The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-23
Kansas Mothers, Are Urged To
Provide Bath Tubs.
Towels, Soap and Toothpicks
Also Are Highly Essential.
STATE GETS OUT NEW BOOK
1t Tells Just How To Keep Lit
tie Tots Clean.
Every Essential Is Mentioned
Except Plain, Pure Water.

Every Kansas mother who expects
to rear her baby properly should pro-
vide the bathroom with - bathtub,
towel, soap, talcum powder, tooth
picks and a few sundry items, accord
ing to a bulletin from the child hygi-
enc department of the state board of
health. 1t would probably be well to
provide water for the bathtub. but in
the essential of having tub. towel
and soap, the state health board
doesn't mention the water.
Eighty type pages are used in the
new book which the state hygiene de-
partment has issued 1t is issued as
the kansas Mothers Book" and is
advice from DR.. Lydia A. Devilbiss to
Kansas mothers. The book isn't ex-
act1y a personal review of experiences
in raising home grown Kansas babies
to strong and vigorous manhood and
womanhood, but it is filled with many
suggestions, hints~and safety points
which the state board of health is
sure the mother should observe. The
book was printed at the state print
ing plant at state expense and all of
the work surrounding the preparation
of the booklet was paid from funds
provided from the state treasury.
Too Many Ignorant Mothers.
Every careful, thoughtful. loving
mother is urged by the state board of
health to observe the hints and sug-
gestions- which the welfare depart
ment has offered. The state board is
sure Kansas has too many ignorant,
thoughtlesS, neglectful mothers. These
frivolous mothers may play the latest
records on the victrolas and may wear
real store clothes, designed from the
fashion magazines-but that isn't an
essentiaPi in the proper care of babies.
So the health board and DR.. Devil
bliss wrote book which mothers of
the state are urged to heed.
One of the evils In the care of
babies, the health board recited, is the
improper bathing of babies. Page 106
OF the book carries a suggestion and
caution to every mother.
Care should be taken never to
plunge the baby into water that is too
hot or too cold warns the state de-
partment. which further warns never
to let baby fail and strike the tub
or in any way to get frightened at his
daily bath. If the bathing is done
properly baby will enjoy his bath so
thoroly that the giving will be a
pleasure"
Ignorance of the world is no longer
excusable in the timely suggestions
offered for the equipment of the
bathroom. Under the sub-heading,
Equipment for Bathing" the board
of health heads the list with the bath
tub. Next on the list is a bath Their
mometer. Third is a bath towel. Care
free, empty headed. thoughtless moth
ers should heed. Never forget the
bath towel for the bathroom. A face
towel is also essential, the board
urges.
Soap Is an Essential.
Too many mothers consider their
bathroom equipment complete and
fail to provide soap. The state board
of health's bulletin urges all mothers
to see that pure white soap is in the
bathroom A box of talcum should
| also be provided if baby is to receive
| proper care. Boric acid solution and
| absorbent cotton are urged as neces-
stiles.
Last on the list the state board of
health urges mothers not to forget to
provide their bath room with tooth
picks. No explanation is made as to
the exact manner or procedure in
the use of the toothpicks. which are
so far separated from the finger bowl,
but the board is certain they are es-
sentials and urges fond mothers not
to overlook them. The book makes
no mention as to the need of water
for bath rooms.
As an after-thought, the health bull
letin adds: THE complete bathing
equipment and the full set of clean
beginning the bath" The booklet was
issued at an expense of several hun
dred dollars from state funds and the
board of health makes glowing state
ments as to its value to the mother.
All Kansas mothers who expect or
desire to- raise their babies properly
and to overlook nothing-even to the
equipment for the bath room-wiIl be
provided with a copy of the book free.