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with a little soap and water each evening, and never allow biscuits to
be eaten in bed or any other food that will leave particles of flour or
starch to remain between the teeth during the night.
clothing.
14.—A young infant should be lightly, but warmly clad in flannel.
Binders are unnecessary after the navel has healed. When the baby
is short coated, the feet and legs should not he left bare. Older
children also should always have tneir arms and legs, as well as their
bodies, warmly clothed with flannel. It is a great mistake to try and
harden infants by letting them expose their arms and legs in cold weather.
cleanliness.
15.—Wash all over in warm water once a day before a fire.
Dry very carefully. If the folds of the skin are red, use some drying
powder such as boracic acid or zinc and starch
Never let a wet napkin remain on for a minute.
fresh air.
16.— The window should be kept open night and day throughout
the year The baby will not "catch cold" or suffer in any way
if properly clothed. Let the baby be in the open air every day when
the weather is fine.
If you are not able to send anyone out with the baby, let it lie
out in a cot or perambulator in the garden.
sleep.
17.—Every infant should sleep in a cot by itself. It is very
dangerous to allow an infant to sleep in the same bed with an older
person. Many children lose their lives every year by being overlaid
by their mothers.
fire.
18 —No child should be left alone within reach of a lamp or
fire. Suitable fireguards can be obtained tor a small cost. Clothes
should not be made of inflammable flannelette.
baby comforters.
19.—Comforters or dummies should not be used. They become
dirty, and thus cause sickness and diarrhœa. Their use also derorms
the mouth, and leads to growth at the back of the nose as the child
grows older. Thumb sucking is also liable to deform the mouth.
eyesight.
20.—The eyes ot a newly born baby should be very carefully
cleansed with clean warm water and a clean rag immedately after
birth. Should any redness of, or discharge from, the eyes come on,
you should immediately seek medical advice, carefully wiping and
washing the eves by squeezing clean warm water from a clean rag
till the doctor comes. The rag should be thrown away after use, and
anew piece used each time. On no account drop milk or anything but
water into the eyes. Affections of the eyes in newly-born infants often
lead to blindness if neglected.