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time occupied in this class of work has increased considerably since
1898, owing to the frequency with which main drains serving houses
belonging to various owners require repair, and the intricate points
involved in many such cases lead to unavoidable delay in the execution
of the work. During the last year the worst districts of the Borough
have had the advantage of the visits made by the two Health Visitors,
who were appointed for the purpose of instructing and aiding the poorer
inhabitants in the care and management of their houses. I give below
one of the leaflets they have left as occasion required:—
The Management of Children.
1. Eyes.—The first thing to be done on the birth of a baby is to
gently wash the eyelids. If a baby's eyes run with matter and look
red a few days after birth, take it at once to a doctor. Delay is
dangerous, and one or both eyes may be destroyed if not treated
immediately. The discharge is infectious.
2. Washing Baby.—Give baby a bath night and morning, using
tepid water and a little soap. If accustomed to it from the first, even
the youngest child will enjoy it. This, with care in changing clothes
and sponging and washing gently with flannel, will promote general
health and prevent "scalding."
3. Dressing Baby.—The clothing should be warm and fit easily
with flannel next the skin. Tight bandaging, with the notion of
"supporting" the body, is not only unnecessary but hurtful. Warmth
is essential to an infant, and until children are able to run about no
part of the body except the head and hands should be left bare.
4. Feeding Baby.—A newly-born baby should be put to the
breast as soon as it is washed and dressed. This is best for both
mother and child. The milk first supplied by the mother acts as a
laxative, so that castor-oil is unnecessary.
Should the mother have no milk at first, pure cow's milk (mixed
with hot water and sugar as described below) may be given until she
is ready to nurse.