The Washington herald., 1912-02-18

Every newborn has the right to ex-
peCt Of its parents that it be not born
into world already awaiting with its
full measure of trouble and sorrow han
dicapped by the inroads of hereditary
disease. 1t has the further right to be
delivered from the ignorance of the mid
wife Midwifery is a relic OF bygone
times and a blot upon present-day civil
lization.
Happily born, the next consideration OF
Importance to the infant is its nutri-
Hon. Nature has provided for the young
Of all species certain highly specialized
food for their maintenance during what
Is termed the nursing period. In the
infant this particular food is human
Eecure 1t for a period OF one year is
cheated Of a part OF its rightful inheri-
tance.
Apart from the numerous instances
where mothers surrender this important
privilege voluntarily, some unfortunates
must be reared on artificial foods poor
substitutes at the very best. Based upon
wide experience, It is now generally ac-
Cepted that clean, fresh cows milk, mod
ified to suit the infants needs. best
meets the requirements. Almost all the
large cities now have milk stations
where properly modified milk and skilled
instruction may be had for the care Of
lne young. llese Ulllk SLdllOnS nave
contributed largely to the lowering OF
infantile mortality in the past few years.
Just 4 word to emphasize the impor-
tance OF good, fresh air. Fresh air must
not be coufounded with cold air or hot
air, nor yet again with exposure. The
healthiest babies to-day, other things be-
ing equal are those that receive the
most fresh air.
Remember, too, that the little one
whose nose and throat is obstructed
with adenoids and diseased tonsils can
not realize a fun measure OF benefit from
the air It breathes. and grows up phys
ically unsound and mentally retarded.
Few persons appreciate the importance
of the skin as an organ of elimination. !
This important function Of the skin can
not be performed unless the skin be |
kept well Cleansed by daily bathing.
When the infant reaches the crawling
period it begins to subject itself to the |
dangers OF such infections as Il meets |
with in its excursions over the floor. |
Only too ten at this age it becomes |
infected with tuberculosis, and while |
this disease in later life is being brought |
under control, in infancy there is little /
hope. Babies are frequently, through \
ignorance on the part Of parents OF dan
ger, taken to visit upon the sick. This
practice is fraught with the greatest dan
ger. |
Just a word about whoopinE cough.
Contrary to popular opinion. this dis
ease is one of the most dangerous met /
with IN early life. It is most emphat-
ically not something that the child must
have and have done with.
The period OF first dentition Is usually
one of anxiety for the mother and mis-
cry for the infant. While occasionally
teeth are erupted without trouble, often
there is associated some digestive dis
order. II these conditions be recognized
and no attempt made to force feeding
until the natural desire for nourishment
returns, real danger seldom exists.
During the early years no forcing
should be attempted TO develop the
nervous system; it should rather
be shielded from the excessive i'm
pressions Of city life. The little
one should from the first be accus-
TONED TO regularity in all things. It :
should under no circumstances he I
brought out on dress parade for each
visit Of the family friend The mother j
should point with more pride to his physj-
cal development than to its mental at {
When the school age arrives manv ! Z
things come up for consideration. II the
child be precocfous II can he lon1er lr.r.