URDLicKA] PHYSIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL OBSERVATIONS 81 



before the family goes to sleep. At night it is kept in the cradle, 

 mothers believing that their infants remain more quiet in this way 

 and are thus less likely to disturb them. It was observed during the 

 examination of the pulse that as soon as unlaced the infant would 

 generally awake and become restless. 



The time gradually to dispense with the cradle begins when the 

 child is sufficiently old to sit. By this time he usually has a second, 

 larger cradle board. The board is wholly discarded when the child 

 walks. In one observed instance a boy, the fh-st child of the family, 

 13 months old, was still kept part of the time on the cradle board. 



The confinement of the child in the cradle board or swing varies 

 with tribes and families. In cases in which the cradle board is used, 

 the child is usually kept strapped in it day and night, being freed for a 

 while only when it is to be cleaned. When the child is old enough 

 to begin to sit, the intervals spent outside the cradle during the day 

 are longer. The time of complete abandonment of the cradle board 

 is regulated in no way, and usually coincides with the period at which 

 the child learns to walk. Wliere nets and other swings are used, the 

 child has more freedom. 



Besides the attentions connected with the cradle board, nursing, 

 and feeding, the growing infant receives but little care. It is washed 

 infrequently, except in some of the more civilized families. On jour- 

 neys it is carried in its cradle board or in a blanket on the back of 

 the mother. At the proper time the babe is encouraged to sit, and 

 later on to walk. Though not less loved, it is generally played with 

 and especially talked to somewhat less than among the whites. As 

 it grows it is left largely to the attention of the older children. 



Tribal details. — Among most of the Apache, Maricopa, Mohave, and 

 Yinna the cradle board consists of a reed frame, to which are fast- 

 ened numerous flat crosspieces of light wood and a hood. The base 

 is covered with a specially made mat of soft cedar bark, overlaid 

 with cloth, or with several layers of old calico, some cotton wad- 

 ding, or only a layer of excelsior. Under the head is placed an 

 additional fold of calico or a special pad, and a similar pad may be 

 used under the shoulders to keep the child's body straight. The 

 infant is covered with two or three layers of calico or cotton cloth, 

 and over these are folded the cradle flaps, laced or bound together. 

 The bow is covered on the back with a larger piece of cotton cloth 

 to protect the head of the child from wind and dust; from the fore 

 part of it are suspended rattles or other playthings to amuse the 

 infant, and perhaps an amulet to protect it. 



Occipital flattening in various degrees is very common among 

 Apache children, much more so than among the adults. The cause 

 of this is not apparent, though it must result from some change of 



3452— Bull. 34—08 6 



