TREATMENT FOR SORE EYES.
Reading edition
How should a newly-born baby's eyes be treated? They should be kept clean with a soft cloth and warm water. Do not use the same piece of cloth for both eyes.
Should redness and pus appear in the eye or eyes a few days after birth, what should be done? Use a piece of soft linen or absorbent cotton and wet it in a solution of boric acid or salt (one-half teaspoonful to one pint of water, warm) and wash out the eye or eyes, and if pus appears, use a stronger solution of boric acid (ten grains to eight teaspoonfuls of water.) If the lids stick together grease them with vaselin from a tube and rub in at night. If the sore eyes are severe send for a physician as it may be the beginning of ophthalmia neonatorum.
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MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—1. Sore Eyes, Mothers' Milk for.—"There is nothing as good as mother's milk." This is very soothing and healing and seems to work better than medicines in small babies.
2. Sore Eyes. A Nurse from New York sends the following remedy for.—"Take a cup of water that has been boiled and cooled and dissolve in it one teaspoonful boracic acid powder. Bathe the eyes thoroughly and often." A nurse in New York state, gives this recipe, and says she has been a nurse for several years and has never had a case of sore eyes which did not heal with this treatment.
How is washing out the baby's mouth done? Use a swab made by twisting some absorbent cotton upon a toothpick. The folds between the gums and lips and cheeks may be gently and carefully cleaned twice a day unless the mouth is sore.
If a baby cries while nursing, what is the cause? It may have a sore mouth. What is thrush or sprue? Patches looking like little white threads or flakes appear inside the cheeks.
What is the cause of sore mouth? It is usually due to uncleanness and carelessness. It may come in delicate babies without any special reason. Babies who suck a "pacifier" or a rag with sugar in it are very apt to have the disease. Bottle-fed babies get it because of uncleanness of the nipple and bottle.
Should the baby continue to nurse? Yes, but the mother should thoroughly cleanse her nipple with a solution of boric acid after each nursing.
What should be done for it? It should be washed before and after every feeding with a solution of baking soda or boric acid of the strength of one even teaspoonful to twenty-four teaspoonfuls of water, or listerine, one teaspoonful to twenty-four teaspoonfuls of warm water, can be used. (This will be treated more fully later under diseases). A solution of borax (twenty grains to eight teaspoonfuls of water) can be applied every two hours with a camel's hair brush. Borax, sage and honey are good old remedies.
Should the scalp have special care at birth? It should then and afterward be kept clean to keep scurf from accumulating. It should be wet before the body is immersed in the bath. The hair should always be dried carefully; brush first with a soft towel and then with a fine, smooth hair-brush. Never use a comb on an infant's head.
Should any dressing be put on the scalp? No, for if the hair is washed and brushed, the oil from the scalp will keep it soft, glossy and healthful.
[ALL ABOUT BABY 551]
QUESTIONS AND REMEDIES FOR SORE MOUTH. CANKER. THRUSH.
Explain more about thrush or sprue? It is an inflammation of the mouth where small particles looking like milk curds appear on the tongue, gums and cheek. This is really a more severe type of sore mouth, and is of a fungus origin.
Causes of sore mouth. Uncleanness, failing to keep the mouth—especially of bottle-fed infants—and the nipples and bottles, clean. Babies who are allowed to suck a "pacifier" or rag with sugar on it. Thrush is parasitic in origin and is always due to uncleanness in bottles, nipples and the mouth, and is commonly associated with the stomach trouble. Diarrhea frequently goes with it.
(See Mothers' Remedies for Sore Mouth, Canker, etc., in general department).
PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT for Thrush. Severe Sore Mouth. 1. Boric acid in a saturated solution (five teaspoonfuls to a pint of distilled water) is a specific for it.
Dr. Tuley, of Louisville, Ky., says:
2. Powdered Borax 8 teaspoonfuls Strained Honey 3 teaspoonfuls Mix thoroughly.
3. Glycerin 1 ounce Distilled water 1 ounce Boric Acid 2 drams
4. Golden seal diluted one-half with boiled water makes an excellent mouth wash. Also a weak solution of alum. Use a piece of absorbent cotton or soft linen on your little finger or small round piece of wood and dip in solution and apply. Dr. Douglas, of Detroit, advises the use of a soft brush. This should be boiled after using.
5. In Mild Cases of Sore Mouth.—The medicines need not be as strong as for thrush. One teaspoonful of boric acid or baking soda to a pint of boiled water is usually sufficient; wash after each nursing or four or five times a day.
6. Powdered Borax 1 teaspoonful Powdered Sugar 4 teaspoonfuls
Put a pinch on the tongue every two or three hours. The child's tongue will work it around. This avoids the pain from washing, etc.
7. Another Mouth' Wash.—
Borax 1/2 teaspoonful Tincture of Myrrh 1/2 teaspoonful Glycerin 1 teaspoonful Boiled water enough for one ounce.
Apply gently to the inside of the mouth several times a day in thrush or any form of sore mouth or gums. Use a camel's hair brush.
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WHAT CARE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE DIAPERS?
A diaper should never be used more than once without washing. It should be removed as soon as it is wet and placed in a covered pail in the bathroom, etc., and washed at the first opportunity. Pure white soap only should be used, and the diapers should be thoroughly rinsed and boiled. Dry them in the sun and air and never before the nursery fire. They should be warmed before they are again used. Unclean, soiled diapers frequently cause chafing.
Should a baby cry while passing urine? No; it may be too acid, alkaline, too little of it or too concentrated, or have sand in it. Examine the diapers.
How about bands for the baby? Straight pieces of flannel, twenty-two by five inches or wider. They may be knitted.
How long should they be worn? The snug bands, flannel or knitted should be worn, not tight, three months; then if one is worn it should be loose. It may prevent rupture and bowel trouble.
Do you approve of rubber diapers as an outside covering? No, because they confine the dampness cause more sweating of the parts and may thus cause chafing, etc.
How large should a diaper be? A diaper should be twice as long as wide. They may be different sizes, eighteen by thirty-six inches, twenty-two by forty-four, or twenty-seven by fifty-four.