The Care Of Sick Children

It is whn the baby is sick that the young mother fecls almost helpless and despaking, and longs earnestly lor heli) ;iiid advico. I am often asked to recommead some book that givos directionti fov 1lie trcatment of ruck hilaren. I never cío it, and I want lo eay here most cmpli.itic.illy, 'tliat it ds not safe for an unprofesslonal personto attempt to treat illness f rom any medical book. The gymptoms of many -di soases are much alike Ín their early etages, and it requires a practical eye to distinguish between them. It is sometimos as much as tho doctor can do, -vHli all hie expetlence, to Vlecide n the proper course to follow. The motlier, depending upon priinted directions -rv-hich may not íit the case at all, may do irreparable harm. There are many admirable Wörka -which treat of the hygiëne oí childhood 'and the personal caro of o.hiiaren. Every mother Hhould have ■ome of these, but books whlch profesa to glve adviee as to the cure of allmiemts should be avoided. AVlien a child is ill cnough to requlre medicine bevond tho Bimple laxativo, the doctor shoiild be sent íor and his orders implicitly follówed. The young aaother who is lar from a pliysician may remember for hcr comfort that a chUd very seldom requires anedicine. Whiat it needs is what she caá give without danger- proper Tood, pure air, cleanliuess and rest. Most oí the disorders of chil'dren, particularly of infants, arise from Rome 'derangement of the digestive tract. The food is not of proper quantity 'Or quality. It is not assimilated; . that is, taken up by the blood for the ■ nourishment of the tissues, and the : thild suffers. It is pale and fretful, throws up its food in undigested masBes, and does not thrive as a ihealthy thild Bhoaild. Tlie first thing to be i ücme. is to change the food. Add a tablespoonful of lime-water to eaeh i six of iood; if his does not succeed try using one-fourth cream instead oí all milk and water. Vary the (ftreagth oí the food, adding more or tesé water. If still unsuccessful, try Komi' of the artificial foods imtil one is found that does ag-ree with the baby. "Wit li odder chüdren ari error of diet ia rvy apt to be followed with feverfehmess and resüessness. High temperature does not mean as mucli with children as with giown persond. A child may hare a temperature of 103 or 10-4 degrees at niglit and yet bc comparatively well in the morning. A himple enema of soap and vwater igiven with a syringe such as tshould be in every Household is the safest way of producing a movement if there ie constipation. A child 2 pears oíd inay have a lialí tcaspoonfiü oí spdced eyrup of rhubarb or a teaspoonful of liquid citrate of magnesia, if there is reason to thinb. that indigestible Jood is the cause of the attaek. When this acts there will prboably be an immediate improvement. Au ailing child should be kept in a pure atmosphere and have fresh air tio breathe. This does not mean that the Windows must be thrown wide opea and the little body chilled with 'rtraughts. The temperature of a nursery .should never iall below G5 degrees, omd in állness be kep-t at from 68 to 70 degrees. Fresh air must be admitted and enough atrificial heat eupplied to keep the temperature uniform. Of course, ïn extremedy cold weatlier the window must be closed and the room aired wben tJve child is asleep. At this time it can be covered from head to foot with a blanket, the face protected and the window opened for a ïew minutes. The extra coverinir must be left on until the thermometer ogain registers 08 degrees. In ordinarily mild weather, the window can be ilowcred from the top and a piece of board two inches wide and exactly fitting the window frame can be put imdor the lower ash . The child should be kept .away from the window. A warm bath is always agi-eeable to a sick child. The water should ïully the person and feel pleasisuitJy warm to the hand. As the little patiënt is lifted out, wrap it in a warm blanket and dry it under that with a warm towel. Put a flanncl night dress, or jacket over the col ton iiight-Rown. If the attaek is theieguining of an eruptivo disease, the 'bath will help to bring the eruption to the Burfaoe. An ailing child should mot be allowed to sleep in the i-oom with other children.- Elizabetü Bobtaison Scovil, in Ladies' Home Jourhal. -. iaUJ