Enlarged glands.—­Cutting teeth or sometimes a bad cold or other things cause the glands at the sides of the neck to swell and enlarge.  This does not always give any discomfort to the baby, but it annoys and worries the mother.  Frequently the enlargement will soon disappear of itself, but sometimes the gland grows larger, gets quite hard and often much inflamed—­matter or pus will then form, and a discharge soon follows.

Treatment.—­If the gland keeps on enlarging, a doctor should be seen, and if it needs lancing he can do so at the proper time, and save the neck from a bad scar.  Medicine can also be given that will sometimes stop it.  Syrup of iodide of iron three to ten drops, three times a day for a one-year-old child is good; cod-liver oil should be given to pale, thin children for a long time.

Bed-wetting.—­If a child continues to wet the bed after he is three years old, something should be done for this annoying habit.  The child should be examined by a doctor; circumcision will often effect a cure in boys; or pin worms may be the cause of the trouble; a stone in the bladder, or any trouble that makes him nervous, or it may be due to habit.

Treatment.—­Scolding will not do any good.  The child should not drink any fluids after four in the afternoon.  He should not have any bread and milk or water for supper, but instead have bread and a dry cereal, with a little stewed fruit; sometimes a child needs a tonic.  It is a tedious trouble to treat and it takes a long time to gain control of it.  The mother must have a large stock of patience and co-operate with the doctor.  The child should pass urine before retiring, have the foot of the bedstead elevated, not too warmly covered so as to become restless.  His suppers should not be hearty, bowels should be regular.  The following is a good remedy:—­Tincture of belladonna; give five drops at bed-time and increase the dose, drop by drop, each night until it produces a fine scarlet rash upon the skin.  This should be marked “poison” and only given under the care of a doctor.  It is a good remedy, but it must be watched.

[620 Mothers’ remedies]

Hives.—­Hives, or urticaria, is often seen in young children, It is generally caused by indigestion.  It is not a serious disease, but it is uncomfortable and makes a baby cross.  The eruption is bright red in color, and appears in blotches or wheels.

Treatment.—­Give the child a laxative like magnesia or citrate of magnesia, or epsom salts and cream of tartar, of each two ounces.  Dose, one-half teaspoonful in water every three hours until the bowels move freely. (One-year-old).

To relieve the itching.—­Sop the spots with warm water, and a little soda, or an entire bath can be given of this if the eruption is extensive.