row
thinner and thinner. No matter how much or little they eat there is a
constant wasting or fading away of the body.

What are the causes? Syphilis, tuberculosis, chronic vomiting, persistent
loose bowels, poor assimilation of the food. Marasmus is really a later
and more severe form of malnutrition.

Symptoms.--He looks shriveled, the skin is dry, eyes are sunken, anemia is
marked, the belly is much distended, while the other parts of the body
seem to be all bones and no flesh; he is constantly whining and fretful,
has a tired and anxious expression most of the time; under six months it
is hard to cure.

Treatment.--A physician is needed to watch over and prescribe, no set rule
can be given. Sometimes cod-liver oil or iron is needed. It needs constant
care and watching to cure this trouble.

[616 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

CONVULSIONS.--Young children are more subject to convulsions than older
people. Convulsions may be due to brain trouble, but an overloaded stomach
is the first thing a doctor thinks of, and so the mother should remember
what was eaten that might be unusual.

First Thing for the Mother to do? Undress the baby and put him to bed in a
quiet room, and place an ice bag on his head, or wring cloths out of ice
water or very cold water and place them on baby's head, and change often
to keep them cold. Warm the feet with a hot water bag. If the doctor can
not be present soon, give baby a mustard foot bath in bed; use two
tablespoonfuls to a gallon of water, some advise stronger. If the
convulsions are severe wring towels out of mustard water and place a
rubber sheet on the bed and wrap the child's body and feet in the hot wet
towels until the parts are quite red, and afterward cover the body with
warm flannels. Have plenty of hot water ready, so the doctor can give a
full tub bath when he comes, if he thinks it necessary. If the child can
swallow, give him a teaspoonful of castor oil; or if the convulsions
continue, wash out the bowels or give an injection as soon as possible.

When is a hot bath needed and useful? If the convulsions have continued
until the pulse is weak, the face is very pale, the nails and lips blue,
the feet and hands cold: it will do good by bringing the blood to the
surface and relieve the brain, heart and lungs.

How shall I give it? Use a thermometer to see that the temperature of the
water is not over 106 degrees F.; if no thermometer is handy put your arm
into the water to you