What do these two passages have in common? My baby swallowed a marble or something. What should I do?, by Babycenter. com

If your baby swallowed something that's not sharp or otherwise potentially dangerous and it seems to have slid right down to her stomach, she'll probably do just fine on her own, passing the object in her stool and ending up no worse for the experience.

While you wait, keep a close eye on her, and call her doctor if she starts vomiting, drooling, refusing to eat, running a fever, coughing, or wheezing. Also call the doctor if you don't see the object in your baby's diaper in the next couple of days. (One way to check is to put your baby's BM in a strainer and run hot water over it.)

If the object your baby swallowed is sharp (such as a toothpick or needle), metal (a coin), or otherwise dangerous (a button battery), take her to the doctor right away even if she seems fine. Some things need to be removed rather than allowed to pass because they may perforate your baby's esophagus or stomach, leach dangerous substances, or even create a small electrical current.

What will the doctor do?

This will depend on what your baby swallowed and whether it seems to be stuck. The doctor may take an X-ray to find out where the object is.

If the doctor thinks that the object will move safely through your baby's system on its own (as most objects do), he may tell you to keep an eye on your baby and her bowels over the next few days. During this time, he may take additional X-rays to track the progress of the object.

If the object is in your baby's airway or stuck in her esophagus or stomach — or if it's dangerous to wait for the object to pass because it's sharp or otherwise hazardous — the doctor will remove it. Most likely he'll use an endoscope (a long, thin, lighted tool) if the object is in her esophagus or stomach, and if it's in her airway he'll use a similar instrument called a bronchoscope. In some instances, surgery is necessary to remove an object.


Henry King, by Hilaire Belloc

The Chief Defect of Henry King
Was chewing little bits of String.
At last he swallowed some which tied
Itself in ugly Knots inside.

Physicians of the Utmost Fame
Were called at once; but when they came
They answered, as they took their Fees,
"There is no Cure for this Disease.

"Henry will very soon be dead.''
His Parents stood about his Bed
Lamenting his Untimely Death,
When Henry, with his Latest Breath,

Cried, "Oh, my Friends, be warned by me,
That Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch, and Tea
Are all the Human Frame requires...''
With that, the Wretched Child expires.

Question: Discuss how these passages are similar, and discuss the difference in tone of these passages. Use details from the passages to support your ideas.