



Produced by Albert R. Mann Library. 2003. Home Economics Archive:
Research, Tradition and History (HEARTH). Ithaca, NY: Albert R. Mann
Library, Cornell University. http://hearth.library.cornell.edu (Version
January 2003).





THE

MATERNAL MANAGEMENT

OF

CHILDREN,

IN HEALTH AND DISEASE.




By Thomas Bull, M.D.




Physician Accoucheur To The Finsbury Midwifery

Institution, And Lecturer On Midwifery,

And On The Diseases Of Women

And Children;



Author Of "Hints To Mothers On The

Management Of Their Health."




1840.




PREFACE.



This little book has been written for the young and inexperienced
mother. It is intended to furnish her with that information which the
experience and observation of some years convince the author, young
mothers, almost without any exception, do not possess; and yet, from
ignorance of which, the constitution of many an infant has received
irretrievable injury, and life itself but too frequently fallen a
sacrifice.

In the first chapters, devoted to the general management of the child
in health, the author has endeavoured to teach the young mother, that
the prevention of disease is her province, not its cure; that to this
object all her best efforts must be directed; and, moreover, that to
tamper with medicine, when disease has actually commenced, is to hazard
the life of her offspring.

In the fourth chapter it has been attempted to point out, how the
first symptoms of disease may be early detected by the parent. The
subject has been felt to be a difficult one, and to give particular
directions quite out of the question; but it is hoped that the
suggestions thrown out will, in some measure, answer the purpose
intended. On the advantage of an early and prompt application of
remedies in the diseases of childhood, generally so active in their
progress and severe in their character, it is unnecessary to offer any
observation.

The latter part of the work, consisting of the maternal management of
disease, the author regards as a subject of high and serious moment.
Small as is the attention which has been hitherto paid to it, yet, in
the diseases of infancy and childhood, how invaluable is a careful and
judicious maternal superintendence to give effect to the measures
prescribed by the physician.

The author has endeavoured to arrange the contents of the work in a
manner which shall be most easily understood and readily available; and
he now publishes it with the desire to supply, in some degree, a
deficiency in this important department of knowledge.



Finsbury Place, June, 1840.





CONTENTS.



Chapter I.


ON THE GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD.



Sect. - Page



I. On the Dietetics of Infancy - 2

1. Maternal Nursing - 3

Plan of Suckling - 3

Deficiency of Milk - 11

The injurious Effects to Mother and Infant of undue and protracted
Suckling - 15

Mothers who ought never to suckle - 20


2. Wet-nurse Suckling - 27

Choice of a Wet-nurse - 28

Diet and Regimen of a Wet-nurse - 31


3. Artificial Feeding, (bringing up by hand) - 34

The Kind of artificial Food before the sixth Month - 35

The Kind of artificial Food after the sixth Month to the completion of
first Dentition - 44

The Kind of artificial Food most suitable under the different
Complaints to which Infants are liable - 48



II. Weaning - 51

The Time when - 51

The Mode - 52

The drying up of the Mother's Milk - 54



III. On the Dietetics of Childhood - 54

General Directions, and of animal Food - 55

Sugar - 60

Salt - 61

Fruits - 62

Water - 63

Wine, Beer, and Spirits - 63



IV. Sleep - 66

During Infancy - 66

During Childhood - 69



V. Bathing and Cleanliness - 72

During Infancy - 72

During Childhood - 75



VI. Clothing - 78

During Infancy - 78

During Childhood - 81



VII. Air and Exercise - 83

In Infancy - 83

In Childhood - 89




Chap. II.


ON THE USE AND ABUSE OF CERTAIN REMEDIES.


I. Aperient Medicine - 97

Castor Oil - 99

Manna - 101

Magnesia and Rhubarb - 102

The Lavement - 105

The Aperient Liniment - 107



II. Calomel - 107



III. Opiates - 110



IV. Leeching - 113



V. Blisters and Poultices - 114



VI. Baths - 117


The Cold-water Plunge Bath - 118

Sea Bathing - 120

