The Mother and Her ChildSadler, William S. (William Samuel)
Science
The Mother and Her Child
Sadler, William S. (William Samuel)
Child care; Infants -- Care; Infants -- Health and hygiene; Pregnancy
Whether the sick room is in the attic or whether it be the rear end of
an apartment, if the principles of contagion and disinfection are
understood I believe it is perfectly possible to isolate even scarlet
fever without danger to the other members of the family.
NECESSARY FURNISHINGS
For slight indispositions and trifling disorders, it is not necessary
to strip the room of its adornment, but it is well to clear off the
dresser tops, protect them well with many thicknesses of newspapers
covered over by a folded sheet so that alcohol, witch-hazel and other
necessaries will not injure the mahogany or oak-top dresser. Whenever
the children are sick, rob the room of anything that is going to be in
your way. In instances of infectious or contagious diseases, take down
all silk or wool hangings, replace them by washable curtains or
inexpensive ones that can be burned if necessary, and remove valuable
paintings and other bric-a-brac that later fumigation will harm or
that may gather the dust during the days of illness.
Just as it is necessary for the man who mines the coal to wear
suitable garments, and for the woman who does the scrubbing to dress
accordingly, and for the nurse who cares for the case to wear washable
clothes--so it is necessary to dress the sick room in garments that
are suitable, convenient, and capable of being thoroughly disinfected,
fumigated, or even burned if the occasion demands. Hence, expensive
rugs should be replaced by rag carpets or no rug at all, while
unnecessary articles and garments should be removed from closets, etc.
Remembering that the little fellow is to remain in this room for
possibly two weeks or maybe six weeks, let us put up some
bright-colored pictures that he will enjoy, bring in some books and
magazines by which he may be entertained, secure a few simple toys
that will not tax the brain, but serve as a help to pass away the long
hours. There are many paper games that may be had, such as transfer
pictures, picture puzzles, kindergarten papers, drawing pictures, as
well as toys that may be put together to fashion new articles. A whole
lot of fun can be gotten out of a bunch of burrs that can be stuck
together to make men, animals, houses, etc. Scissors and pictures are
entertaining as well as paper dolls with their wardrobes. Rubber
balloons, or a target gun for the boy of six will be a great source of
delight to him; as will a doll with a trunk full of clothes for the
little girl during her convalescent days. A tactful nurse and a
resourceful mother will think of all the rest that we have not
mentioned--which will amuse, entertain and keep happy our convalescent
children, help them to forget that they are "shut ins."
THE NURSERY REFRIGERATOR
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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