colic in the infant.

The object of treatment is to help the child get rid of the gas. The
best and quickest means to effect this is to apply massage or give a
rectal injection. An injection of two ounces of cold water in which a
half or one teaspoonful of glycerine has been put, will act quickly. Dry
heat applied to the abdomen in the form of the hot-water bottle or
woolen cloths will aid in the expulsion of the gas. The feet should be
kept warm.

In cases of habitual colic in breast-fed babies the cause may be in the
quality of the mother's milk. It should be examined and if found too
strong should be diluted. This can be done by giving the child an ounce
of plain boiled water or barley water before each feeding. If the child
gets an ounce of liquid before each feeding he will not want as much of
the breast milk; so we shall have the same total quantity, but a reduced
quality, which may cure the colic at once.

It is necessary, in order to cure colic, that the bowels move every day
in a satisfactory manner. If any aid is needed, milk of magnesia is the
best laxative. It may be given in teaspoonful doses in water previous to
a feeding. Aromatic cascara sagrada in from ten to thirty-drop doses is
a very good laxative, if a stronger remedy is needed.

To relieve the acute attack, three drops of Hoffman's anodyne may be
given in two teaspoonfuls of warm water and repeated in ten-minute
intervals until relieved, to a baby under one year of age. From five to
ten drops of gin, given in three teaspoonfuls of warm water, and
repeated in fifteen minutes, is also satisfactory and harmless. A very
good remedy which may be used with the above for quick relief, and to
stop the child from crying, is the following: Fold a piece of flannel
cloth (two thicknesses) the size of the baby's abdomen; wring out of
very hot water and drop ten drops of turpentine over the surface,--at
different spots,--of the flannel and lay on abdomen,--turpentine side
next skin. Cover this with another piece of flannel,--two or three
thicknesses, that has been dry-heated and allow to remain in place for
about ten minutes.

Colic, as a rule, disappears completely about the third month.

APPENDICITIS

Appendicitis is mentioned here merely to acquaint mothers with its
prominent symptoms.

When a child has what seems to be an attack of indigestion, but
complains of pain and tenderness in the abdomen, vomits, and develops a
fever, and is constipated,