body which are exposed to the reception of dirt.

NAPKINS.--The frequency of the discharges from the bowels and bladder
requires a frequent change of napkins. A nurse cannot be too careful of
this duty from the first, so that she may be enabled to discover the
periods when those discharges are about to take place, that she may not
only anticipate them, but teach the child, at a very early age, to give
intelligent warning of its necessities. Thus a habit of regularity with
regard to those functions will be established, which will continue
through life, and tend greatly to the promotion of health. As the child
grows older, the system of cleanliness must in no particular be
relaxed, and it will be found the best preservative against those
eruptive disorders which are so frequent and troublesome during the
period of infancy.

DURING CHILDHOOD.--When this period arrives, or shortly after, bathing
is but too frequently left off; the hands and face of the child are
kept clean, and with this the nurse is satisfied; the daily ablution of
the whole body, however, is still necessary, not only for the
preservation of cleanliness, but because it promotes in a high degree
the health of the child.

PLAN TO BE PURSUED WITH THE VIGOROUS AND HEALTHY.--A child of a
vigorous constitution and robust health, as he rises from his bed
refreshed and active by his night's repose, should be put into the
shower-bath, or, if this excites and alarms him too much, must be
sponged from head to foot with salt water. If the weather be very cold,
the water may be made slightly tepid, but if his constitution will bear
it, the water should be cold throughout the year. Then the body should
be speedily dried, and hastily but well rubbed with a somewhat coarse
towel, and the clothes put on without any unnecessary delay. This
should be done every morning of the child's life.

If such a child is at the sea-side, advantage should be taken of this
circumstance, and seabathing should be substituted. The best time is
two or three hours after breakfast; but he must not be fatigued
beforehand, for if so, the cold bath cannot be used without danger.
Care must be taken that he does not remain in too long, as the animal
heat will be lowered below the proper degree, which would be most
injurious. In boys of a feeble constitution, great mischief is often
produced in this way. It is a matter also of great consequence in
bathing children that they should not be t