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23
The average attendance has been 21 mothers, the total number
of attendances 3,175. The average gain in weight of the babies
under observation has been about 5 oz. per week—some have
exceeded this, others have been much less.
If the child is not thriving, as evidenced by its loss of weight,
or insufficient gain, the mother's diet and the child's feeding
are inquired into very carefully, and appropriate advice given.
Model clothes, suitable for the children of poor parents, and
which defer to some of their minor prejudices, are shown on
each occasion and their advantages pointed out. These include :—
Long Clothes.—One gown, long cloth ; 1 gown, long flannel;
3 napkins; 1 vest, with long sleeves, best wool; 1 flannel binder
4 inches wide.
Short Clothes.—One dress, nun's veiling; 1 pinafore, longcloth;
1 flannel petticoat; 1 flannel bodice; 1 flannel drawers;
1 vest, with long sleeves, best wool.
The mothers are shown how to make these garments.
At each meeting questions are asked and answered, and short
lectures given on suitable subjects. A list of some of the lectures
is appended.
1. How to bath and wash the baby.
2. How to dress the baby.
3. The advantages of breast feeding.
4. Artificial feeding.
5. The method and time of weaning.
6. Thrush, its prevention and treatment.
7. The care of the eyes in babies.
8. Baby's toilet and the care of its skin.
9. The last six months of pregnancy—the care of the
mother's health.
10. Premature birth—its prevention.