The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-12

that by 1o3O there would be no more rickets. About 1920 the preventive and curative value of cod liver oil had been established, and about 1925 viosterol came into use quite generally in place of the less pal- atable cod liver oil, particularly for addition to the daily food of the baby in the first year to prevent rickets. Viosterol is ergosterol fate like substance naturally present in certain foods and in the skin, acti" vated by ultraviolet light. Ultravio- let rays of certain wavelengths change ergosterol into vitamin D. The irradiated product is called Vi- osterol in this country, calciferol In England. Irradiation of ergosterol gives Q vitamin D concentrate hum dreds of times mores potent than any natural source of Vitamin D. Cod liver oil and other fish oils are the most potent natural sources of vitamin D. Egg yolk is the most poe tent natural food source of vitamin D. Butter fat, cream and beef suet contain small amounts of vitamin D, but not enough to supply the re- quirements of 6 baby--of course a young infant could take very little of these foods in any circumstance.
 The ultraviolet rays of direct sun light impart vltamin D to the ergos- tetrol In the skin, and the Viosterol thus produced is carried through the circulation to the growing bones and teeth and muscles and glands where 1t is needed. The baby or young child who gets 0 daily summing, @ sun bath, preferably in the middle of the day, for the sunlight for an hour or two before and after noon is richest in ultraviolet rays, does not need so much Vitamin D in medicine or food as docs the baby or young child who is denied a place in the sun. Too many well-to-do people, people who have a place to live, 0 place where sun shines, fail to give their babies the boon of Q daily sun bath.
 By sun bath I mean exposing part or all of the naked body to the sun
 If I advised you to give the baby a warm bath, would you scald the babyp Would you splash water in the baby's eyes? Would you leave the baby in the sink while you ran over to Janet's for Q permanent?
 Every baby should have Q sunbath daily from the first day the belly band is discarded--which ought to be about the third or surely by the fourth week, every day when the outside temperature is above freez- ing.
 The first bath should be for five minutes, or only two minutes If the sun is strong, and about one-twelfth of the body surface should be ex- posed to the sun-say the belly. Next day the same exposure for the same time, then for the same time exposure of one leg in addition. The third day turn the baby over and expose one leg for three to five min utes; then over again and expose the front of yesterdays leg for three to five minutes and the belly for seven to ten minutes. Fourth day go through the same routine, and finally expose some new surface, say the front of one arm, for three to five minutes. In this way sunburn is voided and tanning is promoted. In the course of @ few weeks the baby can take @ total exposure of as much as half an hour at monday with advantage. Tanning is the guide. Even slight burning must be avoided. Always see that the bahys eyes are shaded from direct sun glare. Also see that the baby is pro. tected from sharp wind, insects, an- imals and handling or kissing by strangers or friends.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Reading In Bed
 Is it harmful to the eyes to read lying in bed? (B. E.
 Answer-Not if the page is pro- perly illuminated-the light should come from behind the plane of your eyes and be itself invisible in the position in which you read. Con- valescents or invalids should have the advice of the physician about reading in bed. for they may be sus- ceptibIe to eyestrain.
 Acne
 and my younger sister both have acne. Can you tell us anything to do for it? (MiRs M. A.
 Answer Send a three-cent stamped envelope bearing your ad- dress. tor . monograph which gives you instructions.
 (C0pyFlght l0a6. John F. bile Col