the
interval between feeds should be three hours from the start; after six
months the interval may be lengthened to four hours.

COLIC AND CHILLINESS

Hiccough--a spasm of the diaphragm--often accompanies colic, and, in
the case of infants, is usually due to the swallowing of air or
over-filling the stomach; gentle massage, external heat, and a few
sips of very warm water usually corrects the condition.

The chilling of the skin very often produces a temporary intestinal
congestion with colic as the result. Cold feet, wet diapers, and
loitering at bath are all very likely to produce colic; and when it is
thus caused by chilling, quickly prepare a bath at 100 F., and after
immersing the child for five minutes, wrap up well in warm blankets.

THE TREATMENT OF COLIC

Those of my mother readers who have electric lights in their home,
will find the photophore to be a source of great comfort and
convenience; for this simple contrivance is usually able to banish
colic in a few moments. The photophore is simply radiant heat--heat
plus light (See Fig. 3)--and as this heat is applied to legs and
buttocks of the crying child the diaper is warmed, the abdomen
relaxes, gas is expelled, intestinal contractions relieved, and the
baby is soon fast asleep.

Occasionally with the aid of the photophore, and even without it, the
warm two-ounce enema containing a level teaspoon of baking soda and a
level teaspoon of salt to a pint of water when allowed to flow into
the bowel, will soon bring down both gas and feces to the great relief
of the baby. Warm water to drink is also very helpful. Putting the
feet in very warm water is also quieting to the crying colicky babe.

It is often necessary in cases of repeated and persistent colic, to
give a full dose of castor oil to clear out the bowel tract. Do not
jolt or bounce the baby, do not carry him about, and don't walk the
floor with him.

Heat him up inside and outside, warm his clothing and his bedding, and
thus bring about relief without sowing seeds for future trouble--the
sorrow of a spoiled child.

One very quiet little baby was one day brought to the dispensary whose
mother said: "Doctor, I didn't bring him 'cause he's sick, but 'cause
he looks so pale; he's as quiet as a mouse; he never cries any more
since I got to giving him medicine." On examination of the baby and on
inquiring about the medicine, we found that the baby was dead drunk
all the time. Some "neighbor frie