year, and is addicted to habitual bed-wetting, some measures
should be adopted to cure the condition.

Boys under twelve years of age seem to be affected more frequently than
girls. It is wrong to assume that it is caused by negligence or
laziness, as some parents do. It has generally a special cause, and the
cause usually can be found if it is carefully sought for. It may be the
result of bad habits: exposure to cold in the night; lying on the back;
drinking too much liquid in the afternoon or at bedtime. It may be due
to too much acid in the urine, and if so it will be found necessary to
reduce meats and eggs the child is eating. Worms, stone in the bladder,
some anatomical abnormality or deficiency, may be responsible for it.
The diet may be at fault; adenoids are supposed by some physicians to be
the cause. No matter what the actual cause may be, it must be found and
remedied before we can hope for a permanent cure. A very large majority
of these cases are due to nervousness. These children are of a nervous
temperament. They are not necessarily sickly children; they are simply
of a nervous type. They are well-nourished, active, and lively.
Incontinence of urine during the day and long-continued bed-wetting does
not at all affect the health of the child. If they are in poor health,
it is essential to treat their general condition before trying to cure
the incontinence.

It is absolutely wrong to punish or to crush the spirit of these
children. Constant nagging and taunting, even if done in the hope of
shaming the child into a cure, will simply make a coward of him and will
not aid in improving matters, but will be distinctly detrimental.

Scrupulous cleanliness must be constantly practiced or these children,
if neglected, may develop ulcers and sores of a very obstinate
character. The odor is also bad for the health of the child.

Treatment.--Find and remove the cause if possible. If due to general
poor health, give tonics, obtain a change of air, and build the child
up. Reduce the total quantity of liquids, if in excess, and be very
careful not to give any liquids near bedtime. Don't cover these children
too much; they should never be "too warm"; they should sleep in a
well-aired room, and they should receive a quick, cool sponge bath every
morning. They should be taught to sleep on their sides, never on their
backs. Their diet should be light but nourishing. When bed-wetting is
established it will continue, if u