The Winslow mail., 1898-07-23
III TIE NURSERY.
Important Points ia the Care CT Cali
dren fer tbs Co2aiae=Gtioa OF
Careful 3zothers.

The long-cherished theory that a
child is made bow-legged If he is per-
mitted to stand at an early ace is al
most exploded. A few physicians still
hold to it.
"There is only one chance in 10000
Of his becoming bow-legced," said a
surgeon, watching bright six.nonths-
old balancing himself On his feet in his
mothers lap. "But I would not run
the ten-thousandth part of a risk
Other physicians pooh-Fooh the old
belief, and affirm that there is no dan
ger Of any evil resulting from babies
standing. Nature, they say, would not
rive the inclination to stand without
at the same time providing the power.
Crooked legs and curved ankles are,
they claim, in 10 cases out Of 20, pro
duced by insufficient nutriment and
ricketts,.
Each mother must exercise her own
judgment ia the matter Of allowing her
baby to use his legs. If he is a slen-
der, wiry child, with little superfuous
fish, he may safely be permitted to
stand for a few minutes at 4 time,
from as early an age as five months.
On the contrary, a fat, bouncing child
should not be permitted to bear his
weight at so early an age, and, indeed,
viii not probably manifest desire to
do so.
Competent nurses declare that curved
legs are apt to be produced by putting
too many diapers upon child at once.
The folded napkins form q wad of
eight or ten thicllnesses Of linen or
cotton, that is kept constantly between
the legs. 1t is only a natural conse-
quence, if they are forced out Of shape.
When a large outer diaper is used, the
inner enc should be smaller. More
than two should never be worn at one
time.
Should ankles show any tendency to
curve, as those Of delicate child some
times do, ankle supports may be pro-
cured at any large shoe store. They are
made of leather and worn inside the
shoe. They should be fitted to the foot,
and viii cause no discomfort after the
child becomes accustomed to them. At
first they should be worn only few
moments each day, the length Of time
being increased gradually.
A baby's mouth should be washed
every day with the same regularity that
a grown person observes in brushing
his teeth. 1t is especially necessary, If
the child has any disposition towards
canker sore mouth. Symptoms Of this
should be closely watcSed for and
promptly dealt with A tiifing canker
may develop into a troublesome ulcer,
and the disorder become painful, if not
actually dangerous. The ulcers spread
rapidly, and what began with a tiny
spot has been known to cover not only
the mouth and throat, but to extend
the whole length Of the aliment2ry ca
nal. This may be avoided, however, if
the case be properly treated as soon
as the first soreness appears. A tea
spoonful of chlorate of potash should
be dissolved in a glass Of water, and a
half teaspoonful given the child every
hour. Ten drops Of carbolic acid may
be added to another tumbler Of water,
and the baby's mouth washed out every
hour with soft bit of linen dipped in
this. Should there be any tendency to
constipation at such a time, teaspoon
ful Of sirup Of rhubarb is an excellent
athartic.-Christian Terhune Herrick,
in Housewife