Sect. 11.—Moles and Marks on the Skin.

The supposed influence of the imagination of the mother, in the production of the above appearances in the texture of the skin of her infant, has been fully discussed in the author's work 'Hints to Mothers,' and as this part of the subject is foreign to the present inquiry, which chiefly has reference to the probable effect of their presence upon the health of the child, it is unnecessary again to refer to it here. These appear

ances may be divided into two classes: the brownish mole, and claret-stain; and small but somewhat elevated tumours, either of a dark blue, livid colour, or of a bright vermilion hue.

Moles and Stains.-They are of no importance, so far as the health of the infant is concerned. If situated on the face, however, they frequently cause great disfigurement, as the claret-stain, which may be seen sometimes to occupy nearly half the face. But they happily do not increase in size, remaining stationary through life; and as any operation that might be proposed for their removal would only cause an equal, if not greater, deformity, they ought to be left alone. The Nævus.-Nævi vary in their number, size, and situation. The same child is sometimes born with many of them. They may be as small as a pea, or as large as a crownpiece. They are not only found on the skin, but on the lips, in the mouth, &c. These, also, sometimes remain stationary in their size, having no tendency to enlarge, unless, indeed, they are subjected to friction or pressure. But as they frequently require surgical aid-in which case, the earlier the application of remedial measures, the less severe will

they be, and the greater is the probability of a speedy and successful result-so is it always important for the mother at once to obtain a medical opinion, that the measure of interference or non-interference may be decided.

If they occur on the body, or on the limbs on a part which is covered up and out of sight, they need not be meddled with, unless they continue or commence to grow.

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CHAPTER XII.

OTHER ACCIDENTS OF INFANCY AND CHILDHOOD.

ACCIDENTS, more or less serious, are daily occurring to children. Of course they take place suddenly-in a moment; and, in nine cases out of ten, the parents and attendants, greatly alarmed, know not what to do, or perhaps ignorantly do the very thing they ought not. Suddenly rousing the parental feelings incapacitates the mind for action, unless, indeed, it be in some degree prepared by previous instruction. This knowledge, however, is seldom possessed, unless circumstances at some former period have arisen to give it. A few hints, then, for immediate guidance and direction in case of need, may not be unwelcome or useless. The principal information, however, which it is proposed to communicate, is just that which may be advantageously used before surgical aid can be obtained. If the mind of the mother or attendant is fully impressed with the necessity of doing one thing, and that the best that can be done, no time is lost, hurry and excitement are avoided, and the mischief is not increased. A few words under the separate heads will amply suffice to convey all that need be said.

Sect. 1.-Scalds or Burns.

The danger to be apprehended from a scald or burn must always be mainly in proportion to the extent of surface scalded, or the length of time the burning body continues in contact with the skin.

Scalds. Immediately remove the child from the source of the injury. Undress him, but in doing this be very careful that the blistered part is in no way rubbed, so as to endanger the breaking of the blister, or the tearing off the cuticle; this would increase the danger of the accident. The outer garments may generally be taken off without fear, but the body linen requires great caution, lest any portion of it adhere to the wounded part; if this is found to be the case, the linen or flannel shirt must, if necessary, be cut away piecemeal, leaving that portion untouched which adheres to and covers the sore. Having put the child to bed, cover the injured part with three or four thicknesses of cotton-wadding, and so apply it as completely to exclude the external air; a bandage or something of the kind will best accomplish this object by keeping the cotton in close contact with the part. If the scalds have been severe, or not, and the extremities are disposed to be cold, or the child to shiver (and delicate children are very prone to be thus affected, even when but very slightly scalded, from the shock which is given to the system), apply warm water bottles to the feet, and give a small quantity of wine and water. And now wait until the medical man arrives.

Burns. Should the clothing of a child take fire, let it be remembered that the upright posture is obviously not only favourable to the spreading of the

flames, but to their reaching the more important parts of the body, the neck, and head. Any motion of the body to and fro gives great advantage to the flames by bringing fresh currents of air in contact with the burning materials, and it is, therefore, utterly absurd to allow the child to run screaming about. Throw him down upon the floor; keep rolling him over and over upon the carpet; if possible seize the hearth-rug, or table-cover, or strip yourself of your shawl, and envelop the child in it as closely and completely as possible. In this way you will most readily put out the fire. Never carry the child out of one room into another, and if possible avoid opening doors, as this greatly favours the spread of the flames.

With regard to treatment, the same plan must be pursued as in scalds. Undress the child, attending to the precautions given above. Put him to bed. Cover the burnt parts with cotton-wadding, most carefully excluding the external air. Keep the child warm, and therefore, if necessary, apply the warm water bottles to the feet, and give a little wine and water to drink. And now wait the arrival of the medical attendant. It might so happen that cotton-wadding is not at hand, in which case you may use in its stead linen well soaked either in sweet oil, or milk, or cream.

Two further remarks only are necessary, and which have reference to both accidents. On their first occurrence, or during the progress of the case, the attendants not unfrequently give laudanum to quiet the restlessness of the child;—this remedy may be required, and if so the medical man will give it; but never allow an unprofessional person to administer it, as serious results might ensue. Again, it cannot be too widely known by parents and friends that when a scald or