Babies thoroughly enjoy a time every day without clothes, when they can
kick to their hearts' content. If this is begun by degrees, a short
time at first, gradually getting longer every day, there will be no
danger of giving the child cold through letting it lie unclothed, on a
rug on the floor for half-an-hour at a time, with the window open. The
air-bath will invigorate and strengthen the system. Rubbing with the
hand all over the little ones body during this time will be enjoyed,
and effectually prevent any chilliness, if it is dreaded.
Children's Dangers.--Avoidance of the causes of disease requires some
idea of the dangers to which children are exposed in the usual
upbringing. For instance, sitting on damp ground, cold stones, or even
a cool window-sill, is a fruitful cause of bowel trouble. The remedy
for such an exposure is proper warm FOMENTATION (_see_) of the chilled
parts, followed by hot olive oil rubbing and careful clothing.
Again, _rich diet_, especially for delicate children, is a great cause
of trouble. What we have written concerning food, and the article
Assimilation, should be read to guide on this.
Again, the child is exposed to falls, and falls into water, leading
sometimes to drowning. Timely thought would prevent nearly all such
accidents. Do not wait until the trouble comes. Protect exposed streams
and wells near the house. Shut doors and gates in time. Also the
directions of the Humane Society for the recovery of the partly drowned
(_see_ Drowning) should be in every house, and as soon as possible both
boys and girls should learn to swim.
Again, children are in danger through careless attendants. They may be
let fall, or capsized in perambulators. Spinal injury is often caused
by such falls. In case of any broken or disjointed limbs, the bandaging
of infants should be of a gentle kind, and encasement in starch or
plaster jackets should be avoided. In every way the natural growth and
circulation should be helped, not hindered by strapping and tight
bandaging. The timely consulting of a _really good_ doctor will often
prevent serious trouble in any case of a fall.
Another source of danger is the exposure of children to the possibility
of burning or scalding. Wherever there are young children fires should
be guarded, and matters so arranged that they cannot come in the way of
boiling water. Much that seems impossible in such protection becomes
easy enough to a determined person, and a great deal of sore illness
can be averted by taking a little trouble. A child should never be in
the place where there is a pan of boiling water on the floor, nor in
any house should it be _possible_ for a child to pull a kettle full of
boiling water on its head.
If, however, scalding occur, apply the cold treatment as detailed in
the article on Burns.
In case of contracted limbs or features, occurring from severe burning,
the rubbing treatment (_see_ Children's Healthy Growth), will be
effective as a cure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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