should
in winter be always warm or tepid. When ices are taken, the precaution
of placing them in the centre of the mouth, so as to prevent contact
with the teeth, should be carefully observed.

There are many other causes which might be mentioned as tending to
induce decay of the teeth, but their consideration here is purposely
avoided.

It is hoped that enough has been said to draw the parent's attention
to the subject of the teeth, to prevent their neglect, and yet at the
same time to induce a cautious management.

CHAP. IV.

HINTS FOR THE EARLY DETECTION OF DISEASE IN THE CHILD BY THE MOTHER.

Life is soon extinguished in infancy. At this epoch any disease is
formidable, and must be met most promptly. It is either sudden and
active in its assaults, or comes with slow and insidious approach. The
first signs of its coming on are not always visible to an unpractised
eye: it may have made dangerous advances before the mother's mind is
awakened to its presence; and medical aid may be solicited when
remedies and advice are no longer of any avail.

It is therefore highly important that a mother should possess such
information as will enable her to detect disease at its first
appearance, and thus insure for her child timely medical assistance.
This knowledge it will not be difficult for her to obtain. She has only
to bear in mind what are the indications which constitute health, and
she will at once see that all deviations from it must denote the
presence of disorder, if not of actual disease. With these changes she
must to a certain extent make herself acquainted.

Sect. I.--SIGNS OF HEALTH.

The signs of health are to be found, first, in the healthy performance
of the various functions of the body; the regular demands made for its
supply, neither in excess or deficiency; and a similar regularity in
its excretions both in quantity and appearance.

If the figure of the healthy infant is observed, something may be
learnt from this. There will be perceived such an universal roundness
in all parts of the child's body, that there is no such thing as an
angle to be found in the whole figure; whether the limbs are bent or
straight, every line forms a portion of a circle. The limbs will feel
firm and solid, and unless they are bent, the joints cannot be
discovered.

The tongue, even in health, is always white, but it will be free from
sores,--the skin cool,--the eye bright,--the complexion clear,--th