It is not an uncommon plan to use _cold_ water from the first, under the impression of its strengthening the child. This appears to be a cruel and barbarous practice, and is likely to have a contrary tendency. Moreover, it frequently produces either inflammation of the eyes, or stuffing of the nose, or inflammation of the lungs, or looseness of 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 predispose him to disease. Luke warm _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 oft the chill [Footnote: A nursery basin (Wedgwoode 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 baton is generally fitted into a wooden frame which will raise it to a convenient height for the washing of the baby.] (By thermometer = 90 to 92 degrees.) 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 glycerine soap, instead of the Castile soap, ought to be used. 4. _At what age do you recommend a mother to commence washing her infant either in the tub, or in the nursery basin_? As soon as the navel string comes away [Footnote: 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_.] 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! 5. _Which do you prefer--flannel or sponge--to wash a child with_? A piece of flannel is, for the first part of the washing very useful--that is to say, to use with the soap, and to loosen the dirt and the perspiration; but for the finishing-up process, a sponge--a large sponge--is superior to flannel, to wash all away, and to complete the bathing. A sponge cleanses and gets into all the nooks, corners, and crevices of the skin. Besides, sponge, to finish up with, is softer and more agreeable to the tender skin of a babe than flannel. Moreover, a sponge holds more water than flannel, and thus enables you to stream the water more effectually over him. A large sponge will act Like a miniature shower bath, and will thus brace and strengthen him. 6. _To prevent a new-born babe from catching cold, is it necessary to wash his head with brandy_?