OF THE RICKETS.
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blistering-plaster may be applied between the shoulders, or one behindeach ear.
Sydenham says, that, in fevers occasioned by teething,he never foundany remedy so effectual as two, three, or four drops of spirits of harts-horn in a spoonful of simple water, or other convenient vehicle, givenevery four hours. The number of doses may be four, five, or six. Iha^e often prescribed this medicine with success, but always found alarge dose necessary. It may be given from five drops to fifteen ortwenty, according to the age of the child ; and when costiveness doesnot forbid it, three or four drops of laudanum may be added to eachdose.
In Scotland, it is very common, when children are cutting their teeth,to put a small Burgundy pitch plaster between their shoulders. Thisgenerally eases the tickling cough which attends teething, and is by nomeans an useless application. When the teeth are cut with difficultj,it ought to be kept on during the whole time of teething. It may beenlarged as occasion requires, and ought to be renewed at least once afortnight.
Several things have been recommended for rubbing the gums, as oils,mucilages, &c; but from these much is not to be expected. If anything of this kind is to be used we would recommend a little fine honey,which may be rubbed on with the finger three or four times a-day.Children are generally at this time disposed to chew whatever they getinto their hands. For this reason they ought never to be without some-thing that will yield a little to the pressure of their gums, as a crust ofbread, a wax candle, a bit of liquorice or orris root, or such like.
With regard to cutting the gums we have seldom known it of any greatbenefit. In obstinate cases, however, it ought to be tried. It may beperformed by the finger nail, the edge of a sixpenny piece that is wornthin, or any sharp body that can be with safety introduced into themouth ; but the lancet, in a skilful hand, is certainly the most proper.
In order to render the teething less difficult, parents ought to takecare that their children's food be light and wholesome, and that theirnet ies be braced by sufficient exercise without doors, the use of the coldbath, &c. The bowels ought always to be kept in a laxative state, asnothing tends to increase children's complaints of every kind, especiallysuch as are inflammatory, so much as costiveness. Were these thingsduly regardcd.they would have a much better effect than teething neck-laces, or oth«r nonsensical amulets worn for that purpose.
<l
OF THE RICKETS.
This disease generally attacks children between the age of six(tonths and two ytars. The rickets first appeared hi Britain between1812 and 1620. We are indebted to Dr. Glisson, an English physicianfor the first history of this malady. That skilful anatomist and accurateobserver published an account of the rickets, wherein he shewed howthe viscera of such, as had died of that disorder were affected. Thiswas the more acceptable to the medical philosophers of that day, as the