306 THE NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HERB DOCTOR. 
opening between both ventricles of the heart, called the 
foramen ovale (oval opening). This, in the course of nature, 
should close about birth; a failure in doing so causes the 
symptoms, which are, imperfect circulation, blue colour of 
skin, coldness, difficulty of breathing, partial stoppage of the 
pulse, fainting, convulsions, and wasting. 
The treatment :—Medicine can do litttle or nothing for 
this condition; we can only relieve the symptoms and give 
nature every chance and help, hoping for a whole or at least 
a partial closure of thisabnormal opening. If fainting or con- 
vulsions, give a mixture of antispasmodic tincture, half 
drachm ; oil of spearmint, four drops ; shake up, and give two 
drop in about six of soothing syrup; if the bowels are 
confined give more of the soothing syrup, with a few drops 
tincture of mandrake added. 
If a gentle stimulant is required, that is, when the blue 
colour and coldness are the only symptoms, mix tincture of 
ginger, a teaspoonful; oil of cinnamon, four drops ; give two 
or three drops in a little syrup. As a diet the digestive 
food may be given with advantage; keep the child warm and 
comfortable. 
INFANTILE JAUNDICE OR YELLOW GUM. 
This can hardly be called a disease, but its appearance 
two or three days after birth occasions the mother and nurse 
some anxiety. The yellowness of the skin, and possibly the 
unnatural colour on the napkins are its only symptoms. The 
cause is bile in the blood. We would not recommend any 
medicine for the infant; let the mother take two grains of 
co. leptandrum pd. an hour before noon and at 7 p.m. This 
in a few days, will remedy thetrouble. If the yellowness still 
continue give two drops of the tincture of fringe-tree bark three 
times a day to the baby, or let the mother take a teaspoonful 
three times a day. 
DIPHTHERIA. 
This is probably the worst form of disease that attacks the 
young, especially in the colonies. Whole families of children 
