Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-10
COLD WEATHER CARE OF CuILpREx

The Hardening frocess-soEne European
Idea. on the Value of Cold Abiutious.
Iron TIE St Louis Republic
II is agreed that the health OF children IL
best guarded and preserved by rendering them
hardened against cold and the diseases result ae
from cold.
This is believed by many TO be best effected
by aocustoming the child to cold water so that
he will be Indifferent to the changes of temper
ature
That this should DO effective cold additions
must be made daily practice, for the system
falls back into its sensitive condition as soon az
they are discontinued.
The mortality Of childrea reaches maximum
TWICE year-in summer, when multisudes die
Of diarrhca, Ipostiy in the poor quarters of
large cities; again in winter, when they succumb
to catarrbs and inflammation Of the respiratory
organs, fatalities are more apt to happen to the
delicate children Of the richer class
An idea prevails that winter weather is bene-
fetal 70 Young childeon.
II the temperature be below freezing point
the more dangerous 1t ID for the chiids health
the colder and drier the air gets, no matter
whether the skin Is kept dry or not; the cold
dry air irritases the respiratory organs and il
ap, to cause Inflammation. his Is the more
dangerous the younger the child is. Cold
Il,
temperature is above freezing point is much
less to be feared il the child be sufficiently well
wrapped.
Fog, on the contrary, is not TO be trusted
aud tbs danger from it increases with the sever
ity Of the cold. 1t is not sufficient, then for q
child to be well wrapped; precautions must be
taken that 1t does not breathe the air without
its being previously warmed. This is effected
BY covering the childs head, leaving good
space for the nose and mouth. over which q
thick veil is fastened.
In mild, frosty weather children old enough
to run about can be sent out for q short time
At a temperature Of 10 degrees Celcius chill
dren undcr six should not be allowed out. A
snowfall, If the temperature is not low, is not
harmful for child well wrapped.
The hardening process by means Of water
should begin when the child ia able to rug,
abont; not with cold baths. but with cold
sblutions of certain parts Of the body with wate
that has stood twelve or twenty-four hours in
| tie room, but to which no warm water has been
added. these hardening ablutions are never to
be begun except in summer, and with infants
II is all out OF the ques.ion.)
The cold additions should begin with the
hands and arms, then the face On an other
day the fat and legs may bs iavsd. Later the
neck and breast Of the body can be similarly
subjected. Not until the age OF six are the cold
ablutions to be applied simultaneously to the
whole body.
Any kind Of catarrh, even simple, feverless
cold. shouid forbid the continuation Of the
hardening sbiutions. Nor should they ever be
given within three hours after a meal
In winter the child must be kept near the
stove during the process and stand IN a wooden
tub with warm water up to the ankles The
washing and drying should be done as regu.
larly as possible.
Living rooms must not be overheatsd-20 de-
gress Cclcius is about the right warmth; fol
older children l8 degrees is sufficient. Tt
! thrive well in this temperature they must b,
warmly dressed