Page:The physical training of children (IA 39002011126464.med.yale.edu).pdf/30

 the bowels. Although I do not approve of cold water, we ought not to run into an opposite extreme, as hot water would weaken and enervate the babe, and thus would pre-*dispose him to disease. Lukewarm rain water will be the best to wash him with. This, if it be summer, should have its temperature gradually lowered, until it be quite cold; if it be winter, a dash of warm water ought still to be added, to take off the chill. It will be necessary to use soap—Castile soap being the best for the purpose—it being less irritating to the skin than the ordinary soap. Care should be taken that it does not get into the eyes, as it may produce either inflammation or smarting of those organs. If the skin be delicate, or if there be any excoriation or "breaking-out" on the skin, then Glycerin soap, instead of the Castile soap, ought to be used. 4. At what age do you recommend a mother to commence washing her infant in the tub or in the nursery-basin?

As soon as the naval-string comes away. Do not be afraid of water,—and that in plenty,—as it is one of the best strengtheners to a child's constitution. How many infants suffer, for the want of water, from excoriation!

A nursery-basin (Wedgwood's make is considered the best) holding either six or eight quarts of water, and which will be sufficiently large to hold the whole body of the child. The basin is generally fitted into a wooden frame, which will raise it to a convenient height for the washing of the baby.

Sir Charles Locock strongly recommends that an infant should be washed in a tub from the very commencement. He says: "All those that I superintend begin with a tub."—Letter to the Author.

5. Which do you prefer—flannel or sponge—to wash a child with?

For the first part of the washing a piece of flannel is