. 
2 
J 

it 
yarious lung, skin, and infectious diseases are frequently spread 
by bedclothes. 
Clothing for Babies.—A little dusting powder is required next 
the skin. A flannel binder round the abdomen should be worn. 
It must never be bound tightly, but ought to be merely wrapped 
gently round the waist. A shirt of fine lawn may be worn and 
then a good flannel gown over all. Should any further clothing 
be required, a good worsted or flannel shawl forms one of the 
best garments. An infant’s clothing must not be tight any- 
where. Serious mistakes are continually made by having tight 
sleeves and tight strings round the neck and waist. 
Young children are more liable to damage from deficient 
clothing than adults. There are two great reasons for this, first, 
children have a relatively larger surface to be chilled ; second, 
inefficient clothing necessitates using up of food to produce 
warmth instead of promoting growth and development. The 
full growth and development of body and, to a less degree, of 
mind, are checked by deficient clothing. In after-life this check 
may never be made up. It is equally bad to put excess 
of clothing on a child. In this case development of heat- 
regulating power is weakened and child becomes liable to 
chills, etc. The over-swaddled child cannot take proper 
exercise, and this checks development. Contrary to many 
authorities the author believes in training young children to do 
without stockings and boots or shoes. Short trousers coming 
nearly down to the ankles and sandals are far better clothing for 
young children. 
