270 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
conditions not so easily detected. It is our purpose in these 
pages to help parents and guardians to determine the name 
and nature of the sickness that may be on or coming on their 
children, as well as the most important part of administering 
such medicine as will with the Divine blessing restore them to 
health. In examining young children, who are often refractory, 
we must be patient with them till we have done this part 
of our work thoroughly. First inspect or look over the outside, 
then the tongue’and throat. This is not an easy matter, but 
its importance must be manifest to the reflecting. In the 
absence of a proper tongue depressor, a tea or dessert spoon 
handle will answer the purpose. Take the child to the light, 
hold its head back, put the spoon on the tongue and depress it 
so as to allow you to see into the child's throat, for it is here 
we sometimes finda focus of trouble. The temperature of the 
body is an important point in diagnosis, and if people can 
afford a clinical thermometer it can be easily understood how 
to use it. The sounds in the chest are also an important 
means of indicating trouble. To understand these aright 
requires practice ; it is not, however, so difficult but that 
intelligent people may acquire some practical knowledge of 
healthy and unhealthy sounds heard in the chest. (For in- 
formation on this point see Chest Affections, index.) 
As the health of the child depends so much on the health 
of its mother, especially during its uterine development, it 
will not be improper here to give the rules laid down for her 
guidancein that excellent little book ‘‘ Skelton’s Family Medical 
Adviser.” 
1. Endeavour to obtain as much exercise in the open air 
as you can without fatiguing yourself. 
2. Use good nutritious food, but simple and not too 
much, nor late suppers. 
3. Use no alcholic drinks, but take toast and water daily 
if thirsty. 
4. Take no mineral drugs, nor indeed vegetable physic 
either if you can do without it. 
