Child-bearing
Sources: Papers On HealthSimple remedies such as we advocate are found of
immense service in mitigating both the pains of child-birth and the
troubles coming before and after it.
To see that the medical man is one thoroughly competent is the first
duty of those responsible in such a case. Incompetent and careless
doctors are the cause of much trouble. Get, then, the best you can.
Much may be done, however, to prevent trouble by v
The sufferings usually accompanying pregnancy and the birth of children
in civilized countries are largely confined to the higher classes.
Working women escape much of the pain their more luxurious sisters have
to endure. Travellers tell us how, among the Red Indians, Negroes,
South Sea Islanders and others who live more in a state of nature than
we, the women suffer but little in childbirth, and return to their
ordinary occupations almost immediately after the event. The adoption
of a simple and natural diet, healthy exercise combined with sufficient
rest and rational clothing, have been found to ensure an easy delivery
as well as good health for mother and child.
The diet of the pregnant mother is of great importance. Too much food
is worse than useless. Food should only be taken of such a kind and
quality as can be easily assimilated. The mother is best who takes only
so much light food as she can easily convert into good blood. More,
simply loads the system with useless waste or fat.
The diet during pregnancy should be mainly vegetables, fruit, salad,
rice, tapioca, milk, eggs in moderation, and a small amount of
wholemeal bread. A little meat or fish once a day is allowable for
those whom it suits, but rich, spicy dishes, pastry, strong tea, coffee
and all alcoholic drinks are very injurious. Three meals a day with no
"snacks" of any kind between, are sufficient. For those who have reason
to dread a hard confinement, oatmeal is best avoided. To avoid fluids
while eating is important, especially for those who have a weak
digestion. One may drink half-an-hour before meals or three hours
after, but if plenty of fruit and salad is eaten and little salt used
with the food there will be little thirst. Too much fluid should not be
drunk, if thirst is felt, water very slowly sipped will quench it
better than copious draughts. During pregnancy there is often a craving
for acid fruits, this is nature's call for what is needful at such a
time. Fruits and green vegetables supply a large quantity of most
valuable salts which go to make good blood and build up all parts of
the body. Never force the appetite. Food that is neither relished nor
digested will do more harm than good.
It must never be forgotten that the blood of the child is being
directly derived from that of the mother, consequently if the diet is
of such a nature as to induce over-abundance of fat, the child will be
born too fat. This does not mean a healthy child by any means, and it
may mean considerable extra pain for the mother. A mother inclined to
thinness need not fear that this diet will reduce her. The taking of
cream, eggs, bacon and other fat foods often has the opposite effect
from that desired. A thin person adopting the above light diet will
generally get into good condition.
Under the head of exercise, the first we would recommend is general
housework, provided windows are kept open, avoiding the more laborious
parts, and always being careful not to get over-fatigued. Light
gardening, walks, if not too long, and light gymnastic exercises are
all beneficial. The exercises described in the appendix, practised for
ten minutes at a time, once or twice a day, are quite suitable for the
expectant mother, while deep breathing (see Breathing, Correct Method
of) is most valuable.
The subject of dress should be particularly studied. Garments which
are light, warm, porous, and which in no way impede or restrict the
movements and natural functions of the body, should be worn. It has
been found that those who wear no corset nor tight band or bodice will
suffer but little, if at all, from morning sickness. Corsets, by
holding immobile the waist muscles, prevent their getting strong.
Anyone who is accustomed to corsets, when she leaves them off for a day
will complain of "such a tired feeling, as if she would break in two."
This is easily accounted for, the muscles, unused to the task of
holding up the body, are flabby and useless. These same muscles when
called on, at the moment of delivery, are totally unfit for their work,
hence comes a large amount of the unnecessary suffering. The remedy
is--discard the corsets, bear with the tiredness for a week or two and
regularly practice the exercises recommended above, especially the
waist exercises of bending and turning. The muscles will soon gain
strength, and the corset be found to be quite unnecessary and most
uncomfortable.
In the commencement of pregnancy, when there is sickness and vomiting,
we have seen it cured, even when so severe as to threaten life, by
spreading over the patient's irritated stomach, a soft, fine soap
lather (see Lather and Soap). It acts in such cases like a charm. The
lather is well and gently spread with a soft brush all over the
stomach. Wipe it gently off with a soft cloth. Cover again with fresh
lather. Do this five or six times. Then treat the back in the same
manner, behind the stomach. In half-an-hour all retching should cease.
When the stomach has had a rest of some hours, a small quantity of
light food may be given. Half a Saltcoat's biscuit (see) thoroughly
masticated, and a little milk and boiling water may be enough to take
at one time. Do not force the appetite, wait until a desire for food is
felt. Pass by degrees to ordinary food.
If the mother, at any time, feels faint, on no account give brandy.
Drop five drops of tincture of cayenne on a lump of sugar. Dissolve it
in half a teacupful of hot water, and give this instead. In cases of
heartburn, take small drinks of hot water, say a tablespoonful every
five minutes. A very great help to the expecting mother is found in the
cold sitz-bath (see Sitting Bath). Baths known as "Matlock Baths" may
be had, which suit very well for this purpose; but a tub for washing,
of a suitable size, would do very well, or even a large sized bedroom
basin will serve. Put in cold water, three inches deep, and let the
patient sit in it. In winter have the water cold, but not freezing. The
rest of the body may be kept warm with a wrap, and if the patient feels
cold, the feet may be placed in hot water. Taken once or twice a day
this bath will have a tonic effect on the whole system, and a markedly
cheering effect on the mind. The time in the bath is shorter or longer
according to the patient's strength and power of reaction. Feeling will
be the best guide, but even a dip of half-a-minute will do good.
In regard to the actual birth, we repeat that those concerned should
see to the attendance of a really skilful medical man. Chloroform in
the hands of such a doctor is of immense value, but in unskilful hands
it is dangerous. Therefore let expense be no bar, where it is possible,
to the obtaining the best medical aid that can be had.
Many trivial matters greatly affect the mother during child-birth, and
the few succeeding hours. We have known a stupid remark by an
incompetent nurse spoil a mother's health for months. The greatest care
must be exercised by all concerned to say only cheerful and soothing
things to the sufferer. Even the aspect of the room is important. It
should look sunwards, if possible, and hideous pictures should be
removed, while perhaps some text speaking comfortably of the Good
Shepherd, who "will gently lead those that are with young," may be hung
up. Trifles these, but their effect is no trifle.
Do not keep the patient in too hot a room; fresh air is of great value.
Do not leave her for nine days in an unchanged bed. The necessary
sponging and changing should be done daily. Cleanliness means comfort
here, and comfort health. It is not early sponging and washing, but a
nine days' steaming in unchanged bedclothes which causes chills. After
cool sponging, a gentle rubbing under the bedclothes with hot olive
oil, over the body and limbs, will be very refreshing. All clothes,
etc., and the hands of the attendants should be most carefully washed
and cleaned before they touch the patient. Too much care in this matter
of cleanliness cannot be taken, as it is of the first importance as a
preventative of many troubles.
What are called "After Pains" often give much distress. Drugs and
alcohol should be strictly avoided. The difficulty here is in the
objection so many have to cold applications. These, after child-birth,
are not dangerous, but form a short and simple road to health. Making
handfuls of soapy lather (see Lather) and rubbing these gently over
the pains, both back and front, is most powerfully soothing, and has no
tendency to chill.
Where severe pains, indicating inflammatory action, are felt in the
bowels, this lather should at once be applied, and followed up with
cold cloths over the bowels, applied as to the chest in Bronchitis
(see). The bran poultice should always be applied at the same time,
putting it on before the cold towels, over all the lower back (see
Bran Poultice). Sips of hot water will also powerfully help in all
cases of such pain.
Treatment on these lines will deal with even very severe cases of After
Pains.
More
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Brain Inflammation Of
This arises often from over-schooling of young boys and girls. Care should ever be taken to avoid this. Obstinate constipation in the bowels, chills and exposure, are also fruitful sources. Much worry and anxiety also bring on this serious illness. Al... Brain Rest
The need for this is often indicated by irritability of temper. This coming on is generally a warning that a period of rest must be taken. An overheated brow is also another indication. If this shows itself in a child during or after school, together ... Bran Poultice
Get a sufficient quantity of good bran in an ordinary washhand basin. Heat the basin before beginning operations. Have also a boiling kettle at hand. Pour the boiling water by little and little into the bran, and mix and stir it up until it is all a m... Bread Wheaten
In some cases the bran in whole wheaten bread and Saltcoats biscuits is found to irritate the stomach and bowels. As diet for those able to digest the bran, nothing is better. Where it cannot be digested, ordinary bakers' bread boiled in water to soft... Breast Sore Nipples On
Take a little warm vinegar or weak acid (see Acetic Acid). Bathe the sore nipple with this, avoiding pain, for about ten minutes. Every two minutes dry, and anoint gently with warm olive oil. We have seen one application cure a bad nipple; but apply ... Breast Swelling In
A blow on the breast, or the drain of nursing a child, along with a chill, often produces swelling, sometimes hard and painful. This, if left uncured, may even develop into an ABSCESS (see). As it sometimes arises from dirt being left on the nipples, ... Breast With Corded Muscles
Often a slight hardness shows itself in a woman's breast, when the muscular tissue becomes what is called "corded." It is well, first of all, in all cases of breast trouble to avoid alarming the patient. Great anxiety is often endured through fear of... Breath And Blood
Often difficulty of breathing, especially in close air, mistaken even for asthma, is due simply to the quality of blood supplied to the lungs. Sometimes giving up the use of sugar effects a cure, for sugar produces an excess of carbon in the blood, wh... Breath And Muscles
Sometimes difficulty of breathing is due, not to anything wrong with lungs or windpipe, but to failure in the diaphragm (or large muscular "floor" of the chest), and the other chest muscles, which work the lungs. A feeling of sinking and weakness roun... Breath And Nerve
Difficult breathing, especially in ascending a hill, is often due simply to the lack of the nerve power by which the breathing muscles work. A teacupful of hot water half-an-hour before each meal, by helping digestion, will often remove the difficulty... Breath And The Heart
Stout people are usually more or less "scant of breath." Accumulations of fatty material, or changing of muscle into fat, cause this, especially if about the chest and heart. To reduce the fat, and grow healthy muscle instead, will perfectly cure the ... Breath And The Skin
The organs of breathing remove much waste from the system, but the skin also removes a very large part. If either fails, the other has more work thrown upon it, as we see in the severe "night sweats" which accompany chest and lung failure. In such cas... Breath Hot
This may be felt either because the breath is actually hot, or because the membranes of the tongue and mouth are unusually tender, and feel the breath hot in consequence when it is not really so. This latter case is usually accompanied by a sore tongu... Breathing And Bronchia
The bronchia are the branching small tubes which lead from the windpipe to all parts of the lungs. Two different states of these often pass as bronchitis. In one of these the tubes are swelled, congested, and full of fiery heat. The whole body is also... Breathing Correct Method Of
The capacity of an ordinary pair of lungs is about 250 cubic inches. In ordinary breathing, however, we only take in from 20 to 30 cubic inches. Hence the necessity for practising correct deep breathing. Correct breathing requires cultivation and e... Breathing In Going Uphill
See Breath, and Nerve. British Cholera is to a certain extent epidemic--that is, it affects a large number of people in a particular place, being, it is believed, conveyed mainly by the common house flies. War should be waged against these, and g... Bronchitis
This frequent and severe trouble results most usually from chill to the skin throwing overwork on the lungs and bronchial tubes. These last become inflamed and swollen. A fiery heat and pain in the chest follows, the whole system becomes fevered, and ... Brow The Weary
Sometimes in the case of a child at school, the result of overwork shows itself in a weariness and weight in the brow. Often parents are glorying in the school successes of their children, when these are having their brains destroyed. Careful watching... Bruises
For slight bruises, such as children frequently get by falling, a little butter or vaseline, applied immediately, is an excellent remedy. For more serious injuries, such as bruised nails of the fingers or toes, or such as result from violent knocks on... Burns
For slight burns, immerse the injured part in cold water, and keep there till the pain abates. This is where only redness of skin is produced. In case of a blister forming, do not break or cut it, but perseveringly cool with cold water, and leave the ... Buttermilk
Where we prescribe this, either for drinking or for external use in poultices or bathing, it is very important it should be pure and fresh. If kept too long, it causes often terrible pain when applied to eruptive sores. There must be no "watering" or ... Buttermilk Poultice
Boiled potatoes beaten up with fresh buttermilk make an excellent poultice for all eruptive sores, scabbed heads, and heated skin affections. After these always apply soap lather (see Lather). If buttermilk cannot be had, use acetic acid or vinegar, a... Cancer
Swellings in the breast often arouse fear of cancer, but are generally very simple affairs and easily yield to treatment as in article Breast, Swelling in. If not, we should chill the diseased growth so as to arrest it. Now this, as we have proved, ma... Cancer In Face
Treat as far as possible as recommended for breast cancer. ... Cancer In Foot
We have noted one case in which "Cancerous Gangrene" in the foot, pronounced incurable by the medical attendant, was cured by our instructions in the following simple manner. Buttermilk poultices (see) were used over the whole foot to thoroughly clean... Cane Syrup
In the original edition, good treacle was recommended as a laxative. This treacle, which was prepared from cane sugar, we understand is now not to be had--what is sold as treacle being largely mixed with glucose. We therefore recommend instead the use... Carbolic
Readily identified by smell of tar or carbolic. Wash mouth well with oil. Give an emetic. ... Carbuncle
See Boil. ... Catarrh
Is simply an inflammation due to impurity of the blood. These impurities arise from bad air or wrong food, and remain in the body till a chill of some kind or other forces the blood and the impurities with the blood to some part, resulting in inflamma... Cauliflower Growths
These begin like warts, and in the earlier stages poulticing and soaking with weak acid almost invariably cure. After some months the growth looks like the head of a cauliflower, and becomes dangerous if on a vital region. It is not really a parasite,... Cayenne And Mustard
Mustard spread on a cold towel and applied to the spine or lumbar region of the back is often an effective aid to the cold treatment. If such applications have to be made more than once, cayenne pepper is preferable to the mustard, and equally powerfu... Changing Treatment
To wisely alter and arrange the treatment in any case is of the utmost importance. Treatment which at first gives great relief will often become ineffective or even painful. Then some other way of cure must be tried. Sometimes cold applications will b... Chapped Hands
Our idea is that this is caused by the soda in the soap used. At any rate, we have never known any one to suffer from chapped hands who used M'Clinton's soap only. It is made from the ash of plants, which gives it a mildness not approached by even ... Chest Pains
See Angina Pectoris. ... Chest Protectors
These are often piled on the front of the body, while the far more important back is left exposed. In many cases of delicacy and cough, particularly with women, it is far more effective to protect the upper back with warm extra flannel than to place ... Chilblains
These occur in hands and feet where the circulative power is feeble, either from weakness or from tight pressure of boots or gloves. The cold has power, owing to lack of circulation, to partly kill the skin, which thus becomes painfully inflamed, and ... Child-bearing
Simple remedies such as we advocate are found of immense service in mitigating both the pains of child-birth and the troubles coming before and after it. To see that the medical man is one thoroughly competent is the first duty of those responsible... Children And Teachers
Children are of the utmost value to society; through any one of them the divine light may shine which will bless many generations. They are very easily hurt by unwise treatment and teaching. We would have the teacher and parent impressed with the pre... Children In Fever
Fevered children, whether in any actual fever, as scarlet, typhoid, or any other, or merely heated from some minor ailment, should be treated as under Fever. Have two small towels, wring them tightly out of cold water, fold one gently round the head. ... Children's Clothing
An infant's clothing should be soft, warm, and light in weight, covering all parts of the body with equal warmth. Tight bands and long, heavy skirts should never be used, the dress and petticoat being just long enough to keep the feet covered and warm... Children's Dangers
Avoidance of the causes of disease requires some idea of the dangers to which children are exposed in the usual upbringing. For instance, sitting on damp ground, cold stones, or even a cool window-sill, is a fruitful cause of bowel trouble. The remedy... Children's Deformed Feet
See Club Foot. ... Children's Healthy Growth
Often either the whole system or some part fails to grow properly. In this way the spine or legs may become curved, or generally the child is small and feeble. Growth depends largely on the organic nerve centres. Lack of power there causes even defor... Children's Limbs
Frequently a failure of some kind shows itself in the limbs of some children. Usually it appears as either bending or inability to walk at the proper age, or both together. To use "steel boots" and kindred appliances is to ignore the true nature of th... Children's Nerves
The nervous system of children is often damaged by shock or fright, sometimes very seriously, so that paralysis or hysterical affections come on. Blindness, deafness, loss of speech, every possible loss of function may follow a violent shock to a c... Children's Sleep
This most important matter of good sleep for the child depends not only on health of body but on ease of the infant's mind. It is wrong to treat the child otherwise than through the understanding, where he is afraid, or in a strange place. Waking up, ... Children's Strength
The question often arises as to the ability of children to bear certain kinds of treatment. It must ever be remembered, both in hot and cold applications, that the infant should be gently dealt with. Violent cold and burning heat must alike be avoide... Children's Swellings
Sometimes these occur as merely relaxed tissue full of blood. In this case everything about the part seems right and healthy except the swelling. The skin is right and the temperature also. Treatment such as restores nerve energy will usually cure the... Children's Teething
See Teething. ... Children's Treatment
This should always be managed so as to soothe and not excite the little patients. They are very sensitive to heat and cold. When these are applied the child often cries, so that the "treatment" is condemned and given up. What should be condemned is th... Chills
(1) Nerve or imaginary chills. These are feelings of cold, where there is no real chilling; the back feels as if cold water were poured down it, or even the whole body feels chilled, when an examination will show that there is no real chill whatever. ... Chloral
Emetic; warm coffee, and even an enema of coffee. Artificial respiration (see Drowning) may be necessary if breathing gets very low. ... Chloroform
See Child-bearing. ... Chloroform Or Ether (inhaled)
Fresh air. Pull tongue forward, and begin artificial respiration. If heart has stopped, strike chest two or three times over region of heart. ... Chloroform Or Ether (swallowed)
Emetic; enema of hot coffee; keep awake. If necessary, artificial respiration. ... Circulation Of The Blood
Nothing is more important for the health or healing of any organ or part of the body than a good supply of arterial blood. Venous blood, collected by the veins after it has done its work all over the body, or blood stagnating in congested organs, is u... Climate And Soil
The soil on which one lives is a matter of primary importance; it may be a matter of life or death for a weakly person, but it is important for every one. First, as regards the subsoil on which a house is built. If this be clay, or impervious rock, th... Clothing
Clothing should be light yet warm, and sufficiently free so as not to interfere with bodily movements. The clothing next the skin should, we think, be linen, as being more porous and absorbent than wool (see Underwear). No woman who values her health ... Club Foot
Children are not unfrequently born with this deformity in one or other of its various shapes. The cause is to be sought in such a defective state of the nervous system as hinders the proper growth of these parts. If the nerves are treated rightly, the... Cold Cloths
See Towels, Cold Wet. ... Cold In The Head
Infants often are prevented sucking by this form of cold closing up the nostrils. In such a case have a small cap of cotton to fit the head. Wring this out of cold water, and fit it on the child's head. Put on over it a rather larger and thicker cap o... Cold Settled
A cold is often easily overcome. At other times it "sits down," as country people say, and refuses to be cured, a hard dry cough continuing for a long time, and causing sleeplessness and general weakness. In such a case first try to secure an increase... Cold Taking
Where cold is easily "taken," it is the skin which is defective in its action. The cure must therefore deal with it. Even spasmodic asthma can be traced to the failure of the skin to throw off waste sufficiently. Men exposed to great heats and chills,... Constipation
This trouble is often only aggravated and made chronic by the use of purgatives. Some simple change of diet, such as a ripe uncooked apple, eaten before breakfast, or a fruit diet for a day or two may put all right. So also with the use of wheaten mea... Consumption Prevention Of
This most insidious and deadly disease is caused by a tiny vegetable growth derived from persons or animals already suffering from tuberculosis. The spit of consumptive patients swarms with such germs, and when it dries and becomes dust the germs may... Consumption Treatment Of
Turning now to the case when consumption has actually shown itself, the above treatment is exactly the course to be pursued. But we would emphasise the fact that unlimited fresh air and good nourishing foods are the only cure. If the patient can affor... Contraction Of Sinews
This often occurs at the knee, bending the joint so that the patient cannot stretch his limb or walk properly. The injury in such a case is usually at the ends of the sinews, where they are inserted into the bone. If the limb be straightened and put u... Convulsions
For an ordinary convulsive attack in the case of a child, hold the child's head over a basin and pour tepid water (blood heat, 98 deg. F.) over the head. This will usually be sufficient. If not, seat the child in a bath of hot water nearly up to the w... Cooking
The cooking of vegetables requires particular care. The valuable salts and other nutritive ingredients they contain are easily dissolved by water, and when they are drained, and the water thrown away, as is usually done, all this nutriment is lost. Do... Cooling In Heating
Often it is difficult to get a sufficient cooling effect by means of cold cloths without unduly chilling the patient. When the head has to be cooled, as in the very dangerous disease meningitis, the effect must pass through the mass of the skull befor... Copper
Emetic, white of egg to follow. ... Coughs
These will be found treated under the various heads of Colds, Bronchitis, Consumption, etc., but some particular cases of mere cough demand special attention. A tickling cough sometimes comes on, and seems to remain in spite of all efforts to get rid ...