First Thing for the Mother to do?  Undress the baby and put him to bed in a quiet room, and place an ice bag on his head, or wring cloths out of ice water or very cold water and place them on baby’s head, and change often to keep them cold.  Warm the feet with a hot water bag.  If the doctor can not be present soon, give baby a mustard foot bath in bed; use two tablespoonfuls to a gallon of water, some advise stronger.  If the convulsions are severe wring towels out of mustard water and place a rubber sheet on the bed and wrap the child’s body and feet in the hot wet towels until the parts are quite red, and afterward cover the body with warm flannels.  Have plenty of hot water ready, so the doctor can give a full tub bath when he comes, if he thinks it necessary.  If the child can swallow, give him a teaspoonful of castor oil; or if the convulsions continue, wash out the bowels or give an injection as soon as possible.

When is a hot bath needed and useful?  If the convulsions have continued until the pulse is weak, the face is very pale, the nails and lips blue, the feet and hands cold:  it will do good by bringing the blood to the surface and relieve the brain, heart and lungs.

How shall I give it?  Use a thermometer to see that the temperature of the water is not over 106 degrees F.; if no thermometer is handy put your arm into the water to your elbow.  It should feel warm, but not so hot as to be uncomfortable.  Put one-half teacupful of powdered mustard in the tub.  Place the baby in the tub, body all covered, and hold the head out of the water; keep him in the bath for five to ten minutes; wrap him in a blanket and put into bed without drying.

The following is given to prevent convulsions:—­

      Bromide of Potash 1/2 dram
      Chloral Hydrate 15 grains
      Simple Syrup 2 ounces
      Mix thoroughly.

Give one teaspoonful every hour, while the baby is nervous or feverish.  For one-year-old child.

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Convulsions, a Grandmother’s Remedy for.—­“Dip the feet and limbs in warm water; give dry salt in mouth.”  Care should be taken not to give too much salt as you may choke the child.  Also apply cold cloths to the head, to draw the blood from the brain.

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2.  Convulsions, Hot Mustard Water for.—­“Put patient in tub of hot mustard water, with cold cloths to the head,” The hot mustard water draws the blood from the head to the feet and the cold cloths assist in doing good by keeping the blood away from the head.  This is, an old, tried and effective remedy,

3.  Convulsions, Old Tried Remedy for.—­“Put patient in hot bath; give castor oil and rub vigorously.”  The castor oil does good in cases where the bowels are too loose or constipated, as the case may be, by carrying off the impurities, and the hot bath equalizes the circulation, relieving the convulsion.