWorkbeyond all measure; wherefore I shall endeavour to comprehend them all under theone following general Head; viz.——