their peculiar virtues and being easy to the feet: this done, half a tea-spoonful of the oxymel of squills may be given in a little hyssop tea, sweetened with honey; and if the infant is relaxed in its bowels, or subject to griping, six or ten drops (according to the age of the child) of elixir paregoric may be added: the mother or nurse should drink, when going to bed, a bowl of catmint tea, or any other cooling herb she may prefer. If the child should not be apparently better the next morning, the bathing, drafts and squills may be repeated: this, with great care to keep it from the cold, and that all its clothes are perfectly dry, will generally alleviate the complaint; but should the fever continue, the

drafts are very excellent for young children, because they are very easy to the feet, are easily renewed by dipping the papers anew, and are very powerful in their effects upon the system. Dr. Sydenham assures us "that among all the substances which occasion a derivation or revulsion from the head, none operates more powerfully than garlic applied to the soles of the feet." Hence the good effect in febrile affections, especially in this complaint. I have however found them equally efficacious for older children when afflicted with worm complaints. H*

first step is to give a dose of this tea, and I am pretty sure if there is any peccant humour lurking in the blood, it will then make its appearance on the surface.

It may not be improper to mention here that whenever honey is used medicinally, it should previously be boiled and skimmed, as otherwise it is very apt to occasion acute pains in the bowels, and to some constitutions is almost a poison. I would therefore suggest the propriety of always boiling it before it is put up for medicinal purposes, as we are frequently called to use it in haste, when it may be impossible to attend to this precaution.

On cutting the Tongue.

THIS is an operation so simple and so easily executed that no mother need to hesitate a moment about performing it herself, as I have done for several of my children with perfect safety and success; by taking a pair of very sharp scissors and holding them between her fingers very near the

points, so as to preclude the possibility of cutting more than the very outward edge of the string that confines the tongue, and thus avoid all danger of cutting too far, or wounding any of the veins beneath the tongue; from which it is said infants have sometimes bled to death. Another danger arising from this operation is said to be suffocation, from the child's swallowing the point of its tongue and which is owing to cutting too much of the string or bridle; but I can truly say that although there may be danger of one or both these dreadful consequences, yet I verily believe any judicious mother may perform the operation without the least apprehension, provided she feels sufficient resolution: otherwise she had better employ some professional gentleman to do it. My babe, who is now in arms, had his tongue tied to the very end, so that whenever he cried or attempted to lift his tongue it was drawn into the form of a heart. As soon as I was able to attend to him, I seized an opportunity when he was asleep on my lap; and, gently placing the fingers of my left hand under the tongue, I took a

pair of nice scissors, and in the manner above directed with ease severed so much of the string as allowed him to suck with freedom, and the babe never awoke or appeared to feel it in the least but I soon found the operation was not complete enough to permit the tongue to move as it ought to do; and when he was two months old, fearful lest it might cause some impediment in his speech, I cut the string a little more, and although the child was then awake, he never showed the least uneasiness by which I could suppose it caused him any pain; but smiled the whole time. His tongue bled a very little and ever since has appear. ed perfectly free

:

SECTION V.

On the great utility of alternate exercise and rest, with observations on the pernicious practice of taking infants out of bed during the night when in health.

Say who is he, so debonair

With active limbs, and sportive air,
With step elastic, bounding, there

In frolic gambols sporting?

'Tis Exercise; and by his side

See Health, his constant blooming bride,

In all the flush of rosy pride

Delighted with his courting.

And now upon the violet bed

He droops fatigued his weary head,

In gayest dreams illusive. led,

His daily toil renewing,

Refreshed by sleep, at early dawn

Again he frolics o'er the lawn,

And gathers roses to adorn

The bride he's ever wooing.

AFTER all that has been said concerning the management of infants in sickness or in