The Washington times., 1907-08-25
Scientific Rabies
By Mrs. J. D. Hay shaw.

. HERE are few individuals who
suffer more from the present
dav mania for experiments ia
diets and hygiene than the
Iuckless hrst-born infant. s5bo IS abso-
lutely helpless and az the mercy OF
the whims Of its owner
II il were only its owners, things
would not be 50 bad for it. but every
relative. friend. or Acquaintance has
always g fund OF advice and expert
ence 10 place at the disposal q the
bewildered young mother.
Even within the last few years the
methods OF bringing up children have
undergone q complete revolution. That
tyrant OF ones youth, the old and
trusted nurse. who had successfully
brought up ones parents from infancy
70 youth. has almost disappeared from
the modern nursery, and her place
has been taken by a smart. young.
uniformed attendant. full OF the very
latest theories On the laws OF hygiene
and the most up-to-date methods OF
rearing children. II L. merely change
from one autocrat to another as far
as the mother Is concerned. and
whether the change IL for the bsttsE
Il Is hard to say.
The modern baby lives entirely BY
rule II must not DO fed when It is
hungry. but only ct stated intervals.
with a stated amount OF nolsrishment.
measured out and prepared regardless
OF the fact that what may satisfy ons
infant may be totally INSULT lent 10
cueu the cravings OF another II Z
Is not enough it must go without for
that is all the food which. according
TO the chart, an infant OF hat age
should require
1t must sleep a certain number OF
hours and wake only at the recognized
intervals for its food. and under no
consideration whatever must 1t be
rocked or Jigged-
One thing that within the last few
years has brought about a great
change for the better Is undoubtedly
the modern passion for open windows
and fresh air, as against the views OF
the older generation, when q nursery
was kept heated 10 the verge OF stut-
hness day and night
I can remember what the atmo-
sphere OF that nursery used to be
when the babies were small and no
breath OF wind was allowed to blow
on them. Now what a change, has
come over the scene. A thermometer
registers a medium cool temperature
which must not be exceeded, the win
dows are open day and night, al TN
necessary curtains, unventilated COW
erincs and superf1uous furniture are
excluded and the value OF open spaces
and a free circuit OF fresh air is de-
manded.
The modern system OF clothing babies
also comes under disparagement, al
though no one can really doubt thaf
their system OF leaving their offspringl
with bare necks and arms while theJ
smothered them with a totally unnec
essary number Of garments on the res
OF their bodies must have been respon
sible for a good deal OF mischief Il
the way OF chills and consumption
germs. But now that we elothe oui
babies IN wool and as few garments
leaving their feet bare OF incased Il
sandals. and their legs uncovered. W
are told that we are running foolisl
risks.
After all. the average baby is a muci
moro hardy little animal than mos
people give II credit for. and nue.
more determined 20 live than peopl
would have us believe; and II Is
matter Of indifference to most OF Their
whether they sleep In cradle or
patent swing cot, are bathed IN
patent bath or q galvanized tub. Q
take their food from a patent bot..
or a spoon, provided all are at han
when they happen TO want them
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