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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
 
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 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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NURSERY PROBLEMS 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 Dr. LEROY M. YALE 
 
 >*1 
 
 OF i 
 
 •OCT 7 n 
 
 ^ Sf WASH'.* 6 , 
 
 THE CONTEMPORARY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA 
 
 1893 
 
 (tl^Cfuu, ^ 
 
Copyright, i8g3. 
 THE CONTEMPORARY PUBLISHING COMPANY. 
 
•■HE collection of "Nursery Problems" herewith offered 
 to the public is made up of contributions to the columns 
 of Babyhood: the Mother's Nursery Guide. The in- 
 quiries addressed to the medical editor by anxious mothers 
 on a great variety of subjects, with the replies thereto, prov- 
 ed in their printed form so popular a feature of the maga- 
 zine that a careful selection, it was thought, could not fail 
 to interest and benefit a large circle of new readers. The 
 Letters in this volume, it is needless to say, are all genuine, 
 and they will be found to cover a wide range of topics bear- 
 ing upon the welfare of young children. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
 
 Feeding . 
 Milk . . 
 Weaning 
 Diet . . 
 Bleeping 
 Teething 
 
 PAGE. PAGE. 
 
 5 Defects and Blemishes 144 
 
 23 The Teeth .... 
 
 . . . 155 
 
 32 The Eyes .... 
 
 ... 162 
 
 42 The Ears .... 
 
 ... 166 
 
 72 The Hair . . . . 
 
 ... 172 
 
 84 The Feet .... 
 
 ... 176 
 
 Hygiene and Sanitation 91 The Care of the Child . 180 
 
 Constipation 100 The Bath 185 
 
 Digestive Difficulties . 105 Crying 193 
 
 Colds Ill Walking 197 
 
 Whooping Cough. . 116 Questions of Dress . . 201 
 
 Eruptions L19 Traveling 21 1 
 
 Minor Ailments and The Mother 218 
 
 Troubles L27 Miscellaneous. 229 
 
Nursery Problems. 
 
 FEEDING. 
 
 Teaching Baby to Eat. 
 
 My six-months old baby is a large twenty-four pound boy, who 
 has never been sick and is just as healthy and happy as a baby can be. 
 Two teeth are now through without any trouble, and this leads me to 
 suppose the time has arrived for feeding him, as up to the present he 
 has never tasted anything but milk of nature's own providing. There 
 seems as yet to be no lack of this natural supply, but is not the presence 
 of the teeth an indication that he ought now to be taught to eat? If 
 bo, what food ought first to be given him, how often, and in what 
 quantities? By answering the above you will greatly oblige 
 
 Went Virginia. An Anxious Mother. 
 
 ■ P. S. — Ought little babies to drink water — cold water? 
 
 The presence of teeth is not an indication that he ought 
 now to be taught to eat. Inferences from "indications" have 
 to be draw 11 very carefully, or else we shall overlook very 
 evident counter-indications. If the child were taught to 
 take artificial Pood bis two teeth (incisors) would be of little 
 help to him ; lie cannot bite liquid food with them, and he 
 Cannot i-bcw solid food until be gets bis molars. Thiscbild's 
 weight and prompt dentition are evidence, so far as tbey go, 
 of bis health and proper nutrition. The question for yon bo 
 decide is bow much Longer you can properly nourish him 
 
 alone. 'Ibis question you may have l<> refer to your family 
 
 physician. When you have decided this you can begin to 
 teach the child t<> take artificial food as a preparation for 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 complete weaning. Cool water may be given to babies, but 
 not iced water, as a rule. They often are thirsty and nurse 
 only to quench thirst and not hunger. The quantity of 
 water given at one time should be small. 
 
 Small Appetite. 
 
 I would like your opinion of a little boy who has always had a 
 very slender appetite. He will be four years old next June, weighs 
 about 40 pounds, is rather large and tall for his age, and has always 
 seemed a remarkably well child. His looks certainly give evidence 
 of perfect health, his bowels are always in excellent condition, and he 
 is generally active and happy. He goes to bed at six o'clock, and 
 usually sleeps until half-past six or seven the next morning. 
 
 Occasionally lie has eaten two eggs for breakfast with relish, but 
 the occasions are very rare, and after a whole morning's play, or an 
 entire afternoon in the open air, he sits down to a nicely prepared meal 
 with perfect indifference. If diverted by a story, and repeatedly re- 
 minded to take another taste, he will for a while eat mechanically, but 
 sometimes he seems too languid (the languor characterizes no other 
 part of the day) for even this effort, and it becomes necessary to carry 
 the spoon to his mouth. He rarely asks for anything between meals, 
 except occasionally a plain sugar cooky. The only thing which he takes 
 with any regularity is a cup of milk three times a day. The only 
 vegetable he will eat is onion. Oysters, soft custard, bananas and 
 oranges meet with more favor than anything else. Candy he likes, but 
 little is allowed and that of the simplest. His food has been the sub- 
 ject of much thought, and variety has been sought. On the other 
 hand, the experiment has been tried of ignoring his apparent reluctance 
 and allowing him to follow his own inclinations, in which case it has 
 seemed probable that he would dispense with eating. The condition 
 seems to have been born with him, as it certainly does not result from 
 any lack of system in his care. 
 
 A year ago he was examined by a physician and pronounced in 
 good condition. Could rapid growth be a cause, and if so is there rea- 
 son for concern ? D<> you consider it a case for a physician? 
 
 Portland, Me. A New England Mother. 
 
FEEDTXO. 
 
 As the case is recounted there is no clue to a cause of the 
 slender appetite. Children, like adults, vary very much in 
 this particular. It is, however, very unusual to find so 
 persistent and marked an indifference to food. If the cup of 
 milk which he takes three times a day is a large one he gets 
 in that way a good deal of nutriment, so too in soft custard, 
 and it may be that he is not so very much underfed after 
 all. The notable point is the indifference. At all events he 
 has, on what he does eat, much or little, gained enough sus- 
 tenance to grow rapidly, to be "rather tall and large for his 
 age," and to have a good weight also. We should not think 
 that rapid growth would be a cause of want of appetite. It 
 sometimes seems to be the cause of want of strength, at least 
 is associated with it. We do not think it a case for a physi- 
 cian in the sense of thinking him ill. We do think it is, how- 
 ever, in the sense that it is wise whenever a child in any 
 physical way departs from the ordinary standard to have 
 him periodically thoroughly looked over, provided you 
 know any physician Mho will take the time to do it care- 
 fully, and keep a memorandum from time to time. In this 
 way little abnormal tendencies may be recognized and cor- 
 rected if they mean disease, or their true value be put upon 
 them if they are only personal idiosyncrasies. 
 
 Slow Growth. 
 
 My baby is between five and six weeks old. He is small, but 
 seems perfectly well, is notthin, has good color and looks bright, sleeps 
 well, has very little colic, and cries but little. We are obliged to feed 
 him on condensed milk, [t seems to agree with him and satisfies him. 
 1 prepare it by using six tablespoonfuls of boiled water, three of 
 lime-water, one and a hall teaspoonfuls of milk, and a little salt. He 
 
 takes this portion from a cup at intervals of three hours (excepting at 
 night), six limes (luring the twenty-four, making in all about a quart 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 of the prepared milk. Yet he does not grow. He weighs no more 
 now than when one week old (seven pounds). Since two weeks old he 
 has not been fed after ten at night until three or four in the morning. 
 But I cannot say that so far my efforts in this direction have met 
 with success. He is just as apt to wake at one or two o'clock and pro- 
 test most vigorously, as to sleep through. I suppose perseverance will 
 conquer at last, but it seems to take a long time. 
 
 (1) Now, can you suggest to me any reason why my baby does 
 not increase in weight ? 
 
 (2) What is the trouble with the night-feeding? Should I try to 
 make him go still longer without food ? 
 
 I can really think of no reason myself why he should not gain. 
 His food seems to be well digested, he has plenty of fresh air, and in 
 every way that T can think of is well cared for. I am very anxious 
 to rear him intelligently and hygienically. 
 
 Be, Land, Fla. M - V - B - 
 
 (1) As we can understand the case there is no evidence of 
 any fault in health except the failure to grow. The child is 
 still pretty young. It will sometimes happen that when a 
 child is weaned the weight remains unchanged for some 
 weeks, even a month or more, and then suddenly begins to 
 increase. Such cases we have been inclined to explain by the 
 supposition that a certain length of time was required before 
 a child's digestion was equal to the new requirements, if no 
 other reason could be given. We can imagine that such a 
 condition could exist in a child who was artificially fed 
 from the start. It should not be forgotten that growth is 
 usually not a uniform, but a fitful, progression. If the weight 
 is still stationary, we would suggest a food which has been 
 in part already digested. As you are unable to procure 
 fresh milk, perhaps Carnrick's food will be the best for 
 you. For babies as young as yours we think the use of the 
 bottle has advantages arising from the sucking required to 
 obtain the food. 
 
FEEDIXG. 
 
 (2) He does not seem to be fed too frequently at night, 
 and in view of his few weeks of age and faulty nutrition, 
 we should not object to his having for a time the extra meal 
 he asks for. 
 
 Unusual Hunger at Night. 
 
 I am in considerable perplexity, and come to you with my troub- 
 les, feeling assured that you can help me. My little girl is nine 
 months old. When she was five months old I was obliged to supple- 
 ment her natural food ; at seven months I had to wean her entirely. 
 As this chauge had to be made at a season when the thermometer was 
 often in the vicinity of 100°, I hardly dared give her cow's milk, and 
 so fed her for two months partially, and then for two months entirely, 
 on Imperial Granum, prepared with water alone. On this food she 
 throve finely, and from a rather delicate-looking baby became the pic- 
 ture of health. But now that she is beginning to cut teeth a change has 
 come over her general health. Her bowels seem entirely out of order, 
 being first very constipated, and then moving eight or ten times in the 
 twenty-four hours, the movements being all unsatisfactory in quantity, 
 and generally accompanied with pain. I am now giving her cow's 
 milk, as I was advised to change her food on account of her digastive 
 troubles. The bowels, indeed, seem improved, but there is room for 
 more improvement. Although the milk she has is of superior quality 
 and is given to her undiluted, sometimes even enriched with pure 
 cream, it does not seem to satisfy her as the Granum gruel used to do. 
 Whereas for the period between her fifth and ninth month five meals 
 in the twenty-four hours were amply sufficient, and four often all that 
 she would eat, she now demands a sixth, and that in the middle of the 
 night. This new symptom of her waking at night troubles me a good 
 deal. I can't account for it. Her custom since she was perhaps two 
 months old lias been to sleep soundly all night, not waking until the 
 geneva! rising-time. It seems to be hunger that wakens her, for imme- 
 diately on being fed she goes to sleep. Her habits of sleeping during 
 the day are still, as they always have been, good. 
 
 I have written at this length that you might have sufficient data 
 before answering the question of what I am to do about her food. 
 As regards the constipation, I have a honor of physic. As regards 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 the hunger at night, I have a decided objection to its continuance. 
 She ought to sleep from eight to six, as she used to do. 
 3fandan, Dak. Perplexity. 
 
 The sooner you rid yourself of your "horror of physic" 
 the better, if you mean by "physic" the advice of a physi- 
 cian. Your child may or may not need medicinal treatment, 
 but that is a point you can only settle by consulting a phy- 
 sician. So far as we can make out, your baby's restlessness 
 and hunger are due to the same cause — namely, indigestion, 
 and probably intestinal irritation of some sort. She needs 
 a carefully ordered diet. Usually a child of nine months 
 does not take undiluted milk of good quality, and the addi- 
 tion of cream was in the wrong direction, unless water were 
 added also. If food is of easy digestion, any lack of richness 
 can be usually made good by greater quantity, but if it is 
 so rich as to be indigestible its richness is thrown away; any 
 increase in quantity only aggravates the digestive disorder, 
 and, on account of imperfect nutrition, may increase hun- 
 ger. 
 
 As to a diet, beyond this general suggestion we cannot 
 advise, because very many points are lacking in the descrip- 
 tion upon which a physician would depend in choosing the 
 particular method of feeding. 
 
 Dr. Page's Method of Feeding. 
 
 What do you think of Dr. Page's method of giving infants only 
 three meals in twenty-four hours ? 
 
 Meadville, Penn. Auntie. 
 
 For a month or two an infant in health should have food 
 every two or three hours; the intervals should then be grad- 
 ually widened, so that by the time it is six months old it 
 should be able to go four or five hours without food, and 
 
even longer at night, which will make in the twenty-four 
 hours perhaps five meals. A young infant ought not to be 
 subjected to the three meals a day of adult life any more 
 than it should be given the food of adults. It is neverthe- 
 less true that common practice errs in the direction of too 
 frequent feeding. 
 
 A Clear Case of Malnutrition. 
 
 Will you please tell me what course of treatment to pursue with 
 my little girl, three and a half years old, whose case I will describe? 
 Until she was nine months old she was an unusually large child, but 
 after that age for some time her bodily growth was at a standstill, and 
 now at three and a half years she is small for her age and so thin that 
 her ribs are plainly visible. Her food consists of mush and milk for 
 breakfast, meat, vegetables and soup for dinner, and mush and milk 
 or bread and milk, plain pudding and often fruit (stewed) for supper. 
 For the last month I have been giving her maltine with pepsin and pan- 
 creatine at each meal, but if she improves at all it is very slowly. She 
 has been in the habit of taking an afternoon nap, but so often cried so 
 long on being put to bed, that although it evidently does her good when 
 she does take a nap without crying, I have been in doubt whether or 
 not to continue it. 
 
 She is a very irritable child, easily provoked, and has a habit of 
 whining, and everything I use to break the habit has but little effect. 
 I have thought that perhaps her want of flesh and her irritable dispo- 
 sition resulted from indigestion, and used the maltine as a remedy. 
 Will you please tell me if you think she is receiving the proper treat- 
 ment ; if not, what do you advise ? I forgot to mention that her weight 
 is twenty-five pounds. 
 Stockton, Cal. < • . 11 B. 
 
 There is certainly a lack of proper nutrition, and tins is 
 in all probability due toimperfect digestion and assimilation. 
 
 It would not lie wise to prescribe a regimen for you, because 
 llii- can In' much better done by a physician who can 
 see the child; hut we believe that her diet should be 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 made to correspond not with her actual age but with her 
 period of development, which is that of a good deal 
 younger child. The malt preparation is probably useful, 
 and we have no doubt that a preparation of cod-liver oil 
 would be much to her advantage. 
 
 Breaking the "Bottle Habit." 
 
 Will some kind friend tell us how to cure a child of the "bottle 
 habit?" Although nearly four years of age she still clings to her 
 bottle, and if we wish to spend the day or evening out, that bottle has 
 togo along. Is it good for a child of that age to stick to the habit so? 
 We have tried all manner of expedients without avail. 
 Sancelito, Cal. Father. 
 
 We have seen such cases of late use of the bottle. The 
 habit is of no use to the child, perhaps not a positive detri- 
 ment to her digestion, but it is a harm to her morale to be al- 
 lowed to dictate to her parents at her age. We have known 
 instances of the parents waiting until the child was old 
 enough to be shamed out of the habit. But there is one 
 simple way, and only one, of breaking the habit — that is to 
 takeaway the bottle. It will make a trouble for twelve or 
 twenty-four hours, but if the parents do not yield, simply 
 preparing the food and offering it in a glass, at the end of 
 that time it will be taken, sparingly, perhaps, at first, but 
 presently in full quantities. This assumes, of course, that 
 there is no deformity of the mouth, and that the child can 
 drink water. It strengthens the resolve of yielding par- 
 ents to break every bottle in the house before beginning the 
 experiment. It is better not to begin than to yield. 
 
 The Test for Changing to Solid Food. 
 
 My baby is fourteen months old, somewhat delicate, inclined to 
 rickets, with bowels disordered all summer. He was weaned early, 
 
FEEDIXG. 
 
 because my older children showed similar symptoms, and the doctor 
 thought, as I did, it might be partly due to the character of the milk. 
 He was carefuily fed with strained oat-meal and milk, sugar of milk 
 and lime-water added, till hot weather came and diarrhoea appeared, 
 when the physician wished me to change to Mellin's Food, which kept 
 him along till cold weather, when he picked up very rapidly. He has 
 four teeth only. A recent article in the "Mother's Nursery Guide" 
 says, "The appearance of double teeth is the test of changing to solid 
 food." My baby is not likely to have four double teeth before he is 
 twenty months old, which would bring him to another summer — not the 
 time for changes. Then, again, he passes an enormous quantity of water, 
 and keeps himself and his bed sopped, and it adds in no small de- 
 gree to the work of caring for him, especially in the cold weather. 
 This seems tome reason enough for changing to solid or semi-solid food 
 if it could be done without harm to him. I must soon trust him to other 
 and busy hands, and I wish to make the care of him as light as may 
 be, but consistent with his best good. I should add that he takes 
 nearly three pints of food in four meals in the twenty- four hours, and 
 has nothing from six p. m. to seven A. m., though one might suppose 
 he drank quarts. He shows no inclination to walk. 
 
 A Dakota Mother. 
 
 He should still be kept on liquid food, we believe. 
 He takes a small amount of liquid for a child fed on 
 liquid only, and will probably need three pints of 
 milk for a year or two yet for the main part of his daily 
 food, unless he shall have gained a previous power of eating 
 solid food. We think even the inconveniences of bed wetting 
 are light compared with the dangers of putting a child "in- 
 clined to rickets" prematurely on solid food. 
 
 Probable Overfeeding. 
 
 I am an inexperienced mother, and should be very grateful for 
 advice about my baby. Ever since he was born he has vomited a 
 great deal. I gave up nursing him when he was three months old and 
 have tried everything for him, but the vomiting still continues, to an 
 almost unlimited extent. My baby grows steadily nevertheless. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Would you advise rne to keep on trying the different foods until I get 
 something which seems to agree with him, or go back to the sterilized 
 milk with water, a little sugar and lime-water, aud just endure the 
 vomiting? It occurs from the time he has taken his bottle possibly 
 until three hours after. Is it healthful or not? 
 
 New York City. C. 
 
 Vomiting is not healthful. Regurgitation of food, if the 
 amount has been excessive, is not a sign of disease but of a 
 physiological protest on the part of the stomach against 
 such treatment. Just how long you have been trying to get 
 a food to suit does not appear, as the age of the child at the 
 time of writing is not given, and it may be that the child's 
 digestion could be put right promptly by a little medical 
 advice. But on general principles we may say that we do 
 not approve of changing from food to food. The changes are 
 not usually made for any reason except that the present one is 
 not satisfactory. No attempt is made to ascertain why it 
 disagrees, nor if the next would probably be better. If we 
 had to try we should expect better success from a good milk 
 mixture, varying the dilutions as indications arose, than 
 from any series of "foods." 
 
 Evidences of Overfeeding. 
 
 Will you please tell me what to do for a baby that vomits after 
 each nursing ? 
 
 He is six weeks old, is perfectly well, and is growing nicely. He 
 has gained a pound a week, until the past week, in which he gained 
 but a half-pound. He weighs 15 pounds. He sleeps well during the 
 night. After nursing he is uneasy and then vomits the milk just as he 
 swallowed it. When he vomits again, sometime after, the milk is cur- 
 dled. 
 
 His bowels move two or three times in twenty-four hours. There 
 are whey and curds in what he passes. I nurse him about every two 
 or two and a half hours during the day and twice during the night. 
 
FEEDING. 
 
 Ought a healthy child to be nursed so ? I have plenty of milk and am 
 careful as to what I eat. 
 
 Goodenow, HI. T. B. 
 
 In all probability tbe child takes more at one time than 
 his stomach can properly manage. Yon have plenty of milk; 
 the baby has gained at a very unusual rate, showing that he 
 appropriates a good deal of the food. At the same time he 
 shows by his restlessness immediately afterwards that he is 
 uncomfortable, then comes the regurgitation of uncurdled 
 milk, and later, perhaps, a second regurgitation of milk 
 which has been curdled by the proper action of the gastric 
 juice; finally, undigested curds always exist in his bowel 
 discharges. 
 
 The giving of the breast for a shorter time at each nur- 
 sing, and, if your breasts are not uncomfortable, the length- 
 ening of the interval, would be the natural remedy for the 
 state of affairs described. 
 
 Feeding at Night after Weaning. 
 
 My boy is now nine months old, and gets all his nourishment from 
 the breast. I am very particular about my diet; eat oat-meal, milk, 
 eggs, fruit, etc. He is nursed once in three hours, night and day. 
 Shall I feed him in the night, after he is weaned, and if so, how often ? 
 
 N. N. 
 
 If you have not diminished the frequency of nursing 
 before you begin to wean the boy, you will have quite an 
 undertaking before you. For if you have to prepare food 
 even- three bonis, night and day, your sleep will be badly 
 broken, it may be, however, that his frequent demands for 
 food are due to the fact that the breast-milk is now deficient 
 In quantity or quality, so thai heisnol properly fed, and if 
 be gets a full supply of food at one time he may be content 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 for a longer time. Try to alternate the food with the breast; 
 let him take a good bottleful of the food, and then lengthen 
 the interval after it. We fear that your habit of too fre- 
 quent nursing will prevent your cutting him off altogether 
 at night at first, but a child as old as he ought to go at least 
 six hours without food at night. If he is fed at the parents' 
 bed-time he ought to need no food till toward morning. 
 
 Eating Between Meals. 
 
 Will you be so kind as to give your opinion of children eating 
 once between meals — children of the ages of three and seven ? Is it 
 not necessary for their growth and strength ? 
 
 Catskill, X. Y. YOTTKG Mother. 
 
 "Between meals" is an elastic term, and to give our opin- 
 ion any meaning we must premise that we suppose that our 
 correspondent means the meals of adults, which in the 
 country are usually about 7 a. M., 1- M., and *> P. M. These 
 hours make the intervals certainly too long for most children 
 of three years, and probably too long for one of seven. The 
 "between-rneal" food, however, should be just as systemat- 
 ically arranged as any other. While it comes between the 
 meals of the adults, it should be a distinct meal for the 
 child. That is to say, however slight the meal may be, it 
 should be fixed as to time and quantity, these being deter- 
 mined by the hours of the family meals and by the amount 
 the child then eats. The kind of food should also be as care- 
 fully looked t< > as at other meals. Promiscuous and irregular 
 eating should not be allowed. Children often ask for food 
 apparently to fill the gaps between games, or when no better 
 amusement than eating presents itself. And the child's de- 
 mands are often supplied with no greater intelligence; pieces 
 of pie, residual fragments of cake, or ''whatever comes han- 
 
FEEDING. 
 
 dv" iii the pantry are given to it. So far as one can judge, 
 it is more frequently these irregularities than the food taken 
 at meal-times that cause the frequent iudigestions of child- 
 hood. When a child is old enough to have his meals with 
 the adults the "betveen-meals" should be very light; a little 
 milk, a cracker, or a slice of bread and butter is usually 
 enough. Of course different diet is required for a child of 
 three and for oue of seven. 
 
 Ten Months' Digestion. 
 
 Will you kindly tell me if milk, diluted with one-third barley- 
 water, is enough food for a baby ten months old ? She has about 8 
 ounces of food every three and a half hours. 
 
 Also whether bread crusts to chew are good or bad for the diges- 
 tion ? She is greatly troubled with flatulency, and has very hard times 
 with her teeth, having only three at this age. Any advice will be 
 most welcome. 
 Schenectady, N. Y. A. H. 
 
 The mixture of two-thirds of good top milk and one- 
 third barley-water is probably sufficiently nutritious for a 
 child of ten months. If it gets six meals per diem, it will take 
 48 ouuces, of which 32 ounces, or one quart, is milk. Prob- 
 ably this is enough. The bread crust, if only crust, is admis- 
 sible for a child to suck. With only three teeth, your baby 
 cannot really chew; any pieces which she may suck off will 
 probably be digested. 
 
 Excessive Vomiting of Food. 
 I. 
 
 Will you kindly advise me by what means I can stop my 
 baby's excessive vomiting? Old-time aunties and grandmas tell me 
 that all babies vomit, and that nothing is wrong with Baby, but it 
 seems to me if the food is properly digested it should be retained. 
 
18 N URSER Y PR OBLEMS. 
 
 I give uiy baby (nearly three mouths old), every two hours, six 
 tablespoonfuls of barley-water and one teaspoonful of fresh condensed 
 milk. Sometimes she seems satisfied and sometimes she does not, but 
 to increase the quantity of food results in something just short of a de- 
 luge. Of the six tablespoonfuls she retains about one-half. Her hab- 
 its are good, and she seems to thrive, her weight being now twelve 
 pounds. She weighed eight at birth. She goes to sleep every night 
 before eight o'clock, and rarely wakens before 5.30 A. M. She is re- 
 markably vigorous and bright, her skin a healthy color, and is in 
 every respect a model baby aside from the vomiting. 
 
 I have tried Mellin's and Carnrick's foods. Both had the effect 
 of loosening the bowels, which have acted perfectly since she was 
 born until the past three weeks, when there has been a slight con- 
 stipation. I am away from home, and, as I cannot seek the advice 
 of my physician, I turn to you for help. 
 Brooklyn, X. Y. J. S. 11. 
 
 The question presents a child of three months that has 
 gained weight moderately since birth, and seems to be in 
 good health except for excessive regurgitation of food. We 
 are not quite sure if the other foods were likewise vomited. 
 Now, while it is true that all babies may vomit, it is not 
 true that all or even most babies habitually vomit; and 
 when this symptom is persistent, it is usually pretty clear— 
 supposing the child to be in good health — that there is 
 something wrong in the quantity or quality of the food, or 
 that there is some indiscretion, such as want of quiet, with 
 or after the meal. Inasmuch as the total quantity given to 
 your child at a meal does not seem excessive, we have to 
 question whether lengthening the intervals slightly, or 
 change of food would be most likely to correct the ten- 
 dency. The lengthening of the interval is the simplest; this 
 failing, we should be incliued to try peptonized milk. 
 II. 
 
 I come to you for help in the case of my little duughter, aged five 
 months. Let me state first that medical aid has failed thus far to ben- 
 efit her. Being deprived at two weeks of age of her mother's milk, 
 
FEEDING. 19 
 
 the great question was to find some food that she could assimilate. 
 Cow's milk with additions of lime water, Mellin's Food, barley, pep- 
 tonizing powders, etc, came up in distressingly large curds. Con- 
 densed milk was substituted; there was no further trouble from curds, 
 and for several weeks the baby thrived, when suddenly she changed, 
 her stomach seeming to reject every drop of nourishment taken, and 
 her weight decreasing frightfully. My physician then gave her eream 
 and water, not too rich, slightly sweetened with sugar of milk and 
 strengthened with oat-meal water. The little girl is now gaining in 
 strength and length (though there has been no gaining in weight in 
 the past fortnight), weighs 14 pouuds and five ounces, and is the "pict- 
 ure of health ;" she is very contented, and sleeps splendidly. Yet the 
 trouble remains ; she seems to retain almost nothing. Her mother and 
 nurse endeavor to keep her perfecty quiet after each feeding, but with- 
 out avail ; the regurgitation is constant and excessive for certainly an 
 hour after her meal, which consists of ten tablespoonfuls. Can you 
 offer any advice ? 
 
 E. D. H. 
 
 This problem, while much like the preceding one, differs 
 from it in some respects. In the first place, medical aid has 
 been already invoked and apparently freely. We may say 
 frankly that where a physician on the spot has missed the 
 mark, one at a distance is not likely to hit it. But. we 
 offer such suggestions as we can. We note, first of all, what 
 is quite common in vomiting of the regurgitative type, that 
 in spite of the seemingly excessive rejection of food a good 
 deal must be retained, for the child gains in "length and 
 strength," and her weight, 14£ pounds, is not bad for her age, 
 live months. A second point is this: The vomiting at first 
 was marked by the presence of very large curds, which were 
 less when condensed milk was used, and it is so with the 
 cream mixture. Now, it is probable that some difficulty in 
 the digestion ofcaseine is at the bottom of the mischief . The 
 food suggestion by your physician leads us to suppose that 
 such was bis opinion. In such a cawe, if we were convinced 
 that the regurgitation was so great that proper nutrition 
 
20 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 was not obtained, we should make a food free from un- 
 changed caseine for a time, which may be done by diluting 
 and sweetening egg albumen, or we should perhaps make a 
 careful trial of Carnrick 's Food in some quantities. I f it agrees 
 it may be continued for some time. Later — as we have a 
 predilection for milk foods— the change can be made to food 
 prepared with some peptogenic preparation, Fairchild's for 
 instance; but if the child thrives, the change need not be 
 made for months. 
 
 Baby's Temptations at the Table. 
 
 When is a child old enough to sit at the table with its elders and 
 eat of the same fare (with certain restrictions of course; I don't mean 
 to include condiments), for example, hot muffins, plain cake, soups, 
 fish and vegetables of various kinds ? My little girl seems to be get- 
 ting tired of all the very few articles of food which she is allowed. 
 
 A Learner. 
 
 When we have the choice we think that a child would 
 better not be exposed to the temptations of the parents' table 
 untihit is two and a half or three years of age, and we should 
 prefer that it be four years before it is given a general diet as 
 you describe; for instance, ordinarily a muffin is hard of di- 
 gestion to anyone. We know of no use for cake for children 
 of any age, and vegetables vary from some of easy digestion 
 to some that tax the adult stomach. 
 
 Feeding a Premature Child. 
 
 (1) My baby was a little seven-months baby, weighing only four 
 pounds at birth, and now at five months he weighs ten pounds. Has 
 he gained as much as he ought to have done under the circumstances ? 
 
 (2) Since the third month he has been artificially fed, taking ten 
 tablespoonfuls or more at a time of Nestle's food every two hours in 
 
FEEDIXG. 
 
 the daytime and two or three times at night. Is he fed too much and 
 too often ? 
 
 (3) Should he be considered and treated, as regards his food, as a 
 five-months or a three-months-old baby ? 
 
 Chicago, HI. An Inexperienced Mother. 
 
 (1) The gain seems very satisfactory, his weight being 
 two-and-a-half times what it was at birth. 
 
 (2) Probably yon could begin to widen the intervals with 
 advantage. 
 
 (3) It is not easy to say for how long and how much al- 
 lowance should be made for premature birth. We think it 
 safe to make an allowance, gradually diminishing, until the 
 end of a year, and longer if the child is feeble. Your baby 
 at five months, for instance, could be considered a four- 
 months baby, at ten months, as nine-and-a-half. This, of 
 course, is only approximative, and the real guide is the con- 
 dition as to strength, etc., of the particular baby. 
 
 "Sucking Wind." 
 
 Is it possible for a baby to "suck wind" into its stomach from a 
 nursing-bottle? I had always accepted it as an unquestioned fact 
 until, in a recent number of a periodical, I noticed that the idea was 
 ridiculed. Nurses and mothers might be relieved of considerable 
 anxiety in this matter if it could be shown that "sucking wind" is 
 only an "old woman's whim," as alleged by the writer of that article. 
 North Dig/iton, Mass. Alice. 
 
 There is nothing ridiculous in the supposition that a 
 child may "suck wind" from a nursing-bottle improperly 
 managed. Cases of air-swallowing by adults are cited in 
 works on medicine. The celebrated French physiologist 
 Magendie made extended researches on this point. He 
 found thai many persons had the power of swallowing air, 
 and he learned to do it himself, hut gave up the practice 
 
22 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 owing to the distress it caused him. "Wind-sucking" is a 
 familiar enough vice in horses. There is, therefore, nothing 
 ridiculous in supposing that a baby with good sucking power 
 might swallow air. How far infants actually do so is 
 another matter; the distinction between a colic from swal- 
 lowing of air and one from gaseous indigestion can only be 
 made after patient watching of the symptoms. The rule 
 should be: Manage the bottle so that the baby cannot get air 
 from it. 
 
 Combined Nursing and Bottle Feeding. 
 
 Do you think nursing and bottle feeding together at the same 
 meal had for a baby ? 
 
 Clarence, Ontario. H. L. K. "W. 
 
 We do not like it, not so much because of the mixing of 
 the two kinds of nourishment, as because, if the breast is 
 not equal to the total feeding, it ought to have the needed 
 rest. Further, the child contracts a bad habit of wanting 
 the breast with artificial food, and weaning becomes difficult. 
 Still further,it is impossible to know just how much a child 
 is taking when this confused method is employed. 
 
MILK, 
 
 Pure versus Diluted Milk. 
 
 Is it advisable to dilute the milk for a child of two and a half 
 years? It is claimed by my wife that the milk is too rich, and that 
 with a slight admixture of water it agrees better with our boy. 1 
 think that since milk is his principal nourishment he ought to have it 
 pure, and that if rich it is all the better on that account. 
 
 Jeusf.yman. 
 
 The answer depends upon the quality of the milk and 
 the digestive powers of the child. A child of ordinary diges- 
 tive power can take the milk — especially if warmed slightly — 
 of an ordinary cow undiluted. Jersey milk, with an unusual 
 an i on nt of cream, may be too heavy if pure. But it is always 
 safer to err on the side of over-dilution, and to make up the 
 nourishment, if necessary, by increased quantity. 
 
 Oatmeal-Water for Dilution of Milk. 
 
 Will you kindly tell me how oatmeal-water should be prepared ? 
 Chicago, III. G. F. H. 
 
 If you use oatmeal porridge at breakfast you can make 
 oatmeal-water thus : Of the porridge take as much as you 
 can lift with a tablespoon, put it into a quart of cold water 
 and raise to a boil, stirring to prevent burning, and strain. 
 
 If you do not have porridge this receipt will do: Add 
 one t.il.lespoonful of line oatmeal (steam-cooked is prefer- 
 able) to one pint of cold water. Stir well and strain off the 
 
N URS ER Y FROBL EMS. 
 
 water. Boil the water thus strained off until it is reduced 
 to about one-half in quantity. 
 
 The water is used to dilute milk precisely as plain water 
 would be. 
 
 Proper Dilution of Condensed Milk; the Real 
 Use of Lime-Water. 
 
 Nature has deprived me of nourishment for my little one, who 
 is five months old. I have given her Borden's Eagle Brand of con- 
 densed milk, properly diluted with water that has been boiled, with a 
 tiny pinch of salt and a little lime-water added to it. These are the 
 proportions : 6 ounces boiled water, 2 teaspoonfuls of condensed milk, 
 a pinch of salt, 2 teaspoonfuls of lime-water. She takes about this 
 amount every three hours during the day and about half the amount 
 once during the night. She weighed 7 pounds at birth, and now, at 
 five months, weighs 17 pounds and seems very strong. Her only 
 difficulty is constipation, which I have heard is a usual occurrence 
 with bottle-fed babies. 
 
 (1) Would you continue with the condensed milk, when she has 
 gained so much, and seems so well, and I have used nothing else? If 
 not, what do you recommend that is better ? 
 
 (2) Am I using the right proportions for her age, and are 42 
 ounces too much in quantity for twenty-four hours ? 
 
 (3) Do you think any harmful results may occur from using 
 lime-water in every bottle? If so, how often would you use it ? She 
 never has sOur stomach, so I do not need it for that purpose, but I 
 have always thought that it aided in "forming teeth." 
 
 Yortkers. X. Y. M- v - 
 
 (1) When a child is really doing well we do not advise 
 change even if the food is not what it ought to be. Many 
 children, like many adults, have sufficient digestive power 
 to be nourished by imperfect food. In practice— especial- 
 ly in dispensary practice— condensed milk is often the best 
 food that can be obtained, and its deficiency in fat can be 
 made up by using cod-liver oil, and the sugar deficiency, 
 
MILK. 25 
 
 which exists if it is properly diluted, made up by adding 
 sugar. 
 
 (2) This being the ease, it is not easy to say what are 
 correct proportions as regards a food which is admittedly 
 imperfect. Condensed milk which is preserved and canned 
 is inferior to that made by the same makers and sold in 
 many cities from delivery wagons. This last is only a sub- 
 stitute for good, ordinary milk whenever the latter is not 
 to be easily had. We think that you dilute the condensed 
 milk too much for an adequate food ; its high dilution 
 makes it easily digested but not very nutritious. By increas- 
 ing the strength of the mixture somewhat, from time to 
 time, you can increase its nutritive power while you watch 
 the digestion. If you wish to try another kind of food 
 altogether, we would suggest that it be done under the advice 
 of a good physician, who has looked the baby over carefully 
 to see what is lacking in her nutrition. 
 
 (3) No. Lime-water is added to milk really for this 
 reason : to give to it the alkaline reaction which fresh human 
 milk has. Cow's milk as sold is usually acid to the litmus 
 paper, not "sour" in the popular sense. 
 
 Peptonized Milk. 
 
 In the directions for using Fairchild's Peptogenic Milk-Powder 
 I find nowhere a recommendation to boil the milk before mixing it 
 with the powder; is this not often desirable, and advisable in any 
 case ? 
 
 Two methods are described — that of " humanizing " milk fresh for 
 each feeding, and that of making enough for several feedings in ad vance. 
 Is there no difference between the two ? The saving of time and trouble 
 is certainly on the side of the second. 
 
 Is there any harm in the bitter taste which the milk assumes if 
 heated too long or too suddenly ? 
 Neio York. P. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 It is better, especially in hot weather, to boil the milk 
 on receipt, as it prevents or retards changes. 
 
 We prefer the second method— i.e., that of making 
 enough for several meals at one time — because if the prepar- 
 ation occurs every few hours variations of heat and other 
 circumstances are likely to make variation in degree of 
 peptonization. Besides, six minutes seems a long time when 
 the baby is crying for food, and the time is likely to be cut 
 short in consequence. 
 
 In the second method of preparation one manipulation 
 may be saved by putting the mixture into a clean saucepan 
 or pail, which is set into the warm-water pail (115° to 120° 
 P.), and the whole covered with a " cosey " or a blanket, 
 which keeps the heat uniform. The vessel containing the 
 mixture can then be removed at the end of fifteen minutes, 
 and the scalding done in the same vessel, and the food is 
 then put into glass. A preserving-jar with air-tight glass 
 top is a good receptacle for it and easily kept clean. 
 
 It is of great assistance to use an immersion thermometer, 
 which can be had for less than a dollar. 
 
 With regard to the bitter taste we may say : First, it is 
 likely to disgust the infant after a little if it is not very 
 hungry, and it may refuse a part of the meal. Secondly, 
 the amount of caseine in human milk and in cow's milk 
 differs. There are also differences in the two milks about 
 which chemists are not all agreed ; but it is in general ad- 
 mitted that human milk has in it more peptone than cow's 
 milk, and it is believed that partial peptonizing of cow's 
 milk properly diluted approximates it to the character of 
 human milk. But it would be overdoing the matter to 
 entirely peptonize the cow's milk, and practically in health 
 it is doubtful if it is well to feed the child on pure peptones ; 
 a partially peptonized food is probably better in the long 
 
run. In cases of digestive trouble the peptonizing action 
 may be increased. 
 
 One Cow's Milk. 
 
 My physician claims to be a reader of all the best and latest 
 medical journals and to know all that is going on in the medical 
 •world. He claims that only a few physicians favor herd's milk, and 
 that all the weight of authority is on the other side. Can you give me 
 names of eminent men with which to refute this claim ? It is a matter 
 of some consequence to me, as he lays any disturbance of the digestive 
 organs to the use of mixed milk. 
 
 Oberlin. 0. E. R. A. 
 
 If by " herd's milk " you mean the mixed milk of a 
 herd as compared with that of a single cow, we can only say 
 that we cannot recall any one, at least in America, whom 
 we should call an authority, who now clings to the "one 
 cow's milk " theory. Twenty-five years ago we heard it 
 taught. We have taken up such recent books as are lying 
 at band, but find no one in favor of one cow's milk. We 
 mention two authors, because more widely known than the 
 rest, who express their preference for mixed milk. Jacobi 
 (article "Infant Hygiene," in Ziemssen's Cyclopaedia, XVIII, 
 107); Rotch (article "Infant Feeding," in Keating's Cy- 
 clopedia, I, 338). 
 
 Top Milk. 
 
 What is "top milk," and how much water should I use with it 
 for a baby three months old '.' 
 
 8t. Louis, Mo. W. S. S. 
 
 "Toj) milk" is the upper half of milk which lias been 
 allowed l" Stand for a time, say three hours. It should he 
 dipped, nol poured, off from the under milk. For a baby 
 
N URSER Y PR OBL EMS. 
 
 of three months at first add as much water as there is milk 
 gradually diminish the proportion of water. 
 
 Scum on Boiled Milk. 
 
 Will you kindly tell me what part of the milk rises to form the 
 scum on the top when boiled, and whether it should be removed or 
 stirred in before feeding to a child ? 
 
 Newtown, Conn. M. E. B. 
 
 "We do not remember to have ever seen a chemical 
 analysis of this scum, but suppose that it is chiefly the 
 milk albumen and probably some fat mechanically mixed 
 with it by the boiling. Whether it is to be rejected or not 
 is a question of palate. Personally, we throw it out. 
 
 A Warning against Sour Milk. 
 
 Can you tell me what I can do when the milk sours with which I 
 have to feed my eight months-old child ? My milkman comes at 
 night, and on one or two occasions the milk has been sour at the two 
 o'clock meal the next day. What can I give my child as a substitute 
 when this occurs ? It troubles me when I try to think of what I should 
 do in case of not having any milk. The milk I get is usually very 
 good, and the man who brings it says the souring is caused by some 
 cows going dry. Ought such milk to be used? 
 
 Brookline, Mass. C. G. D. 
 
 Under no circumstances should sour milk be given. 
 Duriug hot weather it is better to attend to the preparing of 
 food and sterilizing of milk as soon as the latter is received. 
 In ease of milk souring, if sweet milk cannot be had, we 
 should use condensed milk, or even water gruel, for the day, 
 rather than give any doubtful milk. 
 
MILK. 
 
 The Apparatus for Sterilizing. 
 
 I -wish to try the method of feeding described by Miss Montrose in 
 the " Mother's Nursery Guide," but have so far failed in my efforts to 
 obtain the " patent corks " — none of the druggists here knowing any- 
 thing about them. 
 
 Will you kindly tell me where I can get all the articles necessary 
 for sterilizing milk, viz., thick bottles which will bear boiling, and 
 "patent corks " of rubber and glass exactly to fit them? 
 
 A Learner. 
 
 The best sterilizing apparatus that we yet have seen is 
 that called the " Arnold." The best stopper is simply clean 
 cotton, absorbent cotton being preferable. If for the purpose 
 of transportation a cork is necessary, one can be prepared 
 thus: Get fine corks with as few holes as possible; cut 
 a long wedge-shaped piece out of the side of each reaching not 
 quite to the top of the cork. The corks can be made pure 
 by putting them into the chamber with the bottles while 
 the steam is generated. When a bottle is taken out a 
 cork may be crowded into the mouth until the slit is 
 closed by the compression. Rubber corks of the same pat- 
 tern are sold, and common rubber corks are excellent. They 
 can I »e sterilized, after thorough washing daily. 
 
 Bottles for Sterilizers. 
 
 Are there no larger bottles made for the sterilizer than those that 
 hold seven or eight ounces? I cannot find any in Boston. As my 
 child grows older he needs more milk, and 1 should think larger 
 bottles ought to be had to meet this requirement. 
 
 Brookline, Mass. G. H. P. 
 
 There are nursing bottles made to hold twelve ounces, but 
 very few Children, if any, under a year should have more 
 than ( ighi ounces at ameal. After that age it is better to teach 
 
 the Child to drink from a cup. 
 
NURSER Y PROBLEMS. 
 
 If you wish bottles only for sterilizing you can get them 
 of any size at an apothecary's. Very good strong bottles are 
 those used for bottled soda or beer, which, if kept clean, will 
 do very well for sterilization. 
 
 Keeping Sterilized Milk in Summer. 
 
 Will you kindly tell uie whether you think it necessary to keep 
 sterilized milk on ice during the warm weather? Our summers are 
 quite severe at times, the thermometer registering from 80 to 95 
 degrees in the house. I have never used the sterilized milk before in 
 the warm season, and so I am ignorant as to what I should do. At 
 present, I keep the bottles in as cool and breezy a window as I can 
 find. The milk is thoroughly sterilized, boiling hard 45 minutes, 
 and has never yet disagreed with my nine-months-old baby, who has 
 taken it almost since birth. 
 
 Macon, Ga. L. W. 
 
 Milk which is thoroughly sterilized and thoroughly well 
 corked need not be iced. In fact, so far as its sterility 
 goes, it ought to stand anything so long as the bottles are 
 tight. When milk is only partially sterilized or imperfectly 
 corked, or in any way neglected in the preparation, of course 
 this remark will not hold. 
 
 Does Sterilized Milk Constipate? 
 
 Are there not cases where milk sterilized will produce consti- 
 pation ? 
 
 Minneapolis. A. R. W. 
 
 Yes, practically. That is to say, the milk, having been 
 rendered unirritating by sterilization, no longer stimulates 
 the bowels to the degree that raw milk does, and is constipat- 
 ing in the same sense that white bread is constipating as 
 compared with coarse bread. To speak more accurately, we 
 
MILK. 31 
 
 should say that sterilized milk was not laxative as compared 
 with uncooked milk ; and so some infants become, tempor- 
 arily, at least, more constipated than before. 
 
 A Case where Sterilizing is Unnecessary. 
 
 My boy of eighteen months, who weighs over 26 pounds 
 (without clothing), is still taking sterilized milk with his Mellin's 
 Food, supplemented by a little strained oatmeal and bread and butter. 
 How much longer is it desirable to sterilize the milk ? He has twelve 
 teeth and seems very well. 
 Aurora, X. Y. G. 
 
 If the milk you have is of good quality, we see no reason 
 for sterilizing it any longer. 
 
WEANING. 
 
 Age for Weaning ; First Food ; Learning to Drink 
 Milk. 
 
 My baby boy is eigbt months old. He seems perfectly, healthy, 
 with the exception of being constipated, though that trouble appears 
 to be disappearing gradually. I have nursed him entirely, and 
 thought of doing so until he was a year old. 
 
 (1) Would it be better to wean him at nine or at twelve 
 months ? 
 
 (2) With what would it be best to feed him ? I thought of using 
 sterilized milk, but do not know how much to give him nor how much 
 to dilute it, nor whether to put in lime-water. 
 
 (3) Would it be better to teach him to use a bottle or drink from 
 a cup ? He drinks water from a cup very well now. 
 
 (4) How soon before weaning him entirely would it be best 
 to give him cow's milk to get him accustomed to it. 
 
 Augusta, Me. A Grateful Mother. 
 
 (1) If you have plenty of milk of good quality you may 
 nurse him until twelve months. If not, you may wean at 
 nine months, or at any time thereafter. 
 
 (2) At twelve months he will probably do well on 
 diluted milk, beginning with half water or, still better, bar- 
 ley-water and strengthening the mixture very soon if it 
 agrees with him. The lime-water would be useful but is not 
 necessarily called for. 
 
 (3) To drink from a cup. 
 
 (4) A month probably will give him sufficient prelimin- 
 ary trainiug. 
 
WEANING. 
 
 A Question of Weaning before Summer. 
 
 When should my baby be weaned ? His two older brothers were 
 fall babies, and nursed ten and eleven months ; but this one came in 
 May, is a plump, health}', nine-months-old boy without a tooth to be 
 seen, though there are signs of their speedy coming. 
 
 My supply of milk seems plentiful and nourishing. He eats six 
 times in the twenty-four hours — once in four hours — regularly night 
 and day (is that too often ?) ; and if it is best while he is teething, I 
 can probably keep tolerably strong and nurse him through September, 
 though it is usually quite a tax upon my strength. We shall be in 
 the country during July and August, where good milk from one cow 
 could be obtained. 
 
 Have I explained to you clearly enough, so that you can advise 
 which is safer for my baby ? 
 Elyria, 0. M. D. M. 
 
 It is probable from what you say that Baby already 
 needs more than you can give him. At nine months six 
 nursings in twenty-four hours is rather more frequent than 
 is necessary, but is not excessively so. You cannot, in all 
 probability, carry him on the breast alone until the end of 
 September, and you would better begin to give him some 
 artificial food very soon ; it is quite probable that before June 
 he will have weaned himself. 
 
 Time for Weaning; First Food. 
 
 My baby is nine and a half months old, has two teeth, just through, 
 has always been well, except an attack of tonsilitis which he nursed 
 from me, and has never been fed except from the breast. He is strong, 
 weighs 23 pounds, and will walk beside the chairs or push one across 
 the room. He has been fed on time and not been given patent 
 medicines of any kind. He nurses now only once in four or five 
 hours. 
 
 (1) Do you advise weaning him before warm weather? 
 
34 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 (2) Shall I feed him some milk, diluted with water, one part to 
 three? If so, how many times a day and at what hours? He nurses now 
 at 8 or 9, about 1, 5 and 9, and once or twice through the night, I am 
 sorry to say. 
 Springfield Mass. C. B. 
 
 (1) Yes. 
 
 (2) One part of water to three of milk will probably agree 
 at the age of eleven months, in the case of your child. Give 
 at as regular hours as possible, say at 7 and 10 a.m. and 1, 4 
 and 7 p.m., and a night bottle if necessary. Give food blood- 
 warm, of course. 
 
 Dropping the Night Meal. 
 
 At what age and how can a baby best be weaned nights? If he 
 wakes up and wants the bottle should he be allowed to cry ? 
 
 Providence, R.I. A. E. R. 
 
 At six months usually, by eight months pretty certainly, 
 a child can go from, say, 10 p.m. till early morning, and 
 would better do so. There is only one way to accomplish 
 this. Arrange the day's meals so that the last comes at or 
 about 10 p.m. Then if food is cried for give drink and get 
 the child to sleep without feeding. If it will not go to sleep 
 wait till considerably after its usual time before feeding, 
 and each night make the hour later until your set time is 
 reached. Usually two or three nights at most win the battle. 
 Most of the difficulty comes from the vicious habit of feeding 
 a child whenever it cries, until it comes to feel that it cannot 
 become quiet without the breast or bottle, when over-feeding 
 may be the real cause of the restlessno-. 
 
 Preparing for Weaning-Time. 
 
 My baby is just ten months old. He nurses on waking in the 
 morning, at noon (when he has a nap), at half past six (when he goes 
 
WEAXIXG. 35 
 
 to bed), and on waking in the evening. During the day he takes about 
 a pint of milk and a slice of bread. He will not eat oatmeal. 
 
 (1) What shall I give him when he is weaned in April ? 
 
 (2) And how get him to sleep ? He goes to sleep nursing now. If 
 he rouses in the evening and I go to him, I lie down beside him, and 
 he puts his arms around my neck and goes to sleep. If the nurse has 
 care of him she rocks him, or if his father, he walks with him. Neither 
 of us can get him to sleep in the way the other does. He seems to 
 understand perfectly what is said to him, and obeys " No, no ! " as 
 well as he ever will. I should like to feed him and put him to bed 
 awake. 
 
 (3) TV ill there be any danger of his hurting himself if he cries 
 quite hard at first? 
 
 (4) Can he go from his bed-time till six in the morning without 
 being fed ? 
 
 (5) He is very anxious to walk ; is continually climbing up by 
 chairs and pushing them along. But his right ankle bends in a little 
 sometimes. I find also that it does not feel as large or as strong as the 
 other. What can I do for it ? He weighs twenty-one pounds, has 
 never been sick, but has been constipated several times from my getting 
 overtired or sick. 
 
 New Bedford, Mass. W. 
 
 (1) If he takes a pint of milk daily and a slice of bread 
 he is already well on toward weaning. The best plan will 
 be to begin now to substitute warm milk and water for one 
 nursing, and gradually diminish the times of nursing until 
 he is entirely fed. He is at present too young to live on 
 undiluted milk, and even when he is weaned we think it 
 would be better to have a little water in the milk, if the 
 milkman has not already saved you the trouble of watering 
 it. The bread ought to be thoroughly chewed, not softened 
 in milk and washed down, as the saliva should be 
 thoroughly mixed with the bread to insure its digestion. 
 If he lias no chewing teeth we do not think bread an advan- 
 tage to him. After lie has been weaned his diet should be 
 chiefly milk and cooked cereals. He may then relish even 
 the disliked oatmeal. 
 
N URSER 7 PR OBLEMS. 
 
 (2) The child, having been used to have some accom- 
 paniment to his sleep-going, will, of course, resist any change 
 in his routine. If a child falls asleep on the breast there is 
 no help for it ; but the breast should never be used simply to 
 put it to sleep. When the time of weaning comes you will 
 have to tax your ingenuity and patience to overcome his 
 habit ; but if you carry out the gradual weaning suggested, 
 sucking and sleep will not be so closely associated as hitherto, 
 and the problem will be by so much the easier. 
 
 (3) Probably not. The only danger is in children who 
 have a tendency to rupture. If you are in doubt, have the 
 baby examined by your physician ; but usually a hearty cry 
 is not dangerous, though trying to the listening parent. 
 
 (4) Probably he can if he is not put to bed very early. If 
 he is, give him food at your bed-time. 
 
 (5) Watch the ankle and discourage the standing as much 
 as you can. If he persists, get a shoe with stiff piece in the 
 counter to support the ankle, and if the trouble continues 
 ask medical advice. 
 
 Systematic Weaning. 
 
 I apply to you for advice ia regard to systematically weaning ray 
 baby. She is now ten months old, well and hearty and plump, 
 though having as yet no teeth. She never has been fed at all, nothing 
 except water ever being put into her mouth. A chicken- bone or a crust 
 of bread she often has to play with, but that can hardly be called food. 
 There is still an abundant supply at "Nature's fount," but I would 
 prefer to -wean her as soon as settled cool weather comes. What should 
 she have to begin with, and in what quantities ? 
 Buffalo, N. Y Inexperience. 
 
 Although there are exceptions, a child can usually be 
 successfully weaned with no great difficulty if the mother 
 simply persists in her purpose. The infant, of course, does 
 
not enjoy the change, and the greatest obstacle to the wean- 
 ing is the mother's natural desire to yield to the little one's 
 importunities. As a contrast, it is interesting to study the 
 skill with which the domestic annuals wean their young at 
 the proper time. Iu the weaning the welfare of the child 
 is, of course, the prime consideration, but the mother's com- 
 fort should not be overlooked. For the latter reason, if the 
 supply of milk be still large, the abrupt cessation of nursing 
 may be undesirable, owing to the distressing filling of the 
 breasts. 
 
 It is assumed that the weather is settled and that the 
 child is suffering from no ailment of moment. It will much 
 simplify matters if the mother has a trustworthy assistant 
 who at first can attend to the feeding, as the child will not 
 then be constantly begging for the breast, and, if hungry, 
 will probably take the food prepared for it. The mother 
 should keep out of sight, and, if possible, out of hearing. 
 The food should be given at the usual hours for nursing, and 
 the quantity should be as nearly as possible the same as that 
 taken from the breast. The amount taken from the breast 
 at a nursing is determined by careful weighing of the child 
 just before and just after a suckling. The weight gained in 
 ounces represents practically the same number of fluid 
 ounces of milk taken. If the amount is not known, the 
 bottle may contain at first about a gill, and if it should 
 prove to be not enough more can be prepared for the next 
 time. The food should be freshly made each time and given 
 at blood-heat. The particular kind of food must depend 
 upon circumstances. Where good cow's milk can be had 
 ii should be the hasis of all baby's food. As to what should 
 be mixed with it, different persons naturally differ slightly. 
 Our ow u preference is for barley-water to dilute it and sugar 
 of milk to sweeten it. Usually two-thirds milk and one- 
 third barley-water will do to begin with. As the child 
 
N URSER Y PR OBL EMS. 
 
 grows older and stronger less dilution is necessary, and the 
 change can be gradually made. If the child's digestion is 
 delicate the milk may be peptonized with benefit, and by 
 some of the methods a liquid very closely resembling hu- 
 man milk may be obtained. If, however, a healthy child is 
 old enough to be weaned, this precaution is rarely necessary. 
 The various "foods" have their value chiefly in towns 
 where absolutely good milk is hard to procure, or in excep- 
 tional cases where milk is not borne well. As the child 
 grows older some farinaceous food should be added to its 
 milk; and we think nothing is better suited to general use 
 than barley, properly prepared. 
 
 Partial Weaning at Ten Months. 
 
 I would like to know what is the best dietary for a baby, ten 
 months old, who up to the present time has been nursed solely and is 
 a strong, healthy child, with apparently not an ache or a pain ? He 
 has six teeth, and seems to want to eat when he sees others eating. The 
 nursing is telling on me somewhat, and I fear the child may need 
 something more, he is so active. I shall be deeply indebted if you can 
 tell me of some reliable infant's food to use, or give a dietary suitable 
 for so small a child. I am inexperienced, as this is my first baby, and 
 above all wish to avoid any experiments. 
 Fort Totten, Dak. S. 
 
 With a child of ten months, and with cool weather — 
 which does not favor bowel troubles — coming on, we should 
 not try a "food" at all if good milk can be obtained. He 
 probably would do perfectly well if you began to give him, 
 instead of one of the nursings, cow's milk and water, equal 
 parts, of about the temperature of breast-milk. It need 
 not be sweetened unless you chance to have sugar of milk, in 
 which case a very little may be used. If it is well borne you 
 may at his age quickly diminish the amount of water to 
 one-quarter. Then substitute the milk mixture for two 
 
WEANING. 
 
 nursingp, and soon, and in two or three months he will be 
 fit for complete weaning. Do not let him eat at first, or at 
 most let him suck a hard crust or a piece of roast meat or 
 steak. As far as possible do not let him "see others eating," 
 for if he is at the table he naturally wants, and you are nat- 
 urally tempted to give him, things quite unsuitable for him. 
 
 Dislike for Milk. 
 
 How shall I wean a baby of thirteen months who refuses milk 
 alone or with oatmeal- water ? His four teeth have white spots on 
 them and little pieces crumble off. Would lime-water be good for 
 him? His brother three years old has very poor teeth, caused (I 
 think) by eating at one year by grandma's advice anything on the 
 family table. I wish No. 2 to have better teeth if possible. 
 Paducah, Ky. An Anxious Mother. 
 
 There is no way of weaning a child who does not like to 
 take artificial food except simply to wean him and meet the 
 domestic disturbance which for a time will ensue. As it 
 may lie that the child's dislike is not for food, but simply 
 for milk and its compounds, it might be worth while to try 
 a food that can be made without milk, such, for instance, as 
 Carnrick's. If this is not taken, the best way would be to 
 entrust the child for a few days to some other member of 
 your family — if there is one— who will take entire care of 
 him, while you keep out of sight, so that the child may take 
 food if hungry and not be always tantalized by the sight 
 of you. 
 
 The bad teeth of the other child may be due to the 
 cause assigned, i.t ., unsuitable diet, producing such a state of 
 digestion and nutrition as w ill destroy the soundness of the 
 various tooth structures. But the cause may be further 
 back ; it may have existed at the time the teeth were form- 
 
40 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 ing in the gums. Again, peculiarities of teeth are due to 
 hereditary influences ; the parent's second set may be good, 
 but the first set may have been a counterpart of the child's. 
 We do not suppose that the minute amount of lime in 
 lime-water would have any marked value. It is a useful 
 drug when the stomach is acid or when the stools are loose 
 and sour. 
 
 Giving the Breast to a Child Seventeen Months 
 Old. 
 
 My baby is seventeen-and-a-half months old and has thirteen 
 teeth, having recently cut a stomach-tooth. She has an eye-tooth 
 nearly through and the other stomach-tooth coming. Should I wean 
 her now or wait for these teeth ? She weaned herself once for three 
 weeks, but when that stomach-tooth came she was pretty sick and cried 
 for the breast, and has had it ever since — a month. She seems to be 
 having no trouble with these teeth, and I don't know whether it is be- 
 cause she is nursing or what. If I wean her now she might cry for 
 the breast again when the teeth become painful, as she did before, and 
 I would dislike to deprive her of her only comfort when sick; and still 
 if I wait it may keep me nursing her till June. One doctor says, 
 "Wean her now." Another says, "No/ she needs the nurse very 
 much at such a time." I am anxious for your opinion. 
 
 Cleveland, 0. M. W. C. 
 
 The child ought not to have been put back upon the 
 
 breast, for a breast so old as seventeen months is rarely of 
 much use to the child, except to amuse it. The child proba- 
 bly needs other nourishment. We should much prefer to 
 wean such a child and to give it suitable food. It would, if 
 so fed and given a proper amount of drink, in all probability 
 be just as contented as with the breast. Proper medication 
 will quiet the restlessness of the child better than an over- 
 worked breast. 
 
WEAXIXG. 
 
 Refusing to Take Food. 
 
 I have a little daughter who will soon be one year old, and who 
 weighs but nineteen pounds. All my friends exclaim at her small- 
 ness, and I write to ask if you consider her so much undersized as to 
 cause alarm. She seems perfectly well and fairly plump, only so 
 small. I still nurse her, but fear that, while my milk is sufficient in 
 quantity, it may lack in nutritive properties, so I have tried to feed 
 her, but she absolutely refuses to take anything but the breast. I have 
 tried milk and water, Mellin's Food and preparations of cereals, but 
 cannot get spoon or bottle between her lips. She drinks nicely from a 
 glass when thirsty for water, which isbutseldom. Can you advise me 
 what had better be done to induce her to take food? "Would you 
 starve her to it? It is not that she dislikes any particular kind of food 
 but everything. She fights against medicine, whether liquid or in 
 powders, in the same way, and against water unless very thirsty. I am 
 worried about her size, and would be very glad if she would take food 
 which would increase it. 
 
 A Pekplexed Mamma. 
 
 If nineteen pounds is the actual net weight of the child 
 she is not very small. If her clothing was included in the 
 weighing the real weight is a matter of surmise. At a year 
 old she ought to be weaned, and she will, under the pressure 
 of hunger, take- food. Many children, whether suckled or 
 not, have the same dislike to change that she has, and will 
 insist on being bottle-fed, for instance, until they are three 
 years of age or older. The "absolute refusal" of an infant to 
 take food amounts to little. Absolute patience and insis- 
 tence on the part of the mother are sure to win. The point 
 is therefore to choose a good food — good milk and water is as 
 good as any for a healthy child — and adhere to it unless you 
 have reasons to believe thai LI disagrees. Simple reluctance 
 to lake it is not enough. You will save yourself trouble and 
 anxiety if you can gel some proper person from whom this 
 child will not expect breast-milk to superintend the wean- 
 ing. 
 
DIET. 
 
 Weight and Food at Fourteen Months. 
 
 JIv little boy is just fourteen months old and weighs 25 pounds. 
 
 (1) Is this sufficient weight for his age? Until eight months 
 old he was very delicate, but since then he seems strong, except in 
 muscular power. He can pull himself up to a sitting posture, or roll 
 over and over on the floor, but neither creeps nor stands. His food 
 consists of one quart of milk daily and 2 tablespoonfuls of Eidge's 
 Food, with an egg for dinner. He has only five teeth through, but is 
 cutting three more. Lately he has quite lost his appetite for all the solid 
 food, but will drink as much as allowed. 
 
 (2) Will it be enough nourishment if he takes only milk till his 
 appetite returns? He sleeps very well, rarely waking from 6 p.m. 
 till 6 a.m. 
 
 Norwich, Eng. Ax American Mother. 
 
 (1) Tsverity-five pounds is sufficient weight for fourteen 
 mouths of age, not far from the average. 
 
 (2) The milk will be quite enough in all probability. He 
 has had the egg considerably earlier than we think is judi- 
 cious for most infants of his age. 
 
 Change from a Purely Milk Diet. 
 
 My baby is nearly nine mouths old, and has been fed exclusively 
 on a diet of top milk and water. I take the top third of the milk after 
 letting it stand twenty- four hours, and at present am diluting it with 
 almost half water. The milk is very pure. I do not sterilize it, and it 
 seems to agree perfectly with the baby. 
 
 (1) How soon do you think he will require other food than the 
 milk? 
 
(2) What should be the first food given him ? 
 
 (3) How soon would you advise me to stop using the top third 
 and to give him ordinary milk undiluted ? 
 
 He has never yet tasted anything but milk, and his digestion is 
 very good. But I fear he needs some other nourishment, and do not 
 know what he ought to have first. He is perfectly well, weighs 19 
 pounds (without clothes), and has five bottles during the twenty-four 
 hours, at 6.30, 9, 12, 3 and 6. 
 Norristown, Pa. B. 
 
 (1) He will not really require anything beyond milk 
 until after the summer, but he will need a larger proportion of 
 milk in the preparation. Begin to increase it gradually now. 
 
 (2) The food can be further strengthened by the use of 
 barley-water or oatmeal gruel in place of water, which 
 change may be made directly. How soon he can have any 
 cereal preparation thicker than gruel, and when bread crust 
 and the like, depends upon the development of his teeth. 
 Other things being equal, it is fair to assume that the diges- 
 tive organs are proportionately developed. A child without 
 chewing teeth (molars) can get little good from any solid 
 food. 
 
 (3) Ordinarily, a child of a year or a little more can 
 take pure milk, if given warni. Some need slight dilution 
 for some time longer, and if there is a tendency to throw up 
 curds, or if they are visible iu the movements, we should 
 continue to dilute the milk until the hot weather is past. 
 
 Changing from Lacto-Preparata to Cow's Milk. 
 
 Will you be kind enough to advise me about feeding my baby'.' 
 She is now seven months old and had nothing but breast milk up to 
 four months, but has had since then two bottles of Lacto-Preparata 
 extra in the twenty- four hours. She has been perfectly well and strong, 
 with the exception of a little constipation at times, but shows no signs 
 of teetlnng yet. lam anxious to put her on sterilized cow's milk 
 
44 NUU.SER Y PR OB LEMS. 
 
 soon and would like to know the proportions of milk, cream and water 
 you think desirable at her age, and also if you would approve of 
 strained oatmeal gruel, instead of the cream. 
 Columbus, 0. Ax Anxious Mother. 
 
 If the Laeto-Preparata agrees now we do not see any 
 reason why you may not continue it for a while yet ; but if 
 you prefer to go to cow's milk and oatmeal you can safely do 
 so, and at the age of weaniug cream preparations are not 
 necessary as a rule. If you have your own cow, and can con- 
 trol your own dairy, we do not know that it is necessary to 
 sterilize the milk. 
 
 Cereals Suitable for Baby Diet. 
 
 Could you give to us young mothers the names of cereals suitable 
 for baby diet, and let us know of them under three headings — laxative, 
 neutral and binding ? It would be such a help in governing Baby's 
 bowels by means of the food given, and would widen the number of 
 cereals with which Baby's diet is varied. 
 New York. M. S. 
 
 In our judgment there is not enough difference in the 
 effects of the cereals inordinary use to justify such a classifi- 
 cation. If one is to take every article that is made from 
 cereals, from the finest bolted flour to the coarsest oatmeal or 
 samp (coarsely broken maize), of course such a list could be 
 made. But few of these cereals, however, are suitable for 
 baby diet. Then, the effect of an article of a given name 
 will vary considerably according to the individual prepara- 
 tion. Take hominy, for instance. While occupy inga mid- 
 dle place between samp and farina, it may be nearly as 
 coarse as the one or nearly as fine as the other in different 
 trade samples. In various ways the ordinary preparations 
 are treated (or maltreated) so as to make a trade difference 
 sometimes an actual nutritive one. 
 
DIET. 
 
 Let us take the following table as approximately correct: 
 
 Part per thousand. 
 
 
 
 
 pq 
 
 >> 
 
 o 
 
 
 8 
 
 Albuminous substances. . 
 Starch 
 
 135 
 
 569 
 
 20 
 
 123 
 483 
 
 27 
 
 107 
 555 
 
 15 
 
 90 
 
 503 
 
 40 
 
 26 
 
 79 
 
 637 
 
 48 
 
 13 
 
 51 
 
 823 
 
 Fat 
 
 Salts 
 
 5 
 
 Balls from Graham Flour. 
 
 Could not flour-balls be made from whole wheat flour, or rather 
 from sifted Graham, which would be more laxative and more nutri- 
 tious than if made from white flour ? We buy the whole wheat and 
 have it ground fine, and use a great deal of it in the family. 
 
 Claremont, X. II. R, C. 
 
 They could be made from those flours, but, as the com- 
 position of the white flour is changed by the prolonged boil- 
 ing, similar changes will take place in the Graham flour, and 
 if that part only which will pass through a sieve is to be used, 
 the result would probably be almost indentical with the 
 ordinary flour ball. There is no harm in trying it, how- 
 ever. 
 
 Graham, Oatmeal, and the Various Prepared 
 Cereals. 
 
 (1 ) What do you consider the most wholesome flour of which to 
 make bread '.' What is Graham flour, and what is its value as a food, 
 actual and as compared with other flours ? 
 
 (2) What do you think of oatmeal as an article of food ? What 
 is the most nutritious and palatable preparation of any grain known to 
 you in a form suitable for use, say, on the breakfast-table. 
 
 Quincy, Mass. Father. 
 
X USSER Y PR OB L EMS. 
 
 (1) All things considered, we should regard a very 
 finely ground wheat-meal, the best for bread for "the average 
 man." Theoretically, Graham flour is such a meal; practi- 
 cally, we are inclined to think some parts are removed. As 
 made at bakeries, Graham bread contains bolted flour to 
 dilute the Graham flour. If made at home it becomes a very 
 wholesome and, to many persons, palatable bread. White 
 flour has lost much of the nutrient parts of the grain and is 
 very largely starch. Some persons — those of the "gouty 
 diathesis," for instance — are injuriously affected by a starchy 
 diet ; for such white bread is not very wholesome. 
 
 (2) Oatmeal is very nutritious and, if well cooked, an 
 excellent article of food. In our judgment, however, many 
 persons more than offset its nutritive value by injurious 
 amounts of syrup or sugar eaten upon it. With salt and 
 milk, or cream, it is to most stomachs digestible and, to our 
 taste, delicious. Meal of poor quality or badly cooked is 
 detestable. It and the various forms of cracked or crushed 
 wheat — the trade names are legion— which retain the entire 
 grain, are the most nutritious of grain foods for the breakfast- 
 table. The palatability must be judged by the eater. Occa- 
 sionally oatmeal disagrees, being popularly said to be "heat 
 ing," particularly to persons with a tendency to eruptions. 
 
 Oatmeal Gruel. 
 I. 
 Will you inform me if you consider a thin oatmeal gruel, with a 
 little milk and sugar added, a suitable food for babies ? 
 
 Jacksonville, Fla. E. L. H. 
 
 The age of the baby is not given; but for a child of, say, 
 six months a mixture of half gruel and half boiled milk, 
 with a little sugar and a trifle of salt, is usually easily diges- 
 
DIET. 47 
 
 tible. If, however, there is any tendency to looseness of the 
 bowels, barley-water is to be preferred. 
 
 II. 
 
 I have a girl-baby, eight months old, bottle-fed, who has never 
 been able to digest milk. I have tried milk from six different cows ; 
 have diluted it with water, and have also used it in combination with 
 nearly all the baby- foods, suchasMelliu's, Ridge's, Imperial Granum, 
 etc. I have for several months fed her on oatmeal gruel, made with 
 water only. 
 
 She seems to digest this pretty well, but gains very slowly, 
 weighing at present but eleven and a half pounds, her weight at birth 
 having been seven pounds. She seems pretty well, but cries a great 
 deal, as if she was not satisfied. 
 
 Is it possible for her to gain flesh and strength and become a 
 healthy child on oatmeal gruel alone without milk, or would you 
 advise me to feed milk in some form? Ihave tried usingalittle cream 
 in her gruel, but it makes her more fussy. 
 
 Weymouth, Mass, W. 
 
 Occasionally, but rarely, we have seen children who ap- 
 parently could not digest milk. When it is proved that this 
 is tbe case we must make the best of it. Oatmeal gruel 
 without milk is not very fattening, but it is possible to exist 
 on it, as you have learned. Before abandoning all idea of 
 milk we should make au attempt with cream and whey, re- 
 moving the cream carefully, curdling the skimmed milk 
 with rennet, and putting the clear whey and cream together 
 and using them with the oatmeal gruel. This is something 
 like the "Frankland Artificial Milk," which you will find 
 described in the excellent little book of Dr. Jex-Blake. 
 
 Oatmeal. 
 
 Will you please tell me if oatmeal, soaked and then strained be- 
 fore cooking, is harmful to give a baby a year old ? Does it produce 
 constipation? 
 Minneapolis. A. It. W. 
 
48 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 If you meau that the uncooked oatmeal is to be strained 
 after soaking and the liquid part— little more than oatmeal 
 water — is to be given to the child, it will not do harm; cer- 
 tainly it will not constipate. If you mean to give so much 
 of the meal as can be squeezed or rubbed through a strainer, 
 everything depends upon the coarseness of the strainer. A 
 child of a year cannot digest ordinary oatmeal porridge or 
 anything like it. 
 
 Concerning the Diet of a Delicate Two-Year-old 
 Child. 
 
 Will you inform me if Graham cracker is a good food for a rather 
 delicate child two years of age ? She does not care for bread or any 
 kind of cracker except Graham. She likes oatmeal, but won't touch 
 rice. When about five months old she was very ill with diarrhoea and 
 indigestion. Her life was despaired of for days, and since then she 
 has been delicate. She has only twelve teeth. She does not stand 
 alone, but walks nicely, holding some one's hand. She is very pale, 
 but her flesh is solid and firm. I do not give her meat, as she makes no 
 attempt to chew it. She lives on milk and Graham cracker, besides 
 oatmeal porridge once a day. I put thirty drops "Bush's Bovinine" in 
 her milk three or four times a day; I commenced that quite recently. 
 Now and then I give her mutton-broth or soft-boiled egg for dinner. 
 Can she grow strong on such diet? She is a little baby, and has had 
 Melliu's Food the first year and Imperial Granum the second year until 
 now. Is there any preparation of lime or anything that would increase 
 her strength and hasten her walking? 
 St. John, X. B. K. S. N. 
 
 The Graham cracker, if she can thoroughly chew it, is 
 proper food. All the articles you are now using — namely, 
 milk, porridge, cracker, "Bovinine," broth, egg — are proper, 
 and she can grow strong upon them if she has enough of 
 them and is able to digest fairly. The best lime preparation 
 for your purpose, we think, is the hypophosphite, generally 
 sold in the form of a syrup which also contains other hypo- 
 
DIET. 
 
 phosphites. Several well-known makers — for instance, 
 Fellows (English) and McArthur (American) — have placed 
 very good preparations widely upon the market. 
 
 The Preparation of Barley-Water. 
 
 I want to ask your advice about the kind of food to give my baby 
 who is now ten months and a half old. For the first eight months of 
 his life he was troubled with constipation, and I was obliged to give 
 him an enema nearly every day, but since that time I have not had to 
 resort to this means more than two or three times. He seems well and 
 is the personification of good nature. I shall not wean him for another 
 month or two yet, but would like to know whether you wonld advise 
 sterilized milk or the top-milk plan. If the latter, will you kindly 
 give directions how to prepare the same, also how to prepare barley- 
 water to use with sterilized milk ? I must depend upon a milkman 
 for the milk, and thought on that account the sterilized would be better 
 than the top-milk. My baby retires at about half-past seven and does 
 not nurse more than once between that time and five o'clock the next 
 morning, and sometimes does not waken between those hours. I nurse 
 him every three hours during the day. He weighs 22 pounds and has 
 four teeth. 
 
 How much milk, or milk and barley-water, should he take in 
 twenty-four hours? 
 
 Elizabeth, N. J. F. A. W. 
 
 For a child of a year it is not necessary to prepare milk 
 us for a young infant. Milk diluted with barley-water will 
 (b ) well enough. The milk may be sterilized if there is any 
 doubt of its perfect purity and sweetness or if there is doubt 
 BB t<> its keeping. 
 
 A ^ood receipt for barley-water is this : 
 
 Three tableafioonfuls of pearl barley. 
 
 Three cupfuls of boiling water. 
 
 Just enough salt to take off the "flat" taste. 
 
 Pick over and wash the barley carefully. Cover with 
 cold water and soak four hours. Put the boiling water into 
 
50 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 a farina kettle, stir in the barley without draining, and cook, 
 covered, for an hour and a half. Strain through coarse mus- 
 lin, salt and sweeten slightly, and give when it is cool 
 enough to be drunk with comfort. He will take, if he has 
 an average appetite, three pints of milk and barley-water at 
 a year old and will probably take more soon. The mixture 
 at the beginning may be half-and-half, but presently gradu- 
 ally increase the proportion of milk. 
 
 Barley and Oatmeal Gruel. 
 
 (1) Is not barley gruel with milk more constipating than milk 
 alone with water ? 
 
 (2) Why is it considered better to use barley gruel or oatmeal 
 gruel with the cow's milk for a child with weak digestion ? 
 
 Snoqualmie, Wash. Subscriber. 
 
 (1) Barley gruel does not in our judgment increase the 
 constipating effect, but it is less laxative than oatmeal 
 gruel. 
 
 (2) The salts contained in the gruels are useful, and 
 many believe (while some disbelieve) that the gruels favor 
 the formation of a finer and more digestible curd of milk on 
 the stomach. 
 
 Water for the Baby. 
 
 My baby is three months old, perfectly healthy ; she has never 
 had any water given her except in catnip-tea for colic. My physician 
 says babies ought not to have water until they are eleven or twelve 
 months old ; then it should be boiled. A host of "cousins and aunts" 
 think I am torturing the little one by following his advice. As the 
 idea is entirely new to me, and he is the only one advising the non-use 
 of water, I would much like the opinion of "others in authority." 
 St. Joseph, Mo. W. L. 
 
DIET. 51 
 
 We emphatically believe that babies should have water 
 whenever they -wish it, unless some special illness renders it 
 inadvisable. The best plan is occasionally to offer Baby a 
 drink of cool, not cold water. Water that has been boiled is 
 safer if the water supply is not beyond suspicion. While a 
 baby lives largely on liquid food, it needs, of course, relative- 
 ly a small quantity of water, but on the other hand very 
 many of its demands for the breast or for food are caused by 
 thirst, not hunger, and would be better appeased by simple 
 water. 
 
 Harmfulness of New Bread and Cookies. 
 
 Will you please say a convincing word to mothers against the use 
 of new bread and cookies for the little ones ? I know many a mother, 
 so careful lest her child get wet or "take cold," who yet destroys diges- 
 tion by the use of these two articles of diet ; and by no means is it the 
 uneducated mother alone who thinks, as one said to me, that "fresh 
 bread is good enough for any one. " I suppose that new bread and pies 
 have made us the nation of dyspeptics that we are, more than climate 
 or work. 
 
 Northboro, Mass. E. T. A. 
 
 We doubt if we can say a "convincing word," for we 
 believe the habit of giving children such things comes not 
 from ignorance, but from that lazy amiability which prefers 
 to gratify them at the moment rather than to deny them 
 anything at the cost of some self-denial and perhaps tran- 
 sient trouble. We can hardly imagine intelligent persons 
 really suppose these things good for children, but they 
 simply follow their natural benl and deny the harmfulness 
 of any course they like to pursue. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS 
 
 A Varied Bill of Fare. 
 
 Is it advisable to give a baby almost fourteen months old much fruit? 
 Our baby has been troubled with constipation, and, not wishing to give 
 him medicine, we try to give him such food as will help his trouble. 
 Please suggest some food or simple remedy for that complaint. He 
 takes for breakfast a soft-boiled egg ; in a couple of hours we give him 
 half-an-orange ; for dinner he eats rice either in mutton or beef broth; 
 in the afternoon he gets a baked apple, and for supper oatmeal gruel 
 or potato and milk. He does not care to drink milk, but I have not 
 weaned him at night yet. He is very fond of fruit ; it seems to agree 
 with him, and he has been taking the orange and apple for the past 
 month. We often give him a rare piece of beef to suck or chew, but 
 do not allow him to swallow any, and occasionally he takes bread and 
 milk. Now, have any of the kinds of food mentioned a tendency 
 to add to his trouble ? I have given him corn-starch for a change, but 
 does a child at that age require a change and variety of food ? Is it 
 probable that he would get tired of the same thing for his dinner every 
 day ? Would stewed prunes be good for his complaint? 
 
 Pittsburgh, Pa. B. B. 
 
 Of course fruit must be given with some care to bo 
 young a child. Your baby, however, does not show any 
 sigus of getting too much; at least none are apparent from 
 your account. 
 
 The causes of constipation are various, and a few min- 
 utes' conversation with your own physician after he has 
 seen your little one will give you more information really 
 useful to you than any attempts we could make at a distance. 
 His diet seems to us much more mixed than is needful for a 
 child of his age; probably if the rice, potato, and the corn- 
 starch were omitted, and the oatmeal gruel increased pro- 
 portionately, the constipation would be somewhat relieved. 
 But, we repeat, your family physician would be the better 
 adviser. Probably you overrate the necessity for change and 
 variety of food. It is easy to educate a child into such a 
 state of fussiness, that, to use a country phrase, it is con- 
 stantly "cake-hungry but not bread-hungry.'' If a child is 
 
 
DIET. 53 
 
 really weary of a certain kind of food, you may trust him 
 to show it in an unmistakable manner. 
 
 Flesh-Forming Food. 
 
 Can you give me any information as to the best flesh-forming food 
 for bottle-fed babies? 
 
 Greenwood, Miss. W. P. 
 
 We can only say that the "best food, obtainable every- 
 where, is probably pure milk, properly diluted, to suit the 
 age of the child, with barley-water. If the child is ill it may 
 need special kinds of food. 
 
 Broth. 
 
 Would you give a child a year old mutton or chicken broth once 
 a day, and ought this to be thickened ? If so, with what ? 
 Minneapolis, Minn. A. R. W. 
 
 The broths are quite admissible, with a little rice or bar- 
 ley well cooked in them, but it is not necessary to give them 
 daily. Nor are they absolutely necessary at all. 
 
 Meat-Sucking. 
 
 When is it advisable to give a young child a piece of beef to suck ? 
 Riverside, X. J. E. M. W. 
 
 Unless suckling is unduly prolonged, we see no reason 
 for giving any solid food before weaning. A chicken bone or 
 a chop bone, it being made certain that there are no loose 
 pieces of bone which may be sucked off and swallowed, is 
 sometimes admissible to be chewed upon, more as a substi- 
 tute for u teething-ring than for nutriment. The giving of a 
 
54 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 piece of beef to suck is open to the objection that one cannot 
 know how much or how large pieces of the beef will be swal- 
 lowed; therefore our personal preference is not to give the 
 beef until we are willing it should be eaten. This, of course, 
 is after the first year, and often as late as the middle of the 
 second year. 
 
 A Chicken-Bone. 
 
 My husband and I have just suspended — not finished — a hot dis- 
 cussion as to the propriety of letting our baby, age six months, suck 
 a chicken-bone. He had ten arguments against my one in favor of 
 it, which is that my mother always let her babies do it, and is it likely 
 that if she could see no harm in a nice, well-polished drum-stick, my 
 "John," who knows nothing of the management of infants except from 
 books, has reason on his side? He quotes the "Mother's Nursery 
 Guide" as having said that the food of an infant should be milk, and 
 perhaps cereals, for the first year. I don't call clean chicken-bones 
 "food," and mother says children get lots of comfort out of them. 
 
 Baltimore. Clara S. 
 
 P. S. Baby liked it ! 
 
 Without doubt; and she would have liked still better a 
 cup of chicken-soup, a bit of fat, salt pork, or a stick of 
 candy. If she has no teeth that might disengage a bone- 
 splinter, and there are no adherent bits of gristle or meat- 
 fibre on the "nice, well-polished bone," it might not harm 
 her more than would an ivory ring or stick. Give the pre- 
 ference to the latter when she craves something to rub on 
 her itching gums, for she will not grease frock and hands 
 with it. The desire to put what the old woman used to call 
 " something tasty " into babies' mouths seems to be well- 
 nigh incorrigible with inexperienced mothers. Depend 
 upon it, "John " does not err in objecting to experiments in 
 this direction. In nineteen cases out of twenty they are 
 harmful rather than beneficial, and the twentieth instance 
 is usually a negative advantage — a thing that does neither 
 harm nor good. 
 
DIET. 55 
 
 Mutton Broth in Addition to the Bottle. 
 
 My baby, fifteen months old, is a hearty, healthy child, but is not 
 growing as rapidly as I should like, weighing but nineteen and a half 
 pounds. I give her a bottle — using the gelatine and arrowroot food — 
 when she first wakes, between six and seven, another after her bath 
 about 9.15, another at one, another at five, and one before she goes to 
 bed, about 7.30. Thinking her old enough now for a more varied diet, 
 I have of late been giving her mutton broth with rice in it, but am un- 
 decided ichen to give it. To give it in addition to her bottles — that is, be- 
 tween any two of them — will, lam afraid, do more harm than good 
 by burdening her digestive organs with more work than they can pro- 
 perly attend to, as I think she has already a sufficient number of meals 
 a day. Do you think it would be wise to omit the one o'clock bottle, 
 giving her instead as much mutton or beef broth (she usually takes 
 about three-quarters of a cupful) as she will take ? Is this too rich to 
 give her every day ? How would it be to alternate the broth with oat- 
 meal and milk, etc., or do you advise me to continue the milk diet 
 alone, resting content with good health and happy spirits? 
 Princeton, X. J. J. S. 
 
 If the child has " good health and happy spirits " there 
 is no evident reason for change at all. But you have worked 
 out a very good plan for yourself. If you would like to try 
 the mutton broth it should be given in place of & bottle, and 
 the one o'clock hour is the best one for replacing. Our own 
 preference, however, would be for the oatmeal and milk 
 (gruel) for the noon meal, if it is found to agree with the child. 
 
 Butter and Eggs. 
 
 1 
 
 I have a little motherless girl of two-and-one-half years, and I 
 would very much like to have your views regarding butter and eggs as 
 a regular diet for her. She has had added to her hominy-and-milk a 
 little cream, also a little cream to her milk for breakfast. After the 
 hominy sin- has bad a soft-boiled egg, topping off with bread and but- 
 ter. She has just had a bilious attack, vomiting at intervals for some 
 
N I TRS ERY PROBL EMS. 
 
 hours. She threw off considerable bile. Finally, after a sufficient 
 lapse of time, a mixture of bismuth was given to her, when she went 
 to bed and slept soundly throughout the night, and was "as bright as 
 a button" in the morning, and is all right now. "What I wish to avoid 
 is a repetition of the attack. What, then, is your opinion of butter, in 
 the first place, if given liberally to children, and what do you think of 
 a soft-boiled egg every morning as part of Baby's breakfast ? My lit- 
 tle one has a delicate frame and digestion, but is perfectly well and 
 healthy. 
 
 New York. S. G. 
 
 Butter in moderation is usually advantageous as being 
 an easily assimilated animal fat. But it would seem that you 
 have given it to your little girl without moderation. Thus : 
 she had it in the milk on her hominy ; she had more in the 
 added cream, again in the milk she drank and in the second 
 added cream, and then she "topped off" with more on her 
 bread. Probably, altogether, she got at least as much as a 
 man of strong digestion would take for his breakfast. It 
 does not seem necessary to add cream to good milk — indeed, 
 usually it is injudicious, and a child who uses much good 
 milk does not need additional butter. 
 
 The fresh egg also is usually well borne, and probably 
 will be again if you moderate the amount of fat you give 
 with it. Try hominy, milk, and the egg. If you have 
 trouble then, give the egg on alternate days, limiting the 
 amount of milk at that meal. 
 
 The fact that your little one has a delicate digestion 
 should render you careful, and she may be one of those per- 
 sons (who are not so common as is supposed) with whom 
 eggs do not agree; but before believing this, try the above 
 suggestions. 
 
 II 
 
 (1) Do you advocate the use of soft-boiled eggs for babies a year- 
 and-a-half old? (2) Are they constipating, and (3) could one be 
 given every day if they seemed to agree ? (4) At what age should a 
 
DIET. 57 
 
 child begin to eat butter on bread ? My baby-girl, who is nearly 
 seventeen months old, has never tasted it. Two or three of my friends 
 are in the habit of giving it to still younger children. 
 Brooklyn, X. Y. M. M. 
 
 (1) The egg is permissible, but its use should be watched, 
 to see if it agrees. 
 
 (2) Not usually. 
 
 (3) Yes. 
 
 (4) When its teeth enable it to chew the bread thorough- 
 ly. If the child takes much milk the butter is not necessary, 
 but a small quantity is not harmful. 
 
 Bone-Producing Food. 
 
 Can you recommend any food to be given either with or in place 
 of the condensed milk as a bone-producer? 
 
 New York City. C. S. Y. 
 
 No food is, in our judgment, a "bone producer" except 
 as all properly constituted food that is easily digested is. 
 Foods may be deficient in salts or in nutritive matter, and 
 may not form bone in the same sense that they do not form 
 flesh or blood. But good nutritious food will meet all the 
 demands. 
 
 Potatoes. 
 Kindly tell me what you consider the diet should be of a child of 
 two years, with sixteen teeth, a good digestion, and an extremely good 
 appetite ? Do you think potatoes too starchy for a child of his age? I 
 mean boiled, baked or stewed. My little boy is very fond of them, 
 but my physician told ine that potatoes were something a child should 
 eat but seldom. I had always supposed before that they were nutri- 
 tious and extremely easy to digest. I shall be very much obliged if 
 you will tell me what you think of them as an article of food for 
 children. 
 
 Chicago, III. H. T. S. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 The physician is right about the potato in general. At 
 two years we admit the baked or roasted potato (not boiled 
 or stewed), lightly broken up and salted, not matted down 
 with butter. Put what butter the child needs on his bread. 
 But this potato, even when carefully prepared, we watch as 
 a "suspicious character" to see if it really is well digested. 
 
 A child of two years needs four meals: the first at about 
 7.30; the second at 11 a.m.; the third about 1.30; the fourth, 
 at 5.30 p. m. The first meal should be of milk, bread and but- 
 ter, and perhaps well-cooked oatmeal or wheaten grits ; the 
 second meal, milk and bread; the third, meat (beef, mutton 
 or chicken cut very fine or scraped), broth — or instead baked 
 potato if permitted — and a light dessert, such as a tablespoon- 
 ful of simple custard, boiled or baked, or the rennet curd 
 called "junket" or "slip;" the fourth meal, bread and milk 
 only. 
 
 Tomatoes at Three Years. 
 
 Are nice ripe tomatoes injurious to children three years old? 
 Rhode Island. W. 
 
 We do not think that many children of three would be 
 benefited by the use of tomatoes. Some children seem to 
 have the digestive omnipotence of the ostrich, but the rule 
 is the other way. The acidity of the tomato makes it unde- 
 sirable as a part of the dietary at an age when the bulk of 
 the nutriment must come from milk. 
 
 Amount of Fruit for a Child of Two Years. 
 
 Your judgment would be esteemed a favor in answer to the follow- 
 ing question. Are two oranges and two apples too much fruit for a 
 child two-and-a-half years old to eat in a day? 
 
 New York City. X. X. 
 
DIET. 59 
 
 A categorical answer cannot be given. Two oranges 
 make rather a large helping, but if not very large ones and 
 properly prepared, given as part of a breakfast, or at a fixed 
 time in the morning so as not to spoil the next meal, are 
 probably harmless, unless there is some sign of speedy indi- 
 gestion — i. t . within a day or two. Many children cannot eat 
 them at all safely. Apples are usually to be given cautiously 
 to children so young. It is a fruit that should be well 
 chewed, and little folks are not as a rule good and careful 
 chewers. With some persons they create no disturbance, 
 but with many, especially those with a tendency to flatulent 
 indigestion, they are very hard of digestion. If your child 
 has for a considerable time taken the amount of fruit indi- 
 cated without bad results, we* must assume that it has 
 unusual power for digesting such things. If fruit is given 
 for a laxative purpose, the problem is different; baked apples 
 then become not so much an article of nutrition as a medi- 
 cine. On the average a child of two-and-a-half years should 
 be restricted to say half of a good-sized apple, pared and 
 cored. 
 
 Cocoa. 
 
 Is cocoa a good breakfast drink for young children ? 
 Leaman Place, Pa. A. C. B. 
 
 By cocoa, we understand an unadulterated preparation of 
 the roasted nut of good quality. There are all sorts of prep- 
 arations <n the market, varying from the costly chocolate 
 down t<> the husks or shells, not to mention adulterated or 
 spurious articles. For a young child the addition to milk of 
 a Substance rich in fat and nitrogenous substances— as is 
 really good cocoa— makes a mixture in our judgment usually 
 too rich, nnkss it be understood to be a food and not a 
 
NUBSERT PROBLEMS. 
 
 drink. Chocolate and bread would make a meal, if the 
 power of digesting fat is good. The multitude of prepara- 
 tions of cocoa from which the fat has been more or less 
 removed we do not discuss, as it would require a knowledge 
 of each preparation. 
 
 Honey and Molasses. 
 
 What is your opinion of honey and the ordinary brands of mo- 
 lasses as a part of the dietary of children ? 
 Lake Valley, N. M. A. P. H. 
 
 Honey is a mixture of several sugars and of other things. 
 For some reason it often disagrees, and persons of good 
 digestive power not infrequently suffer violent attacks of 
 indigestion from it. If it agrees it may be used under the 
 same restrictions as other sweets. Concerning molasses our 
 opinion, as an article of food, is the same as concerning 
 sugar. It has the advantage that it may be added to food as 
 a laxative when one is necessary, but it is inferior to some 
 fruits, if they are obtainable. 
 
 Pop-Corn. 
 
 "Will you please say whether pop-corn is good or healthful for 
 children between the ages of three and eight? 
 
 A. S. 
 
 There is a long gap in digestive ability between the years 
 three and eight. Pop-corn eaten at a meal, and well 
 chewed, although not a desirable food, may be borne well by 
 many children of eight. We should not think of giving it 
 to those of three. But there remains the objection that 
 children do not eat pop-corn at meals, but at other times 
 when they should not eat anything. 
 
DIET. 61 
 
 Fruit and Milk. 
 
 How much is there in the popular idea that milk and fruit do not 
 go well together? My little ones are inclined to constipation, so they 
 need all the fruit they can digest ; but they must either go without 
 milk, which is one of their chief articles of diet, or eat the fruit at their 
 meals with their milk, or eat the fruit between meals, which seems to 
 me a bad habit to establish. Which of the three ways is best? 
 Canton, 0. C. W. E. 
 
 The incompatibility varies with different fruits and with 
 different digestions. So far as a general rule can be given, 
 it is this : You know that many fruits — baked apples, 
 peaches, berries — are habitually served with cream, said 
 "cream" being as often as not only top-milk. Very acid or 
 unripe fruits do seem sometimes to disturb the digestion of 
 milk. Ripe, sweet fruits generally do not have this effect, 
 and may be given, if the child is old enough to have fruit, 
 irrespective of milk. One reason, it seems to us, that milk 
 and fruit disagree is this : They are eaten together, and 
 whole berries, perhaps, with tough skins, or unchewed 
 pieces of larger fruit, are washed down and cannot be readily 
 attacked by the digestive juices. We have supposed that 
 the indigestion sometimes following huckleberries and milk, 
 for iustance, was due to this fact, and would not have 
 occurred if the berries had been served dry and the child 
 obliged to chew them well, the milk being swallowed later 
 in the meal, in giving fruit to children the pareut must 
 carefully select for each child what it is to eat, and see that 
 it is properly prepared. Cooked fruit and milk rarely dis- 
 agree — the traditional baked apple and milk, for instance. 
 
 The habit of giving fruit between meals is not bad if the 
 fruit hour is fixed and it is made a meal. This may be on 
 rising -which, when constipation exists, is a very good 
 rime or it may be bet w cen breakfast and the mid-day meal. 
 To young children we prefer not to give uncooked food after 
 the latter meal. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 can 
 
 A Bill of Fare for a Two-Year-Old. 
 
 I am in the greatest distress about preparing meals for my child 
 two years of age. Will you please inform me what articles of food cai 
 be allowed a child of that age, and also what would be proper for din- 
 ner, what for supper and what for breakfast ? She refuses milk-toast, 
 rice and beef broth, and eats so little that I ask you to name some 
 varieties that might tempt her appetite. 
 
 Roxbunj, Mass. C - S " 
 
 We cannot tell you all the things that a child may have 
 at two years of age, but we shall probably best give you the 
 necessary hints by placing before you two dietaries which we 
 have endorsed. The two may be given alternately, or either 
 daily or for longer periods each. 
 No. 1. 
 
 FIRST MEAL — 7.30 A. M. 
 
 Cup of milk. Slice of stale bread or cracker. 
 
 SECOND MEAL — 11 A. M. 
 
 Bread and milk. 
 third meal— 1.30 p. M. (later if the midday nap requires it). 
 
 Thin slice of rare roast beef, mutton, or white meat of 
 chicken, cut very fine, or, better, scraped; roasted potato with 
 "platter gravy." (This may be indigestible for some child- 
 reD , but many eat it without harm.) Dessert spoonful of ice 
 cream (plainest). 
 
 FOURTH MEAL — 5.30 P. M. 
 
 Bread and milk. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 FIRST MEAL. 
 
 Tablespoonful of well-cooked oatmeal or wheaten grits, 
 saucerful of milk, slice of bread and butter. 
 
 SECOND MEAL. 
 
 Bread and milk. 
 
DIET. 63 
 
 THIRD MEAL. 
 
 Beef or chicken broth, cupful, with bread. Small piece 
 of broiled fish or mutton chop. (Exercise great care in choos- 
 ing fish, and in warm weather, except at the sea-side, they 
 are better omitted.) Tablespoonful of plain custard, cup of 
 milk. 
 
 FOURTH MEAL. 
 
 Bread and milk. 
 
 These will suggest to you various modifications applica- 
 ble to your child's case. 
 
 Strawberries at Four Years. 
 
 r would like to know through your columns what you think of 
 strawberries for a child of four years? 
 Randolph, Mass. J. C. 
 
 There is no fruit about which there is so much un- 
 certaiuty as the strawberry, owing to the quite common 
 idiosyncrasy which makes its possessor unable to eat the 
 strawberry (as well as some other things) without severe in- 
 digestion or an attack of hives ( urticaria. ) Nevertheless, if 
 experiment reveals no such peculiarity, we believe straw- 
 berries admissible at the age you mention, provided they are 
 fully ripe and fresh, that they are taken early in the day or 
 at noon, and do not form a part of the same meal as milk. 
 Good berries, ripe enough to eat, need but little if any sugar 
 (how good the old hillside berry was without any!), and 
 taken with a biscuit or a slice of bread, the quantity 
 moderate, make a proper part of the midday meal, or may 
 form l lie forenoon hinrheon usually needed by the four-year- 
 old. 
 
64 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Ripe Water-Melon. 
 
 What do you think of giving, with care, to a child of twenty- eight 
 months ripe water-melon fresh from the garden? The child has his 
 full set of first teeth, and is in perfect health, and, since he appears to 
 crave melon more than any other one article of diet, it is hard to deny 
 him. 
 Dighton, Kans Constant Reader. 
 
 A child with a full set of teeth might digest fresh and 
 fully ripe water-melon "given with care." The teeth, of 
 course, are not needed for eating the melon, hut the posses- 
 sion of a full set suggests a certain degree of maturity of the 
 digestive organs. It should, however, be always given both 
 fully ripe and very fresh and moderately cool, and its effect 
 watched before repetition, because of individual peculiarities 
 about the digestion of apparently harmless articles. 
 
 Figs at Thirty Months. 
 
 May I trespass on your kindness to tell me a little about the value 
 of figs as a diet for babies ? My little girl of two and a half years is 
 so inordinately fond of them that from rising uutil bed-time "pig, pig, 
 please ma," is ever on her lips. Heretofore I have given her one on 
 getting up at 7 a. M., two or three halves during the day, with possi- 
 bly a half on going to bed at 7 p. St., rarely in excess of this. I have 
 now ceased giving her any, as I fancy she seems less bright, and less 
 buoyant; and knowing no cause, think that perhaps the figs may lie 
 at the bottom of the trouble. I buy the best in the market, and am 
 very careful to cut away any portion that is dark of color. 
 
 I have read that if you view a fig — even the newest — through a 
 microscope of medium power, it will b3 seen to be alive with animal- 
 cule life. Is it so ? And if so, is it wise to use them for food ? 
 Minneapolis, Minn. G. B. "W. 
 
 The fig is not very valuable as a diet strictly speaking. 
 It i- an admissible luxury in season and in case of constipa- 
 tion a useful laxative. Our feeling is that fruit should 
 
DIET. 65 
 
 always be given (as, indeed, all other food) at meals only. 
 If you see fit to make a supernumerary meal, it should be at 
 an established hour. The habit of allowing children to eat 
 at irregular times, i. e., between meals, we hold to be dis- 
 tinctly pernicious. As to your little one, if you wish to 
 gratify her liking for figs, we would suggest that they be 
 given at the end of breakfast, aDd at the end of her midday 
 meal, which we suppose is somewhere from noon to 2 p. m., 
 but not at night. 
 
 We do not know whether good figs usually have living 
 organisms recognizable by low powers or not. But even if 
 it be so, we do kuow that the danger of minute organism 
 depends entirely upon their kind. For example, most ice 
 contains bacteria, but disease does not usually result from 
 its moderate use. The fact that in all ages figs have been an 
 acceptable article of diet sufficiently shows their wholesome- 
 ness, for adults at least. 
 
 Oranges for Infants. 
 
 Would you kindly say how many oranges a child eighteen months 
 old may he allowed to eat a day without danger of injuring health? 
 
 How young a child may be safely allowed to have the juice of one 
 orange a day? 
 
 Would three oranges a day have an injurious effect on the quality 
 ot a child's teeth during dentition? 
 Boonton, X. J. C. A. N. 
 
 These questions cannot be answered categorically. No 
 One unacquainted with the child can tell how much of orange 
 oi any other food can be borne by any particular child with- 
 out d.tnger. Ordinarily we do not give oranges as early as 
 eighteen months, and we should suppose that the average 
 child of thai age would have quite enough if it ate one 
 daily. To very young children we know of no reason for 
 
JSTURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 giving oranges at all, except as a laxative, or as an indul- 
 gence just as they are given candy. 
 
 We do not know that any one has ever studied the effect 
 of orange juice on the progress of dentition. But we should 
 not wish to have a child whose diet is— or should be— largely 
 milk, take any such amount of vegetable acid into the 
 stomach at any time while the milk was there. 
 
 Ice Cream. 
 
 Do you consider vanilla ice cream injurious to children abovethree 
 years of age, if given in small quantities and eaten slowly ? 
 Leaman Place, Pa. A Mother. 
 
 To this question an explicit answer cannot be given. In 
 the first place simple ice cream (not the stupendous concoc- 
 tions of the confectioner, but a simple mixture of cream and 
 sugar, with flavor, frozen), in moderate quantity, would seem 
 to be as inoffensive as any sweet that could be devised. But 
 whether or not it is so depends upon several things. First 
 of all the same cream which eaten slowly (small pieces being 
 allowed to melt in the mouth) would be harmless, would 
 help to set up an indigestion if large pieces were allowed to 
 go to the stomach while very cold. 
 
 But in our judgment a great distinction is to be made 
 between those who can and those who cannot eat sweets. 
 We know that there is a very large class of people who can- 
 not safely eat much of certain things (sweets, starchy food, 
 including bread, potatoes and many others seemingly harm- 
 less), without sooner or later suffering for it in some way. 
 This group of persons are called the gouty. They are rela- 
 tively more abundant among the head workers than the 
 hand workers. The offspring of such persons early show 
 this inability to properly dispose of sweets, and to such 
 children even ice cream is not harmless. 
 
DIET. 67 
 
 It is a natural desire to give pleasure to our children in 
 simple gratifications of their palate, aud the rule we give to 
 those asking advice is: See that the ice cream is of the 
 really simple kind; give it in small doses at rare intervals, 
 say at Sunday dinner or some other easily remembered 
 time; watch to see if the next two or three days are as free 
 from indigestion or from fretfulness as other days, and from 
 other evidences of disorder. We speak at length regarding 
 the ice cream because this involves the whole principle of 
 sweet eating. 
 
 A Salt-Embezzler of Three Summers. 
 
 I would like very much to know your opinion in regard to one or 
 two things concerning my little girl, three years old. She is appar- 
 ently healthy, but I am very careful about her diet. I suppose you 
 will think my questions foolish, but I feel ignorant and am anxious to 
 be enlightened. 
 
 She is very fond of common table salt. I am sometimes obliged to 
 punish her to keep her from eating it in great quantities. Is it in- 
 j urious? 
 
 Is sage- tea ever beneficial? Are nuts hurtful? 
 Manson, Iowa. E. A. It. 
 
 Your questions are far from "foolish." A good deal of 
 salt may be eaten without harm except the exciting of 
 thirst. Just what quantity is harmful in any given ease 
 cannot be definitely stated. The best way is to give the 
 child a liberal allowance and not allow her to take it herself. 
 Keep run of the amount and watch for symptoms, and if 
 you find any that you think probably due to the "use of the 
 -ah diminish the quantity. The exact amount meant by 
 "greal quantities," of course, we do not know, hut the taste 
 :ind desires of differeni adults vary greatly, and there is no 
 
 reason why i hose of children should not. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Sage-tea is sometimes of use medicinally. It Mas 
 anciently held in high esteem, but is now chiefly used in 
 d< ►mestic medicine. It makes a good gargle, especially with 
 the addition of alum and honey. It is also useful as a tonic 
 to the stomach when there is flatulence, and sometimes 
 allays nausea. Made weak it is a grateful drink to many 
 persons in fever. 
 
 Nuts are often hurtful by reason of their indigestibility. 
 They should, if possible be kept out of the way of young 
 children. 
 
 Summer Problems. 
 
 [ wish to ask for advice concerning my little boy, who will be a 
 year old next month. He is a small baby, weighing about fourteen 
 pounds, but, as he is plump and well, the light weight causes no alarm, 
 He has two teeth, with the prospect of more very soon, and sleeps well. 
 
 He has taken Mellin's food since five months old. His digestion 
 is good. He has 33 ounces of milk and 4 ounces of water, with seven 
 large tablespoonfuls of Mellin's, in twenty-four hours, having about 
 seven and a half ounces every four hours between 6 a. m. and 6 p. M., 
 and at my bedtime. 
 
 (1) Would you advise giving the same food all summer until cool 
 weather, and, if not, what changes do you advise? 
 
 (2) Will it be necessary to heat the milk during the summer? 
 If so, what coutrivance would be best to take with me to the country 
 for heating purposes? 
 
 (3) Does the presence of Mellin's food render the milk less liable 
 to changes caused by atmospheric conditions, as thunder-storms, etc.? 
 
 (4) When shall I discontinue the 10 p. M. feeding? If advisable, 
 I would prefer to do so before taking him among strangers. 
 
 New York City. s - 
 
 (1) It seems to agree and probably will do B3 through 
 the summer. He may need larger meals. 
 
 (2) It should, we think, be made blood-warm for some 
 time to come. A common oil-stove lamp is most economi- 
 
DIE T. 69 
 
 cal. Alcohol lamps are tidier. Immersing the bottle in a 
 vessel of hot water is a good way, if you have kitchen privi- 
 leges. 
 
 (3) We think not. The electricity in thunderstorms will 
 not affect milk of itself. Certain bacteria are more active 
 (apparently) in weather which favors thunderstorms; but a 
 well-corked bottle of sterilized milk, or any thoroughly 
 sterilized food, will not be affected. 
 
 (4) He will need an evening meal for some time yet, 
 but that meal may be made earlier than it is now given, if 
 you prefer. 
 
 Bananas, Apples, and Oranges. 
 
 Should a healthy boy twenty-two months old eat half a banana at 
 a time, or any banana at all ? And if not, why not? He has been 
 given a quarter of an apple at once and part of an orange, and some- 
 times grapes, with, of course, skins and seeds always removed. These 
 three last fruits he has had for a number of months past. 
 
 West Newton, Mass. G. W. S. 
 
 He should have no banana at all. Only the most ac- 
 complished masticator can do anything with the tenacious 
 pulp. It is palatable, but even for adult use it should be 
 either very thinly sliced or scraped up. In our judgment it 
 is a hazardous experiment to give this fruit to any child 
 who is not at least five years of age. The apple is not ad- 
 visable, but if you scrape the pulp very finely it may be 
 given if constipation demands it; otherwise wait. The 
 orange, carefully divested of seeds and of the fibrous part 
 (best accomplished by cutting theorange across and feeding 
 with a spoon what you wish to give the child), will prob- 
 ably do no harm; tbe grapes, perhaps, are also admissible if 
 carefully prepared, but in hot weather they would better be 
 omitted. A child of the age mentioned should not be 
 allowed to feci itself with fruit. 
 
70 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 The Abuse of Sugar. 
 
 Should sugar be a constant ingredient in the simple food (bread 
 and milk, rice and milk, etc.) given to a child under two years of age? 
 One hears that too much of it causes digestive disturbances. Is it nec- 
 cessary for the child to have any? 
 
 Ithaca, JV. Y. E - 
 
 In our opinion, after a child is old enough to eat rice or 
 bread, sugar is not needed at all. If it can properly 
 digest these articles of food it can, from their starchy con- 
 stituents, manufacture enough sugar for its needs. We 
 think it far better to teach the child to take its bread and 
 milk or rice and milk with a proper seasoning of salt, and 
 without any sugar at all. To add sugar is only to tickle the 
 palate at the risk of the digestion and general health. 
 
 Vegetables. 
 
 (1) Is boiled celery more easily digested than when uncooked? 
 
 (2) Is not the raw tomato easy to digest if given with only a 
 sprinkle of salt? My children enjoy it so, and I had supposed it plainer 
 than when stewed, as the acid seems less strong. 
 
 (3) Are tomatoes, when stewed with milk, suitable for children, 
 about half a cup of milk being used to a pint of cooked tomatoes? 
 
 (4) Do not dried split peas, stewed with butter and salt, contain 
 considerable nutriment ; are they difficult of digestion? 
 
 (5) At what age may beets be given, if well boiled? 
 
 ((3) Ought not a child of eight years to be able to digest a small 
 quantity of parsnips, onions, carrots, etc., at dinner time? Of course 
 only one variety at a meal. 
 
 (7) Is cabbage admissible at this age, and is not raw cabbage, 
 with slat, more easy of digestion than boiled? The child is strong and 
 well. 
 
 Leaman Place, Pa. A. C. B. 
 
 (1) Yes. Uncooked celery is considered not very di- 
 gestible, but in an adult's dietary it forms so small a part of 
 
DIET. 71 
 
 a meal that it counts for little. To a child of three or four 
 a siugle tender slip, uncooked, may be allowed occasionally 
 at the midday meal. 
 
 (2) We do not think the raw tomato as digestible as the 
 cooked. If in any particular case — as of your children — 
 you have found by experiment that the raw fruit does not 
 disagree, there is no reason why it should be refused. 
 
 (3) Not for very young children ordinarily. Children of 
 three-and-a-half to four may take them at midday, the 
 effects being noted in each case and the continuance of their 
 use being governed by these effects. 
 
 i 4 > They contain a good deal of nutriment ; they re- 
 semble the cereals, but have more nitrogen and little fat. 
 If the peas are thoroughly cooked until quite soft they are 
 usually digestible to a child who chews well. 
 
 (5) Beets require so much cooking that we generally do 
 not admit them to the dietary of young children. If very 
 thoroughly cooked and finely cut up, probably at fiveor six 
 years they can be digested. 
 
 (6) Perhaps ; it will depend upon the bringing up, the 
 natural strength aud the peculiarity of the individual's diges- 
 tive powers. The vegetables mentioned, particularly the first 
 aud third, need to be very well cooked ; the tough central core 
 of the carrot and the fibrous structure of tbe parsnip render 
 them difficult of digestion. They all excite flatulence, and 
 are not suited to a delicate stomach. 
 
 (7) Nearly the same remarks are applicable to cabbage. 
 There are many individual peculiarities regarding the cab- 
 bage group, however, and we have noticed that for some the 
 raw cabbage excited less eructation t ban the cooked. Some 
 persons eat cabbage with impunity, others with much dis- 
 tress. Hence, in giving it to a child, each time the results 
 should be noted, such as whether ornol flatulence, belch- 
 big, rising in the throat, etc., occur. 
 
SLEEP. 
 
 Hours of the Baby's Naps. 
 
 How many hours long should a well, hearty baby of three months 
 sleep at night, and at what hour should it retire? Should it take one 
 or two naps during the day, and at what hours should these be? 
 Newport, R. I. J - S - R 
 
 Put to bed not later than 7 P. M. ; earlier if your do- 
 mestic arrangements will admit. As a general rule it is 
 better that Baby be put to sleep before the mother's evening 
 meal, otherwise the latter has to hurry her own eating or 
 keep the baby unsettled too late. A healthy baby of three 
 months sleeps, with interruptions for nursing, practically 
 all the time from tea-time to breakfast-time, the breaks 
 being, the first, say, at parents' bed-time, which we may 
 assume to average about 10.30 or 11 o'clock ; a second at 3 or 
 4 in the morning, and a third which generally precedes the 
 mother's rising hour. Variations of all sorts, of course, 
 occur from this standard, as many babies elect the evening 
 for a "worrying time," aud the mother has to conform to 
 circumstances ; but the schedule given is about what should 
 be aimed at. If the child will sleep longer than four hours 
 at a time it is well to allow it to do so by all means, unless 
 the mother's breasts become overfull. The baby should 
 have at least two day-naps, and if only two are taken the 
 most convenient times for dividing the day will be at about 
 10 a. m. and 2 to 3 p. m. 
 
8 LEE P. 73 
 
 Position for Sleep. 
 
 Dr. Donaldson, in his "Decalogue for the Nursery," says a baby 
 ought always to lie prone, or on its stomach. How can it breathe then 
 — or must its little neck be twisted so that it will lie on the side of its 
 head while the rest of the body is flat? 
 Pennsylvania. A Seekek After Truth. 
 
 In our judgment what is called by physicians the 
 "semi-prone" posture is most natural to babies, as to the 
 inferior animals, i. <?., on the side, but with the back turned 
 a little up. In this position a slight turn of the head makes 
 breathing easy, and the weight of the abdominal organs 
 rather helps than hinders respiration. 
 
 Crying to goto Sleep— Pain of Teeth-Cutting. 
 
 What I'd like to know is the philosophy of a baby crying to go to 
 sleep, and of the pain of teeth-cutting — both natural functions, and in 
 the case of sleep (except in babyhood) nature induces its own result 
 and requires no assistance. 
 
 Xew York. H. S. S. 
 
 Like many others, you seem to think that a process that 
 is physiological is necessarily free from discomfort. Would 
 that it were so! For a physiological process to go on pain- 
 lessly and unconsciously proper surroundings are necessary. 
 A tooth may and often does press its way through the gum 
 without evident distress ; but even in many of these cases 
 the observant attendant recognizes certain motions of the 
 mouth which show that the child is conscious of something, 
 even if it does not cry. The irritation may also make the 
 child more excitable, cither to pleasure or to grief, than usual. 
 But this is in no way peculiar to teething. The whole 
 process of digestion may be attended with discomfort. One 
 child will eat a banana without apparently any effect; the 
 ncxl child has convulsions from eating one. The difference 
 
74 N URSER 7 RR OB L EM*. 
 
 is not in the process, but in the individual power of digestion 
 and susceptibility of the nervous system.. So later in child- 
 hood or adolescence come many derangements — e. g., "grow- 
 ing pains," the developmental discomforts of both sexes. 
 These are all natural processes ; but in order that they may 
 be painless the system must be in an entirely proper physi- 
 ological condition. 
 
 Take sleep again. It is not true that "nature induces 
 iis own result and requires no assistance," except under 
 favorable circumstances. With the man who has health a 
 perfect digestion, enough to do to produce gentle fatigue and 
 not too much, who has no worries and who goes to bed ex- 
 pecting to sleep till the breakfast-bell rings, nature "requires 
 no assistance.'' Let any oneof these requirements be want- 
 ing and see what nature will do. The practical point here 
 is this: Babies "worry" at going to sleep usually from 
 fatigue. They are kept awake until their little strength 
 is exhausted, and their fretting causes the first recog- 
 nition their fatigue receives. It takes time for the nervous 
 system to quiet down. The same is true of older children. 
 The judicious attendant l>. gins to quiet the baby or the older 
 child in advance of fatigue. The baby may be usually lulled 
 to sleep when the time for slumber is approaching ; the 
 older child's play may be interrupted by a quiet story-telling 
 or singing, and sleep comes, if not i romptly, without weep- 
 ing. 
 
 Short Intervals of Sleep. 
 
 What can I do to induce longer intervals of sleep? My baby is 
 six months and a half old and is partly bottle-fed, being nursed only 
 two or three times during the day, but having the breast all night, 
 after one bottleful upon being taken into bed at first waking. I usually 
 manage to get him to sleep before eight o'clock, and sometimes he does 
 
SLEEP. 75 
 
 not wake till ten. After that time he wakes at regular intervals of 
 two hours — seldom longer — all through the night, and demands his 
 "little (?) drink." I have vainly tried to send him off to sleep with- 
 out it. AVith it he is soon asleep again. 
 
 This constant nursing is a great drain, and leaves me very jaded 
 and weary when the night is over. In the day time he goes three 
 hours usually, though the time is sometimes longer and sometimes 
 shorter. 
 
 Collingwood, Ont. C. A. X. 
 
 The trouble is probably partly due to the short iutervals 
 of feeding by day as well as night. He gets breast or bottle 
 on an average about every three hours ; at his age a healthy 
 baby ought to be able to go four hours without distress. 
 The frequency of feeding is, within limits, much a matter of 
 habit with every one, adult or infant. We would suggest 
 increasing tbe amount of food at each feeding, to be followed 
 by a longer interval. In this lengthened interval a larger 
 supply of breast-milk will have accumulated, which will 
 enable him to go longer to the next feeding or nursing, and 
 soon. Thus the habit of a longer interval could be estab- 
 lished, which would be for the night as well as the day. We 
 think you would save yourself by feeding at least once in the 
 night. 
 
 Wakefulness. 
 
 I wish to get some advice as to the hest way to make my bahy 
 sleep evenings. He is nine months old, is apparently perfectly well, is 
 fed regularly five times a day with food which seems to agree with 
 him ; sleeps from about nine to eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and 
 from half past one to three in tin: afternoon ; usually sleeps all night 
 from half past ten or eleven until six or seven in the morning, and is 
 never fed in the night. From the time he was six weeks old he has 
 been put to bed at seven or half-past every night, but has seldom slept 
 through the evening. He generally Bleeps for twenty minutes or half 
 OH hour, and then wakes and cries until 1 go and sit by him. Some- 
 
76 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 times after worrying for nearly an hour, I and I only, can coax him 
 off to sleep, but frequently he stays awake until we all retire. I tried 
 letting him cry every night for over three weeks by the physician's 
 advice, but to no effect, and have also tried warm baths at night with 
 no better success. Nervousness seems to be the cause of his wakeful- 
 ness, although he is never troubled that way during the day. Can 
 you suggest some remedy which will prove effectual '.' 
 
 E. W. P. 
 
 The problem you present is not a rare one, but it is a 
 difficult one. Your child's habits of eatiug seem to be all 
 right. He sleeps about four hours by day and eight to eight 
 and a half hours at night, besides the nap early iu the eve- 
 ning, in all from twelve to thirteen hours per diem. This is 
 of course much less than most children of the age of your 
 child take, and less we think than most such need. 
 
 The cause of the wakefulness in this case is not evident, 
 but we may offer several hints which may lead you to the 
 cause. First, is the child hungry at the time he goes to bed? 
 We presume that he has a meal j ust before he goes to sleep, but 
 this may not be so, aud the interval may be too long before 
 he falls asleep. Second, is he too tired when night comes to 
 go to sleep? Third, is his sleeping place too near the sit- 
 ting room so that the evening bustle, generally attending 
 the home-coming of the father, excites or disturbs him; 
 or fourthly, is he, on the contrary, in a room so dark that he 
 is timid, as many children are in the dark ? And lastly — 
 and this cause we think quite commonly overlooked — does 
 the father smoke in the baby's sleeping room, or a connect- 
 ing room? Sensitive children, aud adults for that matter, 
 are often much affected by air rendered impure in this way. 
 If none of these suggestions help you, you may find, us is 
 sometimes the case, that keeping the child awake a little 
 later than you hitherto have done in the early evening, may 
 insure a sound sleep when he is put down. 
 
The Causes of Restlessness at Night. 
 
 My little 1) y . ■ . ■ _ .rs. is very well apparently 
 
 in every way, bui he has a habit of tossing about in his sleep almost 
 
 allnigi: . . -- I suppose I har r 
 
 twenty :.. . . and if 
 
 - can I remedy it? Is the following dietary a judicious one 
 for a child of my boy 'e s 
 
 Breakfast at 8 j^. M. of oattbdtes and milk, or wheatena ar.d Tnilfc 
 
 l K. beef-juice from J£ lb. of meat, and a crust of bread. 
 Dinner at 1 P. 1L of mutton broth and bread ; chop and baked potato. 
 :. or chicken : baked apple or a peach cut up with sugar. 
 I 5 p. 3i.. milk-toast, or bread and butter and milk. 
 
 This diet seems to agree perfectly, but I cannot see what makes 
 Be goes 1 t7p.M. and sleeps until 7 j.. 
 
 M., being taken up twice during that time to make water. He is out- 
 of-doors abaaost all day. and never has any candy, or anything 
 his meals. 
 
 JYetc York L. R. 
 
 The dieta: -eerus to be entirely proper, and it 
 
 •. rotable that the restk ie to any article of 
 
 food. The ea - are many, and in 
 
 ijldren they are nev c r discovered, and disappear with 
 the lapse of time. But, as is well known, it often exists 
 through life. In such cases much must be set down to indi- 
 vidual peculiarity. Among the recognizable causes are im- 
 mediate indigestion, due to some improper article of food : 
 remoter indig such ; arises from the inability < 
 
 persons t-> \ i rdinarfly proper — for in- 
 
 - - _ r ar. etc. : flatulence, distended blad- 
 ind in fart any alight affection which may 
 give a trirl:: g discomfort which, while not enough t-> dis- 
 turb the litst heavy sleep of the night, makes itself felt after 
 the body is partly rested. We ought to mention the pecu- 
 rickety children, who resent warm 
 it, and usually have perspiring he 
 
78 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 night. Many of these causes you seem to have thought of; 
 the others suggested may put you upon the track of that 
 which is active in your child's case. 
 
 The Fir-Pillow. 
 
 Will you please inform me whether the fir-balsam pillow is really 
 quieting and beneficial to a restless, nervous child? If so, where can 
 it be obtained? 
 
 Canfield, 0. F. M. S. M. 
 
 The fir-pillow is an "aesthetic" fancy much used as a 
 lounge ornament in towns. The odor is very grateful. The 
 emanations of evergreen trees have been sometimes thought 
 to be beneficial to those suffering from pulmonary com- 
 plaints, but their value, as distinguished from that of the 
 surrounding health-giving circumstances, is not proven. It 
 is possible that a nervous child might be pleased with the 
 odor of the pillow, and so quieted, but we do not suppose 
 that it has any real medicinal value. The ancient pillow of 
 hops is quite as efficient. The materials for filling pillows 
 are prepared throughout the fir-bearing regions wherever 
 summer visitors go. The cost is slight. 
 
 The Hammock as a Sleep-Inducer. 
 
 Do you consider hammocks injurious to babies? My baby is 
 nearly five months old, and for four months I have used a hammock 
 for her, getting her asleep in it. It made her sick once, when 1 first 
 got it. "With this exception I have never been able to discover any 
 bad effects from it ; but I have often wondered if it could be harmful 
 in any way. 
 
 Toledo, 0. J. B. M. 
 
SLEEP. 79 
 
 The hammock, if not violently swung, is no more in- 
 jurious than the cradle or the rocking-chair, presupposing 
 that it is a full-sized hammock, which allows the child to lie 
 without being doubled up. The whole question whether 
 any kind of oscillation is worth while as a means of getting 
 a child to sleep we cannot enter upon. Such manoeuvres 
 are not necessary aud, if begun, usually must be continued. 
 The child is not benefited, the mother is taxed. Neverthe- 
 less the pleasure of putting one's baby to sleep in the arms 
 often, if not always, repays the mother for the taxation, at 
 least while it is not too heavy. And in view of the genera- 
 tions of our cradle-rocked and chair-tilted ancestors we can- 
 not say that these rhythmical motions are usually injurious. 
 
 Putting a Baby to Sleep With the Rubber 
 Nipple.— "Magic" Effects of "Sugar- 
 Rags." 
 
 How shall I teach my four-weeks-old girl to go to sleep alone by 
 herself? A friend of mine accustomed her first baby to go to sleep 
 with a rubber nipple in her mouth, which practice she kept up till she 
 was three years old. Does this ever produce sore mouth ? 
 
 Although "sugar-rags" are an abomination to me, I have been 
 guilty of trying them after all other means have failed, and when im- 
 perative duties demand my attention. The effect has been magical, as, 
 in almost the time it takes to tell it, she would be sound asleep. When 
 awake she is as good and quiet as I can wish for. 
 
 Titusville. Pa. A Vouni; Mother. 
 
 A four-weeks-old baby ought to sleep two-thirds of the 
 time, if she is well. Nurse her to sleep, and when her lips 
 slip from the nipple lay her down carefully in the crib. 
 Unless your nurse has already accustomed her to rocking 
 and "coddling" on the lap, you should have no trouble in 
 getting her to Lie still by the hour, sleeping or waking. Why 
 
.A' I Us EI! Y PR OB L EMS. 
 
 give her the rubber sham at all, since she will only suck in 
 wind aud form au absurd habit ? 
 
 As to the sugar-rag, the saccharine, farinaceous, and 
 greasy foods that make up its contents seriously derange a 
 baby's stomach. Colic, wind, and disordered bowels follow 
 in the train of the objectionable pellets. 
 
 Experimenting with Anodynes. 
 
 "Will you please tell ine what anodyne is best for inetogivemy 
 six-months-old baby ? She is a bad sleeper and I cannot stand being 
 awake so much at night. I have given her chamomilla, and once or 
 twice a drop of laudanum. Is there anything better than these? 
 Utica, N. Y. K. L. B. 
 
 We advise you to give no anodyne at all nor any sleep- 
 produciug medicine, unless it is recommended by a physi- 
 cian after a thoughtful consideration of her case. The 
 proper thing to do is to seek to the best of your ability, 
 aided by your physician if necessary, for the cause of the wake- 
 fulness and remove that cause if possible. A cause exists 
 and can usually lie found. 
 
 A Night-Light in the Nursery. 
 
 "What is your advice about burning a dim light in the nursery at 
 night ? Can it have a bad effect on children's eyes ? 
 
 Henderson, X. C. T. M. P. 
 
 The light will do no harm, especially if it be so shaded 
 as not to fall directly upon the child's face. 
 
 Sleeping with Arms Up. 
 
 Will you please tell me whether it is injurious for a child to sleep 
 with its arms above its head? Our sixteeu-months girl habitually 
 sleeps in that position, and I have vainly tried to cure her ; the least 
 
SLEEP. 
 
 attempt to move and keep her arms down makes her toss and throw 
 them up, and if persisted in she wakens ; and as I live in the country 
 and do my own work, I do not like to do anything that will keep me 
 awake at night, unless it is necessary for Baby's comfort. 
 
 Lee Co., Iowa. R. N. McC. 
 
 We have often heard objection made, particularly by 
 "old-fashioned" nurses, to patients' sleeping with their 
 arms up. But no reason for the objection has ever been 
 made clear to us. We suspect it is this : If a sleeping per- 
 son keeps his arms or any part of his body in a position 
 which requires a muscular effort to maintain it, it is evident 
 that tbe relaxation of perfect sleep has not occurred. The 
 posture is probably not the cause of the imperfect sleep, but 
 the result. But there are persons who sleep with their arms 
 raised with perfect comfort and apparent refreshment. If, 
 therefore, you cannot find any evidence of ill-health or any 
 other cause for your child's habit, it seems to us better that 
 you should let her take her sleep as she best enjoys it, taking 
 care that her arms and chest are warmly enough clad to pre- 
 vent chilling. 
 
 Sleeping in One Position. 
 
 (1) Is it harmful for a baby nearly three months old to lie on his 
 rightside nearly allthetime? Heliacal ways seemed more comfortable 
 lying in that way, and is often very restless if put on his left side. He 
 now sleeps from G r. M. until nearly 5 A. M. I put him in his crib 
 wide awake after nursing him, and leave him with a little light shin- 
 ing in the room and he goes to sleep alone. Would it be better to turu 
 him over if he seems quiet and comfortable? 
 
 (2) Is it common for so young a baby to sleep so long without 
 nourishment? Both of my babies have done so, but it seems a long 
 time to lie in "in' position. 
 
 Stoneham, Mass, M. A. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS 
 
 (1) Ordinarily it is better that a child should change his 
 position . There are exceptions to most rules and there may be 
 to this, and if the child seemed really uncomfortable upon the 
 other side we should not distress him merely for the sake of 
 a rule. Nevertheless, if he sleeps very long in one position 
 we should prefer to turn him over while yet asleep, to ob- 
 serve whether while asleep he were apparently any less 
 comfortable in one position than another. 
 
 (2) It is not common, but sometimes we have seen it. 
 Perhaps it would occur oftener if attendants were more 
 judicious. 
 
 Jumping in Sleep. 
 
 Can yon explain to me why my seven-months-old little girl jumps 
 in her sleep every few minutes, as though very much frightened, wak- 
 ing herself up crying? By rocking and quieting her she will fall a- 
 sleep again for a few minutes, only to j ump again. The slightest noise 
 will wake her up when sound asleep at any time. 
 
 I would add that we are raising the little one on the bottle from 
 necessity, and for a good while we thought her jumping was caused 
 by our putting her to sleep on a full stomach just after eating; we 
 watched her closely to ascertain if this was so, but could not come to 
 any satisfactory conclusion. If you can give me any light as to this 
 difficulty it would be greatly appreciated, as we have had a great deal 
 of trouble in this direction with our little one. 
 
 Utah. C. 
 
 To answer the question definitely is impossible, but the 
 following hints may help you to find out the cause. You do 
 not state whether the broken sleep has always been a charac- 
 teristic of the child, but we presume that it is a rather new 
 symptom. Most children in health sleep quietly ; a dis- 
 turbance of sleep is presumptive evidence of some de- 
 rangement of health. The causes of this disturbance are 
 manifold : Any rise of temperature of the body ; too 
 
SLEEP. 83 
 
 much or too little covering ; too high or too low a tem- 
 perature iu the apartments ; slight local irritations, such 
 as tender gums from a coming tooth ; the presence in the di- 
 gestive tract of undigested, indigestible, or irritating food, or 
 even food that is laboriously digested ; flatulence or seat- 
 worms — not to mention more serious ailments. Your little 
 child seems to be naturally a light sleeper, and if we were 
 to hazard a guess it would be that the source of irritation is 
 in connection with the digestive process. 
 
 The Pillow. 
 
 I would like very much to know your opinion in regard to pillows 
 for little folks. Are they better off without any ? 
 
 Manson, Iowa. A Mother. 
 
 A very little baby does not need a formal pillow, as its 
 mattress is often somewhat raised attheend, and the flexible 
 little body accommodates itself to almost any manner of 
 lying. But there can be little doubt that by the time a child 
 is big enough really to lie upon its side it will be more com- 
 fortable if its head be slightly elevated. With a high pillow 
 the neck is twisted upward ; with no pillow it is twisted 
 downward. 
 
TEETHING. 
 
 Late Teething. 
 
 A thing that has puzzled me is your evident disapproval of late 
 teething. I cannot think that my baby had any tendency to rickets, 
 as he was exceptionally strong and robust, but when a year old he 
 had only two teeth, and did not get the stomach and eye teeth until 
 two years and a half old. He seems to have good teeth, and I had 
 somewhere imbibed the idea that late teething made good teeth, as I 
 knew of four children who got no teeth until about a year old, all of 
 whom had beautiful teeth in after-years. Will you not sometime give 
 a little more fully your reasons for condemning late teething as un- 
 healthful ? 
 
 Buffalo, X. Y. L. P. M. 
 
 We neither approve nor disapprove of late teething. 
 Some normal differences exist as to the time of teething — the 
 medical books set seven months as an average for the first 
 tooth to show, but many children begin two or three months 
 earlier, and some later. The reason we have so frequently 
 mentioned late teething is that, by common agreement of 
 all who have studied the subject, it is one of the signs of 
 rickets, and it is a sign easily noticed by the mother, while 
 she might overlook others. We have insisted a good deal on 
 rickets, because, in its less marked forms, it is one of the 
 commonest disorders of early childhood, and one which 
 seems to be habitually overlooked unless it has advanced to 
 the degree of producing deformities. 
 
TEETHING. 
 
 Late teething is never an advantage. A child's teeth may 
 be delayed by rickets, and, after his recovery, come through 
 in good enough shape, and the second set of teeth may es- 
 cape damage altogether. The late examples you speak of 
 were probably, to judge from the usual course of such cases, 
 children who were kept on breast-milk which was really not 
 up to the mark, and only after weaning did they get 
 material to push their teeth with, or, if bottle-babies, they 
 had at length become accustomed to their food. 
 
 On the other hand, late teething alone, i. e., unaccom- 
 panied by any other evident derangement of health, cannot 
 be accounted a disease. 
 
 Arrested Eruption of Teeth. 
 
 Baby is ten months of age. I was obliged to wean her at three 
 months, and found do other food to agree with her except condensed 
 milk. She has been taking this five times in twenty-four hours — 
 from 6 A. M. to 6 p. M. — every three hours regularly, nothing else, and 
 in regular quantities of l>o tablespoonfuls of the milk to 15 of boiled 
 water; water once in a while. She makes no demands for food dur- 
 ing the twelve hours of night ; is well, regular, and happy. She had 
 eight teeth when she was eight months old, but there are no signs 
 now during these two last months of others coming. Is it not time 
 to give her other and more nourishing and less sweet food, as she is 
 very active and almost walking, and, if so, what do you advise ? 
 Dorchester, Muss. M. A. K. 
 
 There is nothing strange in the arrested eruption of the 
 teeth. They came very fast, and there usually is a rest be- 
 fore the molars Come and another rest before the canines 
 appear. On general principles we dislike sweet food, but we 
 
 arc bound lo say that in your child's case we see no evidence 
 
 of its disagreeing or of the nutrition being defective. 
 
N URSER Y PROBL EMS. 
 
 Drooling. 
 
 Can anything be done to stop a child's "drooling" ? My boy, now 
 nearly two years old, has drooled constantly since he was two months 
 old. He had no teeth until he was seven months old and now has 
 sixteen. He got the bottle until a year old. He is not unnaturally 
 thirsty, but likes something wet in his mouth and never loses an 
 opportunity to take a wet cloth or sponge. I have spoken to two good 
 physicians, but they seem to regard it lightly and tell me I may be 
 thankful nothing of importance is the matter with him. Let me say 
 that the child is as forward in everything as others of his age. Have 
 other mothers this trouble ? I cannot hear of a similar case. 
 
 St. Paul, Minn. N. J. 
 
 We may say first, to relieve your anxiety, that the ail- 
 ment in all probability "is nothing more serious than an 
 annoyance. " Quite evidently something has overstimulated 
 the salivary glands and the child's desire to take wet things 
 into his mouth suggests that he is conscious of an irritation 
 of the glims. Very possibly the remaining teeth of the tem- 
 porary set are in process of eruption ; and when this is over 
 the irritation will probably cea^e. Another possible cause is 
 this : If there is any obstruction to free breathing through 
 the nostrils, the opening of the mouth may stimulate the 
 flow of saliva. At all events such cases of constant drooling 
 are not rare. 
 
 Drooling Not Teething. 
 
 Is the time when a child begins to drool the time when "the teeth 
 start in the gums"? When does the drooling usually begin ? My 
 boy is six months old, sleeps without waking at night, is fed four times 
 in the day and is well and good-natured. The artificial food I use I 
 have not seen mentioned in Babyhood, and it is excellent in every 
 nourishing way, easily prepared, and cheap. It is bran gruel— two 
 cups of bran to a quart of boiling water ; boil nearly an hour ; strain ; 
 strain again through a cloth. I am now using one-third each of gruel, 
 water and milk. 
 
 Georgetown, Col. A. E. P. 
 
TEETHING. 87 
 
 The drooling is not due to the teeth, but to certain 
 changes in the condition of the salivary gland. It begins, 
 on an average, we should say, at about four months, but 
 varies much in degree as well as in time. It happens fre- 
 quently that it coincides with or precedes the evolution of 
 the teeth, hence has popularly been supposed to be due to 
 the latter. Mothers often express surprise that teeth do not 
 appear because the baby "has been teething since" such or 
 such a time, their opinion being based upon the salivation or 
 some other disturbance which had no particular relation to 
 the teeth. 
 
 Is Normal Teething Painless? 
 
 Apropos of Dr. Dorning's article on "Common Disorders of 
 Teething-time Unrelated to Teething," I would like to ask if we 
 mothers are to infer that the teething of healthy children is without 
 pain or discomfort? I am no believer in the theory that every de- 
 rangement of the system during dentition is attributable to that as a 
 cause; neither am I of the number whom the writer so sarcastically 
 characterizes as "those who have an unshaken faith in the occult in- 
 fluence of phylacteries and the different forms of witchcraft on the 
 teething baby." But after an experience with three strong, healthy 
 babies of my own, I cannot readily accept the theory that — as one 
 physician expressed it — "dentition is as painless a process as the 
 growing of the ringer-nails." 
 
 My little six-year-old, just cutting the "seven-year molars," com- 
 plains frequently of soreness and discomfort of the gums. Is it irra- 
 tional to believe that a younger child, with less vigor for endurance, 
 suffers equal discomfort in cutting the first teeth, and that, using the 
 only means of expression at his command, he becomes fretful and 
 peevish, gradually developing more or less feverishness inconsequence 
 of the discomfort? 
 
 My youngest child, whose dentition has been very slow, cut her 
 third incisor when she was fourteen months old. For weeks the tooth 
 had seemed so near the surface that I expected every day to feel its 
 edge. Hi' n the gum became inflamed, the covering skin was hard 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 and tightly drawn, the child fretful. On the fourth or fifth day I dis- 
 covered a small gathering of pus at one corner of the uncut tooth. I 
 sent for my physician, who lanced the gum, freeing the tooth and 
 giving immediate relief to the child. Is such an experience unusual, 
 and what is the probable cause of the pus? The child has no tendency 
 to humor of any kind, and at the time was in her usual health. 
 Could such a case be attributed to derangement of stomach or bowels, 
 or was I right in considering it an incident of dentition ? 
 
 I ask for information, and because I believe there are other 
 mothers who would like an answer to the question, who are perfectly 
 willing to discard the "traditions of the elders" as to the many dan- 
 gers of teething time, but who are not ready to lay aside all sympathy 
 for a teething baby. 
 
 Any one who remembers the soreness of gums and the positive 
 pain often attendant upon the coming of wisdom teeth, has strong 
 ground, it seems to me, for pitying a little child whose first teeth are 
 pricking their tedious way through the gums. 
 
 Plymouth, Mass. K. M. S. 
 
 Let tin put it in another way. Not "that the teething of 
 healthy children is without pain and discomfort," but that 
 pain and discomfort — if unusually great— are at least pre- 
 sumptive evidence that the process of the evolution of teeth is 
 not going on in a normal or healthy way. This change is not 
 a quibble, but a different point of view. For, first, the 
 phrase, "a perfectly healthy child," has no meaning unless 
 that judgment has been passed by a competent authority. 
 We recall scores of children so described to us which were, 
 to our mind, anything but healthy. Further, in practice we 
 have, not so very rarely either, been asked to admire as evi- 
 dence of unusual health or strength what we considered 
 marks of disease. What is generally meant by the phrase 
 "perfectly healthy" is that the person described does not 
 come, or at least comes rarely, under medical care. In adult 
 life persons who attend without complaint to their daily 
 avocation are considered " perfectly healthy," although one 
 may have chronic constipation, another frequent headaches, 
 
TEETHING. 
 
 or oft-repeated neuralgic affections, while another may have 
 all the obscurer manifestations of gout, but escape the typi- 
 cal swollen toe, and so on to the end of the chapter. 
 
 Now, the change of view regarding teething which has 
 come to the great majority of physicians who especially 
 study children's diseases is not that they do not think that 
 the baby suffers or that they do not sympathize with its suf- 
 ferings, but that they no longer think that this suffering is 
 natural or normal. If the child suffers much from denti- 
 tion, even locally, they think that the child was not entirely 
 well, or the reaction of a physiological process would not be 
 so severe. Very often indeed one skilled in children's ail- 
 ments can point out where the deviation from health is 
 which probably underlies the troublesome dentition. We 
 do not say that it "is as painless a process as the growing of 
 the finger-nails," but many experts at least will be inclined 
 to say that in health it ought to be. There is no manner of 
 doubt that children's gums are often painful at dentition — 
 we do not here discuss the remoter ailments often charged 
 to dentition — but it is doubtful if the pain ought to be 
 of such a nature as to disturb sleep or to cause any 
 great discomfort. Take a case from your own letter. 
 Your little one cuts its third incisor at the age of fourteen 
 months, a delay so great as to be of itself sufficient cause for 
 looking the cbild over carefully for a disordered condition of 
 nutrition to account for it. Then an abscess forms in the 
 gum. This shows very unusual irritation, and according to 
 our present belief pus cannot form unless the necessary 
 micro-organism has been introduced, in this case probably 
 from without. The^occurrence was "an incident" (or rather 
 accident) "of dentition." it was probably not due to any 
 temporary derangement of stomach and bowels, but rather 
 primarily to that peculiarity of system which delayed den- 
 tition, and, as we said before, to the introduction of one or 
 
90 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 other of the pus-exciting organisms into the tissue, most 
 likely from without through handling the gum or the chew- 
 ing upon some substance, as teething children often do. 
 
 The change in view, we have said, leads not to any doubt 
 of the baby's suffering, but to giving greater attention to his 
 condition— to the condition before and during teething with 
 the view of preventing pain and illness. We may quote 
 ourselves here. 
 
 "The question is at once asked : What does it matter to 
 us in the nursery whether the many disorders attending 
 teething are caused by it or not ? Just this : If the parents 
 believe that dentition causes all the ailments attributed to it, 
 they are, as we daily see, prone to consider the ailments as 
 nearly, if not quite, as much a matter of course as the 
 natural teething process, and they consider it useless to try 
 to cure them until teething is complete. Moreover, by a 
 sort of inverse reasoning, if any of the disorders which they 
 are accustomed to regard as dependent upon dentition hap- 
 pen to exist, they infer that the child is teething, whether 
 he be so or not. As a result of all these errors and con- 
 fusions, it too frequently happens that disorders which 
 might have been very tractable at the outset are allowed to 
 progress unopposed until they reach a serious stage. If, on 
 the contrary, we assume that teething is rarely the real 
 cause of disease, the parent will seek some other reason for 
 any disturbance of the system that may exist, and will en- 
 deavor to remove it, either with or without the aid of a 
 physician. The difference of opinion is then not a simple 
 dispute of terms, but one which has a real interest in the 
 nursery." 
 
HYGIENE AND SANITATION. 
 
 Disinfectants. 
 
 Will you tell us of an article or articles to use as antiseptics and 
 deodorants for a cesspool whose funnel-shaped opening is near the 
 house ? Dish-water and such slops only are emptied into it, and it 
 discharges into a rapidly flowing creek about thirty feet distant. 
 Minneapolis, Minn. A. 
 
 One of the cheapest articles is sulphate of iron (copperas), 
 which may be thrown into the cesspool if it contains stand- 
 ing liquid ; if not, dissolve the copperas in a pail of water. 
 Common rock-salt used abundantly is useful, and more 
 powerful than either is a mixture of salt and sulphate of 
 zinc — say three parts of the former to four of the latter — dis- 
 solved in water and poured into the cesspool. 
 
 Ground Air from Excavations. 
 
 A serious defect in our drain renders it necessary for us to lay 
 new pipes outside the house. This of course means the turning up of 
 impure earth. Will you suggest some safeguard for children who, 
 while playing outside, are somewhat near the trench ? The work may 
 take a week or more. Would you advise quinine to be given during 
 that time? 
 New York. ' W. S. T. 
 
 Chlorinated lime in powder or a copperas solution, 
 sprinkled over the earth, are probably as good as anything. 
 If in a district where fever and ague often appears, the 
 quinine may be given in moderate doses. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Temperature of the Nursery and the Bedroom. 
 
 What is the proper temperature of the night and day nurseries ? 
 Charlottetovm, P. F. I. A Puzzled Mother. 
 
 Day nursery 65° to 68°, or, at most, 70° F. Some strong 
 children can get on at a lower temperature than 60°, but the 
 figures set are the best average. The night temperature may 
 be cooler, but not so very much, as the child is liable to toss 
 its bedclothes off. 
 
 Gas Stove in the Nursery. 
 
 My nursery is over the kitchen, but cannot be heated from it. 
 There is no room above. "We rent the house. I put in last autumn a 
 small stove to be open or shut, and burn either wood or coal, but it 
 sent out so much gas and smoke that, it being a warm season, we 
 seldom used it. The afternoons are not cold enough to require a fire 
 in the room, but I must have some way of heating it before the baby 
 comes from her bedroom in the morning. The chief difficulty with 
 the present stove is that the hole into the chimney is rather low, and 
 the draught is not good, especially when the kitchen stove is first lit. 
 
 Could I use a gas stove, or anything else that would not require 
 connection with that bad chimney? Please tell me what would be the 
 best, and, incidentally, the least expensive method of heating this 
 room. 
 
 Washington, It. C W. J. M. 
 
 A gas stove of the ordinary kind is always very objection- 
 able, because the products of combustion are left in the room, 
 and the air is more vitiated by one, even if small, than it 
 would be by the presence of mauy persons. If you can find 
 any form of good gas heater with an escape flue for fumes it 
 might do. The chimney certaiuly ought to have a separate 
 flue for each room. Your nursery stove, in a properly con- 
 structed chimney, ought to draw all the better if the kitchen 
 fire has already warmed the chimnev. If vou cannot find a 
 
HYGIENE AND SANITATION. 
 
 stove that will draw properly, we think the best plan would 
 be to carry the pipe of the kitchen stove through the ceiling 
 and into the chimney in the nursery. In your mild climate 
 sufficient heat would probably be given off from the heated 
 stovepipe for the needs of the nursery. 
 
 The Desirability of Keeping Water on the Stove. 
 
 I would like to ask your opinion as to the desirability of keeping 
 a vessel of water on the nursery stove. Formerly I thought it was the 
 proper thing to do, to keep the air moist. Then I was told that the 
 steam was considered objectionable, inducing throat troubles. Which 
 theory is correct ? 
 Lancaster Co., Pa. A Mother. 
 
 It is hard to prove anything as regards the effect of a 
 vessel of water or its absence, but our own notion, which we 
 offer for what it is worth, is this : A vessel on a stove hot 
 enough to generate steam is not desirable except as a remedy 
 under certain circumstances, as, for instance, in croup. But 
 if a room is heated in such a way as to make its air too dry, 
 a broad vessel of water standing in the room may give off 
 enough vapor to mitigate this dryness. The vessel may be 
 near the stove, but should not be so placed as to generate a 
 visible steam. 
 
 Plants in the Bed-Room. 
 
 I wish to ask your advice about having plants in a bed-room. I 
 am so situated that my bed-room must also be my nursery, and I 
 should like to make it as attractive as possible. A bow-window 
 all'onls plenty of sunshine from seven o'clock a. m. until five o'clock 
 P. m. Is it unhealthy to have plants growing in a bed-room? 
 Bockwood, Term. B. A. B. 
 
XUItsEflY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Plants are not usually injurious in a room during the 
 daytime. When there is sunlight the plants absorb carbonic 
 acid and appropriate its carbon and set free a certain amount 
 of oxygen. This process is not harmful, but rather the reverse, 
 to animal life. The only harm that need be considered is 
 that possibly arising from any considerable quantity of damp 
 earth in the room, but this is probably very slight. But with 
 the coming of darkness this process of absorption of carbonic 
 acid ceases, and a certain amount of the gas is given off; just 
 how much, of course, varies with the quantity and kind of 
 plants in your greenery. The effect is in kind, if not in 
 degree, very much the same as that of having another per- 
 son sleeping in the room. If you can arrange your plants 
 upon a stand with castors that can be rolled out of the room 
 before sundown and brought back in the morning, the plants 
 will probably be harmless ; otherwise they are better away. 
 
 Proper and Improper Filters. 
 
 Will you please tell me what kind of a filter is best to use for 
 filtering water ? I have read so much both for and against filters that 
 I had come to the conclusion that there was about as much danger in 
 using the ordinary filter as in giving the water unfiltered, but after 
 reading an article on "Intestinal Worms" I would like to have your 
 opinion on the subject. 
 Elizabeth, N. J. P. T. N. 
 
 If you care to buy one of the well-known "Pasteur" 
 filters which are rather costly, and will keep it in order, you 
 will have, we think, a safe article. Ordinary filters, we be- 
 lieve, do more harm than good. They strain out coarse dirt, 
 but they are admirable culture places for all the micro- 
 organisms found in water. Our favorite device for cleansing 
 water is to have a number of bags made of stout flannel 
 with strings at their mouths. Oue of these is tied over the 
 
HYGIENE AND SANITATION. 
 
 opening of the faucet and the water turned on gently ; this 
 strains out coarse (visible) dirt. ISTo bag should be used 
 more than one day, and if the water is unusually dirty, the 
 bags may be changed several times daily. They should be 
 thoroughly boiled before being used again. If there is any 
 reason to suppose that the water is unwholesome, it should 
 be boiled before using. It may be kept in stoppered bottles 
 or jugs, and if desired for drinking, a bottle may be easily 
 cooled in the refrigerator. 
 
 The Relations of Kerosene to Diphtheria. 
 
 Is there any truth in the statement of a New York physician that 
 diphtheria is more prevalent in homes where kerosene is used for light 
 or fuel ? This opinion has been both denied and corroborated, and 
 I wish to know if it has, in your judgment, any foundation. 
 
 Bingham, 31ass. M. L. 
 
 We have never before heard the statement, and we 
 know of no facts that would support such a belief. If 
 kerosene were burnt in a room either for light or fuel, and 
 the results of combustion not properly carried off— as hap- 
 pens usually when lamps or stoves without chimneys are 
 usctl — of course the air would be by so much impure, and 
 foul air from whatever cause impairs the general health, and 
 renders the system more susceptible to nearly all forms of 
 contagion. Beyond this nothing can be proved. In great 
 cities gas is the ordinary source of light, and lamps are 
 chiefly used in those dwellings which have a crowded 
 population, and it would be very easy to say that such or 
 such a district bad a greater prevalence of diphtheria, and 
 thai also it was a district in which kerosene was much used, 
 but there would be no evidence so far of any connection be- 
 tween tbe two (acts. This method of reasoning is one of the 
 
96 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 most pestilent sources of error in medicine. If any depend- 
 ence of the disease upon the use of kerosene is to be shown it 
 must be by strict observation and analysis of the results ob- 
 tained. 
 
 Paper-Money from a Sick-Room. 
 
 My next-door neighbor borrowed twenty dollars of me a week 
 ago. To-day he returned a twenty-dollar bill in a note of thanks by 
 his boy. My wife saw the boy from an upper window, coming in 
 the gate, and knew I was about to open the door to let him in. She 
 also knew that since the money was loaned two very severe cases of 
 measles had developed next door, the said boy having himself just 
 previously recovered. She knew, further, that as no attempt had been 
 made to quarantine either of the three children, this young hopeful had 
 as likely as not just come from the sick-room. Another thing she knew 
 was that there are two babies in our own house. 
 
 It is not strange, therefore, that at this point in my story my bet- 
 ter three-quarters appeared on the scene ; and when my better three- 
 quarters appears on any scene in which the babies are involved it gen- 
 erally means business. This was the business : "Charles ! Charles ! 
 whatever Willie Smith gives you, be sure to burn it up immedi- 
 ately!" "All right," I answered, "of course I will!" adding 
 mentally, "all except the twenty dollars." What to do with that I 
 didn't exactly know ; but as I was on my way to the cellar to look at 
 the furnace, I plunged the letter and envelope into the flames, putting 
 on the draughts "one seven times hotter" than they were wont to be 
 put on, and then pinned the bill up between the beams in a dark place 
 by an opening into the yard, where a cold April wind was blowing 
 through, and struck an attitude at a respectful distance with my eye 
 on it while I paused to think. I couldn't quite make up my mind 
 whether to let it stay there awhile and get aired out, or to pass it off as 
 soon as possible on some unsuspecting denizen of the locality, or to 
 take a complete record of its number, date, bank, and all particulars 
 (it was a National Bank bill), burn it up, and then send the record to 
 the Secretary of the Treasury, telling him the circumstances, and 
 asking him if, in the interest of the public health, my praiseworthy 
 act wouldn't entitle me to be indemnified by the government. 
 
HYGIENE AND SANITATION. 97 
 
 It is now eleven p. m., and that bill hangs heavily on my mind 
 and lightly on a timber of the dining-room floor, just about under 
 where the oldest baby sat at the supper-table. I have concluded not 
 to sleep until I have laid the facts before you, asking, (1) Could I re- 
 cover anything from the Secretary of the Treasury, or would he ad- 
 judge me daft? and (2) Is there any danger of contagion in such a 
 case anyhow? By the time I can get an answer we will perhaps all 
 have got safely through the measles, but the information will be good 
 any other time. 
 
 Bridgeport, Conn. D. Y. 
 
 We have referred your first question (or the first part of 
 it) to the Secretary of the Treasury, who replies that "the 
 Treasurer can entertain no demand for redemption without 
 presentation of the note, or, if mutilated, of so much of it as 
 will enable him to identify it." 
 
 As to whether there was any danger of contagion in this 
 case, we think it hardly probable, but not at all impossible, 
 and we commend the prudence dictated to you from up- 
 stairs. If the bill is still hanging on the timber and none of 
 your family have yet had the disease, you may with a clear 
 conscience pass it upon any denizen. In another similar 
 case you can disinfect the bill without damaging it, by either 
 of two easy methods: Pour a little alcohol on apiece of 
 sulphur and burn them on a brick or flat stone, laying the 
 bill near them, and covering all with an inverted stone jar 
 so as to secure the fumes ; or soak the bill in a two-per-cent. 
 solution of carbolic acid and water. 
 
 Susceptibility to Second Attacks of Disease. 
 
 I have been told that a baby having a contagious disease while 
 nursing will be liable to take it again. My little girl had the measles 
 when ten months old. Do you think she would take them agaiu if ex- 
 posed ? 
 Dorchester, Mom. L. T. T. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 There is no such rule. Children under six months are 
 not very susceptible to measles or scarlet fever, and those 
 under four months have very nearly an immunity from the 
 latter disease. But a great many children have these dis- 
 eases in the second half of the first year. It is true, also, 
 that a good many persons have them, especially scarlatina, 
 more than once. All any one would be justified in saying 
 is this : If a child has measles under six months of age 
 it is likely — other things being equal — that the child 
 is unusually susceptible. Such a person is, of course, more 
 liable to second iufection than another. In your child's 
 case there is no ground for unusual anxiety. 
 
 Physical Exercise for Girls. 
 
 What physical exercises are best adapted for girls as distin- 
 guished from boys? More particularly, ought girls from five to 
 seven years of age to walk, run, and jump as much as boys of the 
 same age? 
 
 Omaha, Neb. M. T. 
 
 Girls from five to seven years of age may practically 
 have the same exercises as boys of the same age, with, per- 
 haps, only a little reserve as to heavy exercise (in proportion 
 to age), because even at this early age the boy usually shows 
 something of the superior muscular strength that is so 
 marked in adult life. But they may walk, run, and jump 
 like boys if they are not unusually excitable girls. 
 
 The Second Summer. 
 
 (1) Why is a baby's second summer always the most dreaded? 
 My little boy is just over a yearold and cannot boast of a single tooth. 
 Will it be harder on him than if he had begun to get his teeth earlier? 
 He is a big, fat, healthy boy, and very strong, quick to learn anything 
 
HYGIENE AND SANITATION. 
 
 and to imitate. "What months are the best to take little ones out of the 
 city, and do you know of a good place to go to for change from 
 Brooklyn, not too far away ? 
 
 (2) How ought a baby, expected in July, to be dressed — with just 
 a linen shirt or linen and flannel both ? 
 Brooklyn. M. R. B. 
 
 (1) We do not know why the second summer is so much 
 dreaded. It is not more fatal than the first ; on the con- 
 trary, is much less so. The only explanation we ever heard 
 of this peculiar dread was from a lady who said : " It is be- 
 cause the baby lost in its second summer is much more 
 missed than one lost in its first." We do not know that 
 teething will be harder because it is late ; but if the child has 
 reached a year without teeth he is probably not so strong as 
 he looks. If you can be away so long, leave the city from 
 the middle of June to the middle of September. If you 
 must be in town some of that time, it is usually safer to stay 
 in until July than to return too early. Probably the south 
 side of Long Island is your most accessible place that is 
 salubrious. 
 
 (2) Liuen and flannel both, or at all events something 
 woolen over the linen shirt. 
 
 Baby Powder. 
 
 What kind of starch or chalk do you consider innocuous used as 
 baby powder? Carthage. 
 
 Buy the best starch and pound it into powder, sifting it 
 through coarse Swiss muslin or cheese-cloth. Perfume it 
 wiili orris-root, and you have a harmless "baby-powder." 
 Avoid the chalk us a toilet article. It has use in certain con- 
 ditions of irritated skin, bul should not be used habitually. 
 
CONSTIPATION. 
 
 A "Symposium" on Constipation. 
 I. 
 
 Don't you think suppositories of castile soap are preferable to bar- 
 soap ? The old-fashioned molasses suppositories work more kindly 
 with my children than anything else for constipation. 
 
 F. 
 II. 
 In my experiences with two very constipated children I found 
 that the use of soap and a roll of paper induced piles — quite as great 
 an evil as constipation. 
 
 My method, which entirely cured my babies of constipation, was 
 to rub and knead the bowels with oil thoroughly every night and 
 morning, and to put them on the stool at a regular time each day. 
 With this treatment I adopted a laxative diet for myself, and when 
 they were weaned gave them as laxative food as possible. 
 
 I am persuaded that the use of soap, stick-candy, or paper, which 
 produces an irritation of the rectum, is not always wise. 
 
 Washington, D. C. C M. C. 
 
 III. 
 
 I would like to state my experience with a "constipated baby." 
 From the time my baby was three weeks old till she became six 
 months of age she never had a natural movement. Every day we 
 were compelled to give her an enema. This was caused, we have 
 always thought, by the monthly nurse giving the baby paregoric "on 
 the sly," because she was tired of changing the napkins so often, the 
 
CONS TIPA TION. 101 
 
 baby's bowels having been particularly free up to this time. I nursed 
 the baby and was in perfect health, but never could succeed in so 
 changing my own diet as to cause the baby's bowels to move spontane- 
 ously . Finally the following very simple remedy was suggested to me 
 by a physician, a friend of the family. Take loaf-sugar and dissolve 
 in as little cold Avater as possible, thereby making a thick syrup. Give 
 the baby one teaspoonful of this (or more as she grows older) immedi- 
 ately before nursing, or feeding if bottle-fed . Be sure to give it before, 
 not after, eating, as in the latter case the result is very apt to be a sour 
 stomach. From the time I heard of this up to the present (she is now 
 two years and nine months old) my baby has never had an enema, 
 and by its use, as I believe, her bowels have been made as regular as 
 could be desired. 
 
 NeiO York E. C. C. 
 
 The experience of C. M. C. of course justifies her aban- 
 doning the suppositories. But, judging from considerable 
 personal experience and the reports of many others, the soap 
 rarely has such an effect. There are some persons (adults) 
 so sensitive as to complain of being irritated by so unirritat- 
 iug a thing as a well-oiled syringe nozzle, but this is rare. 
 One source of irritation in the use of suppositories is the 
 pressing too firmly in introducing them. If the point is in- 
 troduced into the seat and a very little time is allowed to 
 elapse before pressing further, the first spasm of the muscle 
 relaxes and the pencil is readily introduced. The soap is 
 often made less irritating by scraping it and forming a sup- 
 pository of the scrapings. This is introduced easily and is 
 not hard. We have never known real piles (as distinguished 
 from an irritation of the anus) produced by the use of any of 
 the suppositories recommended, but we accept our corres- 
 pondent's diagnosis. 
 
 The castile soap has theadvantage over other soaps of be- 
 ing usually a well-made and bland soap and less irritating, 
 and it is so far preferable. There are children, however, whose 
 bowels seem to need the stimulus of the coarser variety. The 
 candy suppository has "the wisdom of our fathers" in its 
 
N URsER Y PR OBL EMS. 
 
 favor. It is quite useful for adults as well. Akin to the effect 
 of eaudy is E. C. C. 's recommendation of syrup of cane-sugar. 
 Owing to its tendency to sour we have suggested the use of 
 malt in the food as a laxative, as we have found it to work 
 well, and so far have not noticed the souring to follow. 
 
 The regulation of the mother's diet is important. The 
 friction and kneading of the bowels has some value. But 
 in the regularity of putting the child upon the stool C. M. C. 
 touches the most important point of all. Of course it is 
 inapplicable to very young infants, but in adult life, as well 
 as in childhood, the rigid following of this rule often cures 
 constipation without any medicinal treatment at all. There 
 is excellent physiological reason for it which we have no 
 space to go into here. 
 
 Water against Constipation. 
 
 Will you tell me if I ought to force my six-mouths-old boy to 
 take water frequently? He seems to dislike it, and always rights 
 against it. 1 am careful not to have the water too cold, and have tried 
 to make him take it from a spoon and from a tumbler. He has never 
 had any food but breast-inilk, and is very constipated. I almost regu- 
 larly use an enema of warm water. I am constantly afraid that this will 
 injure him, but, after waiting two or three days, resort to it rather 
 than to laxatives. I am perfectly well and strong, not subject to con- 
 stipation, and have a good appetite, and drink no fluid except water. 
 He seems to thrive on my milk, being always well and the picture of 
 health. Will time and change of food cure him of constipation, and 
 is it the result of his drinking so little water ? 
 Baltimore, Md. R. P. 
 
 No, he need not be forced. It would probably mitigate 
 his constipation in part if he would take the water, but it 
 is not so necessary at his age that you need fight it into him. 
 The constipation probably will yield to change of food, but 
 in the meantime you may feel clear that the enemas are 
 less likely to do harm than the constipation is. 
 
CONSTIPATION. 
 
 Magnesia as a Laxative. 
 
 Is there any harm that can possibly be done by feeding magnesia ? 
 I was advised to use it in the cream food in place of the lime-water 
 on account of its laxative effect. Baby, eight months old, is badly 
 troubled with constipation. I put about half a teaspoonful into each 
 of the five or six feedings per day. 
 
 Claremont, N. H. R. C. 
 
 Magnesia is probably not so harmful as was formerly 
 supposed. It is soluble and laxative only in combination 
 with some acid, which acid may be met in the alimentary 
 canal. The older physicians always gave warning of the 
 danger of masses forming in the bowels. This may have 
 occurred, but must have been very rare, as magnesia has been 
 given very freely as a domestic remedy. On the other hand, 
 it is not a desirable remedy. If a laxative antacid be desired, 
 bicarbonate of soda has all of the advantages of magnesia 
 without its alleged disadvantages. 
 
 Constipation in a "Bottle Baby.'' 
 
 Will you please tell me what I can do to relieve my baby of consti- 
 pation ? He is four months old and has always been troubled with it. 
 For a long time I was obliged to use a soap suppository or water in- 
 jection very frequently. My physician at last prescribed castoria, 
 but I find I must give it very frequently to keep the passage from 
 being hard and balled. 
 
 I have been obliged to use a bottle for him almost from the first. 
 I have used cow's milk entirely for him. He has had a great deal of 
 colic and indigestion, though he is relieved of much of that now, yethe 
 still lias to be trotted and patted a great deal to get rid of the gas and 
 sour milk in his stomach. 
 
 I shall be very grateful if you can tell me of anything I can do to 
 effect a cure of these disorders. 
 
 .Sandwich, HI. M. It. S. 
 
104 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 To answer off-hand is more than we can do. Constipa- 
 tion is an extremely common ailment in infants, particularly 
 if bottle-fed. How much you have diluted the cow's milk 
 and with what we do not know. We may say, first, that 
 the hard ''balled" passages are suggestive of an excess of 
 casein, and the constipation would perhaps yield in part to 
 the freer use of sugar and cream with the milk. So, too, 
 usually the use of oatmeal gruel not too finely strained for 
 dilution is often somewhat laxative. The colic, indigestion 
 and constipation we take to be parts of the same derangement 
 of the digestive process. 
 
 As to medication we prefer for habitual use the introduc- 
 tion of a suppository or an enema to the administration of a 
 laxative. The soap pencil, the pencil of molasses candy, or, 
 most efficient of all, the glycerine suppository, are very use- 
 ful. Very often the most persistent care is necessary to keep 
 the bowels relieved until the child is old enough to eat and 
 digest a mixed dietary. We have followed a good many 
 children who were troubled with constipation in infancy, 
 and found them entirely and satisfactorily regular by two 
 and-a-half to three years of age. 
 
 Constant Use of Suppositories. 
 
 Is there danger hi using suppositories almost daily to induce action 
 of the bowels that the baby will get to depend upon artificial aid and 
 thus fail to use necessary effort as he grows older ? 
 
 Inexperienced. 
 
 It depends upon the constituents of the suppositories. 
 Simple cocoa butter, or the glycerine suppository, or soap or 
 molasses candy suppositories we have never found harmful. 
 As the child grows older and can properly digest a more 
 varied diet, the constipation is likely to be cured. 
 
DIGESTIVE DIFFICULTIES. 
 
 Trouble at Six Months. 
 
 Our baby boy is five months and three weeks old. His mother's 
 milk not agreeing with him, he has been a "bottle baby" from the 
 first, and has always had a stomach and bowel trouble. It has been 
 impossible to rind any food to agree with him for more than two weeks 
 at a time. Besides the infants' foods sold by druggists, we have used 
 sterilized milk, top milk and "cream food," and are now for the 
 second time on top milk. "Whatever we give him has agreed with 
 him at the start, and he has flourished for a few days, then he becomes 
 fussy, his stomach sour, he is filled with wind and his bowel trouble 
 increases — all this in spite of liberal use of lime-water. 
 
 The bowel trouble, so our doctor tells us, is that somewhere, appar- 
 ently where the small intestine enters the large, there is a failure of 
 the proper secretions. The result is that the fseces stop there and 
 harden into lumps, so that often the evacuation is attended with pain 
 and only accomplished after severe straining. We have used glyce- 
 rine suppositories, and they have helped ; we also use massage treat- 
 ment and injections; besides this, we have used, for a month, under 
 the doctor's instructions, physic — salts and a mixture of nux vomica 
 and belladonna — in connection with his food. But the trouble is worse 
 lather than better. He does not respond as quickly to the suppository. 
 A larger amount of water is required in the injection, the lumps seem 
 to form more constantly, a larger proportion of the faeces being lumpy, 
 and his bowels seem to be more sensitive, for he will not sleep when 
 before he would — that is, he wakes and requires to be relieved of 
 lumps that before would not appear to trouble his sleep. During 
 these six months he has had very few natural movements in which he 
 has not required assistance. 
 
106 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 He never has taken anything cold into his stomach, requiring all 
 his drinks to he quite warm, and will strangle rather than swallow 
 cold water or take his food even cool. He formerly would take any- 
 thing we offered him between feedings — peppermint, warm lime-water, 
 anise or warm water — but lately he has not been satisfied with, or will- 
 ing to take, anything except food. 
 
 He weighed 9% pounds when born, and now weighs 15)^ — both 
 times without clothing. His flesh is hard and he is very strong, but 
 lacks endurance. 
 
 What do you suggest as to food, to treatment of the bowels, and 
 as to the reason for the antipathy to cold drinks? 
 
 Blue Hill, Me. D. 
 
 First of all we must say that our advice is not in any 
 way to displace that of the physician, which you will need 
 to follow systematically ; but we may give a few hints of 
 what occurs to us in reading your letter. 
 
 You ask three different questions — (1) as to food, (2) as 
 to the condition of the bowels, (3) as to drink. As no tem- 
 peratures are given we interpret the phrases "cold" and 
 "quite warm" in their ordinary sense — "cold" water of 
 about usual drinking temperature when not iced, i.e., 40 to 
 60 degrees Fahr.; "quite warm" as meaning considerably 
 above blood heat. (We may mention in passing that it is 
 not easy to estimate the value of these vague terras, as we 
 see at table one person sipping with pleasure coffee or tea at 
 a heat which is uncomfortable or painful to another. Many 
 wish their coffee above 1 50 degrees Fahr., and almost any- 
 one drinks it above 120 degrees, at least when first poured.) 
 Starting with this premise, we would say that there is no 
 reason why a child should like a drink much below 80 de- 
 grees Fahr. unless he has become accustomed to it. Breast 
 milk flows into the child's mouth at a temperature of about 
 98 J degrees Fahr., or if the gland is actively secreting perhaps 
 a trifle higher. This being the infant's standard, everything 
 is regulated by it, and it is better that everything given to a 
 
DIGESTIVE DIFFICULTIES. 
 
 young child should approximate this temperature. Attend- 
 ants often err in making infant food decidedly hot, and 
 presently Baby is brought by its hunger to tolerate this 
 heat, and thereafter gets a habit of taking hot food. If this 
 is so in your case, it would be a reason why a natural anti- 
 pathy to cold drinks should be exaggerated. Moreover, 
 if the child's food is given too hot, it may be a contributing 
 cause to the condition of the bowels. We do not feel sure of 
 our facts as to temperature, and so do not dwell on this ele- 
 ment of cause. 
 
 We have considered your third question first. The con- 
 dition of the bowels appears to depend largely upon the 
 question of food, and in answering your first question we 
 shall mainly answer the second. When foods disagree, the 
 cause may be some feebleness of digestive power, but much 
 more commonly it is a faulty composition of the food or a 
 wrong method of giving it. If the digestive power be really 
 below the average, the food must be made as digestible as 
 possible, and the digestion be aided by digestive ferments — 
 pepsin, pancreatine, etc. — according to the views of the at- 
 tending physician as to the special situation of the dis- 
 ability. If the food alone or its administration be at fault, 
 correction of these things will be sufficient. 
 
 As to the present case, we may remark that no child of 
 six months ought to have had so many foods tried upon it. 
 Nothing can have been really and properly tried. The 
 piopei way with any food which has a reasonable ground 
 for being tried at all would be this : If after a while it seems 
 (o disagree, try to find out why it disagrees and modify it 
 accordingly. Such trials take time, patience and intelli- 
 gence on the part of physicians and parents, but they ulti- 
 mately succeed. 
 
 The condition of the stools suggests that the amount of 
 casein ingested is too great for the child's digestion. This 
 
N URSER Y PR OBL EMS. 
 
 may be due to faulty composition of food or too large or too 
 frequent meals, and, as before suggested, the heat of the 
 food may have aggravated the trouble. As to Baby's un- 
 willingness to take it at the proper temperature, only this need 
 be said, a very little hunger will overcome his objection. 
 Babies never deny themselves food to any dangerous degree 
 on question of taste. 
 
 We have not been able to answer your questions cate- 
 gorically, but have given what hints we could. Among the 
 foods that seem likely to succeed, we may mention milk pre- 
 pared with peptogenie milk powder, the preparation having 
 a larger proportion of water than is usually directed, given 
 in small quantities. The medicinal treatment your physi- 
 cian must direct in detail and step by step. 
 
 Un assimilated Food. 
 
 My baby, now ten months old, was a perfect picture of health 
 until July, when, on account of the poor quality of my milk, I weaned 
 her. Even while I was still nursing her, her passages were slimy, 
 though of a good color. She is now almost worn to a skeleton. The 
 doctor says her food does not assimilate, and we cannot find any food 
 that nourishes her completely. Any food containing milk we cannot 
 giye her. We have been in the Adirondacks all summer, and for a 
 while she seemed to gain, and then would have diarrhoea more like 
 dysentery, and that would reduce her again. Is there anything you 
 can suggest that I might do? 
 
 G. E. E. 
 
 Where milk in its ordinary state cannot be borne, some- 
 times preparations of milk (canned milk) or milk food 
 (Nestl6's, for instance) will be tolerated. If not, then pep- 
 tones of meat (such as Carnrick's or Sarcopeptones) may be, 
 either when used alone or in soups or broths prepared in the 
 usual way. There are many other things that may be sub- 
 stituted, but for a child as ill as yours the dietary should be 
 planned by your own physician. 
 
 
DIGESTIVE DIFFICUL TIES. 
 
 Apparent Overfeeding. 
 
 My little girl, four weeks old, seems to be troubled with indiges- 
 tion. She spits up so much after nursing that it seems scarcely possi- 
 ble that her stomach has retained any of the milk. Then almost im- 
 mediately she is hungry again. I nurse her quite regularly every two 
 and a half hours, and seem to have plenty for her. Sometimes the 
 milk is curdled when she raises it, but more frequently not. 
 
 She is troubled and restless after nursing, and often cries out 
 when spitting up. She weighed 1% pounds when born, and now 
 weighs 10% pounds. Her bowels are moved three or four times in 
 twenty-four hours ; the color is good, but there are curds in the move- 
 ments, and she almost always cries before the bowels are moved. 
 Those I have consulted say, "spitting uj> makes a fat baby," and "it 
 is healthy," but it- does not seem to me to be right. Can you advise 
 what is best to do ? 
 
 Princeton, X. J. F. W. R. 
 
 The symptoms are very suggestive of over-distention of 
 the stomach. A child at four weeks can rarely take com- 
 fortably more thau two fluid ounces (four tablespoonfuls), 
 and if your flow of milk is large, and particularly if it con- 
 tain a good deal of solid matter — butter, casein, etc. — the 
 regurgitation would very likely follow. If the trouble still 
 continues we should see that she gets smaller meals. The 
 repeated demands for food are the results of the indigestion, 
 not of normal hunger. 
 
 Indigestion. 
 
 My baby boy is just six months old, has one tooth, and another 
 visible. I nursed him partly until five months ; since then he gets 
 pure cow's milk, sterilized, lime-water in every bottle, each bottle hold- 
 ing six ounces. His meals he gets regularly, three hours apart. He 
 has always, with the exception of the last few weeks, been well, his 
 digestion having been perfect until lately, but now he has stool some- 
 time < live and six times in twenty-four hours, and he has no appetite 
 whatever; his sleep also has been restless since teething began. I am 
 
110 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 much worried about the boy and would be very grateful to you if you 
 could tell rue something that I could do for him in order to reli-eve his 
 trouble. 
 
 Ought I to put cream in his milk ; what can I do for his appetite ; 
 must I change his food, and if so, what shall it be ? 
 
 Chicago. E. S. A. 
 
 A child of six months usually cannot safely take pure 
 («. e., undiluted) cow's milk. The average baby of twelve 
 months finds it all that he can digest. You ought not cer- 
 tainly to add cream unless to a much diluted milk. We 
 favor " cream foods," but they are not made by adding 
 cream to milk alone. One of the best has this composition : 
 Milk, four tablespoon fu Is ; cream, six tablespoon fuls ; water, 
 twenty tablespoonfuls ; milk sugar, a tablespoonful slightly 
 heaped. After sterilizing, add two tablespoonfuls of lime- 
 water. This, as you see, makes a pint of food. But you 
 can probably do better than that now by simply diluting 
 the milk with an equal bulk of boiled water, the lime-water 
 to be included in this amount of water. Probably his ap- 
 petite will improve when his dietary is more suitable. 
 
COLDS. 
 
 Taking Cold Easily. 
 
 (1) My baby nearly two years old takes cold very easily. I never 
 know how. She perspires easily. When asleep, with only a little 
 covering, her head will very soon be wet. Her feet, too, perspire easily; 
 in fact, her stockings are almost always damp and her feet often cold. 
 Of course I know she needs some constitutional remedy for this, and I 
 do use something when she isn't taking other medicine for a cold, but 
 is there anything I can do locally? 
 
 (2) How long should she stay in her bath? She loves to play in 
 the water and I want to give her the pleasure as long as I can. 
 
 Osage, Iowa. Mother. 
 
 (1) The two symptoms mentioned, sweating of the head 
 and easily taking cold, are suggestive of that form of malnu- 
 trition known as rachitis or rickets. If this exists, the 
 remedy lies in nutritious and digestible food, cool sponging 
 of the skin, and whatever else goes to make up sound 
 hygiene. Sometimes tonics are needed. But the preventing 
 of the colds by proper hygiene is far better than dosing for 
 them. 
 
 (2) Not long, we think. A good way to bathe her is to 
 have her stand in a tub with enough warm (not hot) water 
 tn cover the feet, while she is quickly sponged over with 
 water of the temperature of 60 degrees or cooler. 
 
 Fresh Air and Colds. 
 
 I would like to know if a child six months old that has not been 
 out of the house for many weeks ought, in your opinion, to be taken 
 out during the winter on moderately pleasant days. The child is not 
 very large or strong for her age, and is raised on the bottle ; she dis- 
 charges from the nose as if she had a cold most of the time. 
 
 (Mjden, Utah Ter. M. C. 
 
N USHER Y PR OBLEMS. 
 
 The facts given are too few to enable us to answer defi- 
 nitely, but from the following general remarks you may be 
 able to make an application to your baby's case : In the 
 first place, we do not believe in taking out children in all 
 kinds of weather regardless of consequences, which is a part 
 of the senseless " hardening " theory. The safe rule is, we 
 think, tbis : Children ought to be regularly sent out except 
 when there is rain, or when, by reason of great cold and 
 very high wind, they cannot be kept comfortable. On such 
 days we believe in the value of a promenade, the child 
 dressed as for an out-door walk, in a room which has been 
 thoroughly opened to the air. In this way it can get some- 
 thing of a change without exposure. But there are some 
 children who do not seem to do well if allowed to go out of- 
 doors on any but the "bright and airless" days. This is 
 particularly noticeable in the city when the streets are 
 loaded with mud or slush, and we think evil effects are more 
 noticeable in children who are old enough to walk than in 
 infants. This maybe attributed to the inactivity of the 
 children who walk slowly along on the sidewalks or are 
 obliged to stand at street corners while a conversation is car- 
 ried on by those in charge. The children whose animal 
 spirits lead them into continuous romping out of doors suf- 
 fer less. Be the cause what it may, some children, as we 
 have said, do not well endure their daily walk, and are in 
 less frequent need of medical advice when kept in on all but 
 very fine days. Going out seems to keep them supplied 
 with " colds " and other little ailments. But before the at- 
 tempt to take the child out is given up one should make 
 sure that the attendant inconveniences are unavoidable. If 
 there were not so frequent an assumption to the contrary, it 
 would be unnecessary to say that there is no deleterious ele- 
 ment in out-door air that is not in in-door air ; our in-door 
 supply must come from without, and we certainly do not 
 
COLDS. 
 
 purify it in our dwellings. What we do avoid in-doors is a 
 too low temperature and the violent force of winds and, to 
 some extent, the all-pervading dust. 
 
 If possible, let the child be carried. Your six-months' 
 baby probably could be ; this gives her the warmth of the 
 arms of the person carrying her. But see to it that she is well 
 protected everywhere, not only about the head and trunk, 
 but about the legs. Many a little child we meet whose legs 
 protrude helplessly from its finery. If the child is in long 
 clothes, let them be not too fine to be doubled up or folded 
 around the legs. They are for warmth, not for decorative 
 art. If it has reached the age of short clothes, and is to be 
 carried, we prefer to knitted leggings, with the shoes pro- 
 truding, a petticoat of short flannel or a blanket, sewed up 
 at the bottom like the sleeping-bag of camp-life. This keeps 
 the feet warm, while allowing the legs freedom of motion. 
 
 A word as to the "cold." This term is so fixed in our 
 speech that it is useless to quarrel with it. It is only necessary 
 to mention here that the symptoms are not always, and per- 
 haps not usually, due to the chilling of the person. And 
 when the trouble is persistent, as in the present case, this is 
 almost certainly not the cause. There may be a local cause 
 in the nose, or the trouble may depend upon the feebleness 
 of constitution of which you speak. Perhaps this feebleness 
 is to some extent kept up by the child's lack of fresh air. 
 At all events the cause of the discharge ought to be inquired 
 into. 
 
 Cold in the Head. 
 
 My baby is almost nine months old and weighs about 20 pounds, 
 exclusive of clothing. She seems strong and active, but has had two 
 or three troublesome head colds and is inclined to constipation. She 
 baa two teeth, which were cut without any trouble, is fed entirely from 
 the breast, and usually takes six meals during the twenty-four hours. 
 
-Y URSKH Y PRO 11 1. EMS. 
 
 (1) Our house is quite " drafty," so that Baby is kept a good deal 
 in her high chair and carriage. Ought she to exercise on the floor? 
 
 (2) Is there anything to do for a cold in the head except to apply 
 vaseline about the nose and forehead ? 
 
 Inexperienced. 
 
 (1) It is not necessary for her to be on the floor, but she 
 should have opportunity to use her limbs. The high chair 
 is confining; the carriage is better. Why not let her play 
 upon a bed with sides to keep her from falling off, which 
 would be still better ? 
 
 (2) Various solutions can be used in the form of spray 
 from an atomizer. But you would better not select the solu- 
 tion without medical advice. The vaseline should be used 
 in the nose rather than around it. Warm the vaseline, and 
 if you have no vaseline atomizer put it into the nostril with 
 a soft camel's hair brush or by dropping in a little. 
 
 "Starving a Cold." 
 
 You would oblige me if you would state -whether a young child 
 having a cold should be kept on a very plain diet while the cold lasts. 
 Do you believe in what is commonly called "starving a cold"? My 
 little five-year-old niece has been coughing for some time and looks 
 pale, yet she is generally contented and happy. Would it be best to 
 give her gruel, milk and water, etc., and but very little meat, while 
 the cold lasts? Should she be kept very quiet and sleep as much as 
 possible ? 
 
 M. M. 
 
 The proverb from which our correspondent quotes is 
 quite as often reversed ; indeed, we first learned it, "stuff a 
 cold and starve a fever." The question, as specifically put, is 
 also too vague to be answered categorically, since so many 
 ailments go under the name of "a cold." But we may 
 answer in a general way thus : This child has been cough- 
 ing for some time and has probably a catarrh of the throat 
 
COLDS. 115 
 
 or windpipe. She is somewhat depressed by it, as shown by 
 her paleness. As far, then, as the diet needs supervision, it 
 should be with the purpose of securing good nutrition with 
 easy digestion. The milk, if good, answers both indica- 
 tions. The gruels, if milk-gruels, are also useful. If she 
 can easily digest a little meat in the early part of the day it 
 may be allowed, but it will not be needed if plenty of milk 
 be taken. Good, nutritious broths, not greasy, are also 
 good ; so sometimes are fresh eggs. It will be noticed that 
 while the food in question is "light" in the sense of liquid, it is 
 exceedingly nutritious and that it gives no endorsement at all 
 of any starvation theory. Great Confusion exists popularly 
 as to what is nutritious diet. Much food that would be very 
 nutritious to a robust adult digestion is only wasted and 
 irritating when put into a stomach that cannot manage it. 
 
 Nasal Catarrh of Three Months' Standing. 
 
 My little girl is now three months old and has been troubled with 
 the "snuffles" since she was one week old. At night it troubles her 
 very much and makes her restless. I have rubbed vaseline on her 
 nose and inserted it into the nostrils, but without much effect. Can 
 you tell me of anything that will help or cure it? 
 Brooklyn. M. S. 
 
 The treatment consists in keeping the child's general 
 health in the best possible condition, and the avoidance of 
 heated rooms, as well as of draughts and chilling, on the one 
 band, and, if the trouble persists, in local treatment on the 
 other. Hut practically, in a child so young, nothing can be 
 done locally beyond careful cleansing of the nostrils. There 
 are various Uinds of "snuffles," depending upon constitu- 
 tional causes, which may be cured by. proper treatment. 
 
WHOOPING COUGH. 
 
 Supposed Ignorance of Physicians Concerning 
 Whooping Cough. 
 
 Two of my children, one two years old and the other five, have 
 had whooping cough rather mildly for the last two months, but I think 
 they are on the mend. What would improve their case? 
 
 I regret to say that the medical faculty do not seem to know much 
 more about it than was known fifty years ago. 
 
 Montreal, Our .) . W. N. 
 
 Whooping cough is a disease if not of fixed, at least of 
 prolonged, course. The "medical faculty" know a great 
 deal more about it than they did fifty years ago. But medi- 
 cal science usually does not, and we suspect will not, abbre- 
 viate the course of diseases of an infectious nature after 
 they are well begun. What has been accomplished in 
 many of them is this : To recognize their natural career, 
 the accidents and dangerous complications attending them; 
 to point out the best means of avoiding or treating the lat- 
 ter, and of mitigating symptoms and hastening conva- 
 lescence. Most of all science has pointed out means of 
 avoiding contagion. 
 
 Now, as to the particular cases in hand. The children 
 are mending, and in all probability will soon be cured. But 
 we can offer you a few hints which may be serviceable. 
 First of all, winter is coming and in your climate will come 
 soon. It is very desirable not to enter the cold sea-son with 
 
 
WHOOPING COUGH. 117 
 
 the bronchitis of whooping cough still lingering, because of 
 its tendency to exacerbations and to chest complications. 
 See to it, therefore, that your little ones are properly clothed 
 from throat to foot, evenly, warmly, but not burdensomely. 
 Try to keep your indoor temperature moderate (not above 
 70 degrees, preferably nearer 65 degrees) and as uniform as 
 possible. Regulate their outdoor clothing each day by the 
 thermometer, which will probably vary a good deal in the 
 coming months. Try to teach the habit of breathing 
 through the nostrils, as mouth breathing is likely to excite 
 cough in children recovering from whooping cough. Many 
 little details will occur to you which we have not space for. 
 
 Secondly, attend to the diet and to the digestion, as any 
 derangement of the stomach aggravates the tendency to 
 cough and to recurrences. If there is any marked dietary 
 trouble medicinal remedies will be needed, tonics, 
 stomachics, etc., according to the nature of the derange- 
 ment. 
 
 Beyond these points we need not specify, except that 
 abundant and pure air in or out of doors is always a tonic. 
 By pure air we do not mean harsh air, nor gales of wind 
 which may bring anything but purity with them. 
 
 Contagion of Whooping-Cough. 
 
 I wish to inquire about whooping cough. Can it be carried from 
 one child to another without the two children being together ? At 
 what time in the duration of whooping-cough does one child give it to 
 another ? 
 Logan, Ohio. Subscriber. 
 
 The poison, or contagium, of whooping-cough is gen- 
 erally supposed to he very volatile, i. e., easily spread about 
 in i he air. Ill oerefore is very easily contagious if a sufferer 
 he brought oear others who are not protected, while for the 
 
118 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 same reason the poison is thought not to cling to apparel, 
 and hence to be not portable, at least any considerable dis- 
 tance. The disease is communicable from a person as long 
 as the cough continues. 
 
 Severity of Whooping-Cough in Relation to Age. 
 
 Does whooping-cough generally "go harder" with infants, say 
 seven or eight months old, than with children somewhat older, other 
 things being equal ? 
 
 Manchester, Ky. \Y. 
 
 We cannot answer the question in the precise form in 
 which it is put ; that is, to say whether the severity of the 
 disease is greater at seven or eight months than at a some- 
 what later period, because we do not know how much older 
 children you have in mind. This, however, we can say : 
 The mortality from whooping-cough — doubtless chiefly from 
 pulmonary complications — is much greater in young chil- 
 dren than in those of what is called "the school age." In 
 fact the mortality is chiefly under three, indeed even under 
 two years of age. The actual per centum loss, however, in 
 children of ordinary strength and well cared for, is not very 
 great, although among the poor and neglected classes the dis- 
 ease and its sequels account foran enormous total mortality. 
 In the mild season the danger of pulmonary complications 
 is less, and hence the danger from tbe disease is less. 
 
ERUPTIONS. 
 
 The Characteristics of Mild and of Serious 
 Eruptions. 
 
 Is there any way of telling the difference between a little 
 rash — heat rash, so called, for example — and that of scarlet fever, 
 measles, etc. ? If it was the beginning of a severe case, of course the 
 other symptoms would make themselves known ; but how would it be 
 in a light case, and with an infant, who couldn't tell its feeling? 
 
 I have a little nephew about three months old, who, when his 
 mamma was just about to bathe him one morning, exhibited a slight 
 rash. She was rather in a dilemma, not knowing whether it 
 amounted to anything or not, and whether she should give the baby 
 his usual hath and send him out for his airing in the carriage, or call 
 in her physician. She finally decided that it didn't amount to any- 
 thing, and her judgment in this case proved correct ; but think if she 
 had been wrong and the result serious ! 
 Jamaica Plain, Mass. A Seeker after Truth. 
 
 The differences are not easy to describe in words, and it 
 is said that in hot weather even physicians have mistaken 
 German measles and some other eruptive disorders for 
 prickly heat. The most striking distinction to the un- 
 trained eye between scarlatina and prickly heat we think is 
 the elevation of the eruption of prickly heat above the skin. 
 It is composed of minute conical elevations with or without 
 a watery liquid in a vesicle al the top, and the inequality 
 can I"' recognized by passing the fingers over the surface. 
 The eruption of scarlatina is made of minute bright red 
 
120 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 points, afterward coalescing, appearing first on the neck, and 
 then on the chest, and spreading, and brightest when 
 covered. Measles has a duller red eruption, which appears 
 in crescentic patches on the face first, and is brightest where 
 exposed. German measles looks more like measles at first, 
 and then more like scarlatina. Prickly heat is most abun- 
 dant on or confined to parts where the clothing retains the 
 perspiration. It comes almost exclusively in hot weather. 
 The eruptive fevers are more prevalent in the cooler season — 
 i. e., the season of closed and unventilated houses. 
 
 "Driving in" Eczema. 
 
 Is it really dangerous to try and heal eczema on a child's face? 
 My baby was afflicted with it until eight months old, and I was 
 warned not to attempt to heal it, as that would "drive it in" and pro- 
 duce some form of sickness as a result. Our physician prescribed zinc 
 ointment (which did no good) and said the ailment would probably 
 last until Baby had all her teeth; then it would pass away. At Grand- 
 mother's suggestion, however, I tried a mild solution of salt and 
 water when washing Baby's face, following that each time with 
 talcum powder, and this did more good than anything else. Then we 
 went to the seashore, where Baby had the salt air and sea water for a 
 final plunge after each bath (the chill taken oft' by the addition of 
 plain hot water), and within a couple of weeks the eczema had disap- 
 peared. We remained by the sea until Baby was ten months old, and 
 the eczema has never returned in the same degree, but only in occasional 
 patches during the cutting of a tooth or some little disorder of the 
 stomach, such as babies have. If there is danger in curing the eczema 
 ordinarily, why did no ill results follow the natural cure performed by 
 the sea ? A . Z. 
 
 There is no danger whatever in treating an eczema ; it 
 cannot be "driven in." The blunder — a very wide-spread 
 one popularly — came about thus : Eczema sometimes de- 
 pends upon constitutional conditions that vary their points 
 of manifestation ; when a new point is attacked, the eczema 
 
ERUPTIONS. 121 
 
 sometimes disappears. So, too, it is a very common obser- 
 vation that two diseases rarely will go on actively at the 
 same time ; hence it has been observed that an eczema has 
 disappeared when an internal disease in no way connected 
 with it has been set up. In such cases the eczema might be 
 said to be "called in." 
 
 Eczema and other skin diseases should be always healed 
 as soon as practicable. The notions about "driving in" 
 eruptions are ordinarily simple superstitions, and at best 
 are founded on the misapprehension of cause and effect. 
 When a severe illness occurs eruptions sometimes fade, and 
 the careless observer thinks that the illness was caused by 
 the disappearance of the skin disease, when the reverse was 
 the truth. We may, however, say that such eruptions are 
 often very obstinate and hard to cure. 
 
 Heat-Rash. 
 
 My little girl, twenty months old, is much troubled with heat- 
 rash. "We bathe her with bicarbonate of soda and water, and use 
 zinc or lvcopodium powder ; but neither seems to do her any good. 
 Can you recommend any different treatment? Would it be well to 
 use vaseline ? She has lately been having a good deal of bowel and 
 stomach trouble ; but that is accounted for by the fact that she is just 
 getting her stomach and eye teeth. We feed her, by our doctor's ad- 
 vice, on oatmeal gruel and milk entirely. Is barley equally nutri- 
 tions, and would it be less heating to her blood ? Would it he well 
 for her to wear linen or lawn next her skin under her thin merino 
 shirt? The rash usually conies out on her face and neck with every 
 warm spell, but this time it is all over her body and I don't know 
 what to do for it. 
 Georgia. Makietta. 
 
 Derangement of the digestive tract often increases the 
 susceptibility of the skin, and anything that relieves the 
 former will in so far help the other. .Just what things your 
 
NURSER Y PROBL EMS. 
 
 child needs in this May your physician can best say. The 
 heat-rash is usually kept up by the excessive perspiration, 
 and the lessening of the latter is also helpful. Limiting as 
 far as possible the child's activity of course will diminish 
 perspiration ; sometimes the use of alkaline drinks is useful, 
 but they should not be employed without the consent of the 
 physician who is familiar with her stomach trouble. Again, 
 light and loose clothing — which may at the same time be 
 sufficiently warm to prevent chilling — is very useful, the 
 worst irritation from heat-rash usually being at points 
 where the clothing binds. The lawn or linen shirt under 
 the merino is often useful in allaying friction. Barley is of 
 about the same nutritive value as oatmeal, but less laxative. 
 Some persons find oatmeal " heating," in the sense of favor- 
 ing eruptions. 
 
 Red Gum. 
 
 My baby-girl is six months old to-day. She is plump and 
 usually good. At the age of two months she had red gum, and it was 
 some weeks before she recovered. It, the rash, remained the longest 
 and brightest wherever the wet napkin touched, and even yet comes 
 and goes there. An orange stain is often present. The opening into 
 the bladder is also a bright red. She has been of a very constipated 
 habit, but by giving her a little " brown-bread coffee," I now secure a 
 daily movement. I have been able for over a month now to see four 
 teeth, the upper front ones, but they are not yet through. 
 
 My hope is that you can give me definite directions as regards her 
 urine, and also tell me when and how I had best wean her. 1 have 
 plenty of milk, when I can get it myself to drink (just now the people 
 with whom I am boarding have but little), and have nursed her regu- 
 larly until six weeks ago, every two hours in the day — once at night — 
 and since then every three hours. 
 
 Montgomery Centre, Vt. F. J. 
 
ERUPTIONS. 
 
 The "red gum." and the present rash, are not, strictly 
 speaking, the same, but that is a point of small moment. 
 The eruption under the napkin is very common, especially 
 if the urine be very acid, as it probably is when the orange 
 deposit is present. To correct this tendency (which is prob- 
 ably due to peculiarities of digestion) in a child on the breast 
 is not easy. Something may be done by giving her water, 
 and we think the condition will probably improve, since 
 you have adopted the three-hour rule in place of the two- 
 hour interval, which was continued rather long. Locally, 
 washing the parts with weak alkaline washes — e.g., lime- 
 water, or very weak soda solution— will allay irritation. If 
 the skin is irritated, great care should be exercised in 
 cleansing the parts frequently, carefully drying them and 
 powdering or dusting them with fuller's earth or similar 
 preparations. 
 
 "Black-Heads." 
 
 1 wish to ask your opinion regarding a certain condition of the 
 skin which is unpleasant to behold. I refer to the choking-up of the 
 little glands on the forehead and around the mouth, which become 
 blackened and are known as "black-heads." Then the pores of the 
 skin of the nose are enlarged and minute fatty particles can be pressed 
 out. This gives to the skin a greasy look. I have asked a physician 
 about the cause, thinking perhaps it was an impurity of the blood. 
 Buthe claims it is not, and that he knows of nothing to remedy it. 
 I have kept the pores of the skin of the whole body open by fre- 
 quent bathing, thinking that might be of benefit. Sometimes she 
 has little elevations which are like little pimples, but when they are 
 squeezed out it is just the same fatty substance which exudes — not 
 pus. I would state that her diet has been carefully watched and only 
 the simplest food allowed. Are these appearances of the skin, espe- 
 cially the little fatty pimples, due to the state of the blood ? What 
 course of treatment could you advise me to pursue in order to have 
 the pores of my little girl's face clean, pure, and healthy ? 
 
 Ohio. A FiiiKMi. 
 
124 NURSERY PROBLEM*. 
 
 The ailment is easily recognized. The medical name of 
 
 the eruption is comedo. The natural sebaceous follicles are 
 filled or distended with their secretion (sebum), and the 
 dark head is caused by the deposit of dust, or possibly, as 
 some think, by a formation of pigment. The situations most 
 generally affected are the nose and its neighborhood, the 
 forehead and temples, and the upper part of the back. 
 
 Constitutional treatment is sometimes necessary, but 
 ordinarily purely local treatment suffices. It consists first 
 of squeezing out the contents of the follicles. This may be 
 done with iinger-nails, better by means of a large watch- 
 key, or, still better, a small cycliudrical tube with a smooth 
 end, which is less likely to injure the skin. The hollow end 
 is placed over the "black-head," and smart, abrupt pressure 
 forces the latter out of the follicle. 
 
 Directly after the use of the instrument on the various 
 points the parts are to be bathed with hot water to diminish 
 the irritation. In addition, the glands are to be stimulated by 
 the daily use of good soap. If this proves too irritating, 
 warm bran-water in which a little borax is dissolved may be 
 used. If the skin is unpleasantly shiny after the use of 
 soap, rub it with a soft flannel or lightly powder it. But, 
 except among ladies, this shininess of the skin is rarely 
 considered worth notice. 
 
 Hives— The Cause and Cure. 
 Will you kindly tell me if there is any cure for hives '.' I have a 
 little boy, now eighteen months old, who is perfectly healthy in every 
 respect, but is greatly troubled with hives, and has been since his 
 birth. He has been raised on condensed milk, Eagle brand, and has 
 only commenced to take solid food within the last two months. I 
 can't observe that his diet has much to do with it. He appears to 
 inherit the trouble from me. 
 
 Oakland, Gal. C. S. B. 
 
ER UPTIOXS. 125 
 
 It should be mentioned that the terni " hives " is a pop- 
 ular name for several disorders of quite various character. 
 First, it means croup, especially catarrhal croup. This ap- 
 plication of the term seems to be not common in America, 
 but it survives in the popular remedy for croup now passing 
 out of use — "hive-syrup." Secondly, the name is applied 
 to various skin eruptions, aud particularly to urticaria, or 
 nettle rash. In answering we shall assume that this is the 
 disease meant by our correspondent. 
 
 Both the scientific and popular names just mentioned 
 are derived from that of the stinging nettle (several species 
 of urtica), which produces this eruption if it touches the 
 skin, at least in man}' persons. The eruption is composed 
 of wheals, raised above the surface a sixteenth of an inch or 
 more, which are white or pink and surrounded by a red 
 blush. Ordinarily thej- are not much larger than a finger 
 end or a cent ; in severe cases they form large patches, and 
 it is Dot rare to see the face swollen by them until it resem- 
 bles the face of one afflicted with an erysipelatous inflam- 
 mation. The outbreaks are usually quite suddeu, and often 
 they as quickly subside. Many persons are very subject to 
 the disorder, particularly those of a nervous temperament. 
 
 The causes are very various. External irritations of 
 many kinds may excite it Beside the nettle, which stings 
 by its minute sharp hairs, many stinging insects cause it. 
 A stroke of a whip-lash is a well-known instance of an ex- 
 ternal irritant causing the wheal. We have seen persons 
 whose skin, particularly after a bath, would rise in the track 
 of a simple pressure of a finger-tip. The skin of some per- 
 sons is chronically in this state of excitability. 
 
 Internal causes are also very various. Most common of 
 all is a sensibility to certain thin.irs taken into the stomach, 
 Some of which affecl many persons. Of these the most fa- 
 miliar are fish, oysters, clams, lobsters, crabs and berries, nota- 
 
N URSER Y PR OBL EMS. 
 
 bly strawberries. Less frequently vegetables, such as cucum- 
 bers and mushrooms, may be the offending food, and some 
 persons are affected by eggs or honey. Many persons are 
 affected only at certain seasons or occasionally, others pretty 
 uniformly by some particular article of diet. The peculiar- 
 ity does not seem to be always connected with an indiges- 
 tion, as the effect is sometimes too prompt, occurring almost 
 before the food is swallowed. There are mauy drugs which 
 produce urticaria in susceptible people. 
 
 Now, to effect a cure is often extremely difficult ; often, 
 on the other hand, very easy. This depends in part upon 
 the varying character of the ailment as to pertinacity and 
 upon the good fortune of the physician in ascertaining what 
 is the particular cause in any given case. The successful 
 remedies may, for the greater part, be classed under three 
 heads: (1) Those which clear the intestinal canal of the 
 offending substance, if food seems to be the cause of the 
 trouble. The household remedy of rhubarb and soda, or 
 rhubarb and magnesia, maintains its place among such. (2) 
 Remedies which act as antiseptics upon imperfectly digested 
 or fermenting food. Among the most popular of these are 
 sodium salicylate and sulphurous acid, or the sulphites. (3) 
 In cases more or less chronic, tonics, especially Peruvian 
 bark and its derivatives, are very useful. 
 
 For the temporary alleviation of the itching, sponging 
 with alkaline solution (soda and water) or with alcohol or 
 the rubbing on of an ointment containing chloroform seems 
 to be as successful as anything we know. 
 
 The main point, however, is to find out the cause, and 
 in the case of your baby we think the most probable source 
 of mischief lies in the intestinal canal. An occasional clear- 
 ing out of the bowels with the rhubarb and soda, and pos- 
 sibly a tonic, will be the safest plan. 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 
 
 Excessive Sweating of the Head. 
 
 My baby is six months old, and kept remarkably fat during the 
 intensely hot weather. She suffered little from the heat, but her head 
 was covered with big drops of perspiration when she ate and the pil- 
 low on which she sleeps was saturated. As yet she has no teeth. I 
 read that three grains of phosphate of lime twice a day would prevent 
 the perspiration on the head. "Would you advise giving it, and do 
 you think she is old enough to have trouble in cutting her first teeth ? 
 Memphis, Tenn. M. G. C. 
 
 She is old enough to be getting teeth, but there is no 
 particular reason why she should have trouble in doing so. 
 They may be late. If the sweating occurs in any but very 
 hot weather the phosphate of lirne would probably be of use, 
 but we presume that a preparation of the hypophosphites 
 would be better. 
 
 Cold Feet as a Consequence of Short Clothes. 
 
 Can you tell me how to keep my little girl's feet warm through 
 the day? She is eight months old, has always been strong and well, 
 is plump, and has rosy cheeks. I put her into short clothes a month 
 Bgo, i .11 1 ting on long woollen stockings and the little soft, solid shoes 
 that come for the first wearing. At night, when I undress her, her 
 little feet are very cold and clammy. 
 Haverhill. Mass. 8. 
 
128 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 It is not very easy to keep the feet of a baby quite warm 
 who is short-coated in winter. The first effect of shoes is 
 rather to retard the circulation in the feet by diminishing 
 the play of the muscles. Little ones who are very vigorous 
 often have the feet and hands considerably colder than the 
 body or the limbs. The best way we know is to have the 
 shoes and stockings very large, to make sure that the feet are 
 quite warm when put into their coverings, and if this alone 
 does not succeed, to take off the shoes and stockings in the 
 middle of the day, rub and warm the feet, and reclothe 
 them. See also that the napkins are not so tight as to pre- 
 vent exercise of the limbs. 
 
 Sore Mouth. 
 
 My baby is troubled with a very sore mouth, which is exceedingly 
 painful when she drinks. I have heard of bottle babies Buffering 
 thus for months, the ulcers often leaving scars for years. Is this the 
 common fate of all poor babies who must nurse from a bottle, and is 
 there no preventive or cure ? It seems to be a rubber poison. I have 
 read of silver and porcelain nipples, but have been unable to find any. 
 Do you know where such articles can be purchased ? If I can get any 
 help from you for these troubles I shall be very grateful. 
 Spencer, Ind. M. P. 
 
 It is not the "common fate" of bottle babies. Some 
 babies who are feeble get sore mouths, whether on the dottle 
 or the breast. The commonest cause of sore mouths is 
 neglect of the details < »f tidiness. The rubber nipples should 
 be carefully scrubbed and cleaned, and such cleansing would 
 be just as necessary if you had metal, porcelain, or even 
 glass nipples. Besides, the child's mouth should be cleansed 
 before nursing, and quite thoroughly after nursing, if a 
 tendency to sore mouth exists. Ordinary borax or boric- 
 acid solutions are good, but others are used according to the 
 condition of the mouth, as directed by the physician. 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 129 
 
 Metal and porcelain nipples are objectionable, especially the 
 metal, even if they can be obtained. We have not seen one 
 in a great while. The old ivory mouth-piece, too, has gone 
 into deserved retirement. Rubber nipples of good quality, 
 if properly cared for, will give you little trouble, we think. 
 
 Coated Tongue. 
 
 My two little girls have always been very healthy children, 
 neither having had even the common eruptions or rashes incidental to 
 infancy ; but the elder, three years and a half old, has always had a 
 white-coated tongue, except at very rare intervals. She is the picture 
 of fair, robust, rosy childhood, perfectly sound in every way appa- 
 rently. Can you account for this seemingly incongruous case? I 
 sometimes feel anxious about it, as such a tongue is usually regarded 
 as indicating a disordered stomach ; but this cannot be so, as I am and 
 always have been particular as to food, regular hours and habits, 
 clothing, etc., which are such as I think you would approve of. 
 St Joint, X. B. E. B. H. 
 
 We cannot, of course, tell why the child's tongue is 
 white. It is noticeable in some children and adults with- 
 out any corresponding symptoms of stomach disorder. And 
 we have noticed that some persons when using a milk diet, 
 even if with pleasure aud apparent benefit, have a slight 
 whitish coat or coloration upon the tongue. If you can find 
 mi other evidence of ill-health we think you may safely dis- 
 regard the symptom, 
 
 "Three- Months' Colic." 
 
 Please tell me something about the legitimate remedies for "three 
 months' colic" in infants. I am entirely without experience, and, 
 with the advice of nurses, friends, and doctors, have rung the changes 
 on "Dewees's Carminative," catnip-tea, soda-mint, gin and fennel, etc. 
 Are these all harmful '.' 
 New Orleans, La. B. 
 
130 
 
 N URSE R Y PR B LEMS 
 
 Catnip-tea, given hot, and soda mint, dissolved in hot 
 water, are both safe and useful in relieving colic. But it is 
 best to search for causes. Children have colic at all ages. It 
 is, perhaps, more frequent at the age mentioned than 
 earlier, because the little one has gained more independence 
 of action, kicks its covers off and so gets chilled, and is 
 in warm climates or seasons often placed upon the 
 floor. Besides— and perhaps this is most important of all- 
 certain processes of development in the intestinal canal 
 make the child at this age more susceptible to derangement 
 from all causes. A child that has shown the colicky ten- 
 dency should be carefully protected about the bowels at all 
 times ; should not be allowed to become constipated ; if fed, 
 should have its food prepared with great circumspection ; if 
 suckled, its mouth and the nipple should be kept particu- 
 larly clean to avoid any source of fermentation which might 
 act upon the milk. 
 
 Colic and Teething. 
 Will cutting the lateral incisors give a baby colic? It seems to 
 in the case of my baby, ten months old. I give her capsicum tablets 
 for it. Is there anything better that you can recommend ? 
 
 Nahant, Mass. M - B - H - 
 
 The cutting of teeth is charged with many digestive dis- 
 orders. The latter are, however, now attributed, by those 
 giving attention to such things, more frequently to changes 
 in the development of the digestive organs which occur at 
 the same period with teething. It is, therefore, safer to say 
 such symptoms accompany rather than depend upon teeth- 
 ing. Capsicum, the oils of mint and anise, in the shape of 
 cordials, or the tincture of the drug-shops— a few drops in 
 hot water— and many other things will relieve colic. Hot 
 water alone is often efficient. Better is it, if possible, to re- 
 move the cause. 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 131 
 
 Colic Accompanying Nursing. 
 
 "What is the cause of my baby-girl, two-and-a-half months old, 
 having colic when she nurses ? She may have been perfectly quiet 
 before she began, and oftentimes will only take one or two swallows 
 when the colic strikes her, and it is only by working with her for some 
 time that she can get enough to satisfy her. The only time that she is 
 not troubled is the one time that she nurses during the night. 
 
 Two physicians have given her simple remedies for indigestion, 
 but they had no effect; others said the milk came too fast, but the 
 above sentence disproves that, as naturally at night it comes faster 
 than at any other time. Can you tell me what the cause is ? She 
 sometimes sleeps the whole morning, and anyway is nursed only every 
 two-and-three-quarter hours, yet always has it. Have you ever had a 
 similar case? I have not met any one that had ever heard of it. I 
 am not alarmed about it, but I should like to know something to re- 
 lieve her at that time when she ought certainly to be easy. She is not 
 one bit sick, but, on the contrary, is thriving nicely. 
 St. Louis, Mo. A. 
 
 Such cases are by no means rare in infancy or in later 
 childhood — that is to say, the taking of food into the 
 stomach excites prematurely the stomach and intestines to 
 action. We do not know enough of your condition of health 
 or of your baby's to tell you what is the exact cause in this 
 case. Sometimes the trouble is due to over-irritability of the 
 digestive tract in the child, sometimes to some unsuitable- 
 ness of the food — milk, or whatever it may be. In older 
 children, as well as in infants, it is not rare to see a meal — 
 whether from breast, bottle, or from table — frequently or 
 even usually interrupted by a movement of tbe bowels. 
 Doubtless your baby's case belongs to the same group, al- 
 though the effecl seems to be limited to colicky pain. The 
 fact that the disturbance is less marked at night does not 
 quite clear up the matter, because your milk might be better 
 for your lest, or I iaby's digestion better for her rest. Take 
 one of your two physicians and let him follow out the 
 matter. 
 
132 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 The Cause and Cure of Hiccough. 
 
 My baby, a little girl now seven and a half months old, has 
 always been troubled with hiccough. For the first three months her 
 food was what nature provided ; then that proved insufficient, and the 
 insufficiency was made good by cow's milk, upon which she ha* 
 thrived. It is now her only food, and she is healthy, hearty and 
 happy, but is troubled very often with hiccoughs. She has them as 
 often as four or five times some days, and perhaps next day will not 
 have a single attack. She is now fed at intervals of four hours during 
 the day, and gets one light meal at night. 
 
 I have sought information of my nurse and of persons who have 
 had large experience with children, and have received the uniform, 
 highly unsatisfactory reply : "Babies who have hiccoughs always 
 thrive." Can you throw some light on the probable cause and sug- 
 gest a remedy? I have used liquor of pepsin, sugar and sweetened 
 water (both warm and cold). They give only temporary relief. I 
 would like to strike at the root of the matter. I hope your reply may 
 help other inexperienced mothers. 
 
 Cedar Rapids. Inwa. L. H. D. 
 
 Hiccough is a spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm, 
 which arises from a multitude of causes. While in some 
 diseases it is a grave symptom, it is usually only a passing 
 annoyance, and of this type is common hiccough of babies. 
 The real physiological reasons of hiccough are not well un- 
 derstood, but the exciting causes are. For babies the com- 
 monest causes are simple over-fulness of the stomach, or 
 pressure upward of the stomach or abdominal organs from 
 any cause (tossing the baby or a sudden motion from alarm 
 may excite it). What the particular cause in any given case 
 is, only a close observer of that case can tell. 
 
 Some of our correspondents have commented on the 
 value of crying as a remedy. Recently in several medical 
 journals the fact that sneezing is a cure has been discussed. 
 The explanation of both seems to be this: Hiccough is a dis- 
 turbance of the ordinary respiratory movements ; so is 
 sneezing and so is crying. If the one disturbance comes on, 
 
1IIX0R AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 
 
 the other ceases. Every one must have noticed the similar- 
 ity between hiccough and the violent sobs following a hard 
 fit of crying with some children. It is not necessary that a 
 person actually sneeze to produce the desired effect ; tickling 
 or gentle irritation of the nasal mucous membrane is usually 
 enough to stop the hiccough. 
 
 This remedy, it has been pointed out by Dr. Gibson, is 
 as old as Hippocrates, who says : "Sneezing occurring after 
 hiccough removes the hiccough." Dr. Burnett, in a letter 
 to the Medical. Record, says : 
 
 " When devoting a leisure hour to Plato's Dialogues, as 
 translated by Jowett, I was struck by a passage in the Sym- 
 posium which had never arrested my attention before. Trans- 
 lated by Jowett, it stands thus : ' When Pausanias came to 
 a pause, Aristodemus said that the turn of Aristophanes was 
 next, but that either he had eaten too much, or from some 
 other cause he had the hiccough, and was obliged to change 
 with Eryximachus, the physician, who was reclining on 
 the couch below him. ' Eryximachus,' said he, ' you ought 
 either to stop my hiccough or to speak in my turn until I 
 am better.' 'I will do both,' said Eryximachus. ' I will 
 speak in your turn, and do you speak in mine ; and while I 
 am speaking, let me recommend you to hold your breath, 
 and, if tbis fails, then to gargle with a little water* ; and if 
 the hiccough still continues, tickle your nose with something 
 and sneeze; and if you sneeze once or twice, even the most 
 violent hiccough is sure to go. In the meantime I will take 
 your turn, and you shall take mine.' ' I will do as you pre- 
 scribe,' said Aristophanes ; 'and now get on.' 
 
 "The hiccough was not cured by the first nor by the second 
 remedy suggested by Eryximachus, but by the production of 
 sneezing. The method of tickling the nostrils lias been tested 
 by us in cases of Obstinate hiccough, and has been very sue- 
 
N URSER Y PR OB L EMS. 
 
 cessful. It is not necessary that the stimulus applied to the 
 nose be followed by sneeziug ; the application of a gentle irri- 
 tant to the nasal mucous membrane may lie quite enough to 
 put a stop to the hiccough, by diverting the nervous energy 
 into other channels although it may not be of sufficient 
 power to induce sneezing." 
 
 Need all Children Hiccough? 
 
 Do all babies have hiccough? I have three, and they all have 
 had hiccough more or less. They have l>een exceptionally free from any 
 digestive disturbance, outside of that ; their bowels have been regu- 
 lar, they have had red tongues, sweet breaths, etc. It has only been 
 as tiny babies that they have had hiccough ; but I have wondered 
 sometimes if there ever was a baby so perfectly managed that it never 
 had this sign of indigestion. 
 Boston, Mass. Hiccoughs. 
 
 Probably all or nearly all babies have had hiccough at 
 some time, while only a minority have the symptoms often 
 or habitually. We cannot even admit that it is always a 
 sign of indigestion. If you notice the troubles that excite 
 hiccough in larger children or adults, you will see that it is 
 not usually caused by indigestion proper. Over-distention 
 of the stomach, and, perhaps, more commonly too rapid 
 eating bring on this peculiar spasmodic action of the dia- 
 phragm. 
 
 Excessive Nose-Bleeding. 
 
 My baby, six months old, had a severe attack of "nose-bleed." 
 She woke from a sound sleep, and blood commenced flowing and con- 
 tinued for some ten minutes. Is such an occurrence a rare thing for an 
 infant? or does it indicate some serious trouble? She was perfectly 
 well before the attack, and seems so since. Can you suggest a way to 
 stop the flow should it again occur? Our family doctor says he 
 never knew of a similar case, and volunteers no opinion. 
 New York. Inquirer. 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 135 
 
 It is an unusual case. If it recurs, the safest and 
 quickest remedy we can suggest is syringing the nose with 
 quite cold or hot water. A hot solution of alum is also 
 quite efficient— a teaspoonful of powdered alum to a pint of 
 hot water. If it should again occur, however, the nose 
 should be examined thoroughly to see if any local cause— a 
 small sore or anything of the kind — exists. This is some- 
 times the case, and a little local treatment may save much 
 bleeding, which is particularly desirable, as babies feel the 
 loss of blood relatively more than adults. 
 
 Gritting the Teeth; Worms. 
 
 My baby grits his teeth terribly when asleep at night. His grand- 
 mother and I have thought he had worms, and I have given him sev- 
 eral enemas of strong salt and water, but I have seen nothing that 
 looked to me like a worm. His seat has been broken out and has 
 itched fearfully, and the enemas seem to have benefited both these 
 troubles ; at least they have disappeared. Of late Baby's urine has 
 looked rather greasy on the surface. He is apparently in perfect 
 health, but has a very small appetite, and would starve before he 
 would eat really proper food. Whether this be so or not, he seems to 
 crave "grown-up" food and digests it perfectly. He is two years and 
 eightmonths old, was nursed till sixteen months, and carefully fed till 
 after two years old. He has always been well and strong, but not very 
 fat. Now he eats almost what we do, and is growing fat and rosy. 
 The only trouble he lias is this appearance (to me) of worms. Do you 
 think we are right in our theory, and what do you recommend ? 
 New York. An Anxious Mother. 
 
 I 'fitting the teeth in the sleep is not necessarily, or even 
 usually, a sign of worms. It may proceed from any irrita- 
 tion, very often in the digestive tract. If a child shows the 
 condition of mine you describe, we should look for digestive 
 derangement ; tins, added to the eruption on the seat and the 
 gritting aforesaid, make a strong probability that he is suf- 
 fering as mighl be expected of a child of his age who takes 
 "grown-up" food. Cf he is pul upon a proper diet, irre- 
 
A" I 'USER Y PROBLEMS. 
 
 spective of his notions, he will presently yield the point and 
 eat what he can get. It is, however, cruel to expect a child 
 who has been indulged in this respect to sit at the same 
 table with you without demanding your diet. He ought to 
 be fed before your meals, and by himself. 
 
 We are often at a loss to guess what is the standard of 
 perfect health used by many persons. Your child is so de- 
 scribed. Yet you mention small and capricious appetite, 
 disordered urine, a skin-eruption and disturbed sleep as the 
 source of your anxiety about him. 
 
 Persistent Itching of the Nose. 
 
 Our little girl of fourteen weeks is terribly troubled with an 
 itching nose. Can you suggest the cause or remedy ? She is a plump, 
 strong and rosy-cheeked baby, and has never had anything but 
 breast-milk until two weeks ago ; at that time she was very 
 constipated, with curd in the passages, and the physician advised giv- 
 ing her two meals per day of Mellin's food; she has five meals, three 
 hours apart; she does not nurse at night; the food now seems well 
 digested, and she has one good passage a day. She often wakes crying 
 and trying to rub her nose on the blanket, and when lying on her side 
 will turn over on her little face and rub it back and forth on the pil- 
 low. Her face has had scratches nearly all over given by the little 
 fingers, aimed for her nose. As soon as it begins to itch badly she 
 wants to nurse and will suck her fist with great gusto. The doctor 
 thought it some kind of abdominal irritation and gave her medicine 
 which does no perceptible good. He thinks her too young for 
 worms. She has had this trouble ever since she was old enough to 
 make any attempt to rub her nose, perhaps five or six weeks ago. Do 
 you think it can be worms, and is she too young to take worm medi- 
 cine ? She "drools" a great deal and bites my fingers very hard when 
 I wash her mouth, though there is no sign of teeth. She has 
 been almost spoiled the last few weeks out of our sympathy for 
 her trouble, which wakens and worries her at all hours of the day or 
 night. I have tried every way I could think of to chafe her nose, 
 using my hand, a coarse towel, her hair-brush, etc. If you can 
 give me any light on the subject I shall be deeply grateful. 
 
 San Jose, Cal. F. H H 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 137 
 
 It would be well first of all to see if there is anything in 
 the child's apparel that might cause the itching. Some 
 fabrics, as, for instance, the " squirrel's-fur " yarn, have a 
 light nap, which is easily detached, and excites, by being 
 inhaled, great irritation of the nose. Still in this case, if we 
 must hazard an opinion, the trouble is probably due, as the 
 physician suggested, to some "abdominal irritation." The 
 presence of worms is not probable, and we may say that the 
 itchiug of the nose, which is so often pointed out as a symp- 
 tom of worms, is due, we believe, not to the presence of the 
 worms themselves, but to the co-existing intestinal dis- 
 orders. As to treatment, we would suggest that the chafing 
 of the nose be done as little as possible, but that soothing 
 applications be used. Very weak solutions of carbolic acid 
 have been found useful ; so, too, have solutions of bi-carbon- 
 ate of soda and many other things which your physician 
 can suggest. Above all persist in your attempts to discover 
 the digestive disorder which probably lies behind the irrita- 
 tion described. 
 
 Swollen Tonsils. 
 
 My little boy, who is just four years old, is troubled with swollen 
 tonsils. During sleep he snores distressingly, and he has frequent 
 colds in the head. Our physician thinks it would be best to cut the 
 tonsils, but I dread the operation, and many friends, some of them ex- 
 perienced mothers, warn me against allowing the operation to be per- 
 formed. They tell me that he may outgrow the trouble; that the op- 
 eration, performed at this early age, might have to be repeated, and 
 that, as he is the picture of rosy health, the swollen tonsils and 
 labored breathing at night cannot be doing him any injury. I am 
 very much troubled about the matter, and am anxious to have your 
 advice. Does this condition of the throat predispose to diphtheria? 
 What home-treatment would you suggest to diminish the swelling? 
 New York. A. A. M. 
 
138 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Of course it is impossible for us to give an opiuiou on 
 this or any other particular case ; but in a general way some- 
 thing may be said. Even if the phrase "swollen tonsils" 
 be limited in meaning to express only a condition of some 
 duration, it does not always mean the same thing. In 
 health the tonsil is very small — so small that some who 
 have studied throat diseases particularly think that it does 
 not exist in the sense of being a visible prominence. Now, 
 when the tonsil becomes enlarged and remains so it may be 
 from removable causes and conditions, or it may not. 
 Stripped of all technicality, the one group of cases may be 
 considered as those in which much of the enlargement is 
 due to an excess of blood in the tissues, and the other group 
 embraces cases in which actual overgrowth of the tonsil has 
 occurred. In the former cases the enlargement may dimin- 
 ish until the tonsil, while still larger than proper, gives no 
 very great trouble. In the latter the most experienced ob- 
 servers doubt if any treatment short of removal of the tonsil 
 by some means is of much value. The popular ideas about 
 outgrowing the condition are based partly upon the false 
 assumption that what is really a considerably enlarged ton- 
 sil is the natural state of things, and partly upon the in- 
 ability of non-professional observers to distinguish between 
 the temporary swelling of the tonsils, the chronically en- 
 gorged tonsils, and the really overgrown tonsils. Now, the 
 opinion of the most "experienced mother" can be of no 
 value here. She cannot, at the outside, have seen more than 
 two or three cases of the last-mentioned variety. It is fair 
 to presume that if you have a family physician you have 
 chosen him because you believe him to be skilful and con- 
 scientious. That being the case, it is probable that such a 
 man would not advise cutting off the tonsils if he believed 
 he could accomplish a cure by any less severe method. If 
 you are not content to rely on his judgment alone, get that 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 139 
 
 of another physician, but do not ask or accept lay advice. 
 So much for the "outgrowing " of the disease. As to the 
 need of repeating the operation, only this need be said : 
 The operator does not undertake to put the patient in better 
 health than he had before the disease began. It is very 
 common to find people who suppose that after an operation 
 they can with impunity follow the same faulty course of life 
 that originally caused the disease for which the operation 
 was made. If the tonsils are removed the same care must 
 be observed to prevent new trouble as would be requisite to 
 cure the enlargement if it were of the kind curable without 
 operation. As a matter of experience, however, it is true 
 that if the tonsil is thoroughly removed at first a second 
 operation is rarely, if ever, required. "Outgrowing" the 
 disease is a bad name, since it conveys the idea that the 
 simple lapse of time and increase of stature are sufficient 
 for the purpose. This is only the case when improved 
 health comes with the lapse of time. And in this disease 
 this improvement is the result of very persistent watching 
 as to all the details of hygiene, local and general, in the 
 widest sense- of the word. 
 
 This may sound strange as applied to one who is the 
 "picture of rosy health," but we have so often heard this 
 epithet applied to children who did not at all correspond to a 
 physician's idea of health— indeed, have so often been asked 
 to admire the very evidences of disease — that we are obliged 
 to disregard such general statements. 
 
 While there is every reason to suppose that diphtheria 
 is due to a special poison, it is also true (to quote from a well 
 known authority) that "any abnormal state of the mucous 
 membrane . . . affords an excellent abode for diphtheria." 
 The home-treatment is suggested in what has already been 
 said regarding hygiene. 
 
140 NURSERY PROBLEMS 
 
 The Signs of Worms. 
 
 My little girl, aged three years and five months, a sunny-haired, 
 blue-eyed "bounie lassie," has been so robust most of her life as to 
 make her German name, Gretchen, seem quite appropriate. She was 
 taken sick about the 20th of May with severe vomiting and was very 
 ill for days. I made up my mind afterward that it was the grippe. 
 She had very high fever and coughed a long time after recovering 
 otherwise. 
 
 In July she seemed to have some intestinal catarrh. Though free 
 from the diarrhcea now, she complains constantly at meal-time, and 
 occasionally between times, of "stomach-ache." She has very dark 
 circles under her eyes and is very unusually irritable. 
 
 I am far from competent physicians, though the Japanese doctors 
 about us frequently do us a good turn. 
 
 Can I do anything special in the line of tonic treatment? Has 
 she, perhaps, worms? After the sickness in May, which I called the 
 grippe (the doctor called it whooping cough, but she never gave a 
 suggestion of a whoop !), she passed one long worm. 
 
 T shall be most grateful for any suggestions. 
 Shonai, Yamagata Ken, Japan. G. 
 
 To distinguish the ordinary intestinal catarrh from that 
 which accompanies intestinal parasites, in default of the 
 ocular demonstration of the worms, is practically impos- 
 sible. Nor can one always say whether the worms are the 
 cause of the catarrh, or the catarrhal condition renders the 
 development of the parasite possible. This, too, even when 
 the case is under observation, since the classical old wives' 
 signs of worms are really but symptoms of gastro-intestinal 
 irritation. It is, therefore, impracticable to say anything 
 definite about a case at a distance. But the previous exist- 
 ence of worms, as demonstrated, makes it rather probable 
 that, similar symptoms continuing, others may be in the 
 canal. It would be entirely proper to give a safe vermifuge 
 — such as two grains of santonine night and morning for a 
 couple of days, to be followed by a laxative. If you have 
 no drugs at hand, you may find that common salt, a well- 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 141 
 
 known vermifuge in Oriental countries, will be sufficient in 
 doses of 10 grains given three or four times a day. The doses 
 may be given, if preferred, by rather over-salting the food. 
 It has the advantage in these doses of being a tonic to the 
 digestion. We may add that cod-liver oil, by its tonic 
 effect, tends indirectly to destroy worms. 
 
 Pin-Worms. 
 
 Our baby is a year old, and has always been very well and strong. 
 A few weeks ago, however, I found she was troubled with pin- worms. 
 I used injections of aloes, and they soon disappeared, but after a few 
 weeks returned, but under the same treatment she is free from them 
 again. I would like to inquire the cause of these little pests, and if 
 there is any way to get rid of them entirely. I had supposed worms 
 were caused by improper food, but as Baby had never taken anything 
 besides breast milk, that idea was discarded. 
 
 Vincennes, Ind. K. 
 
 The cause of pin-worms is always the introduction into 
 the body of worms or their eggs. The worms may crawl 
 from one child to another, while the eggs are obtained in 
 various ways. They may cling to the finger nails of another 
 child who has the worms and who has been scratching its 
 seat ; they may be upon articles which the baby has access 
 to, and so on indefinitely. Dogs often are sources of infec- 
 tion, especially if they are allowed to lick a child's face or 
 mouth. We cannot, of course, tell the source of infection 
 in the case of your baby. 
 
 'Worms.' 
 
 I notice that you suggest worms as a possible cause of a child's 
 restlessness at night. "Will you please tell something of this trouble, 
 its symptoms, ami remedies? Is it very common, or is indigestion 
 often wrongly failed "worms" '.' 
 Galeaville, Wis. A. B. 
 
NURSER Y PROBL EMS. 
 
 You are right ; indigestion is often mistaken for 
 "worms," and that convenient word is made to cover a 
 wide extent of ignorance. Intestinal worms, however, are 
 not uncommon, and sometimes really are the cause of 
 symptoms. The worm which most commonly disturbs sleep 
 is the oxyuris vermicidaris, commonly called pin-worm, 
 thread-worm, or seat-worm. By day these worms usually 
 excite little disturbance, but at night, perhaps owing to the 
 recumbency of the patient or the warmth of the bed, they 
 create a severe itching and burning of the seat which may 
 disturb or prevent sleep. In some excitable children 
 marked nervous symptoms may ensue. 
 
 The treatment consists of great personal tidiness and 
 laxatives to carry off the worms. The itching is allayed by 
 the removal of the worms from the seat, and this is usually 
 most readily done by injections of soapsuds or of salt and 
 water. Olive-oil injections are useful also. Unaffected chil- 
 dren should not be allowed to sleep with affected ones, as 
 the parasites may be communicated. 
 
 Flatulence. 
 
 My boy is ten weeks old, and ever since he was two weeks old I 
 have nursed him four times a day and have fed him on Ridge's food 
 three times a day — i.e., in twenty-four hours. He is troubled greatly 
 with generated wind ou the stomach. Would you kindly explain 
 what this is due to? Do you think it is the food, and would you 
 suggest a change? The food seems to agree with him otherwise, for 
 he weighs fifteen pounds, and feels well after nursing, although he 
 feels uneasy and distressed after his bottle. 
 Milwaukee, Wis. A Subscriber. 
 
 As many infants entirely suckled are troubled with flat- 
 ulence, we cannot certainly say that the food causes it in 
 this instance. Nevertheless, we think that if the amount 
 of flatulence was really troublesome we should try some- 
 thing else. Wh3 T not good milk properly diluted ? 
 
MINOR AILMENTS AND TROUBLES. 143 
 
 Night-Terror. 
 
 My little boy is two years old r and all his life has been subject to 
 violent passions of crying in the night, and instead of his growing out 
 of them, although not so frequent, they are more violent. 
 
 He goes to bed quite happy, but about 11 or 12 o'clock he begins 
 to cry and moan, which gradually increases to screaming; he seems 
 not to know me, and if I touch him, kicks and struggles. His eyes 
 are open. I generally put my hand on him to hold him quiet and 
 smooth his forehead with the other. Suddenly he is himself again, 
 and asks to hold my hand or asks for a handkerchief to wipe his eyes, 
 and after that I have no more fears of his crying again. He then lies 
 awake for an hour or two, talking to himself, goiug through his little 
 repertoire of words, until he falls asleep. 
 
 He wakes next morning quite bright and evidently having for- 
 gotten the commotion of the night, but he is heavy-eyed and rather 
 irritable. As a rule he is an unusually merry, bright, intelligent 
 child, with a wonderful memory. Has any mother had the same ex- 
 perience ? It seems almost like hysterics. He has cut all his teeth ex- 
 cepting the two large double ones. Can you suggest a cure? 
 England. ■ A Worried Mother. 
 
 The case is pretty clearly one of "night-terror," a dis- 
 order of sleep peculiar to children. The trouble is akin to, 
 but not the same, as ordinary nightmare. If there is no 
 question of epilepsy — in this case there seems to be none — 
 the usual result is recovery. These terrors occur in those 
 children who are weakly, nervous, or anaemic, or who have 
 rheumatic or gouty peculiarities by inheritance or otherwise. 
 Besides, various irritations, such as teething, derangements 
 of the digestive organs, including worms, and any kind of 
 mental excitement or strain, are also considered causes, and 
 probably the presence of imperfectly digested food in the 
 alimentary canal ought to be placed at the head of these. 
 Perhaps from these hints you can reach the cause in the 
 case of your child. 
 
DEFECTS AND BLEMISHES. 
 
 Umbilical Growth. 
 
 I have a little nephew fifteen months old who has a navel rupture 
 admitted to have been caused at the time of his birth. A small por- 
 tion of what appears like proud-flesh protrudes slightly, and occa- 
 sionally bleeds a little. It constantly exudes a watery matter, and 
 must be kept covered with soft linen, which becomes thoroughly 
 stained each day. The child seems to suffer no inconvenience from 
 the rupture, running and jumping with unusual strength for his age ; 
 we are not positive that there is tenderness under pressure. He is, 
 however, troublesome to dress and care for, and there is alsoafear that 
 the evil may increase, or that sometime a hemorrhage may ensue. A 
 local physician has ordered applications of lunar caustic ; burnt alum 
 and sugar, and other astringent remedies, have also been applied, with 
 no effect. What is your advice as to treatment? 
 Boston. A. E. W. 
 
 The ailment is probably not a rupture, but the descrip- 
 tion corresponds to a kind of fungous growth sometimes ob- 
 served at the navel. If astringents fail, as they seem to 
 have done in this ease, the application of the actual cautery 
 (hot iron), which is not very painful, although appalling to 
 the imagination, generally effects a cure. The treatment 
 should be carried out by a competent surgeon, who could 
 give an amesthetic if desirable. 
 
 Round Shoulders. 
 
 My little girl, four years of age, is forty inches tall and weighs 
 thirty-three pounds — a gain of three-and a-half inches and four pounds 
 for the last year. She has always been tall and slender, and from the 
 time she began to walk we noticed a tendency to round shoulders — a 
 tendency which has slowly developed until it is now quite marked. 
 Her father's family, with the exception of her father himself and one 
 brother, are all very markedly round-shouldered, one case of it in the 
 family amounting to deformity. I have tried, long and patiently, 
 speaking to the child and reminding her to hold herself straight, but 
 
DEFECTS AND BLEMISHES. 
 
 she never remembers more than two seconds at a time, and my efforts 
 result in flat failure. I wish to know if I should put braces on her 
 this fall, and, if not, should I do so at a later time? 
 
 She has always been delicate until the last six or eight months. 
 Though not what one could call a very robust child, she seems per- 
 fectly well, has a fair appetite for plain, wholesome food and an ex- 
 cellent digestion, is regular in her habits, and sleeps soundly and well 
 from ten to eleven-and-oue-half hours out of the twenty-four. 
 St. Louis. L. H. H. 
 
 First make sure that near-sight has nothing to do with 
 the tendency to stoop, although in so young a child it is not 
 so likely to be the cause as in one who has begun to use 
 books. Speaking to a child rarely, if ever, does any good in 
 this complaint. The stoop is not the result of desire or of 
 indolence ; it is usually due to some feebleness of the muscles 
 of the back, which may indeed be hereditary, as you seem to 
 suppose it to be in this case. The cure is general strengthen- 
 ing of the child and gymnastic exercise of the muscles of the 
 back and shoulders, which she can get at a calisthenic class. 
 If there is any spinal trouble a support suitable to the par- 
 ticular case should be prepared or selected by the surgeon 
 who has charge of the case. The use of braces depends 
 upon the degree of stoop in the shoulders ; if it is great, or 
 if the exercises do not diminish it, the braces are worth try- 
 ing. For directions as to the kind needed you should con- 
 sult one of the best surgeons in your city. 
 
 Fear of Bow-Legs. 
 
 Our baby is a bouncing big one, weighing about twenty-eight 
 pounds at a year old. The subject of bow-legs is a serious one with 
 us, and we do not allow him to follow his inclination to walk in con- 
 sequence. Some say that lime-water will prevent it, and the ounce of 
 prevention is what we want. What do you advise? 
 
 C. G. N. 
 
146 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 You do not say why bow-legs are anticipated by you. 
 The commonest cause of bow-legs is rickets — a disease which 
 is characterized, in its full expression, by deformities of the 
 bone, due to deficiency of phosphate of lime in the bones as 
 well as overgrowth of the organic parts. The lime-water 
 has been used very much as a remedy for rickets, and so in- 
 directly to prevent bow-legs. It is not a preventive of bow- 
 legs except when rickets exists. But rickets, being a disease 
 of nutrition, it is best met and prevented by careful watch- 
 ing in this direction, and if any evidences of the early 
 stages of the malady exist they should be attended to 
 promptly and the disease arrested. A child should be al- 
 lowed, as a rule, to follow its own impulse about getting 
 upon its feet. It should not be placed on its feet except, 
 perhaps, when struggling to get there of itself. But when 
 a child is able to get up alone it is very difficult to hinder it, 
 and there is rarely any reason for doing so. 
 
 A Confirmed Habit of Stumbling. 
 
 Is there any remedy but "moral suasion "for a confirmed habit of 
 stumbling on the part of an active boy between five and six years old? 
 There is no evidence of weakness in his legs or ankles, yet it is a very 
 usual thing for him to fall at the slightest obstacle, like a projecting 
 paving-stone or any other unevenness in the street, or even in the 
 house, like a door-sill. Severe bruises and bumps appear to convey 
 no lesson, and as it seems to be only a habit of extreme carelessness we 
 appeal to you to suggest the best punishment. The matter is rendered 
 very serious to-day by a fall, while running, in which our boy struck 
 his forehead on a sharp stone, making two or three mutilations which 
 will probably leave permanent scars, to say nothing of the present 
 pain, which will keep him housed for nursing for some days. We 
 tremble to think of what the consequence would have been had the 
 stone struck his eye instead. 
 Stapleton, N. Y. D. 
 
DEFECTS AND BLEMISHES. 147 
 
 Differences in natural agility are very great. Further, 
 clumsiness is often increased by certain illnesses. For in- 
 stance, some diseases, like scarlatina and diphtheria, which 
 have often paralytic sequels, sometimes are followed by a 
 certain clumsiness of gait, which depends upon no recog- 
 nizable paralytic condition. We can recall children whose 
 gait after such diseases was strong and enduring, but whose 
 feet fell like hammers. Again, some ailments cause a dimin- 
 ution of that harmony of movement called co-ordination; this 
 is one of the results of phimosis. The harmfulness of 
 phimosis has been much exaggerated ; nevertheless, in every 
 case of excessive clumsiness in a boy this possible cause 
 should be inquired into. In any case, we should not think 
 of punishment to cure stumbling. If judicious coaxing and 
 "slowing down" will not break the habit, punishment will 
 not, but will rather render the child more self-conscious, 
 and therefore more clumsy. 
 
 A Tongue-Tied Baby. 
 
 What shall be done for the baby that is tongue-tied? Shall the 
 string be cut? 
 
 Townsend, Mass. N. 
 
 "Tongue-tied" means that the natural bridle under the 
 tongue is so much shorter than usual as to inconvenience 
 the child in some way. It is rarely as much of a hindrance 
 to speech as is supposed, because if the child's tongue is free 
 enough for it to suck well, it is free enough for speaking. 
 Occasionally, but rarely, a child is born with so short a 
 tongue-bridle as to prevent nursing, and in such cases cut- 
 ting of the bridle is demanded. In other cases it is not 
 really called for, although sometimes done in obedience to a 
 popular belief. The cutting is a trivial matter, if done by a 
 competent person. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 "Whopper-Jaw." 
 
 My baby is now over ten months old. She has cut the upper and 
 lower central incisors, and is now getting the lateral incisors. The un- 
 der teeth shut over the upper ones. Is there any danger of her being 
 "whopper-jawed " when she has all her teeth ? If so, can. anything 
 be done to prevent it? Her mouth when closed appears perfect, 
 though the teeth are as I have described. 
 
 Nahant, Mass. M - B - H> 
 
 The projection of the under-jaw, rather than the teeth 
 themselves, usually causes the condition of " whopper-jaw," 
 and it is doubtful whether it can be artificially modified. If 
 the condition continues aud appears dependent upon the 
 teeth, your dentist can tell you if their position can be 
 rectified. 
 
 Deaf- Mutism. 
 
 What would you think of a child, nearly three years old, who did 
 not say a single word ? I do not mean one who has a language of his 
 own, unintelligible to others, the simple fact being that he does not at- 
 tempt to utter a word, and it is very hard to see that he comprehends 
 when spoken to. I have in mind a little fellow who is causing us 
 much anxiety on account of his backwardness about talking, or rather 
 of his not speaking. What would ysu advise? 
 
 New York. A Grandmother. 
 
 Such a child should be first of all examined for deaf- 
 mutism, and, if it hears well, some one familiar with such 
 matters should inquire into its intelligence. In order to as- 
 certain whether the child hears, the aurist relies upon the 
 tuning-fork, whistle, and bell, or instruments producing 
 noises of a similar character. In applying any of these tests 
 it is necessary to be on one's guard and exclude the possi- 
 bility of the child having its attention called to the various 
 testing-objects by senses other than that of hearing. For 
 instance, the mother may test with a whistle ; the child 
 turns at once and she reasons that it has heard the sound. 
 This, however, may not have been the case ; the blast of air 
 
DEFECTS AND BLEMISHES. 149 
 
 leaving the whistle may have impinged upon the child's 
 face, and this may have caused it to turn around. In like 
 manner, a child may turn because it feels the vibrations 
 transmitted by the floor, following the violent closure of a 
 door ; yet this action on the part of the child may be wrong- 
 fully attributed to its having heard the noise. 
 
 An important peculiarity of deaf-mutes, though not in 
 itself an absolute proof, is their manner of expressing their 
 desires through gestures, and their impatience and anger 
 when not understood at once. One of the most important 
 signs, of course, is the fact that the child does not begin to 
 talk when it should. No mother should accept the verdict 
 of deaf-mutism until such an opinion has been given by a 
 competent aurist after he has examined the child's ears. A 
 child may, as a result of being born so, or as the consequence 
 of disease of the ear after birth, whether this has been 
 noticed or not, be very hard of hearing and yet not be abso- 
 lutely deaf. If nothing be done for such a child, its deaf- 
 ness iiecomes worse from disuse of the organ of hearing, 
 and finally may become absolute ; whilst if proper training 
 and treatment had been instituted in such a case, some amel- 
 ioration of the defect may have been achieved. 
 
 Freckles. 
 
 You will perhaps be inclined to smile at the vanity of a mother 
 who asks for a remedy against freckles ; but the affair is not so unim- 
 portant as it may seem to many. If we are at all justified in trying to 
 improve our personal appearance, why should it be wrong or trivial to 
 struggle against freckles, which darken and disfigure so many other- 
 wise bright faces ? . If they would confine themselves to boys perhaps 
 they might be tolerated, but in the case of my own children, at least, 
 they attack both sexes with equal impartiality, not sparing even my 
 little girl baby of fourteen months. If still possible, I should like to 
 save her from the fate of her brothers and sisters. Is there a remedy '.' 
 < >f course, I know it would be wrong to try to remove freckles by any- 
 
-V URSER Y PR OBL EMS. 
 
 thing that might injure the skin ; but is there nothing harmless that 
 
 could lie used to advantage ? Is it advisable to avoid exposure to the 
 
 sun ? Will broad-brimmed hats be of any use in keeping the fiend off? 
 
 Kansas City. Mo. G. S. 
 
 Freckles are annoying, and are often apparently very 
 disturbing to those who set much store by their complexion. 
 These peculiar pigment deposits are usually confined to the 
 parts of the person which are exposed to the light — the face 
 and hands, namely — and are therefore not easily concealed. 
 Although it is true that they sometimes appear upon the 
 clothed parts of the body, yet there is very good reason to 
 believe that exposure to light is then essential cause. They 
 appear in summer, when the hours of light are long and 
 outdoor life most indulged in. Furthermore, freckles are 
 peculiar to certain complexions. Brunettes rarely, if ever, 
 freckle ; they become tanned. Blondes of the florid type— 
 those with red or reddish hair — are much more susceptible 
 to freckles than others. With the passing of summer the 
 freckles fade or disappear, and in winter are scarcely notice- 
 able, and as adult life is reached they are less evident and 
 abundant, independent^' of the care then bestowed upon 
 the complexion. 
 
 The causes being thus a peculiarity of complexion and 
 exposure to light, it is impossible to do much for them with- 
 out doing harm to the general health. Some local applica- 
 tions will temporarily make the freckles paler, but the only 
 real treatment is prevention by exclusion of light. This, of 
 course, will be presently destructive of the health of the 
 child. It is possible to lessen the freckling, however, by 
 avoiding exposure to the strongest glare of the sun, and the 
 shade-hats are of some value in this direction. 
 
DEFECTS AND BLEMISHES. 
 
 A Blemish on Baby's Face. 
 
 Our baby is now more than three months old. Two or three weeks 
 after her birth a red mark appeared on her nose. We thought at first 
 that she had scratched herself pretty vigorously, but on consulting a 
 physician a few weeks later he pronounced it a " mother's mark," and 
 advised the use of electricity for its removal ; this has been applied three 
 times, and the redness has gone from the mid He of the mark. Would 
 you advise us to continue the use of the electricity, or could we do 
 better? We dread to have it used, for it frightens the little one very 
 much, and must be painful. Is it likely that the mark would disappear 
 of itself after a while? 
 
 I have heard of saliva being used with success to remove marks, 
 and also that the juice of the milkweed plant is good. Is it probable 
 that either of these would accomplish a cure ? 
 
 Morristown, N. J. A. E. P. 
 
 There are "mothers' marks" of various kinds and of 
 many degrees of severity. Some of the very faintest ones 
 we have seen fade partly or wholly without treatment, but 
 as a rule they do not. As a mark upon the face of a woman 
 is a mutter of great conceru to her, every endeavor should be 
 made to get rid of one, if it be of any importance, before 
 the age of self-consciousness. 
 
 The saliva is valueless for the real "mothers' marks," 
 and so, too, is the milkweed-juice. Whatever value the lat- 
 ter has is in cases of the most superficial kind. In this case 
 the continued use of the electricity seems to be advisable. 
 
 Warts. 
 
 Will you tell what one may do to remove warts? My Paul, five 
 
 years old, has nine on one hand. I overheard his brother telling him 
 
 he did not love him so well since he had those dreadful things on his 
 
 hand. What does cause them ? and what will prevent their coming? 
 
 Pennsylvania. B. 
 
N URS Eli Y PROBL EMS. 
 
 Warts consist chiefly of an overgrowth of the papillae of 
 the skin. The exciting causes of this overgrowth are various, 
 and often no cause is recognized. They are more likely to 
 occur in childhood, probably because all the phenomena of 
 growth are then more active than at other times. They 
 seem to be most common where the skin is most exposed to 
 all kinds of irritation, as upon the hands. Sometimes they 
 appear to be communicated from one person to another, and 
 some persons show a great susceptibility to them. 
 
 Warts usually appear suddenly, and often as suddenly 
 disappear. Doubtless upon this peculiarity depends the ap- 
 parent success of the charms and incantations so commonly 
 employed for their removal. It is possible that in some in- 
 stances where the charm involved the rubbing upon the 
 warts of the juice of certain leaves the latter may have 
 really had a medicinal influence. 
 
 The most prompt and efficient method of disposing of 
 warts is to thoroughly scrape them out. This leaves a little 
 " punched-out " looking hole in the skin, which heals 
 quickly if kept clean. If any bleeding occurs it can be 
 stopped by hot water. This extirpation, if thorough, gen- 
 erally prevents a return. 
 
 If this seems too radical a performance for domestic 
 medicine, the glacial acetic acid or a saturated solution of 
 salicylic acid may be applied carefully to the wart. The 
 stick of a match or a piece of cigar-lighter is a convenient 
 implement for making the application. ■ The liquid should 
 be applied freely to the wart, but not allowed to flow around. 
 The surrounding skin may be protected by vaseline or bi- 
 carbonate of soda before the application. After a day or two 
 rub off the dead part and make a new application, and re- 
 peat until the wart is gone. 
 
DEFECTS AXD BLEMISHES. 153 
 
 Ringworm. 
 
 My little boy, four years old, has a "ringworm" on his forehead 
 about one inch and a half in diameter. I have used a preparation of 
 potash, and it seemed to stop it for a while. I am now painting it 
 with iodine, but it does not seem to do much good. Can you tell me 
 what causes it, and how I can cure it? It cannot be hereditary, for I 
 am perfectly healthy, and have never had anything like that, nor has 
 his father. 
 New York City. C. H. 
 
 Ringworm is not hereditary. It is due to a vegetable 
 parasite which grows upon the skin. The cure consists in 
 allaying inflammation and killing the parasite to the last 
 spore. The tincture of iodiue is usually successful if per- 
 sisted in. It must be painted over all the changed parts of 
 the skin. Daily frictions with green soap — a kind of soap 
 much used for skin diseases — are useful, and any germicide 
 not too strong will help. One of the safest for domestic use 
 is the hyposulphite of sodium. Dissolved in five parts of 
 water, it may be applied locally. On the face care should 
 be taken not to use too strong applications, as slight scars 
 may be caused. 
 
 The Removal of a Birth- Mark. 
 
 I wish to consult you about my little five-weeks-old babe, who has 
 been unfortunate enough to be birth-marked on the face. Both eye- 
 lids have reddish veins over them, the left much worse than the right. 
 Half of the lid looks red, and there is a spot of a darker hue on the 
 right nostril. When the child is passive the spots are dim, but when 
 active they become brighter. They are not yet blood red, though I fear 
 they will become so. As the complexion clears they become more 
 prominent. I would like to ask : 
 
 (1) If there is any probability of their dying out without treat- 
 ment ? 
 
 ('_') Arc there instances where such spots have been entirely oblit- 
 erated '.' 
 
154 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 (3) If electrical treatment is used will it endanger the sight? 
 
 (4) What kind of electricity is needed — galvanism, or would a 
 Faradic battery do ? 
 
 (5) At what age would it be best to commence ? 
 
 (6) Is there any other treatment that could be tried ? 
 Yokohama, Japan. W. 
 
 (1 and 2) There is little probability of their spontaneous 
 disappearance. 
 
 (3 and 4) Not if properly applied. The form of elec- 
 tricity used in such cases is what is called electrolysis, a 
 needle connected with the battery being thrust into the part 
 to be destroyed. It may leave a scar. Neither galvanism 
 nor Faradism as ordinarily applied is of value. 
 
 (5) As soon as the proper surgical attention can be 
 secured. 
 
 (6) Yes ; hot needles, caustics of various sorts, etc. Vac- 
 cination, sometimes employed, is not suitable, owing to the 
 situation of the mark. 
 
THE TEETH. 
 
 Care of the Teeth. 
 
 "What food is the best for strengthening the teeth ? 
 Butte, Montana. G. 
 
 If there is no evident disease of the teeth, the best way 
 to insure continued soundness is not to give any one thing 
 supposed to be strengthening to the teeth, but a good, 
 wholesome diet, and, above all, to avoid the use of those 
 things known to damage the teeth. The articles of food 
 most likely to injure teeth are probably those the digestion 
 of which, either generally or in the particular instance of 
 the person concerned, are found to promote acidity of the 
 stomach. Of course careful attention to the toilet of the 
 mouth is assumed and the care of a dentist whenever his 
 services may be needed. Actual disease of the teeth can 
 rarely be controlled without his attention. We may add 
 a word concerning the teeth of young children. It is of ad- 
 vantage to keep an infant's teeth clean in the same way as 
 an adult's teeth are so kept. If teeth are already decayed 
 they should be carefully attended to, and the decay hindered 
 by cleanliness after each meal. If teeth are defective in 
 structure, with, for instance, thin or irregularly absent 
 ("worm-eaten ") enamel, it is doubtful if anything can be 
 done to strengthen these particular teeth, but coming teeth 
 may be helped by care of the general health, and, as many 
 believe, by the use of the lime salts, particularly the phos- 
 phate. The hypophosphite, generally found in the drug-shops 
 in the form of a syrup, seems to be of some use. The same 
 may be said of the syrup of the laeto-phosphate of lime, and 
 some judicious practitioners still esteem the powder of phos- 
 phate of lime, and even the powder of ground bone. 
 
N I 'USER Y PR OBLEMS. 
 
 Effect of Feeding upon the Teeth; the Use of 
 -the Tooth-Brush. 
 
 (1) I have heard as coming from a physician that feeding a baby 
 very early, before the nursing period was ended, had a tendency to in- 
 jure the material of thecoming teeth. What can you tell me about it? 
 
 (2) Should a child's first teeth, as soon as they are well matured, 
 be brushed with a tooth-brush or simply washed as the mouth has been 
 washed before? 
 
 Canton, N. Y. R. 
 
 (1) Any improper feeding before or after the discontin- 
 uance of nursing, or even nursing when the milk is im- 
 poverished, may lead to rickets and to imperfect teeth as a 
 result. The question is as to the kind of food rather than 
 the mere fact of feeding. 
 
 (2) The tooth-brush will not harm the teeth directly, 
 but it may, especially if stiff, injure the gums and second- 
 arily the teeth. Little children, and especially babies, do not 
 usually like to have their teeth brushed, and struggle against 
 the performance. It is, therefore, difficult to apply the brush 
 as accurately as could be desired. Consequently, to avoid 
 the injury to the gums spoken of we think the washing 
 preferable. 
 
 Decaying Teeth. 
 I. 
 
 My baby, a year old, has twelve teeth, but they are all decaying. 
 (1) "What am I to expect in relation to the second set? 
 Elmira, X. Y. M. T. C. 
 
 II. 
 My baby-boy, seventeen months old, has fourteen teeth. The first 
 ones already show signs of decay. (2) What is the cause of this, and 
 can it be arrested ? (3) If so, how? (4) Which are the "stomach- 
 teeth"? 
 
 CavfiehL Ohio. F. M. S. 
 
THE TEETH. 
 
 (1) Unfortunately this trouble is only too common. The 
 condition of the second set will depend upon the health of 
 the child iu the years preceding the appearance of that set, 
 and upon the care you bestow upon the first set. 
 
 (2) There are several causes known, besides some which 
 are only partly known. By all odds the commonest cause is 
 faulty nutrition, which may exist whether the child is 
 nursed or fed. 
 
 (3) If the defects are localized, your dentist can do much 
 to preserve the teeth by careful attention. If the decay is 
 general, involving the whole surface of the teeth, he can do 
 less or little. But he should by all means be consulted and 
 allowed to judge whether or not the case is one which he 
 can benefit. The expense will be well repaid by the im- 
 provement in the child's freedom from toothache and in the 
 better condition of the coming set. 
 
 (4) The "stomach-teeth" are the canine or "eye" teeth 
 of the lower jaw. The canines are called "eye" teeth be- 
 cause of their position under the eye. Those of the lower 
 jaw are called "stomach-teeth" from a tradition or supersti- 
 tion that their eruption is attended by unusual stomach dis- 
 order. 
 
 Discoloration of the Teeth. 
 
 My baby is two years and a quarter old. He has been very 
 slow cutting his teeth, the last ones (his stomach-teeth) having come 
 through two weeks ago. About two months ago I noticed his four 
 front upper teeth were turning dark ; the discoloring now covers more 
 than half the upper part of them. He has always, though very good 
 about everything else, fought against taking a drink of water and 
 having his mouth washed, consequently it has been very imperfectly 
 done. Could that cause the trouble, or does it come from acidity of the 
 stomach, from which he suffered greatly the first year? We tried 
 changing his food, but found he retained the " Eagle Brand " of con- 
 densed milk best. 
 
 German town, Pa. L. C. W. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 If the discoloration is only a superficial one — that is, 
 simply the greenish stain often seen on the teeth— it is prob- 
 ably due to the neglect of cleansing. The fact that the dis- 
 coloration is on the upper half of the teeth makes this more 
 likely. But we ought to say that the same physical pecu- 
 liarity that favors late teething also is attended with 
 stomachic disorders and discoloration and early decay of the 
 teeth ; so this is a matter to be looked into. The damage to 
 the teeth does not come immediately from the acidity of the 
 stomach, but thev are associated manifestations of one cause. 
 
 Peculiarity of Teeth. 
 
 My baby, nearly two years old, is perfectly well. Her little 
 tongue is as red and smooth as possible, but she has several small 
 spots, depressions, somewhat discolored, on the face of the front upper 
 two teeth. This peculiarity exists in her father's family, the front 
 teeth of several of the members being short, strong, and healthy, but 
 not perfectly white, and having these discolored depressions, about the 
 size of a small pin-head. Can anything be done to prevent the second 
 set from appearing the same way ? She has had eighteen teeth for six 
 or eight months past. 
 
 St. John, X. B. B. B. H. 
 
 This peculiarity of the teeth is well known. We recall 
 families where it is found in parents and children, having 
 existed from childhood in the parent. Now, whether the 
 peculiarity is a hereditary one in the strict sense, or whether 
 some nutritional peculiarity that has caused it in two gen- 
 erations is the heredity, or whether it is simply due to some 
 traditional (and in one sense hereditary) method of feeding, 
 we cannot determine. We incline to the second supposi- 
 tion. The fact of their existence in the primary teeth does 
 not determine their reappearance in the second set. We 
 know of nothing except general good hygiene that will do 
 any good. Keep the child as well as possible, and wait. 
 
THE TEETH. 159 
 
 The Effects of Whooping-Cough on the Teeth. 
 
 When my little girl was six months old she took whooping 
 cough, and suffered with it for the next four months. It was a long, 
 hard siege for us, but, as she seemed to recover entirely from it after 
 that time, I congratulated myself upon having one complaint of child- 
 hood out of the way. But when the permanent teeth began to come 
 through, the lower incisors had a ridge across them about half-way be- 
 tween the crown of the tooth and the gum, and the upper incisors a 
 row of tiny holes in the enamel about the same distance from the 
 crown. The first double-teeth, those next to the wisdom-teeth, had no 
 enamel on the top, and it soon became necessary to cap them with gold 
 — a painful and expensive operation. As soon as the dentist looked 
 at her teeth he asked if she had had any sickness in infancy. 
 "Only the whooping-cough," I replied. "That is the mischief- 
 maker," he exclaimed, and then told me that whooping-cough, scarlet 
 fever, and measles in infancy affected the permanent teeth in propor- 
 tion to the development of each tooth in the sac. We hope the other 
 teeth may have escaped the ill-effects of this simple disease, as they 
 probably were not sufficiently developed to be caught by it. I have 
 only my dentist's word for it, and my knowledge that the child was a 
 very healthy child and gave no evidence of defective nutrition that 
 might cause unsound teeth, and she does not inherit such teeth. I 
 should very much like to know if in your opinion the dentist's diagno- 
 sis was correct. 
 
 Honolulu, Sandwich Islands. E. A. C. 
 
 It is a common belief among dentists — and doubtless a 
 correct one — that infantile disorders affect tbe development 
 of both sets of teeth How far one can correctly specify 
 which particular disorder caused this damage we are in 
 doubt about. There is nothing improbable in the opinion 
 that acute diseases like whooping-cough may affect the 
 teeth. On the other hand, rickets, the disease of all others 
 to affect teeth, is usually overlooked by mothers and by 
 many physicians ; and so a mother might with perfect 
 honesty say tbe child had had no disease, when it had had 
 just the disease to destroy its teeth. There comes to mind 
 at this moment the case of a lad whose mother told ns the 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 same story of some disease in infancy having destroyed his 
 teeth, but neither she nor the family physician seemed to 
 have recognized the rickets, which had left various traces 
 behind besides the defective teeth. 
 
 Loss of a First Front Tooth. 
 
 Last February my little girl, then just two years old, was so un- 
 fortunate as to lose her footing while trying to step on a bucket in our 
 pantry, and her mouth struck against its sharp edge so violently that 
 an upper front tooth was knocked out. The little one did not seem to 
 sutler with the hurt after three minutes, and, excepting a badly swollen 
 lip and tenderness of the gum that day, has suffered no inconvenience. 
 
 I fear the remaining tooth is slanting a little into the cavity made 
 by the lost tooth, and more than filling its share of space. When 
 Baby's second set of front teeth grow, can I expect them to be even, 
 and of the same size ? Her front milk-teeth had these characteristics 
 before the hurt. Ought I to have the odd tooth extracted before the 
 second teeth appear? Could the little one have sucked the tooth back 
 into its socket immediately after theaccident as we have known adults 
 to have done? 
 
 Madison, Me. C. P. 
 
 It is not probable that the undeveloped tooth of the per- 
 manent set was injured by the accident, and it is reasonable 
 to expect that when it comes it will be of proper size. Even- 
 ness depends partly upon the space at the time it comes, but 
 if the teeth push through in an irregular manner they pretty 
 certainly can be straightened by any dentist. Leave the odd 
 tooth if sound. 
 
 Teeth are sometimes replaced after having been knocked 
 out, aud are firmly held so as to be useful. As a rule, we 
 think the experiment worth trying. 
 
THE TEETH. 
 
 Removing Redundant or "Extra" Teeth. 
 
 My little daughter, twenty-three months old, has a redundant in- 
 cisor tooth which came through three months ago, forcing its way 
 painfully between the two upper incisors on the left side of her face. 
 The back one of these incisors pierced the gum a little higher up and 
 further back than the corresponding tooth on the right side, thus leav- 
 ing a space between the left incisors about half the width of a tooth. The 
 redundant incisor cut through this space obliquely, with the edge of the 
 tooth directed to the left and outward instead of downward. It is dis- 
 figuring, and will, I fear, crowd the other teeth, and I do not wish it 
 to appear in the permanent set. Will you kindly advise me how soon 
 it should be extracted, also if the operation will be attended with any 
 danger? I have feared the effects of an anesthetic on so young a child, 
 especially as she is of a very nervous organization. 
 
 Korth Ontario, Cal. J. 
 
 Such a tooth is usually removed by deutists as soon as it 
 crowds the others, or wheu they thiuk the proper order of 
 the teeth is deranged by its presence. Whether or not a 
 supernumerary tooth will appear in the permanent set does 
 not depend upon the extraction of the present tooth, but 
 upon the existence or absence of the rudiment of that per- 
 manent tooth in the jaw. A dentist of ordinary skill can 
 extract the tooth safely and will advise you if he needs ad- 
 ditional aid in giving the anaesthetic, if indeed that is nec- 
 essary. The simple extraction of an incisor might cause less 
 disturbance than the administration of an anaesthetic. If a 
 supernumerary tooth appears in the second set the dentist 
 can also advise concerning its removal. 
 
THE EYES. 
 
 Test for Cross-Eyes. 
 
 Yesterday morning my nest-door neighbor, a mother of two chil- 
 dren, sent to know if I would run in there a minute in haste. On 
 going into her sitting-room I found her quite agitated —unduly so, it 
 seemed to me, when I learned the cause. She said : "I'm going to 
 ask you a question which I wish you'd answer as quickly as you can, 
 without giving yourself time to think out anything more than your 
 first impressions. Willie, stand right there and look straight for- 
 ward at Mrs. B's face. There, now, Mrs. B., is he cross-eyed? " She 
 went on to say after a short pause that she had been startled to find 
 him, as she thought, cross-eyed in the morning, and yet she could not 
 satisfy herself of it. I confess it was difficult for me to decide ; there 
 were moments when he seemed decidedly so, and again I could hardly 
 distinguish it. To-day it is certainly more marked. I told her there 
 was only one thing to do, and that was to consult some authority. 
 Are there not certain simple tests used by oculists which we can apply 
 at home ? If you can give us any help you will greatly oblige both 
 of us. Willie is five years old, and almost as great a favorite in my 
 home as in his own. 
 
 Banbury, Conn. J. M. B. 
 
 The test most commonly employed by oculists to detect 
 "cross-eyes" or "squint" is to cover one eye, and have the 
 child look with the other at the examiner's finger, held at a 
 distance of about fifteen inches directly in front of the child 
 in the median line ; if this be done, and the hand covering 
 the eye be slightly tilted so that the examiner can watch the 
 covered eye, the latter will be seen to roll, or move inward 
 or outward, according to the nature of the squint. Then, by 
 suddenly removing the hand from the eye previously cov- 
 ered, the difference in the direction of the axes of the two 
 eyes will be very apparent ; the observation must be made 
 quickly, however, since the squinting eye will soon correct 
 
THE EYES. 163 
 
 its position so that its axis will correspond to that of the 
 other eye, and both will then become fixed upon the ex- 
 aminer's finger. This test should be applied first upon the 
 eye which appears to squint, and then upon the other in a 
 like manner. 
 
 It must be remembered that cross-eye, at the commence- 
 ment of the trouble, is often present only at certain periods 
 and absent at others. Also, that it is frequently due to 
 errors of vision, which sometimes may be corrected by the 
 fitting of proper glasses. 
 
 Anxiety about Brilliant Eyes. 
 
 Is there any necessity for worry because a baby has bright eyes ? 
 This seems like a very silly question, but I suffered with a complica- 
 tion of nervous troubles before my baby was born, and have been es- 
 pecially sensitive about him. And now an officious friend has 
 "stirred me up " ; on first seeing my beautiful, healthy boy, he ex- 
 claimed, " What wonderfully bright eyes he has! Has he ever had 
 anything the matter with his head ? No ? I thought he might have 
 had, as they are so very bright ! " Under the circumstances I did not 
 like it, to say the very least. No one else thinks his eyes are so 
 ■wonderfully bright. 
 
 Cranford. N. J. M. C. H. 
 
 There is no necessity for worry whatever. Nor, as far 
 as you have given the facts, is there any ground for anxiety. 
 If you have reason to suppose your baby hereditarily ex- 
 citable, try to avoid excitements for him. Brilliancy of the 
 eye is not an evidence of disease by itself. 
 
 Eye-Pupils of Different Sizes. 
 
 How serious a trouble is a difference in size of the pupils of the 
 eyes, or how serious may it become? What may be done to correct it 
 or its cause? My boy is six months old, and the difference in his 
 pupils is very marked at times. When the pupils are small I observe 
 no difference, and for a time have thought the direction or amount of 
 light had the effect named ; but now I am convinced the pupils are at 
 fault. 
 Georgetown, Col. A. E. P. 
 
164 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 The difference may or may not be a symptom of impor- 
 tance. Associated with other disturbances it often betokens 
 serious brain troubles. On the other hand, cases are met 
 with — we have one under observation just now — where the 
 discrepancy has existed from birth, and has continued many 
 years in a person of good health, who is unconscious of any 
 disturbance of vision. 
 
 Styes. 
 
 Our little girl is fourteen months old, and has always been quite 
 well. I weaned her at eleven months, and she has since lived on 
 bread, milk and gruel of Quaker oats. Lately I have cooked the oats 
 longer and fed them to her without straining. 
 
 She has had twelve styes or little boils on her eyelids. They com- 
 menced to come about six months ago, a little before I weaned her, 
 and just after the first teeth had come through ; she now has eight 
 teeth. During the last few months she has grown thin, but of late 
 seems to be "picking up " again. She has also been constipated at 
 times and often has a foul breath. All but two of the styes came on 
 the tips of her lids, both upper and lower, and they have caused her to 
 lose nearly all of her eyelashes. The last two styes seemed more 
 serious than the others. One was almost on the side of her nose and 
 was opened four times, twice by myself and twice as she hit it with her 
 hand, each time discharging much matter. I have consulted three 
 physicians but they have not helped her. 
 
 (1) Can you tell me the cause ? 
 
 (2) How can I help her ? 
 
 Denver. M. A. 
 
 (1) The ordinary causes are local inflammatory irrita- 
 tion, acting upon a system deranged in some way, especially 
 when the patient suffers from anaemia (thinness of blood), 
 or is of scrofulous habit. 
 
 (2) The general condition must be looked to. The diet 
 should be examined to ascertain if it be well digested. Iron 
 may be needed or perhaps cod-liver oil. Locally the prompt 
 
THE EYES. 165 
 
 opening of styes as they occur is very useful. Some of the 
 products of the inflammation may not be discharged as pus 
 and later on may excite further irritation or remain as an in- 
 dolent mass in the lids. These are the general principles of 
 treatment. Although you have consulted three physicians, 
 we still think that you will do better to try again than to at- 
 tempt domestic treatment. Pick out one physician and 
 continue with him long enough to find out what he can do 
 and to give him some interest in his little patient. 
 
 Clipping the Eyelashes. 
 
 Is it true that clipping the ends of the eyelashes is beneficial, and 
 is it likely to cause them to grow longer ? When is the proper time to 
 do it? 
 Santa Barbara, Vol. "Gwaery." 
 
 Clipping the eyelashes cannot be beneficial in any way, 
 but may be decidedly harmful. The lash is the protector of 
 the eye. Cutting, if it affected them at all, would be likely 
 to make them coarse. There is no proper time to do it. 
 
THE EARS. 
 
 Earache. 
 
 Can you give any suggestions as to remedies for earache in chil- 
 dren ? My little boy of five suffers from it very much, and it always 
 comes on at night. I use sweet oil and laudanum, warm, dropped in 
 the ear, or soak a piece of cotton, and put it in the ear ; to this I some- 
 times have to add a hot poultice of hops, and all this will frequently 
 give no relief for a long time. There does not seem to be any especial 
 cause for these attacks, as our physician has examined him several 
 times. 
 
 Brooklyn, N. Y. A. S. 
 
 The occurrence of pain in the ear is a pretty positive 
 sign that this organ is not in a perfect condition, or that 
 some part in the immediate neighborhood is diseased ; thus, 
 besides disease of the ear itself, ,such pain may be due to the 
 impaction of wax in the ear canal, or to throat or nose 
 trouble. Hence removal of the cause of the pain by the 
 specialist would naturally be most advisable. To relieve the 
 attacks of earache, when the cause is unknown, the instilla- 
 tion of hot salt water will be found most efficient. The salt 
 water should be prepared by dissolving a teaspoonful of table 
 salt in one pint of water. This should be used as hot as can 
 be borne by the sufferer, and should be poured into the canal 
 of the ear by a teaspoon and then allowed to run out again 
 by inclining the head ; this may be continued for half an 
 hour or an hour until the pain ceases ; or the hot salt water 
 may be allowed to flow into the ear from a fountain syringe 
 held not higher than one foot above the level of the ear. 
 After the application of heat in this way, a large piece of 
 cotton wadding should be placed over the ear and covered 
 by a layer of oiled silk. 
 
THE EARS. 
 
 Internal Ear Disease. 
 
 My little son was apparently a perfectly healthy and normal 
 child in every way at birth. A plentiful supply of breast milk 
 awaited him and his digestion was perfect. He grew at the rate 
 of almost one pound per week from birth. When four weeks old I 
 noticed, after his first night of unrest and crying spells, a dis- 
 charge from one ear of a thin watery substance, such as usually comes 
 from a gathering in the ear. When it had continued, though in very 
 small quantities, for two or three days, I spoke to the physician about 
 it, and he advised washing out the ear, which he accordingly did, 
 using a very fine ear syringe. The child apparently suffered no dis- 
 comfort during the operation, not even moving his head. Three days 
 after that (the discharge not having appeared at all after the washing), 
 when I placed my hand under the child's head for the purpose of 
 placing him in the bath, he gave a sharp scream as though in great 
 pain. I examined his head, but saw nothing unusual externally. 
 During that day and night his head was somewhat hot and he slept 
 constantly, scarcely rousing to nurse, although I put him to the breast 
 at regular intervals, and making a sharp scream when touched or 
 lifted. The following morning I sent forthe physician, who, on seeing 
 the child, pronounced the trouble probably an internal abscess of the 
 ear, and gave me small hope of his surviving. An ear specialist was 
 immediately sent for, who punctured the ear-drum in the hope of 
 allowing any matter which might be pressing on the brain to escape. 
 Nothing availed, however, and after twenty-four hours of extreme 
 suffering, during the last eight of which the child was in frequent 
 spasms, he passed away in one. I should, perhaps, say that crossing 
 the eyes was one of the first unusual signs of trouble which I noticed. 
 
 I should like to ask : 
 
 (1) Should you judge from the symptoms that the ear was the 
 seat of the trouble? 
 
 (2) Could such trouble be produced by the washing out of the ear 
 and stopping of the discharge? If not caused from the ear, could any 
 other likely reason for such an affection be suggested ? 
 
 (3) Was it probable that the child was born with any tendency to 
 brain disease, and if so would it not have shown itself sooner .' 
 
 (4) Could anything have been done which was not done, or in 
 addition to what was done ? Beyond the puncturing of the ear-drum 
 and the application of cold cloths to the head, nothing was done in the 
 
Xl'RSKR Y PR OBL EMS 
 
 way of treatment. I take the liberty of writing somewhat at length, 
 as the physicians to whom I have spoken pronounce it a most unusual 
 and extraordinary case, and also because we do not feel at all sure that 
 it was not the result of carelessness in some way. 
 
 P. F. C. 
 
 (1) The ease was probably one of disease of the deeper 
 portion of the hearing apparatus, the internal ear; as a result 
 of this the adjacent portions of the membranes covering the 
 brain were probably involved. 
 
 (2) Washing out the canal of the ear could not have 
 produced the trouble ; the affection had already existed 
 when the ear was syringed, and this proceeding merely 
 cleansed the canal, and in this way was beneficial. 
 
 (3) It cannot be stated definitely with the material of 
 your letter as a basis, whether there was any tendency to 
 brain trouble at birth ; there may or may not have been ; 
 such deep troubles in the internal ear may develop in infants 
 who have previously been in perfect health. 
 
 (4) The treatment adopted was proper and all that is 
 usually made use of in such cases and at this period of 
 life. An operation — making an opening through the bone 
 behind the ear, so as to reach the deeper parts of the ear and 
 allow any matter that may have gathered there to escape — 
 sometimes saves life in such cases; but this operation is itself 
 a grave one and its results are uncertain ; in the case in ques- 
 tion, owing to the very early age of the patient and the rapid 
 course of the disease, even such a last resort would probably 
 not have prevented the fatal termination. 
 
 Partial Deafness. 
 
 I wish to get advice through your columns in regard to my little 
 boy's partial deafness. Before he was three years old a severe cold 
 would make him hard of hearing, and now, at five years of age, the 
 
THE EARS. 
 
 same trouble exists, and the deafness continues long after all signs of 
 cold have disappeared. He has recently had a bad cold and earache, 
 and he has remained hard of hearing so long that we are anxious lest 
 his trouble should become permanent and past relief. He has never 
 had much earache or any discharge from his ear. Is there danger of 
 its becoming permanent deafness? Can we do anything to prevent 
 this? He has always been a delicate child, having little endurance. 
 His colds always take a croupy turn, and but for constant doctoring 
 would terminate in spasmodic croup. 
 
 Adams, Mass. O. B. M. 
 
 There is always danger of permanent deafness under 
 such circumstances. Catarrhal troubles are probably the 
 commonest causes of deafness, and they are very active in 
 just such delicate children. The child should certainly be 
 taken to a physician, who, by advice as to his general regi- 
 men and by local treatment of his throat and nose may be 
 able to prevent the advance of deafness. 
 
 Prominent Ears. 
 
 My little boy is nine months old and his ears seem to stand out 
 more and more all the time. When he was younger he was a frail 
 child, and I did not dare to do anything about it ; but now that he is 
 rugged can I not correct this feature by tying them back in some way? 
 He has otherwise a handsome face. 
 
 Hartford, Conn. M. D. H. 
 
 It is probable that persistent bandaging might press the 
 ears flat ; such treatment is successful in arresting the 
 growth of the feet in certain classes of women in China. 
 But we are entirely certain that we would not allow any 
 such thing to be done to any child that was underour 
 care. The object to be gained is of trivial importance com- 
 pared with the persistent discomfort — running over months 
 or years — that must be inflicted upon the child. When an 
 ear projects as the result of an inflammation the case is dif- 
 ferent, as slight pressure for not a very long while at a time 
 
170 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 tends to replace the ear in its normal position. We might 
 add, however, that inasmuch as the projecting ears give 
 much distress to you, it might be proper to try one of the 
 caps of tapes sold in the shops for producing pressure on the 
 ears. They do not so closely cover the head as an ordinary 
 cap and are less objectionable. But even with these we 
 think that evidences of discomfort should be watched, for as 
 we believe what we have said above on this point is correct. 
 
 Large Ears. 
 
 "Little pitchers have big ears." Unfortunately for my dear 
 little girl of seven years, hers are large, physically and metaphorically. 
 They stand out like handles. It is not hereditary, and I am anxious 
 to correct it. Can you help me with your advice ? When I tie rib- 
 bons over them to press gently she complains of soreness in a short 
 while. Am I in danger of doing an injury to the internal organ by 
 pressing externally? I am anxious to free her from the misfortune of 
 prominent ears in later life. 
 
 St. Louis. L. M. G. 
 
 We can help you with advice, and it is to let the ears 
 alone. Any pressure you make is far more likely to irritate 
 the ears and thereby increase their want of beauty than to 
 improve their appearance. The ear, for some reason or 
 other, sc-ems to be considered a part of the body that can be 
 trifled with. Very few persons would think of meddling 
 with a nose that was not shapely or with lips that were ill- 
 looking, but the ear is practised upon in various ways. It is 
 hard to say why the wearing of rings in the ears should 
 have survived the kindred mutilation of the nose and lips. 
 Time may improve the set of the ears, and, at all events, 
 the arrangement of the hair will improve their appearance 
 far more than anything you can do to them. 
 
THE EARS. 
 
 Tampering with the Shape of the Ears. 
 
 "What would you advise me to use to make my baby's ears stay 
 close to her head ? She is five months old, and her ears have j ust be- 
 gun to stand out. 
 
 Geneseo, N. Y. F. 
 
 A close cap has been recommended, and is the least ob- 
 jectionable thing we know, but we believe that treatment in 
 such cases is usually worse than the disease. When a child 
 is laid to sleep on one side on a firm pillow and occasionally 
 turned, the weight of the head makes about as much pressure 
 as can be judiciously applied. As the child gets older and 
 rolls about on the face, back, or in any position, this plan is 
 less efficient. Then the cap or a light band, as of flannel cut 
 bias, tied about the head, will have some influence. But, as 
 already said, we doubt if the inconvenience to the child of 
 the treatment is not worse than the disfigurement, particu- 
 larly as female headgear and style of head dressing ordina- 
 rily partly overcome and partly hide the latter after the age 
 of vanity is reached. 
 
THE HAIR. 
 
 Thin Hair. 
 
 I have reason to believe that my little girl, now three and a half' 
 months old, has inherited a weak growth of hair. Can 1 do anything 
 now, or a little later, to strengthen the head and roots? 
 Brooklyn. C. H. S. 
 
 It is too soon to be anxious about the child's growth of 
 hair. She may never have an abundant growth, but its 
 present thinness is no evidence to that effect. The greatest 
 variability exists in regard to the time when the hair be- 
 comes thick. We have seen children at birth whose hair 
 was so abundant as to need a regular toilet, and who, at 
 three months of age, looked as if they were wearing wigs. 
 On the other hand, we know adults whose hair is very thick 
 who were practically bald up to two years of age. 
 
 Nevertheless, as you are anxious, we may give you some 
 hints as to what to do and what not to do. If the hair had 
 fallen out from an illness or from a disease of the scalp, some 
 medication would be advisable ; but in such a case as you 
 describe it certainly is not. What you have to do is to give 
 the scalp the best possible chance to grow the hair. See 
 that the scalp is always clean ; that is, free from dandruff, 
 from the flaky deposit often met with (seborrhcea). See also 
 that the head is not heated nor unnecessarily covered. But 
 in giving it this attention do not irritate it. Do not rub it 
 roughly nor use much soap upon it. Wash it gently, dry it 
 gently. Remove any deposit upon it by very gentle friction 
 with a finger anointed with vaseliue or any perfectly bland 
 oil. Use a very soft brush in arranging the hair and avoid 
 combs altogether. Adhere to the same gentle precautions 
 after the child is older, and you will have done, in our judg- 
 ment, the best that can be done. 
 
THE HAIR. 173 
 
 "Washing the Scalp. 
 
 When a child's scalp seems perfectly healthy and there is a good 
 crop of hair, how frequently should the entire head be washed to in- 
 sure a continuance of health? Also, with a predisposition to catarrh 
 of the head, is there danger in washing, if the hair is thoroughly 
 rubbed till it feels dry? 
 Lake Valley, N. M. A. P. H. 
 
 Often enough to secure cleanliness of the scalp, which 
 may be determined by frequent careful examination for 
 dandruff, etc. Instances occur where the " catching cold " 
 seems to be directly dependent on the washing of the head ; 
 but as a rule it is safe to wash the head, if the washing is 
 done in a warm room and the hair is thoroughly dried di- 
 rectly afterwards. 
 
 The Use of Soap on the Head. 
 
 For my two children I have had different nurses, and both have 
 said : "Lather his head with soap every morning." My three-months- 
 old baby's head is always white and clean, and I have washed it with 
 "Cuticura" soap every morning, using a little vaseline once a week. 
 I notice that for a few days after using the vaseline the scalp is just as 
 clear as his little face, and then the skin begins to look dry. I think 
 the use of soap so often tends to dry the natural oil of the hair. "What 
 do you tli ink .' 
 
 .Y. //■ Britain, Conn. B. A. B. 
 
 For some weeks after birth the " lathering " has a good 
 effeel in dislodging (lie secretion of the scalp, which is then 
 often excessive. After a while it is not necessary to use soap 
 every day in the head-washing, two or three times a week 
 usually being enough; but if any scurf begins to form the 
 daily use of soap can be resumed. 
 
174 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Tampering with the Color of the Hair. 
 
 I should be greatly obliged if I could get information as to how 
 to grow Baby's hair gradually darker. His eyelashes being very 
 light, I fear his hair will remain about the same. Is there any efficacy 
 in cold tea ? 
 Morrillville, Neb. M. C. R. 
 
 We have no advice to offer except that you should care- 
 fully abstain from all attempts to change the natural color of 
 your child's hair. No attempts on your part will effect any- 
 thiug but damage to the hair. The cold tea acts only by 
 staining the hair already grown. There is a very strong 
 tendency for children's hair to darken after two or three 
 years of age. Most mothers would rejoice in the blonde hair 
 of a baby. 
 
 Concerning Bangs. 
 
 I would like to hear from you on the subject of "bangs." Does 
 the wearing of the hair in this way cause it to grow down on the fore- 
 head? To my way of thinking it is the prettiest fashion for a child's 
 hair, but if it tends to a lowering of the hair line it might be undesir- 
 able, as by the time the child is grown, high, bald fronts may 
 again be "the style." 
 
 Hedrick, Iowa. L. W. E. 
 
 Hair grows only where hair follicles exist. Therefore it 
 cannot be made to grow anywhere by any direction of 
 brushing. But it is possible that a tendency of the hair to 
 hang in a certain direction might be favored by brushing. 
 Nevertheless we believe that "banging" does not tend to 
 produce this peculiarity. No such peculiarity has developed 
 in men who as children had banged hair. There is an enor- 
 mous tendency to attribute effects to causes to which they 
 had no relation whatever. It is not probable that the "high, 
 bald fronts " will ever be fashionable for long for women, as 
 the combined suffrage of civilized people from Horace's day 
 to ours has voted them ugly. So you need not worry about 
 girls' bangs. 
 
THE HAIR. 
 
 Unhealthfulness of Long Hair. 
 
 I would like to ask your opinion concerning the desirability or 
 healthfulness of long hair for young children. My little hoy of three 
 years has very heavy hair, long and curling. One friend says : " Oh ! 
 don't have it cut, it is so beautiful. " Another remarks, with a serious 
 air : " His hair is lovely, but you should have it cut ; it is doing him 
 great harm." He is a sturdy little fellow and has seen very few sick 
 days. 
 
 Cuyahoga Falls, 0. H. H. 
 
 So long as the hair is healthy we see no reason for med- 
 dling with it. It can be weakening only by its excessive 
 rapidity of growth. To cut it would not lessen this. The 
 superstition — for it seems no more to us— that abundant hair 
 is weakening is very prevalent. No doubt an over-thick 
 head of hair may be annoying in hot weather, but we be- 
 lieve the notion of its debilitating power is due to the fact 
 that persons of a peculiar type of feeble constitution are 
 sometimes very hairy. There is one disadvantage of long 
 hair on the neck we may mention, namely, the exciting of 
 perspiration in that region and a tendency to chilling and 
 "catching cold " as a consequence. 
 
THE FEET. 
 
 Confining the Feet. 
 
 Do you approve of the plan of leaving tiny feet uiiconfined by 
 little shoes until the wee one attempts to stand ? 
 
 Mendocino, Cal. E. B. S. 
 
 Yes, a wide, warm stocking is enough until the baby be- 
 gins to use its feet for walking or creeping. 
 
 Incipient Corns. 
 
 1 have always been very careful about my little Marjorie's shoes, 
 that they should neither pinch nor rub, and she wore moccasins for a 
 long time. She is now three years of age, and on the little toe of each 
 foot there is a decided corn, the size of a pin-head. Is there no way 
 in which I can cure them, so that she need not be troubled with them 
 always ? 
 
 Oakland, Cal. G. C. 
 
 There must be some mistake. Corns never come unless 
 there is pressure or friction, and nothing can permanently 
 cure a com so long as the pressure or friction continues. A 
 shoe may be very large and yet produce corns because its 
 shape is not right. We have seen many moccasins of such 
 faulty shape that they could not fail to produce irritation. 
 
 First of all revise the question of shoeing. See if the 
 shoe holds neatly to the ankle and hinder part of the foot ; 
 see next that there is plenty of room fur the toes not only to 
 go in but to expand and play as the foot is moved. Often it 
 is requisite to get shoes two or three sizes too long in order to 
 secure the necessary width. In the fitting of the shoe lies 
 the whole matter. 
 
THE FEET. 
 
 The relief of an already acquired corn may be accom- 
 plished best by first paring, then applying to the surface a 
 solution of salicylic acid, say one part to eight of water, and 
 after a day or two scraping away any part that has been 
 softened by the application, and repeating this until the 
 corn is removed. 
 
 The corn too may be protected from friction by means 
 of a plaster with a hole of suitable size in it, the plaster being 
 so applied that the hole falls immediately over the corn. 
 For children's feet these plasters are best made extempora- 
 neously from several layers of the ordinary adhesive plaster 
 to be found at drug stores. 
 
 Distorted Feet. 
 
 fl) "What is the remedy, as well as prevention, for misshapen 
 feet? 
 
 (2) Why, if the baby-foot is shaped rightly (the toes slightly 
 spread, and the weight apparently evenly divided over the sole of the 
 foot and on the bottom of each toe), when shoes have been worn for 
 a few years, does the shape of the foot change and the ends of the toes 
 turn downward, the joints pointing upward? This isthe way the feet 
 of my oldest boy, aged 6, and my girl, aged 3, have changed, although 
 they have always worn shoes at least one-fourth of an inch longer 
 than their feet. I cannot but feel that the trouble is in the width. 
 
 (3) Is it lack of sufficient length or width that is to blame for the 
 immense joint, that sometimes inflames, on the inside of the foot ? 
 
 Cranford, N. J. M. C. H. 
 
 (1) The remedy lies chiefly in the wearing of the same 
 kinds of shoes that would have prevented the distortion in 
 the fust instance. But after a certain degree of displace- 
 ment and rigidity has occurred other management is nec- 
 essary. The subject is too wide to be treated of in the space 
 at our command. 
 
178 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 (2) We are not sure that we understand correctly what 
 is intended. There is a crumpling up of the toes and the 
 thrusting of one under another, due to the shoes beiug short 
 or too narrow and pointed ; this change is a familar one. 
 But we think you mean a change which is natural and 
 proper, within limits — namely, that the habit of springing 
 upon the toes in walking gives to them, particularly the 
 outer ones, a slight curve upward, with some enlargement of 
 the bulbous extremity. You can re-examine the children's 
 feet and see which change you have to deal with. If the 
 toes are crowded together and the imprint of one is left 
 upon another, the shoes have done at least a part of the dis- 
 torting. 
 
 (3) Insufficient length may have some share in it. But 
 the deformity is created thus : A shoe, the inner margin of 
 the sole of which turns outward — as is usual in shop-shoes 
 — at the toe-joint crowds the great toe towards its fellows ; 
 this distorts the toe-joint, pressure is made upon parts of the 
 joint not well prepared for it, then the narrow upper chafes 
 and sets up an inflammatory process, which ultimately re- 
 sults in chronic thickening of the soft parts, and even of the 
 bone. These distortions sometimes are so extreme as to ren- 
 der the cutting out of the joint necessary. 
 
 Ingrowing Nails. 
 
 Can you tell me of some cure for ingrowing toe-nails, and also 
 what is liable to cause them ? It cannot be tight shoes in the case of 
 my two-year-old, as I have always been especially careful to have his 
 shoes roomy and comfortable. He seems to suffer from them, and I 
 feel anxious to help him by some simple means, if possible. 
 New York. A. N. S. 
 
THE FEET. 179 
 
 The mischief done by shoes is less from small size than 
 from faulty shape. It is, of course, possible that au ingrow- 
 ing nail may not come from tight shoes, but certainly 
 ninety-nine cases in a hundred are due to the shoe pressing 
 the toes together. The great toe most frequently suffers ; it 
 is crowded against its neighbor, the flesh is pushed up and 
 laps over the nail, and the margin of the nail, being crowded 
 toward the centre of the toe, turns downward and so grows. 
 Sometimes, however, there is no fault in the nail itself, 
 simply in the crowding up of the flesh, which thus becomes 
 irritated under the pressure. If a foot has never been 
 crowded, the sides of the toes are rounded as at birth, and 
 as the lingers remain through life. Actually it is rare to see 
 a foot some of the toes of which have not left their imprint 
 upon their fellows from this lateral pressure. Keep the toe 
 that is in trouble separated from its neighbor by a folded 
 piece of linen put between them — slightly oiled if there is 
 sign of friction against the linen — and the trouble will 
 probably be relieved. If necessary, the down-growing cor- 
 ners of the nails may be raised by the thrusting under of a 
 pledget of soft cotton. In paring the nails do not cut off 
 the corners, but cut the nail square across. These corners 
 should protect the flesh ; if cut oh" the tendency to burrow 
 is increased. 
 
THE CARE OF THE CHILD. 
 
 Rocking The Baby. 
 
 What are the physiological objections to rocking a baby? Is it 
 likely to produce congestion of the brain ? 
 
 California. C. P. 
 
 The objections, in the main, are not physiological. We 
 do not believe that gentle rocking is, save in exceptional 
 cases, harmful. liut, on the other hand, it is not beneficial. 
 The simple holding of the child, by the support and warmth 
 given, is as quieting. The chief objection to rocking a child 
 is the habit that is formed of going to sleep in an unnatural 
 way. Sleep comes naturally to the tired child as soon as it 
 is free from discomfort and is left alone. In saying the 
 above it is not intended that the jolting and violent oscilla- 
 tion of a child whose stomach is full are harmless ; we believe 
 that favors indigestion. 
 
 Changing Wet Diapers at Night. 
 
 There is one subject upon which I would like to have your advice 
 and experience. It is in regard to changing the wet diapers of a 
 young baby during the night. 
 
 There is no question in my mind concerning the rights of the case 
 if the mother is unable to nurse her child, for then her unbroken rest 
 is not so important to her ; but if she does nurse her baby, which one, 
 mother or child, should be first considered? I attended to my first 
 baby faithfully in regard to the changing of diapers, but it was often 
 very hard to arouse myself sufficiently to do so and I have since 
 thought that if I had considered myself a little more and the child a 
 little less I might have had a more abundant supply of milk for her; 
 but I would not bear to think that the dear little one was at all un- 
 comfortable. Now, with a second one coming, I should like your 
 advice. 
 
 Chicago. M. L. D. 
 
THE CARE OF THE CHILD. 181 
 
 No fixed rule can be given for such things, as circum- 
 stances vary. But ordinarily, if the baby is well and 
 securely covered, it will be safe enough to let it alone until it 
 is sufficiently uncomfortable to wake, when you will prob- 
 ably also wake, or until it is time to nurse the child. Ex- 
 ceptions to this occur, as, for instance, when the skin is very 
 tender or shows signs of irritation ; or when a child is very 
 restless and uncovers itself. 
 
 Sitting Up in the Chair. 
 
 Much discussion has been given in our household to the subject of 
 setting up his lordship, aged three months, in his chair. Grandma 
 Is'o. 1 sat up all her children at that age and proposes that we do so 
 ■with this one. Grandma No. 2 thinks the idea preposterous and 
 prophesies curvature of the spine. Old-maid blue-stocking Auntie 
 proves it is inj urious with a lecture on the softness of an infant's 
 bones, and says he must not sit up inside of six months. Papa and 
 Mamma think a little sitting up at different times in the day judicious 
 and strengthening ; that the answer depends much on the strength of 
 the child ; that one who holds his head up quite stiffly and firmly may 
 be allowed a change of position. "Will you condescend to act as um- 
 pire? who, if any, is right? 
 
 California. Pacific. 
 
 The age at which a child can sit up varies much, and 
 depends, as you say, upon its strength. We do not like 
 chairs for such young children, because of their want of even 
 support and their insecurity. A child should be allowed 
 change of position from birth and change of posture as soon 
 as he can change it himself or shows a desire to change. To 
 this end we like to bolster a baby up, on a bed for instance, 
 with pillows. His head and trunk are then well supported, 
 and the change becomes a pleasure and not a tax. 
 
N UBS E R Y PR B L E MS. 
 
 Baby in the Corner. 
 
 Do you think it injurious for Baby to sleep in the corner? Our 
 room being very small, it is a case of necessity that Baby's crib should 
 be in a corner. We always have one of the windows raised several 
 inches at night for ventilation. 
 Altoona, Pa. E. B. H. 
 
 There are corners and corners. If a room is badly venti- 
 lated, corners are ordinarily the least ventilated parts. If, 
 on the other hand, the room is one, such as is often seen in 
 poorly constructed country houses, which is the arena of 
 contending draughts, a corner may be the least dangerous 
 part of the room. A small room with a window open ought, 
 we should suppose, to be sufficiently ventilated to render the 
 air in the corners safe. Another aspect of the question is 
 this : If the corner be one between two external walls, it is 
 likely to be chilly, if not damp ; an inside corner made by 
 lath aud plaster partitions would not be open to this objec- 
 ti.>n. As your room is small, it presumably has sufficient 
 light as well as air. 
 
 Playing on the Floor. 
 
 I have two little ones, the elder four years of age, and the younger 
 just walking alone. Our house is heated by a furnace, and there 
 always seems to be a cold draught upon the floor, where my children 
 are inclined to spend most of their time with their toys. Can you 
 suggest a plan whereby I cau manage to keep them amused off the 
 floor, or is there any way of stopping the draughts? 
 
 Montclair, X. J. L. I. D. 
 
 While heated air rises and cold air falls there must 
 always be a chill current near the floor. Draughts from 
 without may be partially excluded by weather-strips and 
 sand-bags, but Baby sitting on the carpet is almost sure to 
 take cold in bitter weather. A cheap mattress, covered with 
 a quilt or shawl, makes a safe corner for him on windy days. 
 One mother had a sort of dais or platform, six feet wide and 
 
THE CARE OF THE CHILD. 183 
 
 six inches high, mounted on rollers and set against the wall 
 of the nursery, for "Baby's room." In default of 
 these conveniences, give the twain chairs and low tables of 
 their own, and teach them to use them instead of sitting on 
 the carpet. 
 
 The Effects of "Jostling About." 
 
 Will you tell me if you think it injurious to the nervous system 
 of infants under six months of age to be jostled about in baby-car- 
 riages, baby-junipers, etc.? 
 
 Chicago. W. B. A. 
 
 "We do not know that such jostlings are injurious to the 
 "nervous system," as physicians use that name— that is, in 
 its anatomical sense — but we believe they do increase the 
 timidity and excitability of children, or, in other words, 
 make them "nervous," especially if already inclined that 
 way. We do not, for various reasons, think a baby-jumper 
 lit for a child under six months of age ; and at any age a 
 child's carriage should be trundled with care and without 
 unnecessary jolting. 
 
 Rapid Carriage-Driving for very Young Chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Is it wise for babies to be driven over country roads with fast horses 
 at the age of six weeks or two months ? 
 
 Randolph, Mass. Maiden Aunt. 
 
 rjnless the roads are unusually smooth or the vehicle 
 unusually easy such exercise is undesirable. It is compar- 
 able to the jolting method of our grandmothers when a 
 rockerless chair was made to act as if it were a rocking- 
 chair, [fa young child is taken in a vehicle, it should be 
 snugly held againsl the breast if rapid driving is necessary. 
 Under such circumstances it should be protected until it is 
 old enough and strong enough to steady itself. 
 
184 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 A Playground on the Roof. 
 
 Will you assist me with the best practical device tor enclosing 
 the roof or roofs of our Day Nursery in a substantial and safe manner, 
 so that we may supply our children with air and sunshine without ex- 
 posing them to danger? The yard is not fit for the purposes of 
 recreation. Last summer the Nursery was open every day, but its 
 usefulness was greatly curtailed for want of a suitable playground. 
 Philadelphia. S. 
 
 We are not quite certain as to the meaning of the word 
 "enclosing" in our correspondent's inquiry. If she refers 
 merely to a fencing-iu of the roof to preveut the children 
 from falling off, the best device would be a guard-railing of 
 forged iron, such as is manufactured in all ornamental- 
 iron works, of any desired height, and with bars placed 
 as close together as may seem necessary. Of course it is 
 essential to select a railing so constructed that there will 
 be no danger of the little ones clambering on or over it. If, 
 on the other hand, our correspondent refers to a superstruc- 
 ture on the roof, the design will depend largely upon local 
 dimensions, and with the information on hand we cannot 
 give more than a few general suggestions. Any arrange- 
 ment for converting the roof into a safe playground for the 
 children will depend, in the first place, upon the season 
 during which it is to be devoted to such purpose. It is quite 
 evident that if the roof is to be used in summer only, the 
 structure need not be of such a substantial character as 
 would be required for a playground used all the year round. 
 In the latter case the method of construction should be 
 similar to that employed for "sun-baths," and particular 
 care would then have to be bestowed upon the question of 
 heating and ventilation. Fur summer use only, the simplest 
 device would appear to be a strong canvas or tent, stretched 
 
THE CARE OF TIIK CHILD. 
 
 horizontally at a suitable height across the whole roof, and 
 supported by stout wooden posts, or, better still, iron rods, 
 securely fastened to the parapet walls of the roof. Such an 
 arrangement would protect the children and nurses from 
 the direct rays of the sun, while freely admitting the fresh 
 air. It might be desirable to have some protection against 
 strong winds in the shape of side-awnings. The whole ar- 
 rangement would correspond to that used to convert the 
 deck of an excursion-steamer into a shady but airy sitting- 
 place. The question of the means of access to the roof calls 
 for special attention. There should be a regular stairway, 
 and not the usual ladder-like approach. We would, fur- 
 thermore, recommend a wooden flooring over the tin roof, 
 for we consider the latter as unsuitable for a children's play- 
 ground. The floor should be laid so that the water will flow 
 off readily, to prevent dampness and decay. 
 
 For a permanent structure for use in all seasons a frame- 
 work of timber or iron should be constructed on top of the 
 roof breast- walls, securely fastened to them, and covered by 
 a roof, the construction of which would depend upon its 
 width or span ; the sides and roof to consist of large panes 
 of very thick window-glass, able to w ithstand a heavy w ind- 
 pressure, to cany the weight of snow, and to resist the de- 
 structive force of a hail-storm. There should be a sufficient 
 number of side-windows to secure a circulation of air, and 
 ridge ventilation may also be desirable. Arrangements 
 should be made for keeping out the scorching rays of a mid- 
 summer sun by providing roller-shades at the sides and 
 under the roof, fastened so as to move in a manner similar 
 to those used in photographic galleries. 
 
THE BATH. 
 
 Comprehensive Questions about the Bath. 
 
 I am the mother of five children, the oldest of whom is eight years 
 old this summer, and another is very soon to be added to the number. 
 One matter has troubled me for two or three years, and I would be 
 glad of a solution. 
 
 It is about the bath. All seem to take it for granted that the bath 
 is administered to the child on first rising in the morning. Since my 
 family has been so numerous I have found it very inconvenient to do 
 this, and have therefore changed to just before their supper — i. e., 
 about 5.30 p. m. 
 
 (1) Is there any objection to this ? And ought not the tempera- 
 ture of the bath to be warmer than if administered on rising in the 
 morning? If so, how much warmer ? I would be best pleased with 
 figures, as I always use the Fahrenheit thermometer. I know that, of 
 course, the bath is primarily for cleanliness and nothing else ; but I 
 am also persuaded that when used daily it becomes a powerful agent 
 in strengthening or weakening the child. 
 
 (2) I fear I give it too warm, but do not know. My oldest has 
 it at 92° and my one-year-old at 97°. But I do not use an "immer- 
 sion " bath with the water "up to the neck.'" They sit in the water 
 from two to four inches deep, except once a week, when they have it 
 about eight or ten inches deep, and two or three degrees warmer. On 
 these occasions the two girls go in together — in our big bath tub — and 
 the two boys together afterwards (Baby has not yet entered the "big 
 bath," as they call it), but ordinarily each is bathed alone, and in 
 reverse order of age, a little fresh water being added before each new 
 occupant arrives. I cannot think my way is very bad, because my 
 children have always been rather noted for their uninterrupted good 
 health ; yet I fear lest by too warm a bath I may be gradually weaken- 
 ing instead of strengthening them. A deciding word from you on 
 this subject would be a great relief. 
 
 (3) Further— What should be the temperature of a baby's first 
 bath? (I have seen it stated at 102°, 100° and 98°.) How long 
 should this same temperature be continued? How fast should this 
 temperature be reduced, and to what point should it be reduced in one 
 year ? What should be the temperature at two years of age, three 
 
THE BA TH. 
 
 years, etc. ? How soon should the reducing process stop ? I see that 
 one old authority — Dewees, 1833 — speaks of reducing the temperature 
 one degree each month for the first two years, beginning at 98° — thus 
 reaching 74° by the completion of the second year. Or is it a good 
 plan to reduce ten degrees each year for four years, begiuning with 
 100°, thus reaching 60 a at the end of the fourth year ? 
 
 Yokohama, Japan. A. T. H. 
 
 (1) There is no objection to the evening bath, and its 
 temperature need not be warmer than that of the morning 
 bath. 
 
 (2) We think you would do better to give your baths 
 from five degrees to seven degrees cooler "all along the 
 line." An eight-year-old child ought, at least, to stand a 
 reduction to 85° F. If he went into the sea it would be far 
 below that mark if your climate is like ours, and he woidd 
 enjoy it. When the sponge bath is used a child of two can 
 generally use water of the temperature of the room — say 68° 
 or 70° F., on an average, in this climate. 
 
 (3) The very first bath is to remove the greasy deposits 
 found at birth on the skin, and is usually between 100° and 
 105° F. But the daily bath need not be above 100° F. ever, 
 and we think, except for feeble children, 98° F. is preferable. 
 Dewees 's rule is safe for strong children, at least for sponging. 
 If in any ca.se there is doubt, a reduction of a degree every 
 two months may be safer. But this rate of reduction we 
 would not continue indefinitely, for Dewees's rule would 
 take us to 50° F. at four years, which is too low for most 
 children unless for quick sponging. Very much depends 
 as to the effect of a bath upon how it is given. For instance, 
 if a child in good health is quickly sponged in cold water 
 and dried, there is usually a wholesome reaction directly. 
 If a bath is given in a tub large enough for the child to romp 
 in, much the same reaction follows, even if the water is cool. 
 But if a Child were simply to sit in water which was poured 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 from u sponge over the upper part of the body, the same 
 temperature of water could not be so long borne, as there is 
 the repetition of the slight shock of the douche, while there 
 is no muscular exercise to excite the reaction. 
 
 The Proper Temperature of the Bath. 
 
 We have a babe about a year old, and every morning we place 
 the small bath-tub full of water in the large one in the bath-room, that 
 he may splash vigorously for a few moments. How warm should the 
 water be? I have been told it should be 90°; but would not 
 a bath every day at that temperature be weakening rather than invig- 
 orating ? I think it should be as cool as the child will go into pleas- 
 antly — certainly not over 80°. Am I right? 
 New York. A Lover of Babies. 
 
 A bath in which the thermometer stands at ninety de- 
 grees when the child goes into it cools sensibly and rapidly 
 with the splashing of the water and the action of the air of 
 the room on the surface. There is no danger in giving your 
 baby such an immersion daily, unless you allow him to re- 
 main too long in the tub. As, in our opinion, immersion in 
 the tub is only supplementary to the washing of the body 
 with the rag or sponge, and, except when the child is ill, has 
 no special virtue beyond completing the cleansing operation, 
 there is no reason for keeping the child in the water more 
 than a very few minutes. In so short a time no weakening 
 effect can ensue, nor can anything be gained by a lower 
 temperature than 90 degrees. 
 
 The Plunge-Bath. 
 
 I have a question which I should like to see answered. Up to 
 what age do you think a healthy child should be given a daily 
 plunge-bath? Is it weakening? I am careful to have my room 
 warm and the water only warm. My little girl enjoys such a bath 
 hugely, but I am in doubt as to how long it should be continued. 
 Chicago. M. E. S. 
 
THE BA TH. 139 
 
 The only reliable test of the good or ill effect of a bath is 
 the reaction that follows it. If the child enjoys it at ihe 
 moment, and is after it warm and active, it is probable that 
 the bath agrees with it. If the child is fatigued or drowsy 
 and disinclined to exertion, or is troubled by indigestion, 
 after it, the bath is probably a disadvantage. There is no 
 fixed rule. But a plunge-bath should of course be brief and 
 never be takeu ou a full stomach. 
 
 Dread of the Bath-Tub. 
 
 I have had a great deal of trouble with my baby, who is six 
 months and a half old, on account of his dread of the bath. I have 
 made two attempts with the little bath-tub, but he screams so and 
 seems so evidently frightened, that it has been given up, and he is still 
 washed upon my knee as in his youngest days, though a more lively, 
 vigorous baby could not be found This makes the daily sponging 
 more than ever troublesome. 
 
 Collingwqod, Ont. G. A. .N". 
 
 There is no real need for a child to be immersed in his 
 bath. It is simply done to save labor. If the baby is afraid 
 of the tub itself it is better to continue sponging until you 
 can get him accustomed to the tub by letting him have it to 
 play with. You can obviate the difficulty of washing a big 
 baby on the la), by laying a rubber sheet on a little table or 
 bench of convenient height, and letting him lie on it when 
 he is sponged. If it is only the immersion that is feared, 
 let Baby be placed in the empty tub, warmed by previous 
 rinsing with hot water, and there sponged. 
 
190 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Unfavorable Symptoms Following the Bath. 
 
 I have a little boy of five, who, without being ill, is not very- 
 strong. He easily takes cold and is very restless and nervous. I may 
 truthfully say he is an exceptionally bright child for his age. I have 
 been advised to sponge him off every morning with cold water, but my 
 previous experience makes me hesitate about acting on the advice. I 
 began washing his body with cold water two summers ago, but found 
 that itregularly produced a certain shock upon him, and, instead of feel- 
 ing invigorated, he seemed rather listless and looked pale for some 
 time after. Now, do you think that under the circumstances I ought 
 to resume the sponging-off ? And if you do, had I not better begin 
 with lukewarm water, gradually accustoming him to colder? What 
 ought the temperature of the bath-room to be to prevent the risk of his 
 catching cold ? And how can I best promote the " glow " which I am 
 told ought to follow the bath if it is to be beneficial ? 
 Portland, Oregon. E. -y[ 
 
 It is assumed that " nervous » is used in the popular 
 sense of the word to express an excitable or irritable tem- 
 perament as distinguished from an equable one. It would 
 be carrying us too far to discuss whether there might be a 
 common cause for this state of things and the tendency to 
 catch cold, but we take the questions up as they are pro- 
 pounded. 
 
 It is true that many persons gain an immunity, partial 
 or complete, from the effects of chilling by the use of cool or 
 cold baths. But as chilling, or even change of temperature, 
 is not the only cause of symptoms known as " taking cold," 
 this immunity only partly solves the problem. Again, it is 
 not a universal, or even common, experience that the 
 nervous symptoms of the kind we suppose our correspond- 
 ent means are improved by cold baths. There is a weakness 
 or want of tone for which the stimulating effect of the bath 
 is, under proper-restrictions, beneficial. The circulation, the 
 appetite, and the general condition improve, and the nervous 
 system gains steadiness as a result. The test usually ap- 
 
THE BA TH. 
 
 plied of this tonic effect is that the patient shall soon, if 
 not inimediatelj', afterward experience a sense of warmth 
 and comfort, and feel stronger rather than weaker. There 
 are many persons who do not readily get up this glow ' and 
 this leads to the answering of the last two questions. 
 
 The temperature of the bath-room should be moderately 
 high — 65° to 70° F., if the body is to be entirely exposed 
 during the sponging. The glow and the protective influence 
 desired are sometimes obtained in susceptible persons, who 
 cannot easily bear the ordinary bath, in the following way : 
 Common alcohol or some inexpensive liquor, either pure or 
 diluted one-half with water, is used for the bath. The addi- 
 tion to it of a little salt makes it a little more stimulating. 
 If the child is delicate the clothing can be removed from a 
 part of the body, say an arm, which is smartly rubbed with 
 the spirits, and then covered, and another part is then treat- 
 ed in the same way. The whole process takes but a few 
 minutes, and a pleasant reaction usually results. 
 
 Concerning the Necessity of a Daily Bath. 
 
 Do you advocate the daily bathing even of delicate infants? 
 Some professedly very knowing old ladies interdict this practice. 
 
 Carthage. 
 
 Every baby which is not distinctly ill ought to be 
 washed all over daily. But there are ways and ways of doing 
 this. If the child be very delicate substitute a rapid sponge- 
 bath of warm water, carefully and tenderly given, for the 
 plunge. Without cleanliness there can be no lasting phy- 
 sical good. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Soap. 
 
 (1) Is the use of soap necessary or desirable in daily baths ? 
 
 (2) For children's use which is preferable, a good castile soap, or 
 some of the numerous "scented" or other "fancy" varieties? 
 
 Brooklyn, N. Y. H. K. 
 
 (1) Only necessary at places where especial need of 
 cleanliness exists — face, neck, armpits, seat and groins. 
 But as the moderate use of bland soap is not harmful to 
 most skins, it is easier to go over quickly the whole or most 
 of Baby's body than to pick out spots for washing. 
 
 (2) "Castile," if of good quality, is excellent. There 
 are other excellent soaps made. But avoid scents. Your 
 object is to clean the baby, and to know if it is sweet when 
 you have finished you must avoid artificial smells. A clean 
 baby is sweeter than any perfume. 
 
 Diminishing the Frequency of Baths. 
 
 (1) When shall Baby's daily bath be discontinued ? Never, I 
 hear some say ; but suppose the mother's time and strength are very 
 much taxed? 
 
 (2) If a change is to be made, how many baths should be given a 
 week, and are they to be given night or morning ? 
 
 Buffalo. Young Mother. 
 
 (1) You answer this yourself. It is to be continued as 
 long as you can give it. It is given in the main for cleanli- 
 ness, and is no more necessary at six months than at six 
 years. The immersion is not a necessary part of the bath. 
 A quick sponging does as well. 
 
 (2) As many as you can give. If you can give only 
 three baths a week, or two, or one even, give them. They 
 are preferable in the morning, as a cool sponging, we think, 
 is a protection against taking cold, and the exposure is more 
 likely to occur by day than by night. 
 
CRYING. 
 
 The Significance of Baby's Cry. 
 
 This summer a little new baby is expected, and I want your ad- 
 vice. When my last baby came I was anxious to begin his education 
 immediately, but he was "colicky" and my nurse was indulgent, and 
 I was anxious and troubled whenever he cried. You know the conse- 
 quence. When my nurse left me, my hands were very full. Now my 
 theory is that the baby, as well as its mother, is better if Baby is 
 taught to lie in its cradle ; and I want you to tell me if I am right in 
 insisting upon nurse putting Baby down immediately after necessary 
 attention has been given, and letting it alone. 
 
 What ought to be done with a wee few-days-old baby when it 
 cries? It seems hard to let it lie and cry, and yet it seems wrong to 
 nurse and fondle until the habit is formed, and then begin to break it. 
 If I had a pain I am sure I should not want to be bounced about. 
 Please advise me; for it will be hard to hold my own against the 
 wishes of my mother and my nurse, especially as I am not very thor- 
 oughly established in my faith. 
 Pittsburgh, Pa. N. N. 
 
 We have no hard-and-fast rule, but should be guided by 
 this question — Why does the baby cry? If from pain it 
 should be eased ; but as a rule you will be quite safe in let- 
 ting it alone. If the baby has colic it is more likely to be 
 comfortable if its abdomen is laid against a water bag 
 partially filled with warm water than if "bounced about." 
 The relief a child experiences in real colic from being held is 
 from the warmth and pressure of the body of the mother or 
 nurse. This warmth and pressure may be obtaiued as sug- 
 gested. But if a child cries simply because it likes to be 
 laid, nothing is gained by gratifying it. We believe that it 
 
194 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 is the experience of most trained nurses that babies can 
 nearly, if not always, be quickly taught to be quiet without 
 fondling. The necessity of the child's being held usually 
 arises not from the infant's needs, but from the custom of 
 nurses to fill vacant time in the pleasant task of fondling 
 the child, till the habit is formed. Your experience is a very 
 common one. 
 
 Inordinate Crying. 
 
 One of my little girls, five years of age, who is just as healthy as 
 her four brothers and sisters, and has just as much reason to be 
 satisfied with the world, has been crying, with more or less interrup- 
 tion, ever since she entered it. I know that all children have their 
 crying-spells, but hers surpass in duration all reasonable bounds, and 
 they are — I say it in spite of the dictum that no child cries from mere 
 love of crying — seemingly often without cause. That this is due to no 
 physical defect I know from the physician. Must I then believe the 
 trouble to be of a moral nature? 
 
 Orange, N. J. K. H. 
 
 Try moral remedial measures. For example, make her 
 comprehend that such and such pleasures are contingent 
 upon her self-control. Mark crying-days with a black cross 
 in her calendar as those on which her indulgence in this 
 luxury lost her a coveted good. Treat her habit as a disease. 
 Undress her and put her to bed ; withhold dainties, playfel- 
 lows and amusements, and impress upon her mind that her 
 crying is the cause of the regimen. This trick of crying is 
 easily acquired, and the habit may become very obstinate. 
 An iugenious mother cured her five-year-old of fits so pas- 
 sionate as to threaten convulsions by throwing a handful of 
 cold water into her face when she began to scream. The 
 child, whose infirmity had been pronounced incorrigible, 
 would suspend operations with ludicrous suddenness when 
 
CRYING. 195 
 
 her mother moved toward the washstand. It may be, as 
 often happens, that pre-natal influences have given the 
 little one's disposition a warp in the direction you mention. 
 Still, she should be broken of it. You would not hesitate to 
 use surgical appliances to straighten a wry foot. 
 
 Crying and Sedatives. 
 
 (1) To what extent is crying harmless in babies ? The cry of a 
 baby is its voice. If this were stifled it could not make known its dis- 
 comfort or pain. 
 
 (2) Should sedatives be given? When? In what quantities? 
 What is a safe preparation ? 
 
 (3) When an infant of a few days, say two weeks, sleeps well 
 during the day, but cries at night, how can the natural relation of day 
 to night be restored ? 
 
 Brooklyn, X. Y. S. R. 
 
 (1) This can be answered only in a general way. The 
 baby has " no language but a cry," in one sense ; but it does 
 not "cry for joy." If a baby cries, it signifies that things 
 are not as it wishes in some particular. Of the various cries 
 of infancy many are usually easily recognized, or at least 
 have been catalogued by nurses long ago. Pain, weariness, 
 sleepiuess, fright, etc., are among the causes assigned to differ- 
 ent cries. To many children the cry is not harmful, but the . 
 cause of the cry — pain and fright, for instance — is. We pre- 
 sume our correspondent wishes to know when crying is of 
 itself harmful. It rarely is so. Children occasionally " cry 
 themselves boarse," and also, rarely, a fit of crying may ex- 
 cite vomiting if the stomach be full ; but neither accident is 
 very important. Of more importance is the fatigue and ex- 
 citement dependent upon excessive crying. Violent fits of 
 crying arc assigned us a cause of rupture (hernia) in infants, 
 and perhaps correctly. It is not possible to describe the 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 various cries of infancy. Their interpretation is learned by 
 watching the child. The main point is to make sure, if pos- 
 sible, whether any removable hurt is the cause of the out- 
 cry. See if pins are pricking the baby ; if it is too tightly 
 diapered or clothed. Try also to see if it has colic or indi- 
 gestion, and so on. 
 
 (2) By "sedatives" we presume is meant not what is 
 called such by physicians, but anodynes (relievers of pain) 
 or hypnotics (sleep-producers). Neither the one nor the 
 other should be given under any circumstances without 
 medical advice, which should be specific as to dose and time 
 and occasion of repetition. There is no safe preparation for 
 infants or young children without such advice. 
 
 (3) The process is often very difficult, and taxes the in- 
 genuity of the nurse ; but usually the monthly nurse can 
 get the baby well started, and she should, if she has been 
 successful, explain her methods minutely to the mother. 
 The secret of success is not in drugs, but in systematic and 
 regular methods with the baby. 
 
WALKING. 
 
 Turning-in of the Toes. 
 
 I. 
 
 What can be done for a twenty-months baby who shows a decided 
 tendency to walking with toes turned in? She has not inherited the 
 tendency, and I have tried to be careful to have her shoes large enough, 
 though she grows so rapidly that her toe generally finds the end before 
 the new ones are bought. 
 
 Connecticut. H. S. 
 
 II. 
 
 My baby, who is fifteen months old, turns in his left foot when 
 walking. Can you tell me how to remedy it ? When he sits down 
 with his feet straight on the floor his legs and feet are perfectly straight, 
 so I think it must be a habit with him to turn in his left foot. 
 
 Bardstown, Ky. M. 
 
 I. 
 
 Examine carefully (best when Baby is naked) to see if 
 the turning-in is at the ankle — or, more exactly, at the joint 
 between the instep and ankle — or whether the whole limb 
 rolls in from the hip. If the trouble is in the foot, perhaps 
 some support is necessary, but that will depend upon the 
 degree of the twist. If the trouble is at the hip it may be 
 only the natural tendency to walk with the toes forward 
 rather than outward. Rubbing and kneading of the flesh 
 about the hip that makes the prominences of the buttocks 
 may develop the muscles there and thus give greater power 
 to turn out the lots. Such cases have a multitude of va- 
 rieties and degrees, and the need of artificial support cannot 
 he definitely determined from a short description. 
 
N J 'USER Y PR OBLEMS. 
 
 II. 
 
 The natural tendency to turn the feet in in walking is 
 particularly marked iu childreu. It is often observed that 
 some children turn iu the toes of one or both feet very much 
 when walking, although no real club-foot or distinct disease 
 exists. This peculiarity is often— indeed, usually— cured 
 before adult life by the child itself when old enough to give 
 its attention to it. If it is very marked it probably requires 
 the action of some light, properly-constructed apparatus to 
 overcome it. This can only be directed by some surgeon 
 familiar with this kind of cases, and he can best advise you 
 whether the condition is really of sufficient importance to 
 need treatment at all. By yourself you can do little more 
 than to call Baby's attention to the turning-in of the toes 
 when he is old enough to understand you, and so prompt 
 him to an effort at cure. 
 
 Very Dainty In Regard to Her Heels. 
 
 Our little girl, eight months old, wants to stand all the time on her 
 toes, and it is hard to get her to put her foot flat down. Can we do 
 anything to remedy this, or will she outgrow it? 
 
 Charlotte, N. C. A. V. P. 
 
 1 1 is rather early for the child to be making serious at- 
 tempts at walking, and until she does the question cannot 
 really be answered. You may find out something in this 
 way : When she is sitting or lying take the limbs (one at a 
 time) in your hands ; straighten the knee completely, so that 
 the thigh and leg are in a straight line. Hold the limb thus, 
 and press the toes and front of the foot upward, and see if 
 there is any difficulty in bringing the sole to a right angle 
 (or rather beyond) with the line of the leg. Do this several 
 times to each limb until you feel quite sure what is the con- 
 
WALKING. 199 
 
 dition. If you cannot easily bring the foot to or beyond the 
 right angle, ask your physician to examine it. This is the 
 best advice we can offer, as it may be only a trick of the 
 child, or it may be due to some unusual rigidity of the calf- 
 muscles. There are a number of ailments in which this 
 drawing up of the heel exists. 
 
 Weak Limbs. 
 
 My baby, thirteen months old, has crept for some time, but does 
 not try to stand at all yet or pull himself up, and does not seem to care 
 to rest on his feet. As he is quite fleshy, is it best to let him partly 
 rest his weight on his feet, and in this way teach him to walk ? Some 
 of my friends think it would be best ; but as his ankles and limbs 
 seem weak yet, I am so afraid of injuring them. Will you please 
 give your opinion ? 
 Jamestown, N. Y. A. C. E,. 
 
 Do not hurry him at all. If he does not walk for six 
 (or indeed twelve) months yet, it is better than putting a 
 heuvy baby on his legs prematurely. A baby that creeps 
 well is not without ambition and will get up as soon as it is 
 safe. If his limbs are distinctly weak you may rub them 
 and bathe them with salt and water, but do not urge him 
 to walk at present. 
 
 A Baby who Neither Walks nor Creeps at 
 Twenty-one Months. 
 
 My baby is twenty-one months old and does not walk nor has ever 
 crept. He seems quite normal otherwise and usually healthy, having 
 always been taken out-doors a great deal. Would you advise the use 
 of a perambulator? 
 
 Massachusetts. L- &• A. 
 
200 .V URSER Y PR OBL EMS. 
 
 If the baby is "quite normal otherwise" in regard to 
 bone-growth aud various kindred things, the perambulator 
 would encourage him to try to walk. But you can also en- 
 courage him to creep by engaging his attention with some 
 attractive object and then leaving it near, but not too near, 
 him on the floor, and so entice him toward it. But first ex- 
 amine, or have your physician examine, if he is strong in 
 the particulars alluded to. See if his head is firmly closed; 
 see if he has teeth enough — he is entitled to sixteen at 
 twenty-one months of age ; feel of his shins and forearm to 
 see if the bones are as straight as usual ; notice if his joints 
 — i. e., the ends of the bones — are larger than usual ; also if 
 he is constipated, or fluctuates between constipation and 
 diarrhoea ; if he is subject to sweating of the head. If he is 
 all right, then encourage him ; if not, wait and have your 
 physician advise you as to what is lacking to make him 
 strong enough to begin walking. 
 
QUESTIONS OF DRESS. 
 
 The Knitted Band; Getting Rid of The Pinning- 
 Blanket. 
 
 (1) Can you tell me how large to make the knitted bands for an in- 
 fant ? I have but one child, and, as he was dressed the old-style way 
 with many bands, I thought that I could do much better with the 
 Gertrude suit. 
 
 (2) I would also like to ask how they do with the pinning-blanket 
 — make it like a skirt or leave it off altogether ? I suppose that you 
 will tell me to let the band go after the first month or so, but my boy, 
 now eight years old, had severe trouble with his bowels, and if 1 took 
 off the flannel band he would be much worse. I also used the band to 
 button the stocking-supporters on, using the supporters as soon as he 
 was put in short clothes. He wore long woollen stockings, keeping his 
 knees and legs warm. 
 
 CharleUown District, Boston. C. J. 
 
 (1) A knitted band should be rather loose ; one that is 
 tight enough to hold up stockings is too tight. Its only use 
 being for warmth, it should be wide enough to cover the 
 whole abdomen, say from just below the breast to the hips. 
 
 (2) One of the merits of the Gertrude suit is that it gets 
 rid of the pinning-blanket. 
 
 Knitted Bands of Saxony Yarn. 
 
 I wisli to tell young mothers how I settled the question of bands 
 for my baby. I knitted them of Saxony yarn, loosely, on medium- 
 sized steel knitting-needles. They are elastic, and keep in place far 
 better than flannel bands do ; they do not slip up or wrinkle, and if 
 carefully washed do not shrink. They are knit in old-fashioned gar- 
 ter-stitch in a strip, and then are sewed, or more properly are darned, 
 together, so that there is no seam to rub. 
 
 Oil City, Pa. S. B. 
 
 This solution of the question is a very good one. 
 
N URSER Y PR OB L EMS. 
 
 Silk or Flannel? — Seasonable Dress for a Five- 
 Months-OId. 
 
 (1) My baby is five months old, and has always worn long-sleeved 
 and high-necked silk shirts, but I find that his arms and shoulders 
 are generally cold. Shall I put flannel on him instead? 
 
 (2) What should be the day garments for spring ? When sum- 
 mer comes should I make any difference ? 
 
 (3) When should I put short clothes on him ? 
 
 St. Louis. An Inexperienced Mother. 
 
 (1) Silk is cold -wear for winter, and, when damp with 
 perspiration in summer, clings disagreeably to the skin, be- 
 sides becoming almost as impervious as oiled silk to air and 
 moisture, and thus hinderiug the action of the pores. Fine 
 silk-warp flannel is better wear for all seasons, certainly for 
 warm weather. Lighten his upper garments, should he 
 suffer from heat, and exchange the damp for dry flannel. 
 
 (2) The same as in winter, but of lighter material. 
 Substitute short-sleeved and low-necked shirts for those he 
 now wears when the heats of summer begin. Be careful 
 not to leave off flannel skirt and band too early in the 
 season. Wait for July days for this. 
 
 (3) As soon as the warm weather is an established fact. 
 
 The Rubber Diaper. 
 
 Would you advise me to use therubber diaper for my baby during 
 the coming summer ? She was six months old the middle of May, and 
 I expect to put her in short clothes before the warmest weather comes. 
 Saugerties, 2V. Y. S. 
 
 We think the rubber diaper a detestable thing. We 
 can imagine emergencies in which it might be tolerated for 
 an hour or two, but cannot conceive any condition under 
 
Q UES TIO NS OF DRESS. 203 
 
 which its habitual use is justifiable. It is simply a way of 
 poulticing a child's hips all the time, the moisture beiug 
 supplied by perspiration most of the time and by urine at 
 intervals. If it is very necessary to protect yourself wear a 
 rubber apron. 
 
 The Gertrude Suit. 
 
 (1) Do you advise a band of soft Jaeger flannel to be worn for 
 warmth and not for support during the first year of the baby's life ? 
 
 (2) In the Gertrude suit is there not a great deal of trouble expe- 
 rienced from the clothes becoming wet or soiled, which might perhaps 
 necessitate a change of the entire suit several times a day ? "Would it be 
 better to wear a short shirt next the infant's skin, thus preventing any 
 chill that might occur from the complete change of the suit, or could 
 the Gertrude shirt be so made that the skirt of the shirt could be 
 changed without removing the body of the shirt ? 
 
 (3) Do you advise the use of heavy or light weight Jaeger flannel 
 for the shirt of an expected February baby, the skirt being of the ordi- 
 nary weight flannel ? Is not the Jaeger flannel preferable for the shirt 
 and nightdress to any other material, such as Canton flannel or the ma- 
 terial known as "domett" ? 
 
 (4) How many Gertrude suits are considered necessary for a 
 layette ? 
 
 (5) Would the shirt of Jaeger flannel be sufficient for night wear? 
 Philadelphia. X. 
 
 (1) The band of Jaeger or other flannel is worn for sup- 
 port during the early weeks of infant life, or while the 
 abdominal organs are adjusting themselves to the proper 
 performance of their functions. For warmth the wearing 
 of the band may be indefinitely prolonged, and many chil- 
 dren of three and four years use them. After the first 
 month, we like the machine knitted band quite as well as 
 the flannel, and it has the advantage of having elastic 
 shoulder straps to help to keep it in place. 
 
 (2) Among the many words of praise that have been 
 spoken about the Gertrude garments, there has scarcely been 
 
204 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 a complaint of inconvenience in managing them in regard 
 to soil or wet. Every baby should have two napkins. 
 While the clothes are long, the inner napkin should be 
 folded shawl shape — as is customary — and besides being 
 pinned with a large safety pin where the three corners come 
 together, should be secured on each thigh, where the napkin 
 laps over, by a small safety pin ; thus forming a kind of 
 diaper drawers. By slipping the fingers between the thigh 
 and the napkin, these edges can be drawn snugly together 
 without making them too tight when the hand is removed, 
 and much wetting and soiling of the clothing can be pre- 
 vented by this simple device. The second napkin on a baby 
 in long clothes should merely be folded once, wrapped 
 around the body and fastened, and allowed to hang like a 
 barrow coat between the body and the flannel. This also 
 saves many unnecessary stains. Doubtless the first Ger- 
 trude garment could be cut in two, and the skirt be attached 
 by very thin flat buttons to the waist portion, making sure 
 to bring the lapping where it would not be likely to irritate 
 the baby's skin. But we believe this to be a needless pre- 
 caution, if the above method of diapering be followed. With 
 the Gertrude suit the process of dressing and undressing is 
 so easy and rapid that a baby ought not to be chilled in a 
 room sufficiently warm to make the change in at ail. Of 
 course, a very thin cashmere shirt can easily be worn under 
 the Gertrude suit if desired ; but we do not consider it nee- 
 
 (3) We always prefer the light weights of all materials 
 for infant's wear. Jaeger flannel is certainly preferable to 
 Canton flannel or "domett" for the shirt and night dress ; 
 but we do not consider it superior to a nice grade of all-wool 
 flannel for the shirt, or to a very good and fine grade of cot- 
 ton-and-wool flannel for the night dress. Even with careful 
 washing, the Jaeger flannels full a good deal, and, with in- 
 
QUESTIONS OF DRESS. 205 
 
 different laundrying, soon become so thick as to be unsuit- 
 able for baby wear. 
 
 (4) Where quick returns from the laundry may be had, 
 three suits of Gertrude garments are a comfortable number ; 
 but where washing may be or must be delayed, more are 
 necessary. 
 
 (5) It is desirable that a regular night dress of flannel be 
 worn — at least until warrn weather — over the Gertrude 
 shirt ; and the night dress should be long enough and full 
 enough to button the hem together like a bag. This will 
 keep the little legs and feet warm, at any rate, however the 
 bed clothing becomes disarranged. 
 
 Night Coverings. 
 What shall I do to keep my baby-boy warm at night ? What- 
 ever I do he will get outside the bedclothes. I fear that by doing so in 
 winter weather he will get pneumonia. He has recently had a severe 
 cold, taken in that way. A few weeks ago I put flannel night-drawers, 
 with feet, on him, and consider them a very good article, but that is 
 not enough covering. I have thought somewhat of making a large 
 flannel bag to put him into, and yet that does not seem exactly a com- 
 fortable thing. Perhaps some of your correspondents have already in- 
 vented something of which they will give me the benefit, for I know 
 some other children must have had the same bad habit which my little 
 
 boy has. 
 
 Brookline, Mass. A. 
 
 Besides the sleeping-drawers we are in the habit of ad- 
 vising one of two things : The careful securing of the covers 
 by tapes or strong safety-pins— large sizes are made for the 
 purpose- or the blanket bag you suggest. The latter, you 
 probably Know, is the plan pursued by explorers and hun- 
 ters in cold weather. As a baby's napkins must be changed 
 at night, the bottom of the bag may "have a flap to button 
 over, in which case it is really only a nightgown closed at 
 the bottom. It should be made very wide* to permit free 
 movement of the limbs. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 The Night-Cap; Stockings at Night. 
 
 Should a baby with little or no hair, inclined to perspire about the 
 head and neck, wear a night-cap ? Should he wear stockings at night? 
 Can any rule be given as to the amount of bundling and wrapping a 
 young baby requires ? 
 
 California. Pacific. 
 
 We know of no use for night-caps. The child can be 
 better protected from draught in other ways. The stockings 
 are not necessary if the bed-clothes are suitable and kept in 
 place. The only rule is evenness of protection and sufficient 
 warmth without burdensome weight. 
 
 Summer Dress. 
 
 I should like to ask you how I shall dress my baby-boy of eight 
 months in the summer so that he may be warm enough and not too 
 warrn ; he seems to feel the heat very much. Would a Canton flannel 
 nightgown that has been worn this winter be too warm ? Ought he to 
 wear merino stockings, as he is doing now, or will cotton ones be 
 better? 
 Lebanon, Pa. E. M. C. 
 
 A loose and ample garment, with shirt, napkins, and 
 stockings under it, will be enough in hot weather. Cotton 
 stockings have no particular advantage as to coolness over 
 merino if the former are sufficiently stout to be of any use 
 to a strong baby ; so we think you will find the advantages 
 on the side of the merino, all things considered. The Can- 
 ton flannel will not be too warm, but woollen flannel is more 
 porous and generally more comfortable. If night-drawers 
 closed at the feet are used no other cover is needed in very 
 hot weather. 
 
QUESTIONS OF DRESS. 
 
 Summer Night-Clothing. 
 
 Will you kindly advise me what material for night clothes you 
 would consider best suited to the needs of an eighteen months' child 
 this summer, who will pass the season at the seashore and has yet the 
 stomach teeth to cut? 
 
 Medford, Mass. W. S. S. 
 
 A light, fine, cotton-and-wool flannel makes the best 
 summer-night garments. With proper washing it does not 
 full, and it is in every way safer than muslin for the sea- 
 shore and but little warmer. 
 
 Clothing for Winter. 
 
 What is the wisest way to dress a child in winter? T do not 
 approve of the little thin white dresses, and want my little girl to wear 
 fleeeed-piqu< : . 
 Boston, Mass. E. P. S. 
 
 The garments should be planned so as to make an even 
 covering for the whole body, and should be such as to seem 
 comfortably warm to you for your house and climate, with- 
 out overloading the child. All babies and children in our 
 winter should have thick woollen undergarments. The 
 heaviest all-woo] merinos that you can find will not be too 
 warm. They should be high-necked and long-sleeved, and 
 long in the body. Long woollen stockings, held up by side- 
 supporters, are an excellent protection, and, if possible, let 
 the child wear flannel drawers also, for the skirts fly about 
 and cannot be depended upon. The Legs of the drawers can 
 be made separate to button on, if more convenient. Then 
 comes the cotton waist, which helps to protect the chest 
 
 and holds the llannel skill and drawers. The fleeccd-pi<|Ue 
 would be comfortable, but, with an extra Manuel skirl and 
 llannel Bacque underneath, the thin dresses can be made 
 
N UBS E It Y PR OB L EMS. 
 
 perfectly safe. A few house saeques are useful when the 
 rooms happen to be cooler than usual, but should not be 
 habitually worn. 
 
 For out-of-doors have a thick hood, or a hat which will 
 cover as much of the head as a hood, with warm, broad ear- 
 pieces, fitting closely, and a heavy cloak. If the child walks 
 she should have thick soles and leggings. If she rides she 
 should have plenty of blankets snugly tucked around her 
 under those used chiefly for ornament. Warm mittens are 
 very important, and care should be taken that they are kept 
 on if the weather is cold, for the child cannot be comforta- 
 ble if the hands are chilled. 
 
 The Winter Outfit. 
 
 Please to inform me how to dress my year-old boy this winter. 
 He has worn since birth the " Gertrude " suits. What puzzles me is 
 the Jaeger shirt, and whether he will be old enough to dispense with 
 diapers. At what age do they put drawers on children ? Also, what 
 kind of cloak and cap ought he to have? 
 
 Cleveland, 0. Y. M. 
 
 You could dress him in the Gertrude suit shortened, 
 with the inner garments made warm enough for winter, or 
 you could put him into regular woollen shirts and have 
 waists to which to button woollen skirts, also the drawers 
 when you can put them on. 
 
 The trouble with a child of that age is to keep him 
 warm about the legs. He should wear long woollen stock- 
 ings fastened up high, and when upon the floor should have 
 woollen creeping drawers. When out of doors, he can be 
 easily wrapped up warmly in afghans, and should have a 
 good warm cloak and cap made like a girl's hood, or else 
 a hat with ruchings about the face and warm ear-pieces. 
 
QUESTIOXS OF DRESS. 209 
 
 Some children younger than one year wear drawers. It 
 is about as easy to begin at one time as another. You 
 should have plenty of them and not expect the child to tell 
 his wants, but be content with keeping run of the intervals 
 for him till he gradually learns to tell. 
 
 Jaeger flannel can be bought by the yard, and garments 
 made therefrom in the usual way, if you prefer. 
 
 Importance of Long Stockings. 
 
 (1) I should like to put my baby in short clothes in June, and 
 wish to ask what kind of socks I should put on him ? One friend says 
 cotton, another says merino by all means through the first summer. If 
 the latter advice be followed, will there not be danger in changing to 
 cotton ones later ; or would this necessitate putting on cashmere ones 
 as the cold weather approaches? 
 
 (2) My oldest child wore merino and then cashmere stockings, 
 but is subject to spasmodic croup. Is there any truth in the statement 
 that woollen stockings cause a tendency to croup by making the feet 
 perspire? If this be true, I want to guard against the second child 
 being made a subject for croup. 
 
 Tonkers, N. Y. B. S. M. 
 
 (1) When the baby is put in short clothes he should have 
 stockings long enough to cover the leg and knee and go 
 higher yet if the napkins will permit. The short sock com- 
 monly used on babies has no value except to keep the shoe 
 from touching the foot ; it generally leaves the calf and knee 
 bare if the child moves his legs enough to throw off his 
 skirts. We arc persuaded that the secret of healthful cloth- 
 ing is the uniform protection of the body; hence a method 
 of dress that leaves open patches of the person between 
 thickly-clothed ones is more hazardous than simple nudity. 
 A child should not be burdened with clothes, but the pro- 
 tect imi should be as evenly distributed as possible; hence 
 the advice about the length () f the stockings. 
 
210 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 As to materials, we prefer those that have a considerable 
 amount of wool. "Merino" is a trade name for knitted 
 goods containing both cotton and wool, apparently in vary- 
 ing proportions. "Cashmere" we are not quite certain 
 about, but we thiuk it is mainly wool with some cotton. 
 The reason for preferring wool is that through it changes of 
 heat and cold are less quickly felt. It has been found that 
 light woollen fabrics make the most comfortable as well as 
 the safest summer apparel. 
 
 (2) We do not believe that croup comes from the cause 
 assigned. If the shoe is sufficiently large the woollen stock- 
 ing does not cause perspiration, and, as already said, a 
 change of temperature or a draught of air, which are the 
 usual causes of a check of perspiration, are much less readily 
 felt through wool than through cotton. 
 
 Stocking Supporters. 
 
 What is the best means of keeping up stockings for a baby who 
 still wears diapers ? 
 
 Baton Rouge, La. G. L. W. 
 
 Broad, soft elastic bands buttoned to the tops of the 
 stockings and tied to strings stitched on the inside of the 
 waist of the flannel skirt. After the child puts on under- 
 waists attach the elastics to buttons set on the outside of 
 these. 
 
 Garters and Stocking Supporters. 
 
 What do you consider best for children, the round garters, above 
 the knee, or the stocking supporters attached to the waist ? 
 Dundee, III. J. A. P. 
 
QUESTIOXS OF DRESS. 211 
 
 The objection to the circular garter worn above or below 
 the knee is, of course, that if tight it interferes with the free 
 return of blood from the leg. The objection to the waist 
 stocking supporter is that if tight it draws forward too 
 much on the loins. Now, practically neither does harm 
 if not too tight. If one tries to keep a silk stocking up 
 next the skin or upon slippery underclothing, a tight garter 
 of either kind is needed to keep the stocking free from folds. 
 But as children dressed for comfort and not for show gen- 
 erally in cool weather have drawers of woollen or some knit 
 goods and stockings of wool or some substantial material, 
 the stocking is readily kept in place with very slight pres- 
 sure. Very little, for instance, is required to keep the stock- 
 ing of the bicyclist or sportsman in place. In our judg- 
 ment, the stocking supporter is preferable if the garter must 
 be tight, but if the child is properly dressed it makes little 
 difference. You should yourself see about the snugness of 
 fit. 
 
 In the case of the Gertrude suit, if you prefer the sup- 
 porter, you can put supporting buttons upon the inner gar- 
 ment of the suit. 
 
 A Depressed Toe; Heels and Soles. 
 
 When my three-year-old boy was born, we noticed that the toe 
 next the big one on the left foot was inclined to turn under the next 
 one. He wore chamois moccasins till a year and a half old, and then 
 broad-toed shoes ; but I find the toe is not getting any better ; the 
 big toe seems to push over and almost meets the third toe, leaving the 
 second quite underneath. It does not seem to give him any pain 
 now, but I fear will do so later — the nail seems to pass almost through 
 t h>- flesh, 
 
 Is there anything I can do for it ? We thought perhaps stockings 
 with separate toes might bean advantage, but do not know if they 
 are made for children — can you tell me? 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Also, can you tell me where to get shoes without any heels ? He 
 is wearing the largest size of infant's shoes and the next size has 
 spring heels. I cannot see why, if shoes with no heels are best for 
 little children, they are not always best ; and then they all have such 
 thin soles. I have used cork soles in my boy's shoes all winter. 
 
 Uniontoa-n, Pa. Inquirer. 
 
 The toe may have had, probably did have, some eon- 
 genital peculiarity. The management of such toes requires 
 quite a little ingenuity often. The intrndiug, overlapping 
 toe must be kept in place. Various devices have been used, 
 and which particular one is best adapted to this case we 
 cannot tell by description. Ofteu, too, after the depressed 
 toe has occupied such a position for a time, it will be neces- 
 sary to raise it by a strip of adhesive plaster or in some other 
 way. You can do a good deal, but you will work best if you 
 have the advice of some good physician of your neighbor- 
 hood. Get that one who has the most surgical or mechani- 
 cal "knack." The stockings with separate toes are usually 
 knit to order we think. 
 
 The "spring heel," meaning only a thickening of the 
 sole at the back, is harmless. The essential reason, we ap- 
 prehend, why no heels are used for any young children is to 
 allow them as free movements of their feet as possible until 
 they get control of them. They stumble and fall very 
 readily at best. Any stiff sole would aggravate this ten- 
 dency ; later, they can manage a stiffer sole, and the spring 
 heel is only a slight additional protection to the sole of the 
 foot. The thinness of the sole need not be prolonged after 
 children have good use of their limbs, but you must not 
 expect the shoemaker to make innovations unless loudly 
 demanded. Shoes are made to sell, and the shoemaker is a 
 merchant, not a physiologist, nor usually a philanthropist 
 
QUESTIONS OF DBESS. 
 
 Stiff Soles for Babies. 
 
 At what age should a child wear stiff-soled sboes? Our baby has 
 worn kid shoes, soft soles, since he was seven months old. He is now 
 one year but has never shown any inclination to walk or creep. He is 
 large for his age, strong and healthy. "Will a stiff sole injure the 
 shape of the foot? 
 Newton, X. J. R. P. C. 
 
 The stiff sole is not necessary until he begins to walk 
 out-of-doors ; it then is useful to prevent bruising of the foot. 
 The stiffness of the sole, if the shape is right, will not change 
 the shape of the foot ; but unfortunately the shape of baby- 
 shoes is not always right, although they are usually less 
 atrocious than the soles made for adults. 
 
TRAVELING. 
 
 Preparations for a Proposed Sea- Voyage. 
 I. 
 
 In September we are to take our baby boy, who will then be 
 fifteen months old, to Buenos Ayres. He has been brought up on 
 Mellin's Food and cow's milk since the age of four months, is strong 
 and healthy, but is, we think, rather backward in cutting his teeth, as 
 at nine months he had but one. 
 
 Can you offer any suggestion that would be of help to us in re- 
 gard to preparations for his long sea- voyage ? 
 Jamaica Plain, Mass. H. W. 
 
 II. 
 
 As I am contemplating a journey across the ocean the early part 
 of May and intend taking two young children, would you kindly ad- 
 vise me what preparations I ought to make ? 
 
 (1) What is the proper clothing required on the steamer, for a boy 
 four and a half years old and a baby eighteen months old ? 
 
 (2) Ts it best to be provided with medicines, and what should they 
 be? 
 
 (3) "What kind of milk shall I provide for the journey ? 
 
 (4) Will a journey of this nature subject my children to any 
 danger ? 
 
 Detroit, Mich. A. S. 
 
 I. 
 
 There is nothing very definite to be said regarding an 
 ocean voyage for an infant. While the belief some times 
 held that infants are not seasick is not entirely true, it is 
 nevertheless true that they usually bear the motion of the 
 ship remarkably well, perhaps from the same immunity, 
 whatever its cause, that makes them tolerate or even appa- 
 rently enjoy tossings and turnings and positions which 
 
TRAVELING. 215 
 
 would make an adult giddy. The comfort of an infant 
 aboard ship depends very much upon the condition of its 
 attendants ; if they can properly care for its needs (food, 
 fresh ah, etc.), it is likely to do well. Food on ship-board 
 need not be changed from land diet, If you wish to con- 
 tinue your boy's special diet you can do so, but at fifteen 
 months he will have probably outgrown it. He should be- 
 fore the voyage be accustomed to a food very similar to that 
 which you can obtain after you reach your destination. By 
 laying in a supply of sterilized milk, or if you prefer, con- 
 densed milk, you may face your voyage with little fear. 
 
 II. 
 
 (1) For the crossing, such clothing as would do for ordi- 
 nary winter wear will probably be suitable. Early in May 
 the weather on shore is subject to violent fluctuations — 
 often a sbort season of high temperature being experienced 
 — but at sea this is not likely to occur, and if it should come, 
 the laying aside of heavy wraps will be sufficient. If the 
 voyage be stormy, the children will probably be in bed. 
 Warm woollen bed wrappers are a convenience if you are 
 not too crowded for room. 
 
 (2) The ship's surgeon will have all necessary medicines, 
 but you may find it convenient to have a few simple ones, 
 such as a laxative (constipation being common at sea) and 
 remedies for colic and for nausea, such as peppermint and 
 aromatic spirits of ammonia. 
 
 (3) Sometimes steamships have an adequate supply of 
 milk, but sterilized milk can be procured easily. It can, in 
 New York, lie ordered sent on hoard ship, if you prefer, 
 condensed milk can be taken. 
 
 I There is no probability that your children will suffer 
 more than temporary inconvenience from the voyage. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEM*. 
 
 Diet During a Long Railroad Trip. 
 
 i. 
 
 May I ask your advice in regard to my baby, just a year old ? I 
 have abundant breast milk for him, but as he has seven teeth, have 
 thought it best to give him one meal of steamed oat-meal and milk. 
 He is perfectly well. 
 
 Next September, when he will be about eighteen months old, we 
 expect to take him for a four days' railway journey. In consideration 
 of that fact, (1) would you advise weaning him before September? 
 (2) How often should he be fed? (3) At his age, is it necessary to 
 have the milk warmed '.' (4) Would you suggest any extension in his 
 bill of fare ? 
 Madison, Wis. K. M. 
 
 II. 
 
 I am contemplating a three days' journey by rail with my twenty- 
 months-old child in May or June, and shall be greatly obliged if you 
 will advise me what to feed him during the time. I am very much 
 concerned about it, as he is accustomed to warm food three times a day. 
 Kansas City, Mo. B. N. 
 
 (1) While a mother occasionally has milk enough for a 
 child of twelve months, it is almost phenomenal if she 
 really has enough for a child of eighteen months. The 
 chances would be much in favor of the milk giving out in 
 the summer. Of course there are exceptions, but we have 
 to advise according t<> probabilities. 
 
 We would have the child weaned before the hot weather, 
 by June 1st if possible, beginning soon and doing it grad- 
 ually. 
 
 (2) After weaning, five or at most six meals are enough, 
 one every three to four hours, according to size of meals. 
 Something like this is feasible : 7 and 10 A. M., 1, 4, 7 and 
 11 p. m., or 7, 10.30 a. m., 2, .5.30 and 11 p. M. The hours of 
 naps may vary the meal times. 
 
TRAVELING. 217 
 
 (3) Yes ; lukewarm milk we think much better until 
 three years of age on an average. The milk should at any 
 rate never be given in childhood really cold, i. e., as taken 
 from a refrigerator or chilling room. 
 
 (4) Not until autumn. Inasmuch as on the four days' 
 railway journey you will probably need sterilized milk, you 
 would better teach him the taste of it in advance. Or for 
 those days a good quality of condensed milk might be used, 
 in which case a similar preliminary teaching will be advan- 
 tageous. 
 
 II. 
 Borden's condensed milk is good and generally safe food 
 to use while traveling. You can procure boiling water at 
 the stations where the train stops for refreshments, and 
 sometimes from the porter while the cars are in motion. 
 There are nursery-lamps Avith sauce-pan, kettle, etc., which 
 can be packed in a hand-basket and set upon the sill of the 
 car-window, if you cannot have a portable lunch-table ar- 
 ranged for you by the porter. Almost every "through train" 
 is provided with these. Mix the milk with boiling water, 
 as directed in the printed label on the can. 
 
THE MOTHER. 
 
 The Promotion of the Suckling Power. 
 
 I have been so much interested in Dr. Allen's suggestive article 
 on the "Laws of Maternity" and in the other contributions on similar 
 subjects which he has at various times published, that I am tempted 
 to ask you for advice in a kindred matter, though of a somewhat 
 different nature — namely, as to where there is no lack of quantity 
 but a doubt as to quality in the mother's milk. 
 
 To make myself better understood, let me cite the case in question, 
 of one who has nursed her two children successively, each a year, and 
 has had an abundant supply, giving the child no additional food until 
 the tenth month, when feeding was substituted — in order to facilitate 
 weaning — at first once a day, and gradually more and more often, until 
 in the twelfth month the breast was entirely withdrawn. Both babies 
 were happy, contented children, sleeping well all night, and taking 
 long day naps. The oldest, now three years, has had but one illness 
 of any importance, occurring at eighteen months, in his second sum- 
 mer, and caused by the nervous excitement incident upon cutting 
 teeth. "With a temperature at 103° for a week, and refusing to eat, 
 life being sustained by drops of Murdock's food and outward applica- 
 tions of brandy and cream, his recovery and rapid rallying seemed to 
 indicate a strong constitution. The baby of fourteen months records in 
 his little life no illness but one cold of short duration. The mother 
 has no organic troubles, and is apparently an entirely healthy woman, 
 bearing and nursing her children with little drain upon her vital 
 forces. 
 
 Notwithstanding all these favorable signs, it has been suggested, 
 by both physician and friends, that her milk was not good for the chil- 
 dren, and that they did not thrive as it was thought they would if 
 allowed to suckle an Irish or English woman ; even manufactured 
 food, it was hinted, might be preferable. Their argument was drawn 
 from the following facts : The little ones lacked color, one of them be- 
 ing very pale ; their passages showed, at times, want of proper diges- 
 
THE MOTHER. 
 
 tion ; they were of light weight, as the following table will show : At 
 three mouths, respectively, 12 and 13% lbs.; six months, 17 and 16% 
 lbs.; nine months, 19^ and 18 lbs.; one year, 20% and 18% lbs. ; 15 
 and 1-t months, 21% and 20 lbs. 
 
 It will be seen that the increase, in both cases, was no more rapid 
 after feeding was begun. These three symptoms — pallor, signs of in- 
 digestion and slow increase in weight — were, I think, the only ones 
 urged as reasons for a change of diet. 
 
 (1) Bearing in mind the fact of the children being happy, con- 
 tented and good sleepers, do the symptoms seem to you sufficient to 
 warrant — should the question again need to be decided — the employ- 
 ment of a wet-nurse and the discarding of the God-sent nourishment? 
 
 (2) Cannot medical skill suggest means by which the lacteal fluid 
 can be altered and improved or rendered more digestible? 
 
 In this case the test of litmus paper showed no acidity and the 
 milk appeared of sufficient richness. 
 
 (3) Are there any rules which should be observed by a nursing 
 woman, other than to abstain from highly seasoned food, to exercise 
 self-control and avoid over- fatigue? 
 
 (4) Dr. Allen speaks of the nutrition required by "preponder- 
 ance of brain and nervous system," and the consequent "failure in 
 lactation." Should one from this infer, that while suckling her child 
 a woman ought to indulge in no literary pursuits, and should keep the 
 brain, as far as possible, quiet and inactive, that it may not draw upon 
 the system for nourishment required in other parts of the body ? 
 
 (5) Should also the fact that the mother while suckling, gained 
 rather than lost, in flesh and color, be regarded as detrimental to the 
 babe and a possible reason why the child was less rosy and fat than 
 could be desired ? 
 
 Most earnestly do I beg for all the information that can be given 
 on this matter. The case for which 1 ask advice is not, I know, ex- 
 ceptional. Many similar ones have been cited to me, and I believe 
 many more American women would lie able to suckle their children, 
 did they only receive at first, in their weakness, the proper encourage- 
 ment, and afterward the advice and instruction needed to continue suc- 
 Cessfully. Too often, when the milk is slow in coming, the young 
 mother nervous and anxious, Baby hungry and crying, other food is 
 given or a tret-nurse substituted, without due amount of patience or 
 proper efforts to stimulate sluggish nature, and without attempting, 
 by cheerful assurances of success, to assist, the mother in producing that 
 
220 XURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 flow which, when once arrested, seems stopped forever. Surely this 
 also is a subject for consideration ; and may it not be possible that the 
 number and variety of manufactured foods for infants, together with 
 the ease in procuring wet-nurses, have been in a measure detrimental 
 to the present American mother? Our New England grandparents 
 knew of no other way than to nurse their own children. There was 
 no question of anything else. The " Foster Mother" had not been 
 imported from the Old Country. The "only true substitute for 
 mother's milk" was not advertised in every paper and placarded in 
 public places. But be that as it may, and fully realizing the justice 
 and importance of Dr. Allen's statements, I still have faith in the 
 present American mothers. I believe if those about to become mothers 
 were better informed with regard to their personal care, and if the 
 much-needed advice and help were only given to all in time, most 
 American mothers would again, as formerly, successfully suckle their 
 young. And as one of them I look for assistance to you. 
 
 L. O. S. 
 
 The subject about which you inquire is a complex one, 
 but we answer as well as we can your distinct questions. 
 
 (1) As you state the case — perhaps unintentionally iu an 
 ex parte manner — we do not see that the necessity of change 
 of breast was made out. When we recommend the change 
 to a wet-nurse the presumption is that we are to change to a 
 very good one— a presumption, unfortunately, not always 
 sound. In our own searches we sometimes succeed promptly, 
 sometimes only after many trials, or even then indifferently. 
 
 (2) Perhaps medical skill some day may; I ait beyond 
 good and careful nutrition, with medication if distinctly 
 needed, it has as yet little power in changing the character 
 of the milk. If the poverty in quality or quantity of the 
 milk is dependent upon remediable or recognizable defects 
 in health or diet we can do a good deal ; if it is due to faults 
 of constitution it is hard to correct the evil. 
 
 (3) The rules cannot be made hard and fast for every 
 one, but beyond the points you suggest, we should say the 
 diet is to be ample without being burdensome either in bulk 
 
THE MOTHER. 221 
 
 or in its demands on digestion. Food should be taken at not 
 too long intervals — i. e., between the regular three meals 
 light auxiliary meals may be inserted. In this way milk, 
 chocolate and the like are useful. That the fat (cream) in 
 milk is increased by the use of nitrogenous food seems to be 
 well established. 
 
 (4) We do not understand that the " preponderence of 
 brain and nervous system," etc., means that this is active 
 especially during the period of lactation ; but that it has ex- 
 isted throughout all the life, or at least the developmental 
 stage of the woman, and has rendered successful lactation 
 an improbability from the start. A female born with this 
 nervous preponderance and whose life till marriage has been 
 calculated still further to exaggerate it, cannot expect, even 
 with the best regimen during pregnancy and lactation, to 
 counteract it, except in a small degree. We do not suppose 
 that moderate mental activity hinders suckling. 
 
 (5) We think not. A woman may grow fat during 
 lactation by reason of fattening food (milk, etc.) taken to in- 
 crease the flow of milk, and if the child is not as rosy or fat 
 as desired, it is not in our opinion because the mother 
 gained, but from some other cause. A woman may gain 
 flesh and secrete poor milk, but the same woman probably 
 would secrete no better milk if she had remained thin. It 
 is a matter of common remark that fat persons (or animals) 
 arc not the best milk givers, but the difficulty seems to be 
 inherent and not due to any gain at the time of lactation. 
 
 Sore Nipples. 
 My baby is bottle-fed because of the suffering caused by sore 
 nipples and two gathered breasts, the milk having been so transformed 
 by my nervous terror from the pain that it nearly killed her. Do you 
 know or can you safely recommend a cure for sore nipples? 
 
 Brooklyn. K. M. s. 
 
222 N URSER Y PR OBL EM S. 
 
 "Sure cures" rarely exist out of the realm of popular 
 medicine. We have none to offer. But careful attention to 
 the following details generally insures immunity or speedy 
 cure. The usual causes of sore nipples are two. First, want 
 of development of the nipple, which makes it difficult for 
 the child to nurse without violent sucking ; a similar condi- 
 tion results from flattening of the nipple from pressure by a 
 corset for years, the nipple becoming broad, but not promi- 
 nent enough for the lips to grasp it. The second cause is 
 want of cleanliness — not want of ordinary cleanliness, but 
 of absolute cleanliness, or, as the medical phrase is, " surgi- 
 cal cleanliness." It may be said at the start that some per- 
 sons — particularly persons subject to eczema — seem to have 
 a greater tendency than others to these nipple troubles. 
 
 When the nipple is not well developed or is flattened, 
 much may be done during the later months of pregnancy to 
 enlongate it by gently but persistently drawing it out and 
 pressing backward at the same time the darkened skin 
 around it (areola.) If at this time the surface of the nip- 
 ple seems to be tender, it can often be hardened by fre- 
 quent bathing with alcohol or with some astringent solution, 
 such as alum-water, alcohol and alum, witch-hazel extract, 
 and the like. Occasionally a person is found whose skin 
 does not tolerate these applications, but in the great majority 
 of cases they agree and are beneficial. But no preliminary 
 preparation will be effectual if the details of toilet of the nip- 
 ple, presently to be spoken of, are not heeded. 
 
 Sore nipples are of two kinds, those that are tender or 
 excoriated ("raw") arid those that are fissured or cracked. 
 The prevention and much of the curative treatment is the 
 same for both. The first kind are usually made tender first 
 of all by the oozing of the watery liquid that precedes the 
 milk. This, with the moisture of Baby's mouth and a little 
 milk (when it has come) left after nursing, if not removed 
 
THE MOTHER. 223 
 
 with the utmost care, will remain in the minute folds of the 
 nipple-skin and soon set up an irritation. At first, to the 
 naked eye, or even with a magnifying glass, nothing is evi- 
 dent but a redness of the surface ; but this spot is exquisitely 
 tender, and many women who have bravely borne the suf- 
 fering of labor shrink from the putting of the baby to the 
 breast. This, if not promptly attended to, becomes a raw 
 surface, and even more tormenting than before. 
 
 Xow, from the start the nipple should be kept scrupu- 
 lously clean. It should be bathed before suckling and after 
 it. Some mild and unirritating disinfectant should be used 
 — boracic acid is our own preference — dissolved in the warm 
 water employed for bathing the nipple. It will be worth 
 while to examine the nipple, and particularly its base, for 
 wrinkles and folds of the skin, because in these the ferment- 
 ing liquids hide and set up the irritation. If such folds be 
 found they may be washed out by the aid of a camel's-hair 
 pencil. The parts should then be carefully dried, unless the 
 attendant thinks it better to keep some soothing wash al- 
 ways on the nipple in the intervals of nursing. One au- 
 thority advises the use of Goulard 's extract — a teaspoonful 
 to a tumbler of water— to be kept for several days on the 
 nipple by means of a soft cloth, washing it carefully away 
 before nursing. 
 
 If but one nipple is sensitive the task is easier, for then 
 the child may take the other for a day or two, the tender 
 breast being carefully emptied by stroking and rubbing. 
 Two days' rest of a nipple almost always results in a cure. 
 When, however, both nipples are troublesome, they require 
 more attention, but the rest of both breasts results in a dis- 
 appearance of the milk altogether. 
 
 The treatment of cracked nipples demands the same 
 precautious as have been detailed. In addition the fissures 
 themselves often, if not usually, need local treatment; but 
 
224 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 as this can only be well carried out by the physician or a 
 well-instructed nurse, it is not worth while to enter into it 
 here. 
 
 The Diet of a Nursing Mother. 
 
 What should a mother eat while nursing her baby, or what especial 
 things should she avoid eating ? 
 Santa Rosa, Cal. W. M. G. 
 
 No explicit directions can be given. There is a very 
 general belief among mothers that their articles of food may 
 affect the suckling's digestion. There is nothing improbable 
 in this, since we know that some drugs taken by the mother 
 can be recognized in the milk ; and certainly in cow's milk 
 the taste of certain things, the turnip, for instance, eaten by 
 the cows is often recognized. In practice, however, women 
 are not harmonious in their opinions as to the kinds of food 
 which do affect the suckling, and some medical men are 
 skeptical as to the whole matter. For ourselves, we think 
 the truth is about as follows: Any good wholesome food 
 which the mother can ordinarily fully and easily digest, i. e., 
 without distress, acidity, flatulence or other evident disturb- 
 ance, may be eaten, with perhaps the exception of such 
 articles, chiefly vegetables, which contain a strong volatile 
 oil or principle such as we can recognize by the taste in 
 cow's milk. Such are the cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, onion 
 and garlic. Now, we are not quite sure that even all of these 
 need in every case be avoided, for they certainly form a con- 
 siderable part of the diet of nursing women in some walks 
 of life. Whether in those cases they do not usually affect 
 the infant, or whether a certain amount of disturbance of 
 the baby's digestion is in those rather unintelligent circles 
 considered as normal or unavoidable, we do not positively 
 
THE MOTHER. 
 
 know. We should advise the use of other things in prefer- 
 ence ; and in ease these vegetables are especially craved or 
 are needed as laxatives, that they be taken cautiously and 
 the effects noted. There are many articles which some per- 
 sons digest perfectly and others only with the formation of 
 much gas, notably starchy things — white bread, potatoes, 
 beans, etc. Concerning such there is no rule beyond indi- 
 vidual experience. It would be a pity to avoid any food that 
 is wholesome to the mother if it is not really disturbing to 
 the child. 
 
 We believe that all alcoholic beverages should be used 
 sparingly and with great circumspection, unless ordered by 
 a physician, in which case explicit directions as to dose and 
 the period during which they should be used should be 
 asked for. 
 
 The Best Method of Drying Up the Mother's 
 Milk. 
 
 What is the best method of drying up the mother's milk ? 
 New Jersey. F. L. B. 
 
 Ordinarily, absolutely nothing is needed but to let the 
 breast alone. If the breast fills, stroke or pump out the 
 milk. Belladonna ointment applied to the breast, however, 
 hastens the disappearance of the milk and eases pain, but 
 do not let the infant get any of the ointment in its mouth 
 or eyes. It is very poisonous. 
 
 Care of the Mother Rather than the Child. 
 
 My baby boy is two weeks and one day old, and is, to all appear- 
 ances, a healthy, hearty little fellow ; he weighed over twelve pounds 
 when born and has gained about half a pound since. He sleeps from 
 four to seven hours at a time, and has twice in his short life slept from 
 eleven in the evening until seven next morning without waking to be 
 nursed. I don't believe he has cried an hour altogether since he came 
 into the world. He has never had the slightest symptoms of colic. 
 
X I L'SKH Y PROBLEMS. 
 
 The one trouble seems to be with his bowels, as he has had not a 
 digested passage since his birth. My physician has tried several 
 different remedies without apparent effect ; he has analyzed my milk 
 and pronounced it satisfactory in quality and sufficient in quantity. Is 
 this trouble likely to wear away, or will it, as I fear, result in loss of 
 flesh and strength to the child if allowed to continue ? I am perfectly 
 well myself, and am rapidly regaining my strength. 
 
 Yonkers, N. Y. G. M. 
 
 A baby of fifteen days, who is as comfortable, in 
 spite of the imperfect digestion of his food, as the one de- 
 scribed does not seem to us to need much mediciue. It 
 seems, however, that his mother needs some caution. Few 
 mothers are allowed to write letters fifteen days after de- 
 livery, and we fear that this forwardness may be evidence of 
 premature resumption of other more taxing duties. We 
 would advise care on the mother's part and the continuance 
 of the physician's supervision both of mother and child for 
 some time longer. 
 
 "Nursing Sore Mouth." 
 
 Can you give a cure for "nursing sore mouth'";' If not, please 
 give such advice as you can and greatly oblige 
 
 X T ew Bedford, Mass. A Sufferer. 
 
 The disease known as "nursing sore mouth" is, fortu- 
 nately, a rare one nowadays. Some thirty years ago it ex- 
 cited much discussion in American medical journals in vari- 
 ous parts of the country. It has been known to be epidemic 
 where some bad climatic or hygienic conditions have ex- 
 isted. The disease is probably always dependent upon 
 ansemia (thin blood), and it sometimes occurs before de- 
 livery, and has even attacked males. Authorities agree that 
 the surest cure lies in tonics, iron, quinine, cod-liver oil, 
 
THE MOTHER. 227 
 
 good food, and perhaps wine. One writer goes so far as to 
 maintain that it is neither more nor less than scurvy. The 
 best preventives are good, generous diet and good hygiene 
 during pregnancy, as well as during the nursing period. 
 
 Excess of Abdominal Fat. 
 
 Is there any safe and practical way of removing superfluous fat 
 from the abdomen ? The nurses here never bandage after labor. 
 Would that account for it ? Immediately after the birth of each of my 
 two children there has seemed to be no adipose tissue there at all. 
 Before I am out of bed, however, it has begun to be deposited all over 
 the surface of the abdomen, and, alas ! it continues to come. My 
 general health is good. I take much out-door exercise, and my diet is 
 mainly meat and fruits, as I do not care for sweets or starchy foods of 
 any kind, but the melancholy fact remains and I fear the trouble will 
 increase — 28 inches waist, 48 inches hip ! I know this question has 
 nothing whatever to do with the care of babies, but as the trouble 
 seemed to be caused in some indirect way by them, I take the liberty 
 of coming to you for help. 
 
 Tennessee. O. S. B. 
 
 The excess of abdominal fat after delivery is not de- 
 pendent upon the absence of the bandage. We have often 
 seen it occur just the same with the bandage. The peculiar- 
 ity is in part constitutional. For its relief, diet will do 
 something, kinds of food and amount of liquid both being 
 considered. But during lactation, a good deal of liquid may 
 be needed. Further, we believe that systematic muscular 
 exercise of the abdominal wall is useful, in that much of the 
 protuberance of tbe abdomen is due not to the fat but to the 
 laxness of the muscles. We have knowledge of instances 
 in which during a course of exercise several inches were lost 
 in girth while no weighl was lost. Even if girth be not re- 
 duced, the muscular gain enables one to be more active. 
 
228 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 Hair Falling Out After Confinement. 
 
 In behalf of some of my friends as well as myself, I want to know 
 if you can give me any information regarding the prevention of the 
 falling out of hair after confinement? I have very heavy hair, but 
 after the birth of my little boy, two years ago, I lost fully one-fourth 
 of it, and it has not grown in to any length since then. Now, a fre- 
 quent recurrence of this would be most disheartening. Is there any 
 known treatment of the scalp, either before or after confinement, that 
 could prevent this? 
 Des Moines, Iowa. F. C. M. 
 
 We know of no way of preventing this peculiar fall of 
 the hair, which is of very common occurrence and very 
 similar to that following severe illness, particularly if at- 
 tended with fever. Fortunately the hair usually returns as 
 fully as before ; but as a very long time — many months or 
 even some years— is required for it to gain the great length 
 seen on some women, the frequent recurrence of pregnancy 
 might prevent its reaching its original length. Applications 
 to the scalp are useful if there is a recognized disease of the 
 scalp ; but in cases where there seemed to be no local disease 
 we have not been able to see that the growth of the hair 
 was more rapid after using the most approved local applica- 
 tions than in those instances in which none were used. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 A "Hard-Reared" Baby. 
 
 My baby has attained the age of sixteen months. He has been 
 unavoidably bottle-fed, and has been what many would call a "hard- 
 reared baby," but now seems perfectly healthy and fairly developed, 
 walking but not talking, and boasting the possession often teeth. His 
 diet is still confined, of course, to milk, cream, oatmeal, an occasional 
 fresh egg, roast potato and bread and butter, of which last he is inordi- 
 nately fond. 
 
 So far so good. But Baby has one or two bad habits that seem to 
 grow with his growth — first, exceeding restlessness at night ; second, 
 there seems to be an impossibility of weaning him of night feeding, or 
 drinking rather. 
 
 He has never, I believe, slept a night continuousW, whatever his 
 state of health. Just now his programme is to wake once, say about 
 2 a. m., scream violently for a few minutes, and insist on having some 
 one take him from his crib to amuse and pacify him, and finally, after 
 about half an hour's recreation, he condescends to accept a full bottle 
 and retires with his treasure. Frequently he drinks two or three 
 bottles of milk through the night, although in the day he never looks 
 for one, drinking from a glass or cup at meal-times. 
 
 I am quite at my wits' ends. What am I to do ? If I let him 
 cry on without heed or help, it seems to me he will certainly cry him- 
 self to sickness, so violently does he set about it ; and how can I wean 
 him from drinking ? 
 
 Philadelphia. M. M. H . 
 
 We will tfive w hat help we can on the facts stated. The 
 phrase "hard-reared " we interpret to mean that his rearing 
 was difficult, either from distinct sicknesses or from some 
 delicacy or feebleness ; if the latter, most probably digestive 
 derangements. He now, at sixteen months, lias ten teeth, 
 probably the eight incisors and two of the first molars. 
 
230 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 His "two bad habits" may be considered as manifesta- 
 tions of one. To give the cause of them, of course one 
 should know a great many things not stated in the query. 
 But one cause is suggested by the facts given. A child with 
 probably only two molars has among its articles of diet two 
 things notably hard of digestion at his age, and only di- 
 gestible after prolonged chewing — namely, potato and bread. 
 Both of them contain starch in a very large proportion. 
 Fine wheat flour contains, according to some analyses, up- 
 wards of 70 per cent, of starch, and bread from it still near 
 50 per cent., some of the starch having been changed by the 
 raising and cooking of the bread. Raw potato has, say, 92 
 per cent, of starch. Now, without claiming, as some seem 
 inclined to do, that starch is the great poison of infancy, it 
 cannot be denied that it is very indigestible to children. 
 Only prolonged chewing makes its digestion probable in 
 adult life, and to many people it is always indigestible. To 
 an infant as yet uusupplied with chewing-teeth (molars) it 
 must be very difficult of digestion. The form of indigestion 
 need not be one that must cause immediate pain, or per- 
 haps any great pain at all, but it may lead to derangements 
 of a remoter kind. This may not be the case with your child, 
 but we cannot help associating the starch and the restless- 
 ness. 
 
 The demand for the "full bottle" is probably a natural 
 sequence of the other troubles, or it may be partly habit — 
 we cannot speak with precision for want of information. 
 We presume you have tried water to make sure it is not 
 thirst that troubles the child. If you have not, try if a bot- 
 tle of water, not too cold, will not content him. Many chil- 
 dren, however, demand the bottle because they have been 
 taught all their short lives to expect something to be put 
 into their mouths as the preliminary to sleep. They do not 
 need food any more than many men need spirits, but they 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 231 
 
 have gained a habit. If we had to deal with a wakeful or 
 restless child, and could find out only the things you have 
 stated, we should first get rid of the starch, giving in place 
 of the rnilk diet for one meal some beef-juice or good plain 
 broth (bouillon) of beef or mutton. If he craved bread he 
 should bave only the hard crust, which is more digestible 
 than the soft crumb and portions of which cannot be swal- 
 lowed until it has been diligently chewed off from the piece. 
 The details of the remaining management would depend 
 upon the success attending the change of diet. It is well, 
 however, in the case of any "hard-reared" child, to have 
 occasional advice from your physician, who can work out all 
 the real facts. What has been said above is based on the 
 few placed before us. 
 
 The Flow of Milk the First Days After Delivery. 
 
 Will you please tell what is best to be done the two dreadful days 
 afterbirth, "before the milk comes"? If there is to be none, would 
 it not be as well to feed the child at once ? "Why is there such a 
 break in an infant's nourishment? 
 
 San Francisco. E. "W. 
 
 Those days are not always "dreadful " ; indeed, we think 
 they rarely are so in this day of good nursing. That the ab- 
 sence of the milk is not a detriment to the baby may be in- 
 ferred from the fact that most living things in nature are 
 adapted to their surroundings, and also from the following 
 lads. Not only infants but all young mammals pause in 
 their growth for a few days, perhaps for a week, after their 
 birth, and they may absolutely lose weight. A similar de- 
 lay is noticed in newly-hatched chickens, which, of course, 
 never depend upon tbe mother for food. The experiment 
 has been tried, in a series of cases, of putting new-born in- 
 fant.-- io the breasts of women who had been delivered a few 
 
N URi>ER Y PR OB LEMS. 
 
 days previously and who.se flow of milk was established. 
 These children all lost weight like others. The cause of this 
 loss is not certainly known, but is believed to be due to the 
 fact of the establishment of respiration and the necessity of 
 the child's furnishing its own heat instead of getting it from 
 its mother. More tissue is burned up until the new order is 
 established. If during those days the child is kept warm 
 and its thirst quenched with warm liquid, it generally 
 makes little complaint. 
 
 Thumb-Sucking. 
 
 In your personal observation, have you ever seen children whose 
 teeth projected, or whose upper jaws were Y-shaped, because of hav- 
 ing sucked their thumbs? 
 
 Pulaski. X. Y. L T. G. 
 
 We have often seen -the V-shaped jaw in children who 
 were thumb-suckers. It is reasonable to suppose that the 
 habit was the cause, although it would be impossible to 
 prove that the jaw might not have had this shape had the 
 child not sucked its thumb, because such shaped jaws be- 
 long to some families, and no one can recollect whether or 
 not the elders were also thumb-suckers. Further, we have 
 seen other and more complicated distortions of the upper 
 jaw, and even of the nose, caused by the pressure of thumb- 
 sucking, which it required much trouble on the part of the 
 dentist, and expense on the part of the parents, to correct. 
 Those who have given most study to the matter (scientific 
 dentists), whose opinions we know either by reading or con- 
 versation, agree in considering thumb-sucking a potent if 
 not the main cause of the V-shaped jaw. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 233 
 
 Popular Misconception of Medical Terms. 
 
 Is there any difference between diphtheria and membranous 
 croup, and is the latter contagious ? And is it only allopathic physi- 
 cians who consider them identical ? 
 
 Covington, Ky. J. V. S. 
 
 We may say at starting that so far as we know there 
 never was any school of physicians calling themselves allo- 
 pathic or allopaths. But by a singular misuse of words the 
 name is popularly applied to those who do not accept the 
 doctrines of homoeopathy or any other pathy. The special 
 point asked about has never to our knowledge been made a 
 distinctive one between any schools of medicine. 
 
 The identity of diphtheria and membranous croup has 
 been very much discussed for many years, and the opinion 
 has varied very much with time. Physicians who were in 
 practice about thirty-five years ago, the time that diphtheria 
 first reappeared in this country after a very long absence, 
 pretty generally considered it as a very different disease 
 from the then well-known membranous croup. As time 
 has passed, this opinion has lost ground, and has nearly dis- 
 appeared. We doubt if the question can be absolutely de- 
 cided. But without any intention or desire to dogmatize, 
 we may say that our own notion is this : That the mem- 
 branous croup of forty years ago was not diphtheritic ; it 
 was rather a rare disease as compared with diphtheria to- 
 day, and the evidence of its contagiousness was wanting. 
 On the other hand, to-day a membranous laryngitis (croup) 
 is practically always diphtheritic, the change probably being 
 due to the general diffusion of the diphtheria poison. There 
 arc many kinds of sore throat characterized by a membrane- 
 like exudation, concerning the nature of which agooddeal 
 of doubl and difference of opinion exists among those well 
 qualified to judge. Thus there are many cases which every 
 one agrees to be diphtheria ; other cases every one is equally 
 
234 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 sure to be non-diphtheritic ; but between are many kinds of 
 tonsilitis concerning which a guarded opinion must be 
 given, unless one take the short and easy method of classing 
 them all together as diphtheria, a method which tends to 
 magnify the repute of the user, as a vast majority of his 
 cases will get well. 
 
 We may mention one term only to condemn it : It is 
 "diphtheritic sore throat." If any disease is diphtheritic it 
 is diphtheria: if it is not diphtheria it is not diphtheritic. 
 If the physician is not sure of its nature he should have the 
 courage and honesty to say so, and not hide behind a tricky 
 phrase. The danger of using it lies in the habit of people 
 to be misled by a meaningless name, and neglect necessary 
 precautions. Every doubtful case of throat disease should 
 be treated as dangerous. 
 
 In leaving the subject, we may mention a similar dan- 
 gerous blunder in the supposition that scarlatina is a mild or 
 innocuous form of scarlet fever. Scarlatina is simply the 
 Latinized technical name for scarlet fever ; the blunder 
 probably arises from mistaking the termination "ina" for a 
 diminutive. Scarlatina is neither more nor less than scarlet 
 lever. 
 
 Number of Movements of Bowels a Day. 
 
 My baby is nearly ten weeks old, weighs twelve pounds, and 
 seems comfortable and thriving, sleeping on an average fifteen hours 
 out of the twenty-four, so I suppose he is doing well. 
 
 I want to ask how many movements a day a healthy child of his 
 age may have. He always has five or six, and sometimes eight, in the 
 twenty-four hours, which seemed to me too many. They are for the 
 most part a good color, though once in a while what he passes will be 
 very green ; the consistency is all right. We feed him with cow's 
 milk, prepared with " Peptogenic Milk Powder," fixing it in the 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 235 
 
 morning for all day and night according to direction " No. 2," which 
 
 only directs the milk to be " scalded" after standing in the "bath." 
 
 Bloomfleld, &. J. H. M. B. 
 
 The usual number is from three to five. But an in- 
 creased frequency above this standard, if the stools are of 
 proper character, is not a sign of disease. If the movements 
 are right in color aud properly digested the over-frequency 
 may be disregarded. 
 
 Ambidexterity. 
 
 My boy of twenty-six months uses both hands alike, and has no 
 difficulty nor awkwardness with the left. Until he is able to eat at 
 the table, feeding himself, I shall make no distinction. Am I not 
 right? At table, of course, he should not be singular in the use of 
 knife, fork, or spoon, but I believe in all else he should be able to 
 command one hand as well as the other. 
 
 Brooklyn. R. M. S. 
 
 The question of ambidexterity is a very interesting one. 
 If a person can use both hands alike, or nearly so, he has a 
 great advantage over others. By no means discourage the 
 use of both hands. But examine if he has real ambidex- 
 terity, or whether he is left-handed. A left-handed person 
 is usually easily taught to use his right hand, but he is 
 likely always to resort to his left hand for any effort of 
 strength. It has been urged that all children should be 
 taugbt to use both hands alike, but practically it is impos- 
 sible, for scientific inquiry has shown that in proportion as 
 races or people are cultivated theleft-handedness disappears. 
 No people is known in which left-haudedness predominates, 
 but some tribes exist in which, if our memory serves us 
 rightly, as many as one-third of the individuals are left- 
 handed — at least three times as large a proportion as among 
 
N URSER Y PR OB L EMS. 
 
 Europeans or Americans. And this predominant right- 
 handedness is not the result of education, but of heredity, as 
 mo?t children require very little teaching to make them use 
 the right hand, and a great deal to use the left. The child 
 that shows ambidexterity should be encouraged in it, and if 
 you wish your boy to have certain table manners teach him 
 only at table. Do not make him ashamed of his left hand. 
 
 Excessive Perspiration. 
 
 Will you be kind enough to tell me whether excessive perspiration 
 in a child is weakening ? My baby, now nine mouths old, is perfectly 
 healthy, weighing twenty-four pounds. She has four teeth, and 
 sleeps and eats well, having six meals in the twenty-four hours. She 
 is fed on groats almost entirely, and was partly nursed and partly fed 
 until last month. She has never been sick, although she has been 
 troubled with eczema since she began to teethe, but this has now near- 
 ly disappeared. She perspires principally in her neck and the back of 
 her head, and cannot bear more covering at night than a sheet, even 
 when it is cool. We found a feather pillow too heating, and tried a 
 hair one ; now we are obliged to lay a linen sheet, folded many times, 
 under her head, and, although this is saturated, it is the only thing 
 that keeps her tolerably cool when asleep. I should like very much to 
 know if this perspiring is healthy, as many people tell me, and if 
 checking such a thing suddenly would not be likely to bring back 
 eczema. 
 Boston. T. G. 
 
 The description given is an excellent one of the perspi- 
 ration of early rickets. The child should at once be brought 
 to the notice of the family physician, or, in his absence, of 
 a physician familiar with children's disease*. In spite of 
 Baby's fat condition there is pretty certainly a fault in her 
 nutrition. 
 
MISCELLANEO US. 
 
 The Infant's Normal Weight. 
 
 How much ought the normal child to gain in one week ? What 
 is an average or fair weight for a child of four months ? 
 Newington, Conn. K. M. F. 
 
 Growth varies greatly according to age. During the 
 first week there is usually a slight loss, which loss is really 
 made in the first three days. After this is overcome the 
 gain is continual but not uniform. It varies first of all with 
 different children, depending somewhat, but not entirely, 
 upon the original size and strength of the child. A quarter 
 of a pound per week is a fair gain for the first month or two, 
 but the gain often reaches half a pound weekly for this period. 
 By the age of four months it is slackening, being usually 
 not much above a quarter of a pound per week. The weight 
 at that age will be on an average about 12 pounds, sometimes 
 14 or more, but the weight at four months, owing to the 
 progressive retardation of growth, is on the average fully 
 half what it will be at one year. Thus a child who weighs 
 14 pounds at four months, cannot be expected to weigh 
 above 25 pounds at twelve months, if so much ; and the 
 weight at one year will not on the average be again doubled 
 before the eighth year is reached. 
 
 Drowsiness Following a Bump on tne Head. 
 
 "What should I do when a child falls on the back of his head? 
 Should I let him sleep or keep him awake ? My little boy fell from 
 his high-chair a short time ago, hitting the back of his head with 
 such force as to cause him to vomit. I was advised to let him go to 
 sleep and send for a doctor, which I did ; but Baby woke up after an 
 hour's sleep, quite bright. My physician says I should have kept 
 him awake, but I think I did right. 
 San Francisco. K. K. B. 
 
238 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 We also think you did right. We do not know of any 
 condition due to an injury where keeping the child awake 
 can do any good, whereas sleep is often a restorative, as in 
 the case of your child. If a child has taken a narcotic 
 poison, such as a preparation of opium for a typical instance, 
 the tendency to sleep much should be combated until the 
 effects of the drug are past. In such a case as you are de- 
 scribing, however, this condition is one of very mild con- 
 cussion of the brain. Vomiting generally announces the 
 beginning of reaction. The notion that children who have 
 had a fall and have bumped the head severely should not be 
 allowed to sleep is very common in popular medicine, but 
 we do not remember to have met it in medical circles. It 
 probably arose from a confusion of the stupor of compression 
 of the brain, or of the symptoms of the meningitis which 
 sometimes follows severe injuries to the head, with the re- 
 storative sleep. 
 
 Punishment for a Disobedient Child. 
 
 My little girl of four-and-a-half is a nervous, rather precocious 
 child, and I find it difficult to know how best to punish her when she 
 is naughty. She is very disobedient, though I have made efforts ever 
 since she was born to teach her obedience. Rather than give up her 
 own way, she will disobey without the slightest hesitation, though she 
 is quite well aware of the consequences. Can you suggest any mode 
 of teaching her obedience? 
 Montreal. M. D. L. 
 
 There is little in the way of advice of a specific nature 
 that we can give. We believe that the method of governing 
 must be planned for each child. Careful and loving study 
 of the child's character is an essential to success, and the 
 particular way in which the child is to be managed is to be 
 the outgrowth of such study. A parent should bear in 
 
MIS CELLARED US. 
 
 mind that obedience is not an end in itself ; it is simply a 
 means to the good of the governed. Military discipline is 
 not for the benefit of the commander, but to make the army, 
 in its time of need, the most powerful possible expression of 
 the strength of the nation to which it belongs. Domestic dis- 
 cipline exists only for the general good, and is gradually re- 
 laxed as the development of childish intelligence enables the 
 child to appreciate its responsibilities and to govern itself. 
 Parents often forget this. The wise parent will avoid unneces- 
 sary collisions of will between herself and the child ; but if a 
 collision is inevitable, she must not leave it doubtful who 
 has been victorious. All of this frequently involves in- 
 effable patience, self-control, and often self-abnegation. But 
 it has its reward. Every child, not absolutely mentally or 
 morally hopeless from defect of birth, will show the effect 
 of such care. Not all children can reach the same moral 
 any more than the same intellectual plaue, but all are 
 helped by kind and conscientious care, even if the child be 
 cleverer by nature than the care-taker. The methods of 
 guiding may vary greatly, but unnecessary crossing of a 
 child's purpose is one of the poorest. 
 
 The Selection of a Wet-Nurse. 
 
 I have read with great interest Mrs. "NV.'s communication con- 
 cerning wet-nurses in the columns of Babyhood. Doubtless the 
 evils and dangers of entrusting one's delicate child to a stranger are 
 great ; but, after all, in many cases they must be bravely met in order 
 to save the very life of the child. Artificial nourishment is at best 
 only a makeshift. I tried it once, in the case of my second child, but 
 determined never to bring up another child on the bottle as long as I 
 was able to pay for a wet-nurse and bear up physically with the in- 
 evitable annoyances in her train. But not many mothers can bespeak 
 a wet-nurse in advance, and in the hurry of procuring one in the hour 
 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 of need it is almost impossible to exercise the care and discretion that 
 are so essential in the selection of the proper person. Nor is a physi- 
 cian's advice always available. I have often wished to be informed 
 concerning the physical qualifications of a wet-nurse, but have never 
 found anything really useful in popular books or periodicals. It 
 would seem superfluous to look for even average mental or moral 
 qualifications in persons of the class that furnish wet-nurses, and I 
 know that many excellent persons object to employing them under any 
 circumstances whatever. But those who do employ them need en- 
 lightenment. Perhaps you could furnish what I have vainly looked 
 for elsewhere. 
 San Francisco. L. J. 
 
 It hardly need be said that few people yearn for the ad- 
 vent of a wet-nurse in the family. Nevertheless there is no 
 manner of doubt that the experience of most of those who 
 have tried both the wet-nurse and the artificial feeding coin- 
 cides rather with yours than with that of Mrs. W. She had 
 exceptional ill-luck, aud moreover, as appears from her let- 
 ter, she began with an intense aversion for a nurse, and, as a 
 result, did not fail to have the difficulties in getting on that 
 always attend aversions. A medical man of experience once 
 said in our hearing: "A wet-nurse is a nuisance, but no 
 one who has tried one will ever take any other way of bring- 
 ing up a baby that she cannot suckle herself." And this is 
 not far from the truth. 
 
 Before speaking of the qualifications of a wet-nurse, a 
 word ought to be said as to the duty of the mother who is 
 obliged to give up the suckling of her own child. It has 
 been in effect said by another that any one who takes the re- 
 sponsibility of bearing a child is bound to furnish its food 
 from her own breast, or to superintend herself the feeding of 
 it if she cannot nurse it. Exceptions will occur, as when 
 the mother's health absolutely disables her ; but the rule 
 will stand. It would seem as if this would need no insist- 
 ance, but it is a matter of daily observation that there are 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 raauy mothers who will hardly trust the house-maid to dust 
 the bric-a-brac, who insist on personally laying out the 
 changes of bed-linen and dispensing the groceries, and yet 
 who never think of inspecting, except perhaps at rare inter- 
 vals, the method in which the baby's food is prepared. 
 
 Now, if a wet-nurse is procured a similar supervision 
 should be exercised as over the dry-nurse. As wet-nurses 
 are not selected from the highly intelligent classes, it is not 
 to be expected that they will be very handy and tactful with 
 a baby without experience ; and an experienced wet-nurse 
 is not usually desirable, inasmuch as young women have, as 
 as a rule, the best breasts, and experience and youth do not 
 go together. The mother must do the watching, and re- 
 member that the nurse has been chosen for the one physical 
 quality of a good breast of milk. If she is not handy with 
 the baby she is usually very glad to learn if she is kindly 
 taught. 
 
 A common complaint is that wet-nurses are tyrannical, 
 demanding stimulants and various luxuries for the sake of 
 the milk, and threatening to desert the baby if their de- 
 mands are not granted. Occasionally a distinctly vicious 
 woman goes out as a wet-nurse, but as a rule they are neither 
 better nor worse than other women in their rank in life, and 
 come with an honest intent to do their duty. If they prove 
 to be tyrants it is because of want of sense on the part of 
 their employers. In engaging a wet-nurse, she should be 
 made to feel, if possible, that she has an interest in common 
 with her employer ; that the employer is desirous of doing 
 what is best for her health and comfort, because by so doing 
 the welfare of the child is best secured. Moreover, she 
 should understand that it is for her interest faithfully to at- 
 tend to her duties; that no trifling with her own digestion 
 and health will be tolerated ; and that, while she will be 
 valued in proportion as the child thrives, she will not be 
 
242 N URSER Y PR OBLEMS. 
 
 kept for a day if she neglects its interests. Let her under- 
 stand that, while you desire breast-milk if it is good, you 
 much prefer artificial feeding to poor breast-milk. If these 
 things are clearly and kindly impressed upon her there is 
 little probability of her playing false. The other method, 
 too often seen, is to make a sort of pet of the wet-nurse for a 
 while, to foolishly coddle her in all ways, until she is per- 
 suaded that she is indispensable ; and then, unless she is a 
 person of unusual judgment, she is spoiled, and the em- 
 ployer reaps the harvest of her own folly, and considers the 
 nurse a most ungrateful, if not an inhuman, creature. 
 
 The choice of a wet-nurse should not be made without a 
 careful medical examination ; the risk is too great. The em- 
 ployer may ascertain points as to the character of the nurse, 
 and may perhaps get information regarding her previous 
 health and the health of her child or children. But after 
 all the burden of the examination is medical, and cannot be 
 properly assumed without professional knowledge. And for 
 the physician it is an unenviable office. Not only must he 
 find out the condition of the breast and the supply of milk 
 and its probable continuance, but he must search with the 
 greatest care for diseases or defects. And in this search he is 
 never helped by the person examined ; she usually has no 
 knowledge of the meaning of symptoms, and many things 
 which the examiner would consider fatal objections she lays 
 no stress upon. If she has knowledge of defects, in her de- 
 sire for employment she would not obtrude them. The de- 
 tails of the medical examination it would be useless to give 
 here. The physician also endeavors to distinguish between 
 the appearances due to ill-health and those due to poverty, 
 want, and perhaps even hunger, or to distress at the pros- 
 pect before the nurse of leaving her own child, for which 
 she — and often with good reason — fears the worst. 
 
MIS C ELLA NEO US. 
 
 Psoriasis. 
 
 "Will you kindly give me some information regarding psoriasis in 
 young children? My little girl, six years old, who is perfectly 
 healthy in every other respect, has been disfigured with this disease for 
 more than three years. 
 
 (1) Can the disease be entirely eradicated, and, if so, how long is 
 it likely to take ? 
 
 (2) Is there any particular period of life when it can be most 
 favorably treated ? 
 
 (3) What effect have eruptive fevers, such as chicken-pox and 
 measles, on the disease? 
 
 Toronto, Canada. G. B,. 
 
 (1) As relapses of psoriasis are very common, and as the 
 eruption varies at different times in the course of a year, dis- 
 appearing and reappearing, it is not easy to say how often a 
 permanent cure is effected. The particular attack may be 
 cured, but the tendency to return may still be present. For 
 this reason no specific answer can be given to the question 
 as to duration of treatment. But this much can be safely 
 said, that some cases remain cured for as long a time as the 
 physician is able to follow them, and that the treatmeut may 
 require only a few weeks, or may be very tedious. 
 
 (3) It should be treated as promptly as possible, and, as 
 age does not seem to materially influence its appearance, it 
 cannot be said to influence the time at which treatment will 
 be particularly efficient. 
 
 (3) Probably no permanent effect. One eruption will 
 complicate the other temporarily. 
 
 Intermittent Fever. 
 
 Can you tell me what is the matter with my little girl? She is 
 two-and-a-half years old, and large and strong for her :u<'. 
 
 On several occasions she has complained early in the afternoon of 
 feeling very tired and has wanted to lie down ; she has then become 
 
244 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 very sleepy and flushed, and has nearly got into a kind of stupor, 
 lying with her head and face almost buried in her pillow, and with 
 her knees drawn up to her chest ; this is accompanied with fever, and 
 every now and then she has been sick at her stomach, and has then 
 fallen off again into the same state, from which no noise will rouse her; 
 towards night she gets cooler, and in the morning wakes up much 
 better and quite bright, but still a little flushed and feverish. She 
 has had these attacks three times ; the second time it lasted a week, 
 and every day was nearly a repetition of the previous one ; the last 
 attack lasted about two or three days. 
 
 I have had doctors' advice, but with apparently little result, and 
 I should like to know what is really the matter, as I fear a recurrence 
 of the attack. I feed the child on meat only every second day, and 
 only give a little of it to her with potato ; her other diet consists of 
 bread and milk and bread and butter, with light puddings, and noth- 
 ing else. The strange part of the attack is this repetition of the fever 
 and sickness at the same hour each day, and the apparent entire relief 
 from it in the morning. 
 Montreal. A. S. 
 
 The stupor and other symptoms doubtless depend upon 
 the rise of temperature. This may be due to a multitude of 
 causes. But the distinct periodicity of the attack would 
 make the diagnosis of intermittent fever a very probable 
 one ; although with children we are very shy of using the 
 words "intermittent," "remittent," or "malarial," as they 
 are made the cloak of a world of ignorance. Intermittent 
 fever is the most distinct of malarial disorders. In a typical 
 case in an adult the chill which announces a paroxysm 
 occurs with considerable regularity — daily, on alternate 
 days, or less often, according to the variety of the fever. A 
 fever with a daily access is called a quotidian ague ; one with 
 an access on alternate days is a tertian ague, and so on. But 
 in childhood the frank chill is less common, and the fever is 
 less regular than in adults. And herein lies the danger of 
 error, since in most diseases of childhood the temperature is 
 more subject to fluctuations than in adults. An irregular or 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 245 
 
 paroxysmal fever may arise from a multitude of causes and 
 may be — indeed, often is — classed as " malarial" or "remit- 
 tent" simply from the temperature range, while the mala- 
 rial poison has nothing whatever to do with it, and the real 
 cause behind the fever may be overlooked and its treatment 
 therefore neglected. Many physicians do not in a doubtful 
 case make a diagnosis of malarial disease until they have 
 after proper search failed to find any other reasonable cause. 
 Fortunately, the true malarial fevers are usually quite 
 amenable to medical treatment. 
 
 Sleeping Breast Downward. 
 
 I am in trouble regarding the position my babe takes in her sleep. 
 She is a very nervous, excitable child, and, until she was six weeks 
 old, seemed never to take any long, refreshing sleeps. She would 
 sometimes refuse to take a single nap during the day, and even then 
 was very wakeful at night. 
 
 One day in desperation I turned her upon her face when I put her 
 down for her nap, when, to my pleasure, she slept for four long hours, 
 and she has refused ever since to sleep in any other position. She is 
 now between six and seven months old, has always been well and 
 strong, weighed at six months seventeen and a half pounds, and is 
 naturally nourished. 
 
 Many experienced mothers come in, see her lying upon her 
 stomach, indulge in a rapid retrospection, which reminds them that 
 their children never slept in this position, shake their heads omi- 
 nously, and assure me that harm will come of it. One says it will 
 flatten her nose, that she will "all grow to stomach," and her papa 
 feels sure that her arms have a tendency to turn backwards in an 
 awkward manner. 
 
 For many reasons 1 think the position a good one, for she is much 
 more easily tucked in her little bed, and never throws off the covers 
 with her nervous little hands. She bobs her head from one side to an- 
 other like a pendulum, only less often, and thus prevents its growing 
 one-sided. She uses no pillow and seems to be very straight. 
 
 Now, if there is any danger of her being injured in any way by 
 this manner of sleeping, of course she must be broken of it, "though 
 
246 NURSERY PROBLEMS 
 
 the skies fall " ; but if there is not I would like to leave her comfort 
 unmolested. She is never rocked to sleep, indeed does not know what 
 it means ; for once or twice, when I have tried to rock her to sleep when 
 callers were in and I could not treat her in the usual way, she took it 
 as a great joke, and seemed to think I was making a great effort to en- 
 tertain her (though it took four weeks of bitter trial, yes, six, after the 
 nurse left us, to teach her this element of virtue). You are to under- 
 stand that she always sleeps upon her face, night and day, and if put 
 down in any other way immediately opens her eyes and laughs at the 
 folly of it. 
 
 I am exceedingly anxious to be instructed in this matter, since I 
 have thus far failed to see any bad results, though often assured that 
 they would appear. 
 Silver Cliff, Col. E. D. C. 
 We have seen many infants and children, and some 
 adults, who had this habit of sleeping on the stomach, and 
 have never known any harm to come from it. Provided 
 they do not bury their faces in the pillows in a way to pre- 
 vent their having sufficient air, we do not know what harm 
 is likely to result. It is easy to see why sleeping upon the 
 side is easier to most of us than in any other position, but if 
 a child is more comfortable lying on the breast and abdomen 
 we should let it alone. The observation of habits of the do- 
 mestic animals would reassure you. If you have a house- 
 dog, notice how he will sleep upon his side or flat down upon 
 his stomach with his head upon his forepaws. The cat will 
 sleep in any position, side, stomach, or back, and all with- 
 out any damage. 
 
 Perspiring Feet. 
 
 My little girl, aged four, perfectly healthy apparently, has each 
 night her stockings and shoes damp with perspiration. I am sure it 
 cannot be because her feet are too warm, for our home is in the country 
 and the floors are not over- warm. Can you suggest the cause and cure? 
 Though she never complains, it would seem as if her feet must be cold 
 from the dampness. 
 Newtown, Conn. M. B. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 Perspiration of the feet is sometimes a personal peculi- 
 arity, the cause ot which is not easy to discover, or is prac- 
 tically impossible to remove. But as a common cause is an 
 imperfect circulation, it is always well to search for anything 
 that may retard the flow of blood from the feet. See if the 
 stockings and shoes are wide and easy ; if there is any un- 
 due tightness at the knee, etc. Watch if the palms also 
 perspire when covered by mittens ; if so, it will show that 
 the peculiarity is a general one, and not confined to the 
 feet. It may be noted that people of the "rheumatic " habit 
 are thought to perspire more than others. 
 
 "The Middle Child." 
 
 I have just seen the following in a newspaper : 
 
 "Mr. George Bancroft accounted for his own longevity the other 
 day with three reasons : First, that he was the middle child in his 
 father's family, equally distant from the youngest and the oldest; 
 second, that he had always gone to bed at ten o'clock, unless it had 
 been impossible; and, third, that he had always spent four hours in 
 each day in the open air, unless prevented by a storm. He added that 
 his riding, of which the newspapers had made so much, was primarily 
 for the purpose of being out of doors, and not of being on horseback." 
 
 The early-to-bed feature, as well as the out-door exercise, need not 
 be regarded as new ; but this is the first time I have ever heard of any 
 special importance being attached to the "middle child," and would 
 like very much to learn whether there is " anything in it." Coming 
 from any less authority than Mr. Bancroft, I should have set it down 
 as superstition and thought nothing further of it, though for that mat- 
 ter I cannot say that there is evidence that Mr. Bancroft really did say 
 it, as the above quotation was itself quoted from another paper. 
 New York City. A Papa. 
 
 We have never beard of the notion before; we believe 
 there is " nothing in it " as it stands. But several facts may 
 have given rise to the belief, if such belief exists. The 
 earlier children of immature parents sometimes show corre- 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 spending feebleness of constitution, although youth of the 
 parents, if they are really mature, is usually considered an 
 advantage to the offspring. On the other hand, the later 
 children, if many be born to the parents, not infrequently 
 show the effects of impaired health of the latter, particularly 
 if the mother's condition is broken by constant childbear- 
 ing and incessant nursery care. Still further, the earlier 
 children, it is sad to say, often show the results of the pa- 
 rents' want of knowledge, and bear the marks of their ex- 
 periments in child-rearing. Not infrequently two persons 
 of little experience in anything, but of the "know-it-all" 
 type, marry, and the result cannot be expected to be perfect. 
 A lady once half-pathetically said to the writer, when speak- 
 ing of her first child: "The others will never know the 
 debt they owe to him for teaching me." 
 
 An "Ideal Diet" at Eighteen Months. 
 
 What do you consider, in the abstract, an ideal diet for a healthy 
 child at eighteen months ? My baby will be two years old in August. 
 Denver, Colo. Ax Interested Mother. 
 
 Supposing the child, eighteen months old in winter, to 
 have cut its eye teeth and to have a pretty good digestion, 
 the following will be about what he can have : 
 
 He will have five meals, at about 7 and 10 a. m., 2, 6 and 
 10 p. M., or, if he be a very good night sleeper, the afternoon 
 meals may be at 1, 4 and 7 p. m., and nothing until morn- 
 ing. In the latter case the four o'clock meal will be a light 
 one. The first, third and fifth meals correspond to adult 
 meal times in the second schedule, with two " gouter" (or 
 luncheon) meals interjected. In the first schedule the first, 
 third and fourth are the meals, and the "gouters " come at 
 10 a. M. and 10 p. m. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS, 249 
 
 The first (breakfast) will consist of milk, half pint, as 
 the main article every day, and with it may be given, for 
 variety, bread and butter or a soft-boiled egg yolk. The 
 bread should be stale, and a generous slice may be given if 
 the egg be not given ; a thin slice if it is. Some children 
 may take in place of the egg or bread some of the finer 
 cereal preparations, but they must be most thoroughly 
 cooked if given at all. 
 
 The first luncheon (10 A. M.) will consist of a small cup 
 of milk with or without one or two "Educator " biscuits or 
 a little bread and butter, according to the appetite of the 
 particular child. 
 
 The meal at 1 or 2 p. M. is the dinner and the principal 
 meal. It will consist of a small quantity of mutton, beef or 
 chicken white meat (the former two rather underdone), 
 scraped or very finely minced and slightly salted, with plat- 
 ter gravy, if the meats are roasted (the juice of the meat 
 takes its place in the chop or steak). If really fresh fish are 
 to be had, a piece of nicely broiled fish may sometimes be 
 substituted for the meat. "Long-distance" or "cold- 
 storage" fish are not, in our judgment, admissible. In 
 place of the meat good broths may also be substituted, to 
 give variety. With this main article (*. e., the meat or its 
 substitutes) is also to be given bread and butter. Some ad- 
 vise allowing the roasted potato, but in our experience it is 
 better to delay it until after the full set of teeth has come; 
 suy, until about two years. We prefer well-boiled rice as a 
 vegetal ile. With this meal a little dessert may be allowed; 
 plain rice and milk pudding, not too sweet, and rennet cus- 
 tard (called "slip" and "junket " in various localities) are 
 among the safest desserts. 
 
 The fourth meal, if given at six, will be practically a 
 repetition of the first, i. e., milk and bread and butter and 
 possibly the egg, which we do not particularly like at night 
 
250 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 for young children. The fifth meal will then be only a cup 
 of milk at about 10 p. m. If, however, the second schedule 
 be used, the fourth meal, about 4 p. m., will be milk, with 
 possibly bread, and the fifth, just before going to bed (6 to 
 7 p. M.), will be of milk and bread. 
 
 Bicarbonate and Phosphate of Soda. 
 
 Will you kindly enlighten me on the following points? My 
 baby-boy, fourteen months old, has always been small and delicate. 
 He was weaned two months ago, and on account of his extremely weak 
 digestion I was obliged to add an alkali to his milk, which I dilute 
 with one-third strained oatmeal. On account of his habitual consti- 
 pation I use carbonate of soda instead of lime-water. I received the 
 suggestion from a good authority, but I am aware that both lime- 
 water and soda were recommended "temporarily to counteract 
 acidity." Now I am becoming anxious about continuing to add the 
 soda, though I still fear to omit it. 
 
 (1) Please inform me whether its continued use may be injurious 
 to my little one, and enlighten me as to what bad effects it would pro- 
 duce. 
 
 (2) Is phosphate of soda an alkali ? 
 
 Brooklyn. N. Y. Mab. 
 
 (1) The persistent use of any drug should be avoided, un- 
 less there is evident reason for its administration. As to the 
 bicarbonate, we should say that it is, perhaps, as little harm- 
 ful as any. But its use is chiefly as an antacid rather than 
 a laxative. It is put into milk only to make sure that the 
 latter is not sour and to prevent too sudden curdling. It is 
 safer to have blue litmus-paper in the house, with which to 
 test the acidity of the milk, and to add the soda or not as re- 
 quired. Blue litmus-paper is reddened by any liquid having 
 an acid reaction. The druggist who sells you the paper will 
 explain its use to you. The sudden curdling is perhaps bet- 
 ter prevented by the addition to the milk of barley or oat- 
 meal water, which act, as is supposed, by mechanical hin- 
 drance to the formation of large curds. Soda has a medici- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 251 
 
 rial value also if the stomach secretion is believed to be too 
 acid (it is acid naturally), which is evidenced by hard or 
 large curds or uncommon acidity in the vomited matters, 
 or similar curds in the passages. All alkalies if abused are 
 supposed to have the effect popularly called " thinning the 
 blood," but the soda salts are generally better tolerated than 
 those of potash. 
 
 (2) Phosphate of soda has a slight alkaline reaction, but 
 it is not counted as an alkali. It is a useful laxative or 
 purgative, according to dose. 
 
 Precautions in a Case of Diphtheria. 
 
 Our little three-year-old Mabel is just recovering from a severe at- 
 tack of croupal diphtheria. She is hoarse aud coughs a good deal. 
 Her stomach troubles her and she is very restless at night. She eats 
 very little, mostly milk with bread or oatmeal gruel strained. I know- 
 nothing about the after-treatment of diphtheria. Perhaps you could 
 enlighten me on the following points : 
 
 (1) How long is it before the danger of infection is over? "We 
 have kept our baby away from her, and it is now one week since she 
 began to mend. 
 
 (2) How long does the throat remain inflamed usually, and the 
 hoarse cough continue ? She cannot speak plainly yet. 
 
 (3) What are the symptoms of a relapse ? 
 
 (4) What is the best preventive against the infection of others, 
 and also the recurrence of the disease with every cold, etc. Some 
 recommend belladonna. 
 
 (5) In case of paralysis and the other after-troubles, what is best 
 to do until medical aid can be procured ? 
 
 ((!) Is a change of climate always desirable when it can be had? 
 Ilermotiillo, Mexico. M. A. C. 
 
 (1) No one can answer this question categorically. As- 
 suming a genuine diphtheria, contagion is possible as long 
 as any of the poison is about, and it may cling to clothing 
 or articles of furniture for a long time. Afterthe sick child 
 is pronounced thoroughly well it should be carefully bathed, 
 its hair cleaned and its clothing all changed, and taken to 
 
252 N URSER Y PR OR L EMS. 
 
 another room— not yet to other children — while the sick- 
 room and its contents are fully disinfected. The child 
 should be kept away from other children for some days 
 longer at least. 
 
 (2) Often a long time — the time is so variable that to 
 state an average would be rather a guess than a rule. 
 
 (3) A real relapse consists in the reappearance of a mem- 
 brane somewhere. If it is low down in the throat the 
 symptoms may be those of croup. If higher up, or on the 
 tonsils, or in the front part of the nostrils, the membrane 
 can be seen, or if high in the nostrils it can be inferred from 
 the kind of discharge. 
 
 (4) The disinfection and care described under (1) is the 
 best safeguard. There is no tendency for it to come back 
 " with every cold," unless the poison of diphtheria is lurking 
 around. Belladonna probably has absolutely no effect on 
 the poison. It is useful for some sore throats. 
 
 (5) The domestic treatment of the paralysis is practically 
 nothing, except nutrition — careful feeding little by little to 
 avoid choking, if the throat is the seat of the paralysis. For 
 the paralysis of the limbs we know of no domestic treat- 
 ment to be recommended. 
 
 (6) A change of climate — to a healthful one — if the 
 change can be accomplished without too great fatigue, 
 usually is of value in promoting recovery from debilitating 
 ailments. It is not called for in diphtheria more than in 
 other diseases, but change might prove beneficial by remov- 
 ing the patient from the influence of the special poison 
 which had been left undestroved in the home. 
 
 Average Weight and Height at Two-and-a-Half 
 Years. 
 
 Will you tell rue the average weight and height for a girl two 
 years and a half old ? 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 There are, so far as we know, no extensive and careful 
 statistics on this point. Babies of the first year have been 
 studied carefully, and children of the school age — i. e., five 
 years and upward. We should estimate that thirty-two or 
 thirty-three inches, and twenty-eight to thirty pounds would 
 be fair averages. Perhaps we are setting it high, for the tall 
 and heavy children are more likely to be measured and 
 weighed than the small ones, and hence the figures within 
 our own knowledge may be misleading. 
 
 For an Attack of False Croup. 
 
 I should like to ask what to do for my baby when she wakes up at 
 night with a cough like the bark of the croup ? What do you consider 
 to be the best and quickest remedy until the doctor can be summoned 
 in the morning ? 
 Foxboro, Mass. B,. W. S. 
 
 Where only the bark is present, often and indeed usually 
 nothing is necessary to dislodge the mucus from the throat 
 beyond the waking and the child's natural cry. If this is 
 not sufficieut the drinking of a glass of milk (or even water), 
 as hot as can be swallowed comfortably, or the placing of a 
 sponge wrung out of hot water — as hot as can be borne by 
 the child — upon the throat, will usually relieve it. It is, how- 
 ever, well to have in the house an emetic, and that which 
 combines tolerable rapidity with the requisite safety is the 
 syrup or wine of ipecac. If there is difficulty of breathing, 
 from half a teaspoonful to a teaspoouful may be given, and 
 repeated in twenty minutes if relief is not gained. If 
 vomiting is not required, doses of from two to live drops 
 may be given hourly or less frequently, according to the 
 severity of the cough. 
 
 You should bear in mind that if nausea is produced, 
 either with or without vomiting, it is likely to be manifested 
 
054 N UBS EB 7 PR OBLEMS. 
 
 by paleness, clammy skin, and some prostration, just as in 
 adults. If this was not remembered undue anxiety might 
 be felt previous to the vomiting. 
 
 Alcoholic Stimulants in Fevers. 
 
 My little girl of five years has the scarlet fever, and our physician 
 prescribed for nourishment milk punches every two hours. I would 
 like your opinion on the subject of giving spirituous liquors to chil- 
 dren in cases of fever. I am under the impression that whiskey or 
 like stimulants only add fuel to the fever. 
 Brooklyn, N. T. A Teoubled Parent. 
 
 Alcoholic stimulauts, properly used, do not "add fuel to 
 the fever." The condition demanding their use is not one 
 that can be discussed without a good deal of knowledge of 
 physiology and pathology. Every judicious physician con- 
 siders alcohol as a drug to be given or withheld in any case 
 precisely as any other drug, according to the circumstances 
 that exist and the ends to be accomplished. The unfortu- 
 nate abuse of alcohol leads the laity as well as some physi- 
 cians to treat it as if it were a thing by itself. The abuse of 
 opium and other narcotics, of quinine, or of purgatives is no 
 reason against then proper medicinal use. So with alcohol. 
 If you can trust your physician with other drugs you may 
 with this. 
 
 Evils of Early Mixed Feeding; Effect of the 
 Mother's Diet upon the Child's Teething. 
 
 (1) Should a child from three to five months old be fed any at the 
 table when there is a sufficiency of mother's milk? If so, what 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 255 
 
 should it be given ? My babe, now five months old, seems to delight 
 in eating, and, as I think I have enough milk for her, I hesitate in 
 giving her solid foods, though I am advised to feed her by ladies who 
 feed and also nurse their babies with no apparently bad results. My 
 baby is troubled with constipation and I am told that feeding her will 
 overcome it. 
 
 (2) Is it right and proper to " chew " food for babies ? 
 
 (3) Cannot a mother that suckles her babe hasten or retard its 
 teething by selecting her diet ; i. e. , if early development of teeth is 
 wanted, partake of bone-making foods, and vice versa ? 
 
 Hubbard City, Texas. B. 
 
 (1) A child should have nothing whatever from the 
 adult table before a year and a half at the earliest, preferably 
 not until two years. Solid food should not be allowed until 
 after a year, and then it should be bread, gruels, porridge, 
 and possibly an egg; but these should be prepared for it and 
 given it by itself, not at the adult's table. To let a child 
 come to the table is only to teach it to beg for things it 
 should not have. Let it be fed before your meals, so that it 
 shall not be tantalized at seeing you eat when it is hungry. 
 Treat any person who gives your baby " tastes" of things as 
 your "dearest foe." To give solid food to a child on the 
 breast is too incongruous to be seriously considered. Con- 
 stipation is undesirable, but a small matter compared with 
 what usually results from such mixed feeding. 
 
 (2) If you mean the chewing of food by an adult and 
 then putting it into the baby's mouth, it certainly is not 
 right. It is simply disgusting. 
 
 (8) Good health and good milk supply in the mother 
 help to develop the child well and rapidly, teeth included. 
 Hut so far as we know or believe, there is no diet of the 
 mother which will help the teeth of the child in particular. 
 The only way of retarding the teeth that we know of is to 
 give the baby poor nourishment, and this retards its de- 
 velopment in every other way. 
 
NUSSER Y PROBLEMS. 
 
 Imperfect Sterilization ; Large Meals; Sulphur 
 for Disinfection. 
 
 (1) Would you advise the use of milk-sugar after the age of one 
 year? 
 
 (2) If not, how much granulated sugar ought to be put in half a 
 pint of milk, or of milk-cream-and-water? 
 
 (3) If part of the milk-sugar settles in the process of sterilization 
 and bakes into a solid little cake, is it because there is too much sugar 
 put in ? 
 
 (4) My sterilizing is done at about 9 A. m., Baby's breakfast being 
 prepared the morning before. We do not have ice, and several times 
 during the summer my baby's breakfast soured over night, why I 
 could not discover, as my "Arnold Sterilizer," with its graduated 
 bottles, was over a hot fire just an hour, steaming actively. Do you 
 think it could be due entirely to carelessness in the plugging with cot- 
 ton which I could not always attend to myself? When I occasionally 
 tried a larger, wide-mouthed bottle, the milk soured before night. 
 
 (5) I would like to ask if the majority of mothers succeed in re- 
 stricting their babies to 8 or 10 ounces at a meal ? My ten-months-old 
 baby, weighing 21 pounds, has had only four meals in twenty-four 
 hours since about four months of age, and for two mouths past has 
 taken from H> to 20 ounces at every meal, screaming uncontrollably 
 when I try to stop her at auy amount under 15 ouuces. She never ap- 
 pears to suffer from over-eating in any way. I have had a similar ex- 
 perience with three other children, their weight at oue year having 
 been 24, 25 and 21 pounds. 
 
 (6) We have had one mild case of scarlet fever in our family, and 
 our doctor has depeuded for disinfectants entirely upon fresh air, sun- 
 shine, and an open fire. The patient has been isolated in a bare- 
 floored room for four weeks and will be longer, the other children 
 being in perfect health to-day. As to fumigation by sulphur, the 
 doctor says that the "Sulphur Congress" has just decided that the 
 fumes of sulphur have no effect ou disease-germs. If this is so, why 
 is not this fact proclaimed ? Is it because, as our doctor says, "It is 
 better for some people to keep their faith in sulphur, as they cannot be 
 induced to open the windows uuless there is a very strong odor to dis- 
 pose of " ? 
 
 Gildersleeve, Conn. C. A. F. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 257 
 
 (1) It is unnecessary. 
 
 (2) If undiluted milk is used, no additional sugar is 
 needed; and as at the age of one year milk can be taken 
 nearly pure by an average well child, we think that the 
 cream mixture is no longer necessary, and that for the milk 
 and water very little sugar, if any, is called for. Its use is 
 rather as a bribe than as a necessary ingredient. 
 
 (3) Milk-sugar is not as readily dissolved as ordinary 
 cane sugar. But if dissolved before the sterilizing begins, it 
 ought not to settle, as might happen if the hard grains had 
 only been mixed with the milk. It may be, too, that the 
 sugar of milk was not pure. 
 
 (4) Assuming that everything was sweet and as it should 
 have been when the sterilizing began, we can think of no 
 other cause of spoiliug except inefficient sealing. The cot- 
 ton plugs may have been too loosely packed and not really 
 stoppers; or they may have become wet, when their effi- 
 ciency ceases. 
 
 (•5) We cannot tell the experience of the majority of 
 mothers, but, judging from the experience of many and 
 from observation, we think 12 ounces a very large meal for a 
 child of the age and weight of yours. At that age 40 ounces 
 is the average day's ration, generally divided into five por- 
 tions. Your child is taking from 64 to 80 ounces. It is pos- 
 sible that a child may digest this amount. Usually 64 
 ounces is a tax upon the digestion of a yearling infant, and 
 i he almosl uniform result of such doses is a distended 
 stomach and protuberant abdomen, even if there are no dis- 
 tinct evidences of indigestion. 
 
 (6) We are well aware that sulphur fumigations if poorly 
 carried out, and perhaps as usually done, are useless. Hut 
 while the debate as to the value of sulphur fumes has gone 
 on, we have noi been convinced that, if properly used, they 
 were useless. They must be used with moisture, hence we 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 usually make steam at the same time with the vapor; and 
 they must be made to penetrate every portion of the apart- 
 ment to be disinfected. It is easy to admit that more 
 powerful disinfectants exist, but their use is generally not 
 practicable. It may be also admitted that one living in a 
 country village can do more with air and sunshine than a 
 city dweller, because the former gets more of these natural 
 purifiers, and because he endangers fewer persons by this 
 method of disinfection than would the latter. In this par- 
 ticular disease, moreover, the fact that many escape con- 
 tagion under all circumstances is helpful to the success of 
 whatever plan of disinfection be adopted. 
 
 Patches on the Tongue. 
 
 For a year past I have noticed in regard to my little boy, who is 
 now two years of age, that the tongue is very often covered here and 
 there with small white patches. Sometimes they are red in the center 
 with a white rim. The child has always been very pale, but with that 
 exception has seemed very well and full of life, scarcely ever having 
 suffered from even a cold. He weighs 30 pounds, and his flesh is firm 
 and solid. He enjoys a good appetite, and I have always tried to be 
 careful concerning his diet. He takes cereals for breakfast at 8 A. m., 
 and nearly always calls for a second saucerful, seldom taking anything 
 else, except a cup of milk and an oaten flake cracker. Occasionally he 
 will eat the yolk of a soft-boiled egg with bread for a change, and he is 
 fond of apple sauce, but generally takes what I first mentioned. 
 
 Until within a couple of months he took a lunch of oatmeal 
 crackers and milk at eleven and his dinner at two. He has now dis- 
 pensed with the lunch and takes his dinner at one, eating a plate of 
 chicken, beef or mutton broth with rice, bread and butter and a cup of 
 milk. He varies this with cream toast, or bread and butter and a lit- 
 tle beef, mutton or chicken cut up fine, but eats very few vegetables, 
 almost none. He likes plain rice pudding, junket or custards, which 
 I occasionally give him for dessert. He takes his supper at 5.45, of a 
 couple of slices of bread crumbed in warm milk, after which he is off 
 to bed, and is a good sleeper. He never asks for anything between 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 259 
 
 meals, though I have given him an apple at times, which he has seemed 
 to enjoy. I peeled it and cut it in small pieces. It did not seem to hurt 
 him, though I thought it best to ask your advice before continuing it. 
 Can you enlighten me in regard to the patches on the tongue — the 
 cause, and what to do to overcome the trouble? 
 
 Wyncote, Pa. A. L. G. 
 
 In all probability the patches are those of common 
 sprue, although the child is rather old to have this disorder. 
 The real cause is a microscopic plant akin to the yeast plant. 
 It may be acquired from the air at any time, but some con- 
 ditions not those of perfect health, seem necessary to its 
 growth, the chief of which is acidity of the secretions of the 
 mouth from any cause. Sweet food, starchy food, the re- 
 mains of milk, etc., may ferment in the mouth and give the 
 requisite condition for the development. Prevention is best 
 secured by being careful about sweets and cleansing the 
 mouth after eating, using an alkali to secure alkalinity of 
 the mouth. Lime water will do, but a favorite one is borax, 
 which unites with slight alkalinity the disinfecting power 
 of the boric acid. A solution of borax with a little extra 
 boric acid added is very good— say, dissolve a heaped tea- 
 spoonful of powdered borax in a teacupful of water, then 
 add half a teaspoonful of boric acid and stir until the 
 whole, or as much as possible, is dissolved. First clean off 
 the spots as well as you can with a soft rag over the tip of 
 your linger. Then wash the tongue well with a rag dipped 
 
 in the solution. It is better if you add to it adessertSj nful 
 
 of glycerine. If the mouth is kept alkaline, as it naturally 
 is, the plant will hardly grow. Of course, the kinds of food 
 likely to favor the growth should be restricted during the 
 presence of the growth, that is to say, starchy or sweet 
 foods. 
 
 There seems to be nothing out of the way in the diet, if 
 the digestion is adequate, and you do not speak of anything 
 
N I 'EVER Y PR EL EMS. 
 
 to the contrary. There are few fruits which are distinctly 
 useful except when fresh, although many are admissible. 
 So of vegetables ; there are very few, we think, which are 
 really advantageous at two years of age. Yet some children 
 can bear them without evident indigestion. The parent 
 usually thinks of a dietary as containing all the things that 
 can be given without positive and immediately recognizable 
 harm; the medical adviser, on the other hand, thinks of a 
 dietary as made up of articles really desirable as food 
 and some innocent indulgences to tempt the palate. Be- 
 tween these plans a good deal of room for judgment is left, 
 and the best of this judgment lies in the application of gen- 
 eral rules to the particular case. Our own inclination is 
 always to give rather less than the digestion could carry, 
 that is, to leave a little reserve digestive power. 
 
 Various Points of Nursery Regimen. 
 
 (1) What fruits are allowable for a child from the age of two to 
 that of three years ? 
 
 (2) If necessary to wean a child at the age of three or four 
 months, would you advise using the bottle, or trying at once to feed 
 from a spoon ? 
 
 (3) At what age can a baby be taught to sleep all night, and how 
 is this best accomplished ? Is it advisable to let a baby cry long in 
 the night to attain this end ? My baby is four months old, goes to bed 
 at 6 p. M. after nursing, and wakes at 10.30, 3 and 6 a. m. to nurse 
 again. I would like to train her in the best way. She nurses at 9 and 12 
 A. M. andat 3p. m. in the day, in addition to theother times mentioned. 
 
 (4) Can a baby be taught to take her bath and then go to her crib 
 for a nap without nursing immediately after her bath ? My baby 
 cries very hard if I am ever detained so that her nursing does not 
 come just after the bath, and I should prefer to do the other way, if it 
 can be accomplished without injury to the child. 
 
 (5) "When should a mother start with regular hours for nursing, 
 bath, ride, etc., and let nothing interfere? I find it well-nigh iinpos- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 sible with my baby, as some days she will sleep one hour after her 
 bath, some two, some three, and once in a while as long as four hours. 
 I am told it is not well ever to waken a baby, or in any way disturb 
 its nap, as Nature shows that sleep is the medicine it needs. I shall 
 be very glad to be enlightened on this subject. Is it true that it ruins 
 a child's disposition to awaken it from sleep ? 
 
 (6) Should not a child's napkin be changed every time it is wet? 
 My nurse told me not to do so, but it seems to me unreasonable. 
 Philadelphia. R. T. A. 
 
 (1) Opinions differ as to details, some physicians being 
 more liberal in giving fruits than others. But the following 
 general suggestions will help you. It must be borne in 
 mind that different children are very different in their 
 ability to properly digest food; also that fruit which may be 
 quite proper for most children may be not so for a child hav- 
 ing a tendency to rheumatism, to certain skin diseases, and 
 so on. And further, that the freshness and good condition 
 of fruits is of the greatest importance if they are to be used 
 for children. So much being premised, we may say that 
 most children over two years of age may have the juice and 
 pulp of a carefuly selected and really ripe orange. It is not 
 the same thing to cover the tartness of an unripe orange 
 with sugar; it only aggravates its faults from a digestive 
 point of view. The seeds are, of course, to be very carefully 
 removed, as well as all traces of the white fibrous structure. 
 The best method of preparing an orange is to cut it cross- 
 wise (not from end to end) in the middle and carefully lift 
 out the pulp with a spoon. The orange is the only winter 
 fruit which we can recommend; the banana is decidedly ob- 
 jectionable for young children. Few children of the age of 
 two or three years should have uncooked apple. But if 
 there is a tendency to constipation, stewed and sweetened 
 apple sauce, well freed from any traces of core and fibrous 
 matter, stewed prunes (the pulp only), or the soft inside of 
 ii^s may be given in moderate quantity. In our judgment 
 
262 XI'RSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 they are desirable at that age only as laxatives, and should 
 be given as such rather than as food. 
 
 For summer fruits there is a larger choice — a large choice 
 indeed, if one can have very fresh fruit. At the head, we 
 think, should be placed the thoroughly ripe and fresh peach. 
 It is generally entirely unobjectionable and often desirable. 
 Of melons, both the watermelon and the juicy varieties of 
 muskmelon, we think we could say nearly the same were it 
 not that away from the melon patch a really good melon is a 
 rarity. But when ripe, sweet, and not in the least wilted, 
 they are, we think, excellent. The pear is not so good, being 
 accounted rather indigestible. The small stone fruits, cher- 
 ries, plums, etc., must be used circumspectly and carefully 
 prepared; and the same is true of the apricot, which gen- 
 erally has made too long a journey to be fit, uncooked, for 
 children on this coast. Of berries, we would not give at this 
 early age any but the best strawberries and should bear in 
 mind, in giving them, the frequent personal peculiarities 
 which are noticed regarding this fruit. 
 
 (2) Generally, at that age, we should use a bottle, but 
 after seven or eight months we should not. Perhaps at six 
 mouths, if a child had already learned to drink well from a 
 spoon, we might prefer it. 
 
 (3) At almost any time ; but we do not recommend it 
 until after six months, and even then it is often better to 
 nurse children at the mother's bedtime until they are con- 
 siderably older. There is a wide difference in children, but 
 while they are on the breast there is difficulty in telling 
 whether their clamor is due to habit or really to the small 
 amount of milk that is gotten from the breast. Accurate 
 weighiug of a child before and after nursing will show the 
 weight gained, which is, of course, the weight of the milk. 
 But assuming a full supply of milk, the teaching the child 
 to sleep at night is no harder before than after weaning. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 263 
 
 (4) A child can, of course, be taught not to expect its 
 meal immediately after its bath. There is no natural re- 
 lation between the two but habit. It is merely a question 
 which is the more trouble to you, to teach her or to go on as 
 you are going. 
 
 (5) There is no sense in having a rule so fixed as to over- 
 ride everything, but regularity should have begun the day 
 the baby was born. If a baby oversleeps from fatigue or 
 illness, it should not be waked up just for a rule, but only a 
 reasonable variation should be allowed. A baby that has 
 slept a proper time can be gently aud gradually wakened 
 without startling it. To awaken a child suddenly is, of 
 course, stupid and harmful, as any other fright would be ; 
 but any quiet person can usually awake a child gently by 
 increasing the light, by moving around the room, by quiet 
 talking, etc., so that the nap comes naturally to an end after 
 a few minutes. Exceptions occur, of course, but the rule 
 stands. 
 
 (6) Of course, every time it is wet ; the napkin must not 
 be left to dry on the child. But it is not usually necessary 
 that it be done the moment it is wet. The child need not be 
 disturbed in its sleep, for instance, if it be well covered, ex- 
 cept in cases of such skin diseases as will not allow of a 
 damp cloth being left for any time. 
 
 Early Use of the Nursery Chair. 
 
 Will you please tell me what you consider the best method of 
 breaking babies of the habit of soiling their napkins, and at what age 
 we should begin to teach them ? 
 
 Tsing Kiung, China. S. G. 
 
 The only way that we know of is this: They are must 
 likely to pass water a short time after a meal and again after 
 an interval. If very soon after a meal a vessel is placed at 
 
264 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 the child's seat while it lies on the attendant's lap, it soon 
 learns to wet at that time. Of course, it may often wet in 
 the interval, and you may have many failures, but ulti- 
 mately the child learns. If the vessel is also presented a 
 little before the time that the child usually empties its 
 bowels, and the evacuation is solicited by applying a little 
 vaseline to the anus (if the simple presence of the vessel be 
 not enough), the desired cleanliness can usually be soon at- 
 tained. 
 
 The teaching may begin early. Children of three 
 months are quite teachable, it being understood that success 
 comes gradually. 
 
 Loss of Appetite; Imperfect Nutrition. 
 
 My baby-girl is nearly eleven months old ; she weighs twenty-two 
 pounds and was doing nicely until lately, when she seems to have lost 
 all her appetite, taking hardly a bottleful through the day. I feed 
 her on milk and Mellin's Food. "What had I best do ? She has but 
 two teeth, her hands have always been cold and clammy, yet she is 
 said by all to be a healthy-looking child. 
 
 Worcester, Mass. D. S. P. 
 
 The little girl has one evidence of good health — namely, 
 fair weight. On the other hand, if a child of eleven months 
 has but two teeth there is reason to think that in some way 
 its nutrition is defective. In this case, moreover, the hands 
 have been cold and clammy, which may be taken as an evi- 
 dence of an imperfect circulation. At the moment of our 
 correspondent's writing the appetite had failed. There are 
 many points which are not stated, but we may give " D. S. 
 P." a few hints regarding things to be looked after in her 
 baby's case. The slow coming of teeth — in this instance not 
 so very slow— is usually suggestive of that form of malnu- 
 trition called rickets. 
 
 The loss of appetite in a small child will ordinarily be 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 better overcome by the removal of the cause than by the ad- 
 ministration of tonics. The mother should, therefore, look 
 to the condition of the digestive apparatus as well as she is 
 able. She should notice if Baby's tongue is clean or furred; 
 whether the movements are natural as to color, consistency, 
 and smell, or whether they are too dark or too ligbt-colored 
 and chalky, constipated, or too liquid, offensive in smell, or 
 too sour. Even if she is unable to correct the abnormal con- 
 dition, it will enable her to give to the physician, when 
 called, so clear an account of the state of affairs that he can 
 prescribe with much greater certainty arid effect. The 
 mother may, however, do something by herself. If there be 
 constipation with the furred tongue, the familiar remedy of 
 the spiced syrup of rhubarb with the bicarbonate of soda in 
 proper dose will be pretty certain to relieve, at least for the 
 time. If the movements are white and chalky, no remedy 
 that can be prudently used without medical advice will be 
 found more beneficial than the phosphate of soda; a small 
 pinch of the powdered phosphate may be dissolved in a bot- 
 tle of milk, once, twice, or thrice a day ; it is not objected 
 to, as it resembles common salt in taste. If the stools are 
 sour, the use of an alkali — lime-water if they are loose, bi- 
 carbonate of soda if they are constipated — may be of assist- 
 ance. Better than all dosing, however, for correcting a dis- 
 ordered digestion usually is the change of food — bottle-fed 
 children are here alone considered — and our preference is to 
 give good sweet milk, diluted with water, or barley-water, in 
 place <>!' any prepared or starchy food. By means of this 
 change and the use of the simple remedies mentioned, much 
 can lie done to improve the condition of a baby's diges- 
 tion ; still, it seems to us the part of wisdom not to carry 
 domestic practice very far if good medical advice can be ob- 
 tained, but rather to procure explicit directions suited to the 
 particular case, and exactly to follow them. 
 
X URSER Y PR OBLE MS. 
 
 A word about the cold hands. By themselves they are 
 not important ; they are only to be considered as indicating 
 something beyond. The commonest causes in little children 
 are poor nutrition, feeble circulation, or undue perspiration. 
 The cure must lie in the improvement of the nutrition and 
 tone, but some help may come from the addition of salt to 
 the daily bath and the sponging of the parts, rather than 
 their immersion in water. 
 
 Colic and Patent Medicines. 
 
 (1) Will you kindly tell me why a two-months nursing baby in 
 very good health should have colic? Which is best to use for it, asa- 
 foutida or medicines containing paregoric? 
 
 (2) Is it ever right to use soothing syrups even when a doctor pre- 
 scribes them ? What is soothing syrup ? 
 
 (3) When Baby's bowels are not naturally moved and she is 
 constipated, will it do to give an injection every other day, or should 
 it be done oftener ? Might not harm come from a more frequent use 
 of the injection, and would it be better to use medicine ? 
 
 Cliambersburg, Pa. W. C. M. 
 
 (1) We cannot tell why your particular baby has it, un- 
 less it be from constipation and the collection of flatus in its 
 bow els. Of course, the existence of colic is fair evidence of 
 indigestion. But why young babies at the breast have colic 
 (and the probable indigestion) is often not easy to say. In 
 many cases, doubtless, an analysis of the breast milk, or a 
 critical inquiry into the details of the baby's hygiene, would 
 give a reason. But as cases are crudely presented to the 
 practitioner many children are simply reported as "colicky 
 babies." Even in these the tendency to colic usually 
 diminishes or disappears after they are three months of age, 
 which is itself another evidence that the trouble was due to 
 an indigestion, disappearing with increased digestive power. 
 
MISCELLAXEUOS. 
 
 Of course, when the child is artificially fed, colic is easily 
 explained. Asafoetida is better for domestic use. It is safer 
 than paregoric, although the latter has but a small propor- 
 tion of opium, having been devised especially for use when 
 small doses of opium are called for. It has the further ad- 
 vantage of being slightly laxative, while paregoric is di- 
 stinctly constipating, the opium and camphor being both 
 active in producing this result. 
 
 (2) We cannot deny the right of a physician to use any 
 remedy for which he will make himself responsible ; there- 
 fore we cannot say that you should not use a remedy which 
 he orders. But he should give you (in writing, to prevent 
 misunderstanding) explicit directions as to the size of the 
 dose and the intervals between its repetition. The composi- 
 tion of these remedies is supposed to be secret. For our- 
 selves we cannot use a mixture of which we do not know 
 the composition until we have failed with the drugs which 
 we know about. 
 
 (3) We prefer the daily use. We think the constipation 
 more likely to do harm than the enema. A glycerine sup- 
 pository might be better still. 
 
 Nursing Bottles. 
 
 Can you advise me which is the best nursing bottle for an infant 
 to use '.' I have tried a lot of them — some with rubber tubes and 
 others with the nipple right on the neck of the bottle — but still Baby 
 sucks in so much air with them, and I find them all exceedingly diffi- 
 cult to keep reasonably clean. Is there no bottle which would over- 
 come these difficulties? 
 
 Crii/liin, Pa. A. S. G. 
 
 Never use one with a tube; use plain, well-fitting nip- 
 ples, with very small holes, [f possible, gel them without 
 holes Miid puncture them with a fine needle. Such a nipple 
 
268 NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 stretched over the neck of the bottle will not allow any air 
 to be sucked from the bottle, if the latter is so held that the 
 bottom is uppermost and the neck always full of milk. No 
 air can then come in contact with the nipples. Some per- 
 sons carelessly hold a bottle so that one side of the neck 
 only is filled with milk, the other with air. If that be done, 
 no bottle is free from the objection you raise. Of course, the 
 infant should never be left alone with its bottle. It should 
 be held all the time. The difficulty in cleaning bottles is a 
 real one, but care will overcome it. The nipples should be 
 put to soak in an alkaline solution, and the bottles filled with 
 the same. Soda, saleratus, and the like are good. The sub- 
 stance sold under the name of Pearline has been found to 
 he particularly useful for this purpose. It is, of course, to be 
 dissolved in water. 
 
 It may be added that the swallowing of air is sometimes 
 not due to faulty bottles, as some children do not properly 
 close their mouths in sucking and will swallow air even if 
 on the breast. 
 
 The Kindergarten at Home. 
 
 Are there any books that will tell me how to give my children a 
 little kindergarten training? There is no kindergarten in our country 
 neighborhood, and there are not enough little children to encourage a 
 teacher to open one. I can't leave my two-months-old baby long 
 enough to go to New York and spend a morning in one of the training- 
 schools there, but I feel every day more and more the need of teaching 
 my four-year-old boy and two-year-old girl the use of hands and eyes. 
 I have no nurse, and only one raw girl for general house- work, so that 
 my time for teaching is both short and broken. However, perhaps I 
 can find an hour a day in fragments. I have read somewhere that no 
 one can understand Froebel's ideas without a long apprenticeship ; but 
 half a loaf, or even a very small slice of a loaf, is better than no bread 
 at all for the two children. If you will tell me what I need, and 
 where to send for it, you will oblige 
 
 A. H. K. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 The Kindergarten Association of New York some time 
 ago sent a circular to kindergartners all over the country, 
 asking what was the best song and game book in use, and 
 what songs and games were best liked. " Merry Songs and 
 Games," by Mrs. Clara Beeson Hubbard, of St. Louis, was 
 the book generally preferred, although several others were 
 mentioned. Of course with only two children you cannot 
 play all the games ; but there are enough in which two chil- 
 dren can join to make the book worth buying. If you send 
 for Edward Wiebe's "Paradise of Childhood " you will find 
 directions for all kinds of kindergarten work. It is not a 
 new book, but it has full directions for kindergarten occupa- 
 tions and plates which will help you in teaching them. 
 Everything is explained minutely in this book, and if you 
 read it carefully you will have a clear idea of Froebel's theory 
 and practice. The first and second gifts — a series of colored 
 worsted balls, and a sphere, a cube, and a cylinder of wood 
 — need no plates. The third, however — a box of cubic 
 blocks — is fully explained by illustrations, which teach how 
 to build representations of many objects. The children first 
 see the small blocks placed together in the form of a cube, 
 and are then taught to put them in various positions, each 
 one leading to the next by a slight change. The lesson of 
 destroying nothing, but producing one form from another, 
 is taught by the blocks. The same principle is carried out in 
 the fourth, iifth and sixth gifts, of oblong blocks of different 
 sizes, which serve also to illustrate division into equai parts. 
 The seventh gift introduces the child to a new form, the 
 triangle, in a box of four-cornered and three-cornered tablets; 
 and the text suggests many forms, such as bridges, houses, 
 etc., which the child may build. The eighth gifl is a bundle 
 of flat sticks, with which figures may lie laid; the ninth, a 
 box of rings, introducing the curved line, which the child 
 has heretofore been obliged to represent by several angles. 
 
NURSERY PROBLEMS. 
 
 The tenth is a slate, ruled with a network of lines to help 
 him in drawing. The eleventh and twelfth gifts are per- 
 forated paper, a needle for pricking figures, and another one 
 with silk or worsted. The thirteenth gift is paper for cut- 
 ting and a pair of blunt scissors. The fourteenth is paper 
 for weaving; the fifteenth and sixteenth are wooden slats 
 for interlacing; the seventeenth is paper for intertwining; 
 the eighteenth, paper for folding and teaching geometric 
 forms; the nineteenth, peas or wires; and the twentieth, 
 clay for modelling. Mr. Kraus and Mrs. Kraus-Boelte pub- 
 lish a "Kindergarten Guide," which many persons prefer to 
 Wiebe's. It is of more recent date than the " Paradise of 
 Childhood." 
 
 It is easier to order the materials than to try to have 
 paper cut or blocks made by a person who does not under- 
 stand the principles of the kindergarten. For example, the 
 papers for folding should be exactly square and the edges 
 perfectly true. You ought to have a little table for the chil- 
 dren, divided by black lines into exact inch squares. You 
 need not buy all the gifts at once. Begin with the balls and 
 blocks, and use them for a few months. Then try the other 
 gifts, one at a time, in order. The " Kindergarten Guide," 
 by Miss Peabody and Mrs. Horace Mann, was the first book 
 on the subject published in this country; and although it 
 was written after a slight and imperfect acquaintance with 
 Froebel's ideas, it is of great use to a mother or a teacher. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Abdominal fat, 227. 
 
 Alcoholic stimulants in fevers, 254. 
 
 Ambidexterity, 235 
 
 Appetite, lack of, 6. 
 
 Apples, 59, 69, 261. 
 
 Bananas, 69. 
 
 Band, infant's, 201, 203. 
 
 Barley, composition of, 45. 
 
 Barley gruel, 501. 
 
 Barley water, 49. 
 
 Bath — temperature, 187,188; re- 
 action produced by a bath, 187, 
 189, 190 ; dread of the bath-tub, 
 189 ; soap, 192. 
 
 Beets, 70. 
 
 Bicarbonate of soda, 103. 
 
 Birthmarks, 151, 153. 
 
 Black-heads, 123. 
 
 Bone-producing food, 57. 
 
 Bottle habit, breaking of the, 12. 
 
 Bow-legs, 145. 
 
 Bread, new, 51. 
 
 Bread crusts, 17. 
 
 Broth, 53, 55. 
 
 Butter, 55, 57. 
 
 Cabbage, 70. 
 Cake, 20. 
 
 Carrots ami parsnips, To. 
 Celery, 70. 
 Cereals, 1 1. 45. 
 
 Chair, sitting up in the, 181. 
 
 Chicken-bone, 54. 
 
 Cocoa, 59. 
 
 Colds — taking cold easily, 111 ; 
 cold in the head, 113 ; starving 
 a cold, 114; nasal catarrh of three 
 months' standing, 115; cold feet, 
 127. 
 
 Colic, 129-131, 266. 
 
 Condensed milk, 24, 25. 
 
 Constipation, 100-104. 
 
 Cookies, 51. 
 
 Corns, 176. 
 
 Cream foods, 110. 
 
 Cross-eyes, 162. 
 
 Croup, false, 253. 
 
 Crying — significance of Baby's 
 cry, 193; inordinate crying, 194; 
 crying and sedatives, 195. 
 
 Deaf-mutism, 148. 
 
 Diapers, 180, 204. 
 
 Diet — weight and food at fourteen 
 months, 42; change from a pure- 
 ly milk diet, 42 ; changing from 
 Lacto-Preparala to cow's milk, 
 43 ; cereals, 44, 46 ; balls from 
 Q-raham Hour. 45; Graham flour 
 and bread, 46; oatmeal, 46-48; 
 diet of a delicate two-year-old 
 child, 48 ; barley-water, 49; bar- 
 
272 
 
 INDEX 
 
 ley and oatmeal gruel, 50; water 
 for the baby, 50, 51; harm fulness 
 of new bread and cookies, 51; a 
 varied bill of fare, 52; broth, 53; 
 meat-sucking, 53 ; a chicken- 
 bone, 54; mutton-broth in addi- 
 tion to the bottle, 55 ; butter and 
 eggs, 55 ; potatoes, 57 ; tomatoes 
 at three years, 58 ; fruit for a 
 child of two years, 58; cocoa, 59; 
 honey and molasses, 60; pop- 
 corn, 60 ; fruit and milk, 61 ; a 
 bill of fare for a two-year-old, 
 62; strawberries at four years, 63; 
 ripe water-melon, 64; rigs at thir- 
 ty mouths, 64 ; oranges for in- 
 fants, 65; ice cream, 66; a salt 
 embezzler of three summers, 67 ; 
 summer problems, 68 ; bananas, 
 apples and oranges, 69; the abuse 
 of sugar, 70 ; vegetables, 70 ; an 
 ideal diet at eighteen months, 
 248 ; evils of mixed feeding, 255. 
 
 Disobedient children, puuishmeut 
 of, 238. 
 
 Drooling, 86. 
 
 Drowsiness following a bump on 
 the head, 237. 
 
 Drying up the mother's milk, 225. 
 
 Ears — ear-ache, 166; internal ear 
 disease, 167 ; partial deafness, 
 168 ; prominent ears, 169 ; large 
 ears, 170 ; tampering with the 
 shape of the ears, 171. 
 
 Eating between meals, 16. 
 
 Eczema, 120. 
 
 Eggs, 55-57. 
 
 Eruptions — characteristics of mild 
 aud of serious eruptions, 119. 
 
 Eyes — test for cross-eyes, 162; anx- 
 iety about brilliant eyes, 163 ; 
 pupils of different sizes, 163 ; 
 styes, 164; clipping the eye- 
 lashes, 165. 
 
 Feeding — Dr. Page's method, 10 ; 
 number of meals for an infant 
 10; at night after weaning, 15; 
 feeding a premature child, 20. 
 
 Feet — confining the feet, 176 ; in- 
 cipient corns, 176 ; distorted feet, 
 177 ; ingrowing nails, 178. 
 
 Fever, intermittent, 244. 
 
 Figs, 64. 
 
 Filters, 94. 
 
 Fir pillow, 78. 
 
 Flesh-forming food, 53. 
 
 Floor, an unsafe place for Baby, 
 182. 
 
 Freckles, 149. 
 
 Fruit, 261. 
 
 Fruit and milk, 61. 
 
 Garters, 211. 
 
 Gas stove in the nursery, 92. 
 Gertrude Suit, 203. 
 Gritting the teeth, 135. 
 Growth, slow, 7. 
 
 Hair — thin hair, 172; washing the 
 scalp, 173 ; use of soap on the 
 head, 173 ; tampering with the 
 color of the hair, 174 ; concern- 
 ing bangs, 174 ; question of the 
 unhealthfulness of long hair, 
 175. 
 
 Hair falling outafter confinement, 
 228. 
 
 Hard-reared baby, 229. 
 
 Heat- rash, 121. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Hiccough, 132-134. 
 
 Hives, 124. 
 
 Honey, 60. 
 
 Hunger at night, 9. 
 
 Hygiene and sanitation, 91-99. 
 
 Ice cream, 66. 
 Indigestion, 105-110. 
 
 Kerosene in connection with diph- 
 theria, 95. 
 Kindergarten at home, 268. 
 
 Lime-water, 25. 
 
 Magnesia, 103. 
 
 Maize, composition of, 45. 
 
 Malnutrition, 11, 264. 
 
 Meat sucking, 53. 
 
 Medical terms, popular miscon- 
 ception of, 233. 
 
 Melons, 64, 262. 
 
 Middle child, 247. 
 
 Milk — diluted with barley water, 
 17; pure versus diluted, 23; con- 
 densed, 24, 25 ; peptonized, 25 ; 
 one cow's milk versus herd's 
 milk, 27; top milk, 27; scum, 28; 
 sour milk, 28 ; sterilizing, 29-31; 
 dislike for milk, 39. 
 
 Milk, How of the first days after 
 delivery, 231. 
 
 Molasses, (in. 
 
 Movements of bowels, Dumber of, 
 a day, 234. 
 
 Mutton broth, 55. 
 
 Nails, ingrowing, 179, 
 
 Night-caps, 306. 
 
 Night coverings, '-'"."i, '-'of., 207. 
 
 Night-terror, i i:;. 
 
 Niis. — bleeding, 134 ; itching, 135. 
 
 Nursery chair, early use of, 263. 
 Nursing, prolonged, 40. 
 Nursing and bottle feeding, 22. 
 Nursing bottles, 267. 
 Nursing mother, diet of, 224. 
 Nursing sore mouth, 226. 
 Nuts, 68. 
 
 Oatmeal, 46-48. 
 Oatmeal- water, 23. 
 Oats, composition of, 45. 
 Oranges, 59, 65, 69, 261. 
 
 Paper money from a sick-room, 96. 
 Peaches, 262. 
 Peptonized milk, 25. 
 Perspiration, excessive, 236. 
 Perspiring feet, 246. 
 Pillows, 83. 
 
 Plants in the bed-room, 93. 
 Pop-corn, 60. 
 Potatoes, 57. 
 Powder, 99. 
 
 Premature child — allowance to be 
 made in feeding, 21. 
 
 E,ailroad-trip, diet during a, 216. 
 Red gum, 122. 
 Rice, composition of, 45. 
 Rickets, late teething one of the 
 
 signs of, 84. 
 Ringworm, 153. 
 Mocking the baby, 180. 
 Roof as a play ground, 184. 
 Bound shoulders, 144. 
 Rubber diapers, 202. 
 Rye, composition of, 45, 
 
 Sage-tea, 68. 
 
 Salt, 67. 
 
 Scum on milk, 28. 
 
274 
 
 Sea-voyage, preparations for a, 
 214. 
 
 Second attacks of disease, 97. 
 
 Second summer, 98. 
 
 Shirts, 202 
 
 Sleep — hours of the baby's naps, 
 72 ; position for sleep, 73; crying 
 to go to sleep, 73; short intervals 
 of sleep, 74 ; wakefulness, 75 ; 
 causes of restlessness at night, 
 77 ; the hammock as a sleep-in- 
 ducer, 78; putting a baby to sleep 
 with the rubber nipple, 79 ; with 
 sugar-rags, 79 ; experimenting 
 with anodynes, 80; sleeping with 
 arms up, 80 ; jumping in sleep, 
 82; 
 
 Solid food, change to, 13. 
 
 Sore mouth, 128. 
 
 Sterilizing milk, 29, 30, 31, 256, 
 
 Stockings, 209. 
 
 Stocking supporters, 210. 
 
 Strawberries, 63. 
 
 Stumbling, a confirmed habit of, 
 146. 
 
 Styes, 164. 
 
 Sucking wind, 21. 
 
 Suckling power, promotion of, 218. 
 
 Sugar, abuse of, 70. 
 
 Summer dress, 206. 
 
 Summer problems, 68. 
 
 Suppositories, 100-102, 104. 
 
 Teeth — care of, 155; effect of feed- 
 ing upon, 156 ; use of the tooth- 
 brush, 156 ; decaying teeth, 156 ; 
 discoloration of, 157 ; loss of a 
 first front tooth, 160; removing 
 redundant teeth, 161. 
 
 Teething — teething pains, 73, 87 ; 
 late teething, 84 ; arrested erup- 
 
 tion of teeth, 85 ; drooling, 86 ; 
 
 effect of the mother's diet upon 
 
 the child's teething, 255. 
 Temperature of the nursery and 
 
 the bedroom, 92. 
 Thumb-sucking, 232. 
 Toe, depressed, 211. 
 Tomatoes, 58, 70. 
 Tongue, patches on the, 258. 
 Tonsils, swollen, 137. 
 Top milk, 27. 
 
 Umbiiical growth, 144. 
 
 Vegetables, 70. 
 Vomiting, 14, 17-20. 
 
 Walking — turning-in of the toes, 
 197 ; weak limbs, 199 ; a baby 
 who neither walks nor creeps at 
 twenty-one months, 199. 
 
 Warts, 151. 
 
 Water for babies, 51. 
 
 Water on the stove, 93. 
 
 Weaning — age for weaning, 32 ; 
 first food, 32, 34; dropping the 
 night meal, 34 ; preparing for 
 weaning-time, 34 ; systematic 
 weaning, 36 ; partial weaning at 
 ten months, 38 ; dislike for milk, 
 39 ; refusing to take food, 41. 
 
 Weight — after weaning, 8; at four- 
 teen months, 42 ; normal gain 
 per week, 237 ; 
 
 Wet-nurse, selection of a, 239. 
 
 Whapper-jaw, 148. 
 
 Whooping-cough — contagion of, 
 117; severity of, in relation to 
 age, 118. 
 
 Winter dress, 207, 208. 
 
 Worms, 140-142. 
 

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