The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-23

ant fathers wouldn't be interested in that.
 A few suggestions may show the prospective parent how to be happy is something for people preparing for parenthood to think about: Why do the common schools of this country provide no instruction for the future parents? Why is such vital knowledge left for boys and girls, young men and young wo- men, to pick Up as and where they can find 1t?
 I engaged the best doctor in town three years before the birth of my first baby. That may be little early, but just the same you can't engage your doctor too early for the best interest of all con- cerned. In any case it is well to have the counsel and advice of good doctor for as many months in advance as you are reasonably cer- tain of the coming event; that will be 278 days in some cases; six months in more cases; 4.1-2 months in any case. Picking the best doctor in the community was simple enough for me. I was he. Or at any rate thought so then. I might not be quite SO confident now. Still, got through with 1t all right, and made certain about aspesis - was afraid the other doctors, the older ones, in the community might not use rigidly aseptic technic. Not that I would mind so much about other peoples babies. if they preferred the other doctors, but this was my baby.
 What is the sense of running to doctor at that early stage of the affair? Can't any older woman tell the expectant mother all she needs to know about the business? Or If there is a midwife in the neighbor- hood can't she look after the prep aration for maternity for fraction of what doctor will charge?
 Approximate date of. confine- ment may be determined by count ing 280 days ten lunah months) forward from first day of last men, struation; or more early by count | ing three months back from that day and adding seven days. De- livery will generally occur day or two before or after the con- puted date.
 | If children received fair deal in the common school engaging the doctor at the first indication of possible pregnancy would not be so necessary, for prospective parents would have some general idea of the care they should take. But since our educational system con- trives to keep people ignorant, and therefore good customers for the quacks and nostrums, the only way the little stranger can get a break is for his parents-to-be to buy medical instruction and care for mother and child from the very first, and no monkey shines.
 For any information or advice the amateur mother may require her husband should see to 1t that she gets it straight from her doc tor-and having gotten it from the doctor she should heed t and ig- nore any and add gratuitous advice from other sources.
 QUESTIONS X ANSWERS Psychotherapy
 Can a specialist who calls himself a psychothcrapist, c doctor of the subconscious mind. remove obses- sions and relieve the distress of nervous or mental tension by hyp- nosis? (H.P.E)
 AnsWer--No. Better consult rep utable psychiatrist, a physician who diagnoses and treats mental disturb ances, one your own medical man will recommend
 Home EmbaIming 1 To keep canned foods I have been told salicylic acid must be added. Is this 50? Are there any harmful effects to persons using the canned food? (Mrs. R. s.
 Answer--It is neither necessary nor advisable. If the food is not fresh and clean enough when can- ned, or the canning process itself is not sufficient to assure preserva- ton, then 1t would be better to wor- ry along from season to season without canned food.
 Copyright 1888, John F. Dille Col