FIC: "Tummy Troubles" (2/?) (Rating: PG-13) for Milk_and_Glass

[febobe]

CHAPTER TWO

Cleaning up Frodo's little bottom took more time than one might have anticipated, but at last the task was done, and Primula returned him to his bed and scrubbed her own hands thoroughly with peppermint soap before turning back to her sick child. Unfastening his little night-shirt, she slipped it off his tiny body and dropped it aside for the laundry-bundle, then tested the water and wrung out a cloth in it before beginning to sponge Frodo down, starting with his forehead and face, moving down to his neck and shoulders, chest and arms.

He didn't even ask what she was doing. That can't be a good sign, she thought anxiously as she kept at her work, pausing only occasionally to supply fresh chamber-pots as needed for fresh attacks of vomiting and diarrhea, cleaning him up (and washing up her hands) after each fit. Still, by the time Drogo returned with Dr. Goldworthy, she had managed to get him bathed and back into a fresh night-shirt and tucked up in bed with a warm quilt.

"So, we seem to have a tummyache, eh?" Dr. Goldworthy bent over the bed, laying aside his walking-stick and black bag, smiling warmly.

Primula hoped against hope that Frodo wouldn't throw up on the doctor.

Little Frodo nodded weakly, eyes wide: Dr. Goldworthy did cut rather an awe-inspiring figure to a small hobbit. "Don't feel good," he complained quietly.

"He has awful vomiting spells," explained Primula, "and terrible diarrhea. His stomach's terribly upset. And he's burning up."

The doctor laid a hand on Frodo's forehead and pursed his lips, nodding sagely. "Indeed he is. Have you given him a sponge-bath?"

"Yes."

"Good, very good." Folding back the covers, he began to press lightly on Frodo's belly, asking questions of the little one as to what might hurt especially and what might not. He drew out a strange tube from his bag and listened to Frodo's belly and chest and back. At last, seeming satisfied, he took a seat by the bed, leaving Primula sitting worriedly on her child's bed, trying to comfort him.

"It's most likely the stomach flu. There's a great deal of it going around here at present; I must have seen eight cases already this week alone. Fortunately, I've taken to carrying a mixture for diarrhea with me. The trick is getting it to stay down, but I'll advise you on that momentarily. Now, once you get the vomiting under control, give him one teasponful of this - " He handed Primula a large corked bottle from his bag. " - every thirty minutes. Don't wake him to take it if he is sleeping peacefully, but if he is wakeful, or overly lethargic, give it. By the time you finish the medicine, the diarrhea will be under control. It shouldn't taste too terrible - there's chamomile tincture, but blackberry brandy too, and ginger and peppermint oils. Shake it well before you give it." He paused. "Now, as for the vomiting. . .we must get that and the fever under control first. Make him some ginger tea and feed that to him on a regular basis - a teaspoonful at fifteen-minute intervals until the vomiting ceases. Then continue to give him a cupful at least three times daily for the fever - more if you like; it won't harm him, though you can accomplish much with peppermint tea as well, should you wish to give that as extra fluid beyond the thrice-daily ginger tea requirement. For the tummyache, warm poultices to the belly are all I can recommend."

Primula nodded. "How long does it last?"

"Usually it passes within a few days - with children, anywhere from one day to three days of this, and then they're back on their feet, begging for treats in the kitchen. Oh! That's another matter. Diet!" He nodded firmly. "While he still has vomiting and diarrhea, you must give him only the teas to drink, and of course the medicine. Children are resilient; as long as he's getting liquids, a few days without actual nourishment won't harm him so long as you make it up afterward, which I know you will. When the vomiting and diarrhea ease, start him on chicken broth and beef-tea laced with mushroom essence. Wait until he has been twenty-four hours without vomiting or diarrhea before venturing solid food. Then ease him back in using gentle foods - toast without butter or jam, plain roast chicken minced into bits for him, mashed potatoes. Nothing in large quantities. Small, frequent feedings, that's the way. Once he has passed a full fortnight without symptoms, you may safely reintroduce all of his favourite foods - and others - and work at gaining back any weight he's lost. I can jot this down if you like."

"Please do." Primula's head was spinning as she cradled Frodo in her lap, the bottle set aside. "I would appreciate that very much."

-to be continued-