Page:The physical training of children (IA 39002011126464.med.yale.edu).pdf/240

 downright poison!—and brimstone of all medicines! It is both weakening and depressing to the system, and by opening the pores of the skin and by relaxing the bowels, is likely to give cold, and thus to make a healthy a sickly child. Sweeten his blood! It is more likely to weaken his blood, and thus to make his blood impure! Blood is not made pure by drugs, but by Nature's medicine: by exercise, by pure air, by wholesome diet, by sleep in a well-ventilated apartment, by regular and thorough ablution. Brimstone a preventive medicine! Preventive medicine—and brimstone especially in the guise of a preventive medicine—is "a mockery, a delusion, and a snare."

248. When a child is delicate, and his body, without any assignable cause is gradually wasting away, and the stomach rejects all food that is taken, what plan can be adopted likely to support his strength, and thus, probably, be the means of saving his life?

I have seen, in such a case, great benefit to arise from half a teacupful of either strong mutton-broth, or of strong beef-tea, used as an enema, every four hours. An enema apparatus is an important requisite in every nursery; it may be procured of any respectable surgical instrument-maker. The india-rubber enema bottle is, for a child's use, a great improvement on the old syringe, as it is not so likely to get out of order, and, moreover, is more easily used.

It should be administered slowly, in order that it may remain in the bowel. If the child be sinking, either a dessertspoonful of brandy, or half a wine-glassful of port wine ought to be added to each enema.

The above plan ought only to be adopted if there be no diarrhœa. If there be diarrhœa, an enema must not be used. Then, provided there be great wasting away, and extreme exhaustion, and other remedies having failed, it