ution
in regard to lamps. Washing, ironing, cooking, &c., in a nursery. Their
evil tendency. Fumigation--camphor, vinegar.
CHAPTER IV. THE CHILD'S DRESS.
General principles--1. To cover us; 2. To defend us from cold; 3. from
injury.
SEC. 1. _Swathing the Body._
Buffon's remarks. Transforming children into mummies. Use of a belly-band.
Evils produced by having it too tight. Cripples sometimes made. Absurdity
of confining the arms. Infants should be made happy.
SEC. 2. _Form of the Dress._
Curious suggestion of a London writer. Advantages of his plan. Killing
with kindness. Dr. Buchan's opinion. Conformity to fashion. Tight-lacing
the chest. Its effects--dangerous. Physiology of the chest. Its motions.
An attempt to make the subject intelligible. Serious mistakes of some
writers. Appeal to facts. Color of females. Their breathing. Their
diseases. Customs of Tunis. Our own customs little less ridiculous.
SEC. 3. _Material._
Flannel in cold weather. Its use--1. As a kind
of flesh brush; 2. As a protection against taking cold; 3. As means of
equalizing the temperature. Clothing should be kept clean--often
changed--color--lightness--softness. Cotton apt to take fire. Silk
expensive. Linen not warm enough. Flannel under-clothes.
SEC. 4. _Quantity._
The power of habit, in this respect. Opinion that no clothing is
necessary. Anecdote of Alexander and the Scythian. Argument from
analogy. Begin right, in early life. We generally use too much
clothing. Should clothing be often varied?--objections to it. Avoid
dampness.
SEC. 5. _Caps._
How caps produce disease. Nature's head-dress. Miserable apology for
caps. What diseases are avoided by going with the head bare. Judicious
remarks of a foreign writer. Covering the "open of the head." Wetting
the head with spirits.
SEC. 6. _Hats and Bonnets._
Hats usually too warm. No covering needed in the house; and but little
in the sun or rain. Is it dangerous to go with the head always bare?
SEC. 7. _Covering for the Feet._
The feet should be well covered. Why. Rule of medical men. No garters.
Objections to covering the feet considered. Shoes useful. Not too thick.
Thick soles. Mr. Locke's opinion.
SEC. 8. _Pins._
These ought not to be used. Why. Substitutes. Practice of Dr. Dewees.
Needles--their danger. Shocking anecdote.
SEC. 9. _Remaining Wet._
Changing wet clothing. Monstrous error--its evils. Clean as well as dry.
A lame excuse for neglige
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