Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-07-20
THE BABY.
nov IO TAKE CARE or HIN TINS
NOT VEATHER.
From tie Ne,o York Tribune

From Me Ne,o York Tribune
In July and August the baby becomes or ought
10 become point OF public interest. Ii grown
men ana women suffer from bad ventilation mn
cieaniiness or indigestion, they have themselves
10 u. oiatne. But when the poor baby is the victim
II Is matter oil deliberate cruelty. Simmer af
Ter summer teething ch 'ldren fall in hecatombs.
sacr''ced TO the ignorance or careiessness OF the
parents, This year, however, at last, instructions
nave been published by the boards of health IN
some neighboring cities by which the most nmed-
heated mother may understand how to protect
her child from danger as lar as possible durini,
The season OF heat and foul air. The directions
are baseu upon plain principles of common sense
which We would supi ose would be patent to any
pouy Oh ordinary Intelligence, bat which are un :
fortunately the facts Soonest ignored and neglect
ed. Irish or Gesuaau mothess. like Naappau of
oia' are usually willing to try any cure which
any prophet may recommend, the more miracu-
isis aud dlftieut the better; but as for a steady
washing OF themselves or their children in the
waters OF Jordou or Croton to make them whole.
they are apt, like the Syrian, to sniif contemplu.
ous'y at the idea, and so faithfully on their way
through dirt to death.
Washing, however, might be called the busis Of
oaoy salvation, through teethng; a thorough
sousing oil the little body in plenty of cold water
every morning, and when the weather is extreme.
y hot, tcpid sponge bath at nght washing.
TOO, constantly OF all clothes aud cloths used Ly
the infant, to afford it perfectly clean garments Al
al times. Whatever milk be given should be
thoroughly sweet and cool Infants under two
years should be restricted in their diet TO milk,
Oatmeal mush, or gruel carefully prepared and
oeei bToth or minced raw beef in small Quanti-
Ties. lhere Is a populsr prejudice among uned-
acated women against the neanuess of refusing
ioou TO Their children which they themselves
eat 10 which Is owing one-hall the deaths that
occur among that class of infants. The swarns
OF saiIow, wizened faced babies which we see al
tue doors OF tenement houses are fed on morsels
OF pork, vegetables, unraised bread and occa-
sioHai sips of tea or lager beer, which may fall
10 thtr mothers lucky lot. 1t is not heat, or
maiarla, or teething, against which the doctors
have 10 contend SO much as the obstinate iguo-
rance OF thc parents. Fresh cir is, of course. n
tonic end cure superior to any medicine every
hour passed by the child rnder the trees in the
squares, or on the river, gives it a new chance
lor life. No anodynes or soothing syrups should
De gwen except under medical Direction
so far the doctors. There ore other rules as
practical in effect, but which only affection eau
suggest. One is the laying aside for the brief
not season tue rikor oil parente discipline. Many
Well meaning women feel IL to be their duty 10
teach their children implicit obedience at the
earliest age, aud TO punish any illtemper or pee
Vlshness Now, an infant never cries except
when hungry, hurt or sick the cutting of the
Teeth frequently effects the brain and produces
nervous irrltability which relieves itself by pee
wish complaints or crying.
10 whip q child for such conduct is sheer cru.
ely, and simply increases what is au actusl dis
ease Through these perilous two months the
helpless little creatures not only require the
skiiiiul care Of u wise mother, but the broodiug
love OF the most tender one. II they do not fret
ana cry against the discomforts and pains Of a
world INTO which they came without choice, and
which shows them just now is toughest side -
what wonder.