These groin-ruptures require great attention and supervision, as the
rupture (the bowel) must, before putting on the truss be cautiously
and thoroughly returned into the belly; and much care should be used
to prevent the chafing and galling of the tender skin of the babe,
which an ill-fitting truss would be sure to occasion. But if care and
skill be bestowed on the case, a perfect cure might in due time be
ensured. The truss must not be discontinued, until a _perfect_ cure be
effected.

Let me strongly urge you to see that my advice is carried out to the
very letter, as a groin-rupture can only be _cured_ in infancy and in
childhood. If it be allowed to ran on, unattended to, until adult age,
he will be obliged to wear a truss _all his life_, which would be a
great annoyance and a perpetual irritation to him.


CLOTHING.

21. _Is it necessary to have a flannel cap in readiness to put on as
soon as the babe is born_?

Sir Charles Locock considers that a flannel cap is _not_ necessary,
and asserts that all his best nurses have long discarded flannel
caps. Sir Charles states that since the discontinuance of flannel caps
infants have not been more liable to inflammation of the eyes. Such
authority is, in my opinion, conclusive. My advice, therefore, to you
is, discontinue by all means the use of flannel caps.

22. _What kind of a belly-band do you recommend--a flannel or a calico
one_?