780 PLAIN FACTS 



ency to constipation, they should he thoroughly kneaded 

 several times a day, especially while the child is taking 

 its morning bath. The cold compress worn about the 

 bowels is also advantageous. Giving the child one 

 or two teaspoonfuls of cold water half an hour be- 

 fore nursing is also helpful. Care should be taken 

 that the bowels and bladder move properly. 



Clothing, — The legs, arms, and neck, as well as 

 the trunk, should be thoroughly clad with a soft flannel 

 gown, in addition to which a woolen bandage should 

 be placed about the trunk. Care should be taken in 

 placing the binder, not to draw it too tight, as this is 

 one of the most common causes of prolapsus of the 

 rectum, a not infrequent condition in young children. 

 The child should not be clothed too warmly, as debili- 

 tating perspirations may be induced. The tempera- 

 ture of the room should be kept at about 68° or 70°, 

 and a proper degree of moisture should be supplied 

 by keeping a vessel of water upon the stove, or keeping 

 the water-pan of the furnace supplied with water. Too 

 much clothing should not be worn upon the head nor 

 about the neck, as these parts are thereby rendered 

 unnaturally sensitive and more liable to cold. 



Bathing.— The daily bath is of great advantage 

 to children, and is soon much enjoyed by them. As a 

 general rule, there is no danger that the child will be 

 weakened in the slightest degree by taking a tepid 

 bath every morning before- its breakfast. The temper- 

 ature of the water employed should first be about that 

 of the body, but it should be gradually lowered, so that 

 after a few weeks it will not be over 80° to 90°. Many 

 physicians recommend a still lower temperature. It 

 may be said that the cooler the water employed the 

 more thorough is the protection against taking cold. 



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