leaning injection of two quarts of
warm water into which a teaspoonful of borax has been put. This will
wash away any mucus or fecal matter that may have collected. This
injection is best given with a No. 18 rectal catheter which is pushed
into the rectum for about 10 inches, the water being allowed to run away
as it enters. From six to eight ounces of the infusion of quassia is
then passed, as high up as the catheter will reach. It is intended that
the quassia will remain in as long as possible, for at least half an
hour. In order to assure this there are two features that should be kept
in mind: first, the water should be allowed to flow in slowly,
consequently hold the bag low, not higher than two feet above the level
of the bed on which the patient lies; second, after the water is all in
remove the catheter very slowly and keep the child absolutely quiet.
This treatment is repeated every second night for a week, then twice a
week for four weeks.

A solution of garlic is a very effective remedy and may be tried if the
quassia fails, which is not likely if the treatment is carried out
effectively and if the parts are kept scrupulously clean.

Tape Worms.--Tape worms are obtained from eating raw meat, pork or
sausage, rarely from fish, and from playing with cats and dogs.

Symptoms.--No definite symptoms accompany the presence of tape worm.
The children may have pains in the abdomen, diarrhea, a capricious
appetite, foul breath, and they may suffer from anemia, sometimes quite
severely. The only positive symptoms is the presence of links of the
worm in the stools.

Treatment.--Give a dose of castor oil at bed time. Two hours after
breakfast next morning give one-half dram of the oleoresin of male-fern
in emulsion or capsule. Very light nourishment should be taken during
the day, composed of gruels and soups. When the worm is passed it should
be examined to find if the head is present; if not, the treatment should
be repeated in twenty-four hours.

RUPTURE

Rupture of any description is not a condition that any mother should
attempt to treat. A physician should be called in every case. Any
misdirected effort at manipulation or pressure may result in irreparable
injury to the parts. External applications are useless and may be
injurious.

All ordinary forms of rupture in infancy and early childhood are curable
if properly treated.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXXVI

DISEASES OF CHI