DISEASES OF CHILDREN, 273 
the simplest way to do it is to thread a darning needle with a 
white cotton crochet thread, pass it through the base of the 
tumour or elevation, tie it on top, cut off the ends, put through 
another thread at right angles, tie in the same way, on the 
top, put in four to six, or aS many as necessary; now put ona 
slippery elm poultice between muslin cloths, renew every six 
hours till the part festers and comes’ off; then dress with 
healing ointment. There is another way which some may 
prefer, as it does not hurt the feelings so much. Get a piece 
of caustic potash in the stick, wrap a paper round it, 
as it melis with the heat of the hand rub it gently on the 
top of the tumour, taking care not to let it get on to the 
surrounding flesh. When the tumour begins to look dis- 
coloured, stop, dry it, then apply a slippery elm poultice as 
before, till the growth has turned into a sore. When it looks 
clean apply the healing ointment. The same treatment 
will do to remove wens and small tumours. Deformities of 
various kinds we might treat upon but we cannot afford space, 
especially as the assistance of a surgeon is almost indispensable, 
at least in severe cases. 
RUPTURE, OR HERNIA. 
Umbilical or navel hernia is the most common form. It 
wfien happens after the part of the cord which is left at 
birth comes away, that a weakness of the skin and muscles 
underneath will allow a part of the intestines to protrude 
This should be attended to at once. A kind of truss must be. 
made to fit over the opening. Geta piece of cork about half 
an inch thick and broad enough to cover and overlap the 
edges half an inch; now cut a hole into it three-eighths 
of an inch to allow for the shape of the navel; pare the edyes 
of the cork on the upper side only; cover it with a piece of 
soft chamois or wash leather; leave the hole depressed, but 
covered to let the navel into it, then fasten it to the belly with 
strips of adhesive plaster, and over all a bandage round the 
body. See that it is kept in its place till it drops off, or you 
may remove it in the course of a week, and if healed, put over 
