JAUNDICE.
It frequently happens, during the first or second week after birth,
that the skin of the child becomes very yellow, and it has all the
appearance of having the jaundice. This gives rise to great distress to
the parent when she perceives it, and she becomes very anxious for the
medical man's next visit.
Now, ordinarily, it is of no consequence; commonly disappearing
spontaneously, and requiring no medical treatment. If, however, it
does not go off in two or three days, a tea-spoonful of castor oil
should be given once, or oftener, if necessary.
It is, of course, possible for an attack of real jaundice to occur at
this early period, and a disease of a very serious nature will then
have to be dealt with; but, except as a consequence of malformation (a
very infrequent occurrence), it is not likely to arise; and therefore
jaundice during the first and second week after delivery need not
create alarm.
Tongue-tied.
FROM WHAT IT ARISES.--This arises from the bridle under the tongue being
so short, or its attachment to the tongue extended so near the tip, as
to interfere with the motions of the organ in sucking, and, in after
years, in speaking. It is a rare occurrence, although nothing is more
common than for medical men to have infants brought to them supposed to
be labouring under the above defect.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173