HOW CAN WE SAVE OUR CHILDREN.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 160, 17 May 1873, Page 2

HOW CAN WE SAVE OUR CHILDREN.

Oxe of the most important subjects to be considered in the rare of a young child is that of diet, both in regard to regu1 lanty and quantity. It is a len common practice to feed a babe whenever it cries, as if it were nothing but a t>toinach, and had no other demands than those of hunger. There are many things a child may want, and many ways in which . it may be uncomfortable, and its only language is that of crying. Infants doubtless cry oftener from overloaded stomachs than from hunger, but it is the theory of many to stop the erica by filling the mouth, which orly brings temporary quiet. A child's stomach needs rest quite aa much as any other part of the body, and if it is fed all that it wants at regular intervals, u mother may be sure that her child is not crying for v\ ant of food. Three iiours is considered by many physicians a proper interval, but tho=e of delicato organizations need to be fed oftener than those who arc stout and healthy. As the child grows older the intervals can be gradually lengthenc'd. These rules, however, arc scarcely applicable until a baby is a few weeks old. The habit of feeding a child of any age between its regular hours for meals is positively injurious, unless there be .some special reason for so doing. For an infant, mother's milk, if she is healthy, should be used to the exclusion of all other food ; but if the child is to bo fed by hand, cow's milk is the best tmbstitute, and should be as nearly new a§ possible, caro being taken to use the milk from the samo cow, as a change of milk will frequently product) bowel-complaint. Until a ; child is three months old, the milk should be diluted in tho proportion of one-third milk to two-thirds water, and this palatably sweetened with loaf sugar. The amount of water may be gradually diminished, until at Jive or six months, according to the strength and digestive powers of the child, the milk may be given undulated. Skimmed milk should always be molded, as, besides being deficient in nutriinental properties, it contains the cheesy portions of the milk, which are the most likely to produce bowel-complaint in imnmci 1 . The habit of tasting food at the table, allowed to children b> many mothers, is very pernicious, not only being injurious phjsically, but cultivating an unhealthy domand for and a desire to try every kind of food tliat comes within sight causing the mother much unnecessary caro and trou ble. "When a child first asks for unsuitable food, it ma) be taught that it is injurious, and the matter be easily disposed of providing always that, same kind child-comforter does not givo the first taste. The benefit of bathing, I think, is very generllav admitted. A full bath, onco each day, serves not only to keep the body cleanly, but also as a tonic. For this purpose it is important that the temperature of the water should not be too high, aa very warm baths are weakening. A healthy child will soon find a tepid bath more agreeable than a very warm one, if the bath-room is sufficiently warm. It is a very good rulo of hygenic institutions, that for all tonic baths tho room should be warmer than the water. A full bath inaj bo given daily with beneficial results, under favourable circumstances at all ages. The importance of rentilation in tho nursery can hurdly be overrated. Tho necessity of pure air to health we all understand, and, if essential to adult?, how nmeh more important to the sensitive lungs and organs of a child ! A practised physician told mo that in liis opinion croup w as very often produced by children lyinjj on the floor at play and sleeping in trundle beds or low cradles, and thereby experiencing the under-ciirrents of cold air, and breathing tho carbonic acid gas which settles to the lower part of the room. If food, bathing, and ventilation can nil bo intelligently and faithfully attended to, many puny infants, inheriting disease and weakness, may become robust, and strong, healthy children will de\eli>p in vigorous men and women, with nerves uuchafed bj weakness, brain unclogged bv disease, and consequent! \ with greater capabilities for usefulness and happiness. — Hearth and Home.

A liulv who made pretensions to the most rcfind feelings wont toiler butclier to remonstrate with him on his cruel practices. " How can you be t>o b.irburoiii us to put little innocent lambs to ile.ilh?" "Whj, madam," said tln> butcher, "you Mirely would'nt cut. them nlive, would you ?" A gentleman subject to the gout being told by his doctor that tho disease na\ealonjj louse of lifo replied, "That may bo se, but unluckily the lea-o is a nwkivnt." ' Poor old'Gancral Debility ! " exclaimed Mrs Purtington, " it is surprising lioh lonjr lie lives, nnd what eicitement he create j the pjpers air full of ivmedits fur him."