The Mother And Her Child Part 65

7th to 14th day.

A prolonged paroxysm of coughing followed by a crowing inspiration (whoop).

Vomiting; spitting of blood.

6 to 8 weeks.

6 to 8 weeks (while whoop lasts).

Mumps.

7 to 21 days.

1st day.

Swelling in front, below, and behind the ear and below the jaw.

Pain when chewing.

A week or less.

3 to 4 weeks.

Influenza.

Uncertain. Probably 1 to 7 days.

1st day.

Fever, prostration.

Various respiratory, digestive, or nervous symptoms, commonest being general aching and cough.

3 or 4 days to two weeks or more.

While disease lasts.

HOT COLONIC FLUSHING

The hot colonic flushing is particularly serviceable in combating the sick headaches of migraine. They should be taken at night just before retiring with the temperature of water as hot as can be borne, from 108 to 110 F. Half of the water is allowed to flow into the colon and is retained as long as possible. This brings the heat in close contact with the sympathetic nervous system whose headquarters is in the abdomen.

ENEMAS

_Position for an Enema._ Lie on left side, knees brought up against abdomen, with the left arm well underneath. This will relax the abdominal muscles and allow the water to pa.s.s upward more freely. The water should be allowed to flow until it is felt low on the right side.

_The one, two, three enema_ is an injection that is used for the relief of gas in the bowel. It consists of the following: One part epsom salts, two parts glycerine, and three parts soap suds. It is introduced by the aid of the colon tube and retained as long as is possible.

Glycerine and soapy water, equal parts, may be introduced into the bowel for temporary relief of a persistent constipation.

In instances when feeding by the mouth is impossible, _nutrient enemas_ should be given every three or four hours during the day. The absorption does not take place in the large bowel as readily as in the small intestines, so only a small amount of a more highly concentrated solution is given at one time. A child one year of age will be given one teaspoon, from one to four years of age a teaspoon to a tablespoon is allowed, and up to twelve years from one to eight tablespoons are given in the nutrient enema. Peptonized meat preparations may be employed in greater concentration than directed by the use of the mouth. Peptonized milk containing an egg is often used. The pepsin is added to the mixture only when warm, and is injected at once.

EMETICS

1. A gla.s.s of warm water containing as much common table salt as can be dissolved.

2. A teaspoon of mustard in a large gla.s.s of warm water.

3. A teaspoon of syrup of ipecac, repeated in fifteen minutes if necessary.

Any one of these emetics is useful in instances where it is desirable to empty the stomach at once.

A CALORIE

A calorie is the heat unit used in the estimation of the fuel value of various foods. For instance, an ordinary slice of homemade bread contains 100 calories. An ordinary fig contains almost 100 calories. A large orange or an apple or a gla.s.s of grape juice contains about 100 calories. There are 100 calories in three teaspoons of sugar or honey.

A complete food list with the estimation of calorie value of foods is found in _The Science of Living_, page 370, while on page 99 of the same book is a very helpful table showing the amounts of various foods required to equal 100 calories. The reader will find this exceedingly practical in estimating food values for the household.

ACIDIFYING AND ALKALINIZING FOODS

Since we find that in all acute diseases the acidity of the urine is greatly increased and in time of health it is less acid, we submit two lists of foods which tend to acidify the urine or to alkalinize the urine.

FOODS WHICH TEND TO ACIDIFY.

1. _Animal Foods_: All forms of flesh foods, fish, fowl, etc., including all kinds of meat broths, soups, beef tea, bouillon, etc.

2. _Eggs._ 3. _Breadstuffs_: All kinds of breads, whether made of wheat, rye or corn, crackers, toasts, griddle cakes, etc. 4.

_Pastries._ All sorts of pies and cakes--except fruit pies, and other desserts containing milk or sour fruits.

5. _Cereals_: Rice, oatmeal, and breakfast foods of all kinds, including the flaked and toasted breakfast foods.

6. _Peanuts_, plums, prunes, and cranberries. Plums and cranberries fall in this column because of their benzoic acid, which the body cannot fully oxidize.

FOODS WHICH TEND TO ALKALINIZE.

1. _Dairy Products_: Milk, ice cream, cottage cheese, cheese, b.u.t.termilk, etc.

2. _Potatoes_ and _bananas_.

3. _Soups_: All forms of vegetable and fruit soups and broths.

4. _Fruit Juices_: All the fresh fruit juices except plums.

5. _Fresh Fruits_: All fresh fruits, sweet and sour, except plums and cranberries.

6. _Vegetables_: All kinds, especially beets, carrots, celery, lettuce, and muskmelon.

7. _Dried Fruits_: Figs, raisins, dates, currants--all except prunes.

8. _The Legumes_: Beans, peas, and lentils.

9. _The Nuts_: All the nuts belong in this column, including almonds and chestnuts.

CEREAL WATERS, ETC.

It is often necessary to give the infant or the young child cereal water to replace food in occasions of summer diarrhoea, etc.

1. _Barley Water._

One tablespoon of barley flour in one pint of water. Boil for one-half hour, strain, and add sufficient boiled water to make one pint.

2. _Flaxseed Tea._