ly subject to
rashes, intertrigo, excoriations, eczema, and other skin affections. It
is much easier to prevent these conditions than to cure them.
Cleanliness, not only in giving a daily efficient bath, but in every
other respect, is essential. Castile soap only should be used, and no
rubbing indulged in, simply mopping the parts with gauze well saturated
with soapy water. All napkins should be removed as soon as soiled. If
the skin is easily chafed the child should be bathed in salt water or
water in which bran is mixed as explained in the chapter on bran baths.

The baby should be well powdered with a good quality of toilet powder.
Ordinary starch, or talcum, or the stearate of zinc is suitable. Fat
infants should be powdered in all the skin folds; otherwise they are
sure to chafe.

CARE OF THE GENITAL ORGANS.--The mother should make it a habit to remove
any dirt from the genitals of the baby during the morning bath. Fecal
matter sometimes gets into the folds of the female baby; this should be
removed promptly. In older female children, dirt and dust get into the
genitals which often has to be removed carefully with a soft piece of
cloth. An exceedingly chronic form of inflammation is often seen in poor
children because of neglect of these parts.

In male babies the mother must daily push back the foreskin and clean
under it. If this is not done the natural secretion will gather there
and cause much trouble. If the foreskin is long, the child should be
circumcised; if it is not long it must be pushed back daily for a number
of weeks; otherwise it will contract and it may be necessary to operate
on it at a later date. If this is not faithfully attended to the prepuce
will become adherent, the child becomes nervous and irritable, and it
may become addicted to self-abuse at a very early date--simply because
the mother is derelict in the performance of her duty. If you are afraid
to do your duty, don't neglect it, ask the doctor to show you just what
has to be done and just how it should be done. You will find it to be a
simple matter when you know how, as most things are.

AMUSING BABY.--Mothers should understand that it is not necessary to
amuse a baby under one year of age. Their nervous systems are not ready
for any such sport. To excite a baby to laughter is to subject it to a
shock which may injure it. The healthy development of the brain of a
child demands quiet and restful surroundings. It should sleep, eat, a