service. If a piece of crust be given as a gum-stick, he must, while
biting it, be well watched, or by accident he might loosen a large
piece of it, which might choke him. The pressure of any of these
excites a more rapid absorption of the gum, and thus causes the tooth
to come through more easily and quickly.

65. _Have you any objection to my baby, when he is cutting his teeth,
sucking his thumb_?

Certainly not: the thumb is the best gum-stick in the world:--it is
convenient; it is handy (in every sense of the word): it is of the
right size, and of the proper consistence, neither too hard nor too
soft; there is no danger, as of some artificial gum-sticks, of its
being swallowed, and thus of its choking the child. The sucking of the
thumb causes the salivary glands to pour out their contents, and thus
not only to moisten the dry mouth, but assist the digestion; the
pressure of the thumb eases, while the teeth are "breeding," the pain
and irritation of the gums, and helps, when the teeth are sufficiently
advanced, to bring them through the gums. Sucking of the thumb will
often make a cross infant contended and happy, and will frequently
induce a restless babe to fall into a sweet refreshing sleep. Truly
may the thumb be called a baby's comfort. By all means, then, let your
child suck his thumb whenever he likes, and as long as he chooses to
do so.

There is a charming, bewitching little picture of a babe sucking his
thumb in Kingsley's _Water Babies_, which I heartily commend to your
favourable notice and study.

66. _But if an infant be allowed to suck his thumb, will it not be