What is prickly heat, and how caused?  Fine, red pimples appear, caused by excessive sweating and from irritation of flannel underwear.

How should I treat it?  Muslin or linen should be worn next to the skin.  The entire body sponged frequently with vinegar and water (equal parts) and plenty of starch and boric acid powder used; starch, two parts; boric acid (one part) should be put on.

(See Mother’s Remedies under “Prickly Heat,” General Department.)

CLOTHING FOR THE BABY.

The chest should be well covered with soft flannel, the limbs protected, but not cramped, the abdomen supported by a band, not too tight.  The clothing should be neither too tight nor too loose.  No pins should be used, but all bands should be fastened to the body.  The petticoats should be supported by shoulder straps.

How should a baby be held during dressing?  It should lie on the lap until quite old enough to sit alone.  Draw the clothes over the child’s feet and do not slip them over the head.

Why use the band, and how long should it be worn?  It protects the abdomen, but its main use is to support the abdominal walls in very young infants and thus prevents rupture.  The snug flannel band should not be worn more than four months.  Then in healthy infants a knitted band may be used and worn up to eighteen months.  If the baby is thin and the abdominal organs are not protected by fat, they may be troubled with diarrhea and need protection.  In such condition, the band may be worn until the third year.

BABY’S FIRST WARDROBE.

Four to six dozen diapers (bird’s-eye cotton), two to three shirts (wool), four flannel skirts, two white skirts (nainsook), two to four night dresses (outing flannel), six day dresses, two wrappers, six pairs of socks, four to six flannel bands, two flannel sacks, two shawls or afghans.  The dresses to be worn after the first four or six weeks.  Of course this can be less or more elaborate, according to the conditions and circumstances of the parents, etc.

[554 Mothers’ remedies]

What changes should be made in the clothing in summer?  The thinnest gauze flannel undershirts should be worn, the outside garments to be changed for the changing weather.  They should not be kept too hot in the middle of the day, while in the morning and evening extra wraps should be used.

Should older children go with bare legs?  There is no objection, if they are strong and well, to doing this in warm weather.

What kind of underwear should be worn in cold weather?  Next to the heaviest is thick enough.

Do children require heavy flannels?  Not as a rule, as they usually live in the nursery and they sweat readily while playing.  When they go out-of-doors, coats and leggings render thick flannels unnecessary.