ilk of magnesia put into one feeding daily,
or fifteen drops to one tablespoonful of the aromatic fluid extract of
cascara sagrada will move the bowels. Orange juice, strained, two
teaspoonfuls twice daily, is an excellent remedy and should be tried in
every case. Sweet oil and pure cod liver oil, in doses of thirty drops
to two teaspoonfuls three times daily after feedings, if the little
patient is poorly nourished. If the stools remain hard and dry, an
injection of two ounces of warm sweet oil at bedtime is an excellent
method of aiding the bowel. The oil should remain in the bowel all
night. This lubricates the parts, softens the fecal mass and stimulates
the gut to perform its own work. See page 312.

CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN OVER TWO YEARS OF AGE.--Most children when put
upon a varied diet after the nursing days are over are relieved of any
constipation which may have existed up to that time. There are a few,
however, whose condition does not seem to improve. These children need
attention. We should first insist on regular habits. A child should be
told that its bowels must move every morning after breakfast. If this
is absolutely insisted upon the child will soon recognize the
uselessness of fighting the proposition and submit. If at any time a
conscientious effort is made to move the bowel without result after
fifteen minutes it is wise to use a glycerine suppository so that the
bowel will empty itself.

It has been stated in another part of this book that there are children
with whom milk does not agree. Experience has taught us that milk,
especially milk that has been boiled, causes more cases of constipation
in growing children than all other causes combined. Find out if it is
milk that is the cause in any individual case. While these children
cannot take whole milk just as it comes from the dairy without suffering
in a great many ways, they can take milk and water, or milk and oatmeal
water, prepared in the following way, without becoming constipated. A
bottle of fresh milk is allowed to stand in a cool place for five hours,
when the top ten ounces are skimmed off with a Chapin dipper and mixed
with twelve ounces of oatmeal gruel or plain water. This can be used as
a drink.

Parents can select from the following list of articles such combinations
as may be suitable to constitute the regular meals of a constipated
child:

Lamb chops.
Rare steak.
Rare roast beef.
Hashed chicken.
Soft