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always did that, and as she had had seven children, all living, she
thought she knew what was best." The child survived her
mother's rough but well-meant methods.
One child had a sore navel, 84 had sore buttocks, and in 195 the
supply of available napkins was quite insufficient.
It is a matter for much regret that in nearly all the children the
supply of napkins was inadequate.
A mother who has at most only two or three napkins cannot
possibly keep her child even moderately clean, or free from sores.
In this connection it is interesting to note that the use of the
discredited Fuller's earth is declining, and that the employment of
vaseline, or of the more rational starch and zinc oxide powders is
increasing.
Clothing.—Only one child was clothed completely in flannel;
26 children were dressed in wool and cotton; the rest, 173 in
number, were clothed in cotton or flannelette. In 180 cases the
clothing was dirty and fouled, in 197 instances the clothing was
insufficient. Sixty-three of the children were found to be cold and
blanched, 14 were blue with cold, 9 were exposed with little or no
clothing.
It is sad to think that though the dangers and shortcomings of
flannelette have been preached incessantly now for many years,
that the very poor mother still chooses it for her baby's clothes.
Possibly its attractive pink colour and its cheapness may have
some influence with her in fixing this preference. In 119 babies
the binder was too tight, to the great discomfort of the child. In
two instances the babies had too much clothing.
Illustrative Cases.—
1. A baby four months old was found lying on the floor, clad
in a vest only.
2. A baby six months old was placed on the doorstep, clad only
in a pinafore and a flannelette shirt. A very keen cold wind was
blowing.