Science.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 410, 17 March 1904, Page 3

Science.

IN THE NUBSERY. 9£|£sLL sweets and confectionery should fjjMCi) be given to children sparingly. «yMg Always lay a child down on his side ; if he is laid on his back he is certain to dream and have night terrors. In summer weather mothers should be specially careful of the cleanliness of infants, and also of their feeding-bottle, A well-ventilated room and one of equable temperature goes far to keep off colds and chills, and also produces happier spirits in the children, Don't lift an infant up by its arms, or make it stand just on its toes while partly lifted. Neither allow a child to be placed too early on its feet to stand or walk. The nursery floor should not be washed oftener than once a week; whilst it is drying the windows should be thrown wide open. The children must be kept out of the room until the floor is perfectly dry. In warm, dry weather babies should be given a littla water several times a day. Their frequent fretfulness and rise of temperature is often due to their not having it. In teeth-cutting, the water softens the gums. The time limit of measles is when the soaling-ofl of the skin has ceased, or not less than three weeks from the beginning

:of Che rash. Whooping-cough lasts about sight ■weeks, and the mumps four'weeks from the beginning, if all; swelling has disappeared. A tall child who is at all troubled with ft weak spine should rest a great deal, and have her back well supported. Sea-water baths would do her a greal deal of good. These should be given at home when not living near the sea. Let her have as much fresh air as possible,'."but no violent exercise of any kind. . A convalescent child should be given very careful diet. Beef ought not to be given, even in small quantities, until other more solio" diet has been given. The breast of a chicken or a slice of underdone mutton should precede beef. Of course, nothing in the way of sweets, pastry, or cake should ever be given to a sick child. u £,, aice CoTer for baby's hot-water bottle can be made out of odd pieces of white flannel, or crocheted with soft, white wool. Grass stains on children's clothing may be eradicated by rubbing moistened cream of tartar on them, or by dipping them in alcohol. Do not wash the little ones' flannel unless it is a day you can put them out at once in the air to dry. Otherwise they are very apt to shrink. When bathing baby, it is & good plan to souse a little cold water on his chest and' head after his bath. Very young children should never be taken into crowds or noisy places of amusement. To expose a child to sudden noises or excitement is very bad for its nerves. It ic an excellent plan to let the little oneß wear knee-caps when crawling about, and so save the Blockings. These can be cut out of pieces of soft leather or kid. fluid magnesia is a good aperient for a child. The addition of a spoonful or two of lemon-juice makes a pleasant effervescing drink, and increases its efficacy as an aperient. ltacipe for Linseed Tea,—One ounce of unbruised lisseed, two drachms of liquorice, one quart of boiling water. Mix, and put in a covered jar on the hob to infuse for four hours. Sweeten, and strain through a sieve. Birthmarks do not, as a rule, go away, and sometimes get darker as the child grows up. Never attempt to do anything tor these yourself, but consult a physician, who might possibly be able to do something for them. Different foods suit different babies Sometimes several have to be tried before one is got to suit. Endeavour to get a food which will help to regulate the bowels, A baby of about six months old should have at least motions in the twentyfour hours. Coloured glazad lining makes excellent scrapbooks. Out long strips of this and sew them together. Then let the children cut out and make collections o! pictures, scraps, cards, and paste them on the linen. This is better than a paper scrapbook as it is untearable. Whenever a child complains that its eyes ache, it should be taken to an oculist to have the eyes examined. Scarlet fever, measles, whooping-cough very often leave the eyeß weak. It will be better i* *he child is not allowed to study or read for some time after any of these illnesses. Sea-bathing is, as a rule, very good for the little ones, but if a child is frightened of the sea, on no account force him to go in. If you do you will do him more harm than good. Just let him paddle about the edge by himself to begin with, and by degrees he will probably get more daring, and ask to be allowed to go in altogether, Barley-water is better than pure water to dilute the milk with for babies with weak digestions. Take three teaspoonf uls of pearl-barley (well washed), put them in two pints of cold water, heat, and boil till the quantity is reduced to one pint and a half. Strain it, and allow to cool, when it is ready for use. Barley-water is best made fresh every day.