Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-09-11
Ey Dr. ARTHUR C.BRETz
FOREWORD

Reports from all parts of the eoum-
Try sho,0 that thousands of babies die
from diseases (Which are byeyentable.
Therefore, sre feel that an extra effort
should be put forth to bring before
the readers of this paper imbortont
information pertaining to the brsven-
tion Of common Ills and the sbyeodimo
of disease.
articles, APPEARING in this column
ore intended especially for those
mothers .Vho ore so busy svith daily
household routine thGt they haze not
the time to read the many good books
published or attend lectures on such
subjects. No attempt uiH be mode to
prescribe medical or surgical treat
ment, nor to make diagnosis of any
illness.
The articles obpso,ing In this COL
ansn have been prepared by q licensed,
graduate physician haying many years
of experience in dealing scith the
health and gycsrth of the child,
CLOTHING y
An infants clothes should be de-
signed for comfort, economy and sea-
sonal requirements. If too snug they
tend to hamper the natural body
movements, and if too large they are
apt to form creases and punches
which may be uncomfortable. The
clothing must be loose enough so that
the growing child may have plenty of
room to exercise and breathe freely.
If garments are made with too many
frills, it becomes quite a task to have
them properly cleaned and ironed.
Such clothes are expensive to buy
and if made at home by the mother
take considerable time and energy.
Remember that the child will soon
outgrow these and they will then be
useless. Plain, neat dresses are really
far more desirable. Perhaps two or
three plain dresses can be purchased
for the price of fancy one, and will
undoubtedly give far more service
and satisfaction. The principal con-
sideration in baby clothes is cleanli-
ness, comfort and economy. Most
people are more interested in a
healthy, happy baby than in his fancy
dress.
In summer the average healthy baby
requires the lightest weight material.
Shirts should be either of the cotton
and-wool, or silk-and-wool mixture.
They should open all the way down
the front, and the arm holes should be
large enough so that the arms will pass
through easily. Petticoats should be
made of flannel and should extend a
short distance below the feet.
In dressing the child he should be
laid on the lap or bed, and the cloth
ing drawn up over his feet. The ordi-
nary pins are dangerous and should
be avoided. Even safety pins are apt
to open ard seriously wound baby /;
therefore, care should BE- taken to see
that they are securely fastened. Pet
ticoats should be supported by shoul-
der straps in order to avoid the use
of pins or tight draw strings.
At night the child's clothing should
be completely changed The night
dress should be longer than the day
dress and roomy enough to permit
free movement of the limbs. During
the winter it should be of light, soft
flannel, or similar material, and made
to close at the bottom with a draw
string. During the summer the most
suitable material to use is soft mus
lin, and the night dress may be left
omen AT the bottom.
The abdominal band should be
watched closely. 1t should be tight
enough to give the necessary support
in order to prevent rupture, but not
enough to cause discomfort at any
time. Diapers should be removed i'm
mediately when soiled, and then
placed in Boiling water for fifteen
minutes. After washing they should
be carefully rinsed and dried. Iron
them smoothly but do not use either
starch or blueing. Clean, dry napkins
are very essential to baby's comfort.
and will help to prevent irritation Of
his tender skin. Diapers should be
made of soft, light, absorbent mate
rial and plenty of them should always
be on hand so that they can be
changed Immediately when they be-
come wet or soiled.
No clothing should ever be dried in
the baby's room on account of the
dampness and odor thus produced. 1t
d~,, &ho e1a@t,oe <,,% 80. Annro