The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-02-20

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When New York was Suffering from an
epidemic Of diphtheria the Board OF Health
decided that its prevalence was to be
attributed to the fumes of a kerosene
lamp turned down low more th1e to any
other single cause. Whether or not this
be so it is certainly a mistaken kindness
On the part of an inGuigent mother 20
allow a lamp to remain in a child's bed
room. with the fame turned low. A
turned-down kerosene lamp Is a magazine
of deadly gas, to which the strongest
lungs cannot be safely exposed.
A mother. whose two children are such
marvels of health and beauty as TO make
her the envied of all her friends, when
asked her formula for keeping them so.
replied: "a simple, regular diet. an early
bed hour. a cold room to sleep in. and a
four of the best ounces of prevention. not
only against diphtheria, but any other mall
ady.
The cold morning bath. however. must
be hygienically and scientifically adminis-
tered. 1t means work or the part of the
mother. but it is work that pays for itself.
1t must be done in a room with a tenn
perature of at least 70 degrees. 1t is a diff
cult matter to bring a sleeping room that
has been beautifully cold all night up to
the required degree Immediately after ris-
ing, but with a small gas stove this may
be easily accomplished in a bathroom.
avs the New York HEARD, Expose only
half of the body at a time. give a violent
rubbing with a soft crash towel. then a
hasty rub with a sponge, dipped in cold
water, and after this a thorough rubbing
and drying. when the whole skin will be in
a healthful glow.
This plan has been tried with a child
whose previous winters had been marked
by one cold after another, with such sue
cess that so far he has not had even a
single Influenza. If your child has a cold
Jden't wait until he is better to begin, but
start in at once. The chances are that a
few days of this treatment will cure it.
Another precaution thai will avert many
an attack of influenza. or even of a more,
serious infiammatory ailment. is breathing
through the nestrils when exposed di-
rectly to a very cold temperature. If the
mouth be kept open. the freezing air
strikes directly on the tonsils and larynx,
while the nasal passages are constantly
kepti warm by the breath passing through
from the lungs. and these, constantly
warm the air taken in. Children can be
4aitC lGaQAtS ltSSOl WHICH
is one that teachers, as well as parents,
would do well to enforce.
1t is a good plan, too, to see that the
little ones toast their feet before going to
bed. as well as before starting and after
returning from school or play. Children
will play with cold feet, seemingly un-
conscious of discomfort. but they are
none the less taking cold. Once get a
child accustomed to this, and he will look
out for himself as a matter of habit.
Most of the prominent kindergarten
training classes now offer a course of
study to mothers. At the Teachers Col
lege. New York City, the course is a
short one of eight weeks, including with
each lesson a lecture on Froebel's theory,
the learning of songs and the practice of
games selected for home use.
At Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, the course
Atepds over two years. The class
meets sepce a week for forty weeks, each
session being of two hours duration. The
gifts and occupations suitable for home
use are studied and lessons are given in
each Songs and games are practiced
and applied to occupation and gift. The
"Mother-play' and Education of Man.
are studied with the view Of making
their lessons applicable to such subjects
as obedience. truthfulness and punish
ments. Experiences are exchanged and
discussions take place on hygiene, food
clothing and allied topics. The art of
story Yelling is studied and lists of the
best books and playthings for children
are made. Mothers may also nave the
advantage of the many lectures offered
there on educational subjects and topics
of the cay.
At the Chicago kindergarten College
the course is extended over a period OF
three years. Its catalogue has this to
say regarding the Mothers Classes"
.The first years work includes prac-
teal work. with such gifts and occupa-
lions as can best be used in the nursery;
study of Froebels Mutter und Rose
Leider.' which VIII enable the mother to
grasp the principles Of the system and
to reapply them on the innumerable oc-
easions which arise in the home life;
also discussions and the answering of
questions concerning the study and ex-
periences of the week previous.
1.-The second year includes work with
gifts and occupations, science work for
little children, the study Of 'Froebels
tMutter and Rose Leider.' discussions
and the answering of questions.
"The third year the lessons include adj
vaaced work with all the gifts and occu-
pations, games and stories of the kinder
garten, the study of Froebel's Mutter
und Rose Leiber' and Education of
Man All mothers belonging to this
department, who request it, are fur
nished with courses of collateral read
ing and are assisted in other ways to
enlarge their knowledge and insight in
this direction"
The lessons in all three of the 1nstitu-
tions mentioned are open to any woman
interested in kindergarten work, but, of
course, there are no certificates or diplo-
mas given for these courses of study.
The Chicago Kindergarten College also
offers to assist classes Of clubs formed in
towns and villages at a distance from
Chicago. These clubs are called Local
Union," and as far as possible are given
the same course of study as that carried
on at the college. ~For this purpose the
college has a special secretary of the
mothers department, who will organize
classes, arrange and superintend their
work, conduct the correspondence with
the classes, and give Information to all
interested in this department of work.
Further information, constitutions and
plans OF organization will be furnished
any one upon application to the college