sually at this stage there is a
slight tendency toward chilliness. She should now settle down for
rest. Fresh air should be admitted into the room. There may be some
hemorrhage, and if it is excessive, grasp the lower abdomen and begin
to knead it until you distinctly feel a change in the uterus from the
soft mass to a hard ball about the size of a large grape fruit; thus
contraction has been brought about which causes the hemorrhage to
decrease. If the doctor has not yet arrived put the baby to the
breast, and place an ice bag for ten or fifteen minutes on the abdomen
just over the uterus. Should there be lacerations, the doctor will
attend to their repair when he comes. One teaspoonful of the fluid
extract of ergot is usually given at this time, if possible get in
touch with the physician before it is administered.

CARE OF THE BABY

After the mother is comfortable, your attention is directed to the
baby; the condition of the cord is noted; should it be bleeding, do
not disturb the tying, but tie again, more tightly just below the
former tying, and with the long ends of the tape, tie on a sterile
gauze sponge or a piece of clean untouched medicated cotton, thus
efficiently protecting the severed end of the cord. No further
dressing is needed until the doctor arrives.

Grave disorders have arisen from infection through the freshly cut
umbilical cord.

Should the doctor be longer delayed, one drop of twenty per cent
argyrol should be dropped in each of the infant's eyes and separate
pieces of cotton should be used for each eye to wipe the surplus
medicine away.

This application must not be long neglected, for a very large per cent
of all the blindness in this world might have been avoided had this
medicine been placed in each eye soon after birth.

The warmed albolene is now swabbed over the entire body of the infant
(this is done with a piece of cotton), the arm pits, the groins,
behind the ears, between the thighs, the bend of the elbow, etc, must
all receive the albolene swabbing. In a few minutes, this is gently
rubbed off with a piece of gauze or an old soft towel, and the baby
comes forth as clean and as smooth as a lily and as sweet as a rose.

The garments are now placed on the child--first the band, then shirt,
diaper, stockings, flannel skirt, and outing flannel gown--and it is
put to rest after the administration of one teaspoonful of cooled,
boiled water. In six to eight hours it will be put to t