A treatise on the stomach and its trials / by J.C. Eno.

  • Eno, J. C.
Date:
[1870?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the stomach and its trials / by J.C. Eno. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    bath of the same temperature for a few minutes every evening before it is put to rest. To bathe a delicate infant of a few days’ or even weeks’ old in cold water with a view ‘ to harden’ thp constitution (as it is called), is the most effectual way to undermine its health and entail future disease. By degrees, however, the water with which it is sponged in the morning should be made tepid, the evening bath being continued warm enough to be grateful to the feelings. A few months having passed by, the temperature of the water may be gradually lowered until cold is em¬ ployed, with which it may be either sponged, or even plunged into it every morning during summer. If plunged into cold water the immer¬ sions must be given in rapid succession; for, at this period especially, the impression of cold continued for any considerable time depresses the vital energies, and prevents that healthy glow on the surface which usually follows the momentary and brief action of cold, upon which its usefulness depends. With some children, indeed, there is such extreme delicacy and deficient reaction as to render the cold bath hazardous; no warm glow over the surface takes place, when its use inevitably does harm; its effects therefore must be carefully watched. In that case use tepid sponging, and the skin well dried and rubbed for ten minutes with a dry flannel, then shampoo well with the hand every morning. There are few children who will not be benefited by a cold bath; but it should be a rule to do it as soon as they leave their beds while the body is very warm. If allowed to run about in their night-dress, they do not get half as much good, because the rapidity and power of reaction is not so great; the glow; as commonly understood, is more certain and decisive when the body still retains the warmth of the bed. Mere sponging with cold water is not so beneficial as actual immersion, head foremost, but it is a good substitute where a real bath is imprac¬ ticable ; two or three or four immersions should be given in quick suc¬ cession, and the skin then well dried and rubbed for ten minutes with a rough towel, and the hands. Perseverance in this process will sensi¬ bly improve the health, and in a few months will often convert a delicate child into a strong one. Commence with tepid water as previously directed, not cold, so as to accustom the child to the application of water without fear. A good nurse will wash an infant with great patience and care, and it requires much of both to do the office well, especially to an irritable and crying child; and this may be one reason why quiet children gene¬ rally do so much better than irritable ones; they have more time bestowed upon them. The general health so much depends on health of the skin, that too much time cannot well be expended in washing, cleansing, and rubbing the skin of children, and for that purpose there is nothing so suitable as the human hand. A sensible woman will at once see the wisdom of the above remarks,