Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-07-08
FARMANDH HOUSEHOLD.
TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE
FARMER AND HOUSEWIFE.
To Mothers.

Itis estimated that out of every 10000
infants born in our large cities $4,000
die before they see their first birthday.
Out of 1000 0 yearly births $4,000 die
under the age Of 5 years, hence $4,000
die before reaching their fifth birthday.
If it is worth while going to the trouble
of having babies it certainly should be
worth while trying TO keep them a little
longer. A french commission, composed
of NM. Moutard. Martin, Bergeron, Par
rot, Blachez and Dugardin- Beaumetz,
has prepared the following instructions
to mothers and nurses with this end in
view, and the code has been published
by the department Of public charities OF
Paris:
1. Till the appearance of the first teeth
i. C., between the sixth and seventh
mon,hs-thc only food of the infant
should be milk, that of the mother pre-
ferably, il she be in good condition, 9th
ci"i9c tunt Vi u Wtthuloc. ~ 10 'CIy
dangerous to give an infant solid food Of
any kind during the first months OF its
life.
2. The child should he offered the
breast about once in two hours. and less
often in the night,
.. In the event of inability to provide
woman's milk the milk of the cow or
goat may be substituted. This milk should
be given warm, diluted with one.fourth
part water, and slightly sweetcncd. At
the beginning of the fifth month the milk
may be taken pure. All other liquids
employed to dilute the milk thin cruel,
bread water, barley water) are injurious.
4. In feeding the infant, glass nursing
bottles should be employed. These, es-
pecially the tubing and the mouth piece,
should be thoroughly clcansed every
time they are used. Never allow nurses
to resort to those sugar teats' with
which some mothers seek to appease the
cries of the infant, and which are sure to
produce canker and disorder the diges.
ton.
.. 1t is not till the sixth or seventh
month that one should begin to allow
farinaceous substances with milk, such as
bread, baked -four, rice, arrowroot, mealy
potatoes; these supplementary foods
should always form a considerable part
OF the infants dietary toward the end Of
the first year to accustom the child to
weaving. Weaving ought not to be
thought of till the first twelve or sixteen
teeth have pierced the gums, while the
infant is IN a good state of health, and
during, the lull which follows an eruption
of teeth.
6. Every morning the toilet of the
little one should be made before sucking
or feeding; this toilet consists: First, in
washing the child's body, and especially
the folds and creases, which ought al
ways to be kept clean; second, in scrub.
bling the head, on which it will not do to
let scurf or dandruff accumulate; third,
in changing lat lea,t every second day
the child's underclothing; fourth, in Civ.
ing a warm bath, in which the infant
should be held five or six minutes. The
belly-band ought to be kept on during
the first month.
z. Swaddling clothes, which cause
compression OF the body, should be inter.
dicted. The more freedom the young
child has in its movements the more TO
bust 1t becomes and the better its devel
opment. All swathing which cucumber,
the neck and head should also be discard
ed.
8. The infant should be protected
against the injurious effects of excess O
cold and heat, whether outdoors or il
the house; within doors, the air should
be renewed several times a day.
Q. 1t is not safe to carry the babe int
the open air before the fifteenth day un
less the temperature Is very mild.
10. The child ought not to be allowed
TO sleep In the same bed with Its mother
or nurse.
II. The bed of the infant should be
composed of oaten straw, soft thatch, OF
husks; the cradle should have curtains
during the first months Of infancy, and
especially during the cold season, 10
avoid currents of air, but these curtains
should never be completely closed. The
babe ought not to be rocked.
10. There should not be undue haste in
teaching the infant 10 walk; 1t should be
allowed to creep on the floor and help 1t.
self up; walking carts and baskets should
be discountenanced.
10. The least indisposition on the part
Of the infant (colic, diarrhea, vomiting,
cough) should be at nce attended to.
IA. As CESSATION has the effect Of rem
dering the milk less nutritious, every
nursing woman SHOULD cease to suckle
her infant at such time.
Is. 1t is q good plan to Saccinate in.
fants during the first three months after
birth or during the first few weeks If an
epidemic Of small. pox is prevailing.