it was at birth because the brain
expands faster than the boney matter deposited around the edges in the
skull bones. After this another deposit of bone goes on more rapidly than
the growth of the brain substance, and by sixteen or eighteen months the
opening should be entirely closed.

When should the baby be given the second tub bath? Not until the cord has
dropped off.

How and when should this be given? The room should be warm. The head and
face should be washed first and dried; then the body soaped and the infant
placed in the tub with its head and body well supported by the hands. The
bath should be given quickly with no special rubbing, drying with a soft
towel. (An hour after feeding).

What should be the temperature of the bath? One hundred degrees F. for the
first few weeks, later ninety-eight F. After six months ninety-five F.;
during the second year from eighty-five to ninety degrees F.

What should you use in giving the bath? Soft, clean sponges or smooth
cloths. There should be separate pieces for each eye, for the head, face
and buttocks.

What are the objections to sponges? They are very apt to become dirty and
are hard to keep clean.

When should the daily bath be omitted? In the case of infants who are
delicate and feeble, when the bath seems to harm them; in all forms of
acute sickness, unless the bath is directed. In eczema and many other
forms of skin diseases a great deal of harm is often done by soap and
water or water baths.

How should a genuine bath be given? If possible the bath should be given
in front of an open fire, in a room where the temperature is from seventy
to seventy-two F. and the draughts kept off by a large screen. Have
everything at hand with which to give the bath. A folding rubber bath-tub
is the best, next a papier-mache one; or if tin must be used, put a piece
of flannel in the tub to protect the baby from the tin. If necessary place
the tub on a low table, place another low table to the right of the one on
which the tub sets, and on this table should be the baby's basket
containing a soft brush, different sizes of pins in a pin-cushion, several
threaded needles, a thimble, squares of soft linen, absorbent cotton,
wooden tooth-picks, a powder-box and puff, or a powder-shaker containing
pure talcum powder, a box of bismuth subnitrate, one of cold cream, a tube
of white vaselin, a dish containing castile, ivory, or pure French soap
should be placed by the basket on th