4.  Convulsions, A New York Mother’s Remedy for.—­“Chloroform one-half dram, tincture of cardamom, one-half ounce, spearmint water, two and one-half ounces.  Shake well and give one-half teaspoonful in water to child one year old, smaller children a proportionate dose.”  The chloroform is very quieting, and the tincture of cardamom and spearmint act on the bowels.  This combination will quiet the child, and in that way relieve the trouble.

(See “Convulsions” in General Department for Mothers’ Remedies).

INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN.

What are the early symptoms of brain diseases?  Temperature is usually very high, 104 degrees F. and over.  There is stupor or delirium, and vomiting is common; light hurts the eyes; the child jumps and starts at the slightest noise, unless the hearing is affected.  There is often a squint, the eyes may be turned upward, and the lids may be only half closed during sleep.  The pupils are dilated or contracted, Sometimes one pupil is larger than natural, while the other is smaller.

What can I do for these symptoms?  Cold to the head, either by ice bags or cold water cloths.  The room should be dark and quiet.  No food given unless ordered, and then bland and very little at a time.  A doctor should always be called for such symptoms; castor oil to move the bowels should be given or an enema of soap-suds and water.  This helps to draw the blood from the brain, also keep the feet warm and head cool.

Scald head (in Babies) Milk Crust.—­This is often due to neglect in regularly removing the free secretion, or due sometimes to an inflammation of the little sebaceous follicles of the skin.  It occurs on the scalp most.  The hair should be cut short, and soften the crusts with warm olive oil, or vaselin may be left on the scalp over night, then wash off the crusts with warm water and castile soap.  An ointment can be made of vaselin or cold cream, and two per cent resorcin, and applied after the crust is resumed.  Spread on linen and hold it in place by a thin cap, wash this off every day with olive oil and apply the salve fresh.  Water should not be used oftener than once a week—­oxide of zinc ointment is also good.

[618 Mothers’ remedies]

Mothers’ remedies.—­l.  Cleaning Baby’s Head, Common Lard for.—­“Nothing is better than common lard.  Grease the head good at night, using plenty of lard, especially if very heavily coated.  Let stand over night, the lard softens the coating so you can take a fine comb and remove it.  Comb from the forehead back.  You need never have any scale on the baby’s head.”  Care should be taken in using a fine comb, as it will very often make a child’s head very sore.

2.  Scald Head, An Experienced Mother’s Remedy for.—­

    “Boracic acid 2 drams
    Salol 2 drams
    Balsam Peru 1 dram
    Carbolic acid 20 drops
    Vaselin 1 ounce
    Lanoline 1 ounce
    Mix.”