The Mother's Manual of Children's Diseases   By: Charles West (1816-1898)

BY CHARLES WEST, M.D.

FELLOW, AND LATE SENIOR CENSOR, OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS: FOUNDER OF, AND FORMERLY PHYSICIAN TO, THE HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN: FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE OF PARIS: ETC.

AUTHOR OF 'LECTURES ON THE DISEASES OF INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD.'

NEW YORK: D. APPLETON AND COMPANY. 1885.

ADVERTISEMENT.

I have often asked myself whether it would not be possible to give in a small compass, and avoiding all technical detail, such an account of the diseases of infancy and childhood, as might be of use and comfort to the intelligent mother.

Returning now, with health perfectly restored, to practise my profession for the rest of my life exclusively in my own country, I have brought with me this little book, in which the comparative leisure of my enforced sojourn at Nice has enabled me to realise my purpose.

The book is not intended as a handbook for the nursery; many such exist, and many of them are of great merit. Neither has it the worse than idle pretence of telling people how to treat their children's illnesses, without the help of a doctor. Its object is to give a description of the diseases of early life, such as may help a mother to understand something of their nature and symptoms, to save her from needless anxiety as to their issue, and to enable her wisely to second the doctor in his endeavours for their cure.

CHARLES WEST.

55 HARLEY STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. August 1, 1885.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

ADVERTISEMENT v

PART I.

INTRODUCTORY 1

CHAPTER I. 1 Mortality of children and its causes Causes fourfold: Intermarriage Hereditary taint Unhealthy dwellings Unwholesome food

CHAPTER II. 5 General signs of disease Shown by the cry, the temperature, the pulse and breathing Rules for examination as to these points Signs of absence of disease of the brain

CHAPTER III. 12 General management of disease Mothers who cannot nurse their children when ill Importance of truth and keeping child happy Rules for management of bed room and bed The bath Poultices Leeches Cold applications Medicines Note taking and relation to the doctor

PART II.

PLAN PROPOSED TO BE FOLLOWED 31

CHAPTER IV. 32 On the disorders and diseases of children during the first month after birth Still birth Premature birth Imperfect expansion of lungs Jaundice Ophthalmia Scalp swellings Ruptured navel

CHAPTER V. 45 Disorders and diseases of children after the first month, and until teething is finished Infantile atrophy Rules for artificial feeding Management of indigestion Thrush Teething Affections of the skin Eczema

PART III.

DISORDERS AND DISEASES INCIDENT TO ALL PERIODS OF CHILDHOOD 85

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SECOND PERIOD OF CHILDHOOD 85