The Washington times., 1906-03-09

Young children should be more care
fully protected against illness during
the month of March than at any other
time Ol the year. For sudden changes
in temperature make them susceptible
TO pneumonia. bronchitis. Group (the
dread Of all mothers), and intestinal
disturbances.
a baby who lives through one March.
according to the head physician OF the
Nursery and Child's Hospital. and keeps
in good health during the blustery,
changeable DAYS. should not only be in
physical condition TO Withstand the heat
Of summer. but also the cold of a fol-
lowing winter.
An infant who Is clad in warm but
not very heavy clothing. whose mother
is careful about its diet. and has plenty
of ventilation IN the room where it
sleeps. should not be subject to pneu-
monia. etc, even during March" he
says
Too Much Care Causes Illness.
'AiaVy mothers actually bring sick
ness upon their small children by being
overEealous about their taking cold
during the latter part of winter. and as
a preventive put too heavy garments on
them. which often bring about the very
condition they hoped to avert. The ex-
ira weight fannels worn on very cold
days are often too warm, and not only
irritate the flesh. but cause a perspira-
tion which opens the pores of the skin
and literally invites cold.
When child s body IS wet with
persPiration cold OF some sort is al
most Inevitable If it gets I'm a draught
when the clothing is wet About The
only way 10 avoid Group, etc, under
such conditions IS to remove the damp
garments, give the child's body a Wig
orouS rubbing and put ii to bed after q
generous drink of hot milk. I have
nnoWn this 10 avert many symptoms of
cold.
"A young infants clothing during the
month of March should be carefully
regulated from day TO day, and If any
changes Ia weight are necessary they
should be made when the little one
arises IN the morning. The only SEN
sible way to clothe a baby when one
day is warm and the other wintry is to
put on warm tiannels when il is cold
and lighter ones when it is mild Should
The weather grow colder toward evening
1 think it is always advisable to place
heavier garments or the little one to
make sure they VIII be sufficiently
warm. vet never uncomfortably so. The
best test ] know for clothing is TO get
them of such a weight that when the
baby exercises they will not cause it
10 pcTSpire and yet will be comfort HE
when 1t Is quiet. The old advice about
keeping the feet warm is one that every
mother should follow strictly to the let
ter Flannel stockings of a medium
weight should be worn by infants, as
we'll as by larger children, and the
greatest care should be taken TO prevent
a small child who is learning to walk
from getting It's feet wet.
Dry Stockings.
once they are damp, dry hose should
be put on Immediately. after the little
feet have been well bathed in warm
water TO avoid, IL possible. catching
cold. when the baby is taken out for
an airing, as il should be each day, a
wrap OF weight that win ie comfort
able should be put on. and :, hood that
viii protect the head and yet not make
1t hot (for It should never be hOU should
he tied in place before the baby is
taken out of doors, If mothers have bun
one coat for the little one. a light
weight wrap would be preferable, for
plenty OF blankets. shawls. etc, can be
tucked around the infant to keep 1t
warm on very cold DAYS.
AS to the daily airing, il is absolutely
essential TO the good health of even
very young children, and should not be
neglected fer a single day when weather
conditions will permit-by that ] mean
when il is clear and the sun is bright.