Produced by Albert R. Mann Library. 2003. Home Economics Archive:
Research, Tradition and History (HEARTH). Ithaca, NY: Albert R. Mann
Library, Cornell University. http://hearth.library.cornell.edu (Version
January 2003).
By Thomas Bull, M.D.
Physician Accoucheur To The Finsbury Midwifery
Institution, And Lecturer On Midwifery,
And On The Diseases Of Women
And Children;
Author Of "Hints To Mothers On The
Management Of Their Health."
1840.
This little book has been written for the young and inexperiencedmother. It is intended to furnish her with that information which theexperience and observation of some years convince the author, youngmothers, almost without any exception, do not possess; and yet, fromignorance of which, the constitution of many an infant has receivedirretrievable injury, and life itself but too frequently fallen asacrifice.
In the first chapters, devoted to the general management of the childin health, the author has endeavoured to teach the young mother, thatthe prevention of disease is her province, not its cure; that to thisobject all her best efforts must be directed; and, moreover, that totamper with medicine, when disease has actually commenced, is to hazardthe life of her offspring.
In the fourth chapter it has been attempted to point out, how thefirst symptoms of disease may be early detected by the parent. Thesubject has been felt to be a difficult one, and to give particulardirections quite out of the question; but it is hoped that thesuggestions thrown out will, in some measure, answer the purposeintended. On the advantage of an early and prompt application ofremedies in the diseases of childhood, generally so active in theirprogress and severe in their character, it is unnecessary to offer anyobservation.
The latter part of the work, consisting of the maternal management ofdisease, the author regards as a subject of high and serious moment.Small as is the attention which has been hitherto paid to it, yet, inthe diseases of infancy and childhood, how invaluable is a careful andjudicious maternal superintendence to give effect to the measuresprescribed by the physician.
The author has endeavoured to arrange the contents of the work in amanner which shall be most easily understood and readily available; andhe now publishes it with the desire to supply, in some degree, adeficiency in this important department of knowledge.
Finsbury Place, June, 1840.
Sect. - Page
I. On the Dietetics of Infancy - 2
1. Maternal Nursing - 3
Plan of Suckling - 3
Deficiency of Milk - 11
The injurious Effects to Mother and Infant of undue and protracted
Suckling - 15
Mothers who ought never to suckle - 20
...