The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-09-08
DUTY OF MOTHERS.

rectly upon The system of the child, and
which gradually undermine it's health,
are largely to be attributed to ignorance
and Encouragement, in the first place by
the monthly nurse, and secondly, by the
mother who subsequently assumes the
charge.
We do not dispute the fact that the or
binary contagious and some other una
voidable diseases to which infantile life
is liable, are productive of a certain
amount Of mortality, but this is but
small proportion to that produced by the
causes Just mentioned.
Experience in the past and observa-
ton of the present time afford the most
uDdeniable proof that but few families,
(the wealthier class by no means ex-
cepted), act on the principles end laws
Of health either toward themselves or
children. In a few families the services
of physician are seldom required,
whilst in others he is scarcely absent
a week; and yet observation for many
years does not prove that the children of
the two families have not equally healthy
constitutions, but the real secret of the
difference is traceable to the different
kinds OF domestic treatmt mt pursued in
each. How often have we seen delit ate
and sickly children become healthy and
vigorous under judicious care, whilst
others, born strong and healthy, have
withered. pinned and died simply from
bad management. These in stances prove
ccnclusively to the observent mind that
health is not matter of chance, but the
natural reward, result and offspring of
intelligent prudence and perse vering
care.
The irritation produced by sympathy
in teething, and the various diseases re.
resulting therefrom, should be fully un-
derstood by the mother, so that by the
adoption of proper mode of management
in accordance with this condition, their
dangers may be diminished.
Teething and errors in diet are un-
doubtedIy the principal sources of de-
rBngement of the digestive organs and
bowels in the young, and these bowel af-
fections with their sympathetic connec-
lions form large proportion of the dig
eases which destroy life in early infancy.
Mistaken kindness of relative, or the
imprudent love of pare Mt, often sacIi-
fees child by an unwise indulgence.
How often, for instance, have we seen at
tacks Of cony ulsions, or of diarrh ma
which endangered the child's life result
frop4 the giving Of an improper article OF
ford or fruit as cheese, nuts, etc. The
writer has travelled thous 3nds and tens
OF thouands of miles in railroad cars
| and how often has he been panied
to see young mothers with enc or
more very young children buy peanuts
of the newsboy, and breaking the shells
feed the indigsstible nuts to them. In.
digestion, collie and commissions often re.
suit. And these errors in minor degree
are constantly committed by parents,
and though the resulting mischief may
not be manifested SO quickly, yet sure
and permanent injury is being inflicted.
We can only briefly consider one other
point in the bad management OF infants
in this connection, namely, the want of
ventilation in the apartments occupied
by children, which is such a fruitful
souce of evil. And it is only necessary
for mothers to reflect one moment to be
convinced of this, to avoid the error in
future, as it is a matter almost entirely
under their control, as are most of the
conditions on which the health of off.
spring depends.
A little re aiding, little self instruction,
or counseling with her mother, or an ex-
perienced nurse, would enable the young
married womsn to discharge ter duties
faithfully to her newborn, which might
otherwise be sacrificed upon the altar of
inexperience.
A mother, by early fitting herself for
all that the title of mother implies, may
greatly diminish that large amount of
sick ness and death due to ignorance and
mism ansgement,
Of course we do not mean to insinuate
that illneeo can be banished from the
nursery; for hereditary diseases will pro-
duce it and infection will give rise to If,
notwithstanding the best directed efforts
on the part of the mother. But she can
go live by taking up the daily cross in
a measure, that her offspring will gener-
ally inherit a healthy body, and she can
80 rear them that health will be the rule,
and IL disease should attack them. their
restoration is more readily assured and
accomplished Womdn's Work.