768 PLAIN FACTS 



as many suppose, if indeed it is needed at all, which 

 we very seriously doubt. If applied, it should not be 

 drawn too tight, and should be fastened with tapes in- 

 stead of pins. The best material to use is very soft 

 flannel. When the dressing is completed, the infant 

 should be placed in a warm bed; but its head should 

 not be covered, as it needs an abundance of air. The 

 infant, when thus properly dressed, generally sleeps 

 several hours. When it awakes, it should be applied 

 to the breast. Althought the milk is not yet formed, 

 the efforts of the child to nurse will promote the secre- 

 tion and will also benefit the child, as the first secretion 

 furnished by the breast, a watery fluid known as colos- 

 trum, has a slightly laxative effect upon the bowels 

 of the infant, freeing them from their dark green con- 

 tents, which is termed meconium. 



The Binder.— After the child has been born and 

 its immediate wants attended to, the binder or abdom- 

 inal bandage should be applied to the mother. The 

 binder consists of a double thickness of strong muslin 

 cloth or a large linen towel. It should be applied 

 in such a way as to give the mother the least possible 

 amount of inconvenience in the application. In fas- 

 tening, it should be drawn so as to fit the body snugly 

 and should be pinned from before downward. The 

 bandage is generally applied more tightly than is nec- 

 essary, the serious consequence of which is not infre- 

 quently prolapsus of the womb. In case there is any 

 marked tendency to hemorrhage after the birth, a 

 folded towel should be laid over the womb beneath the 

 bandage. The soiled clothing should next be removed. 

 Tlie patient should be washed, and wiped dry, and a 

 dry, clean sheet with old cloths for absorbing the 

 discharges should be placed beneath the patient. Care 



