a week while the child is in his bath, and the parts thus
exposed washed gently with absorbent cotton and water.

If the foreskin is tightly adherent and cannot readily be pushed back,
the physician's attention should be called to it. The nurse or mother
should not attempt forcible stretching.

_When is circumcision advisable?_

Usually, when the foreskin is very long and so tight that it cannot be
pushed back without force; always, when this condition is accompanied
by evidences of local irritation or difficulty in passing water.

EYES

_How should the eyes of a little baby be cleansed?_

With a piece of soft linen or absorbent cotton and a lukewarm solution
of salt or boric acid,--one half of an even teaspoonful to one pint of
water.

_If pus appears in the eyes, what should be done?_

They should be cleansed every hour with a solution of boric acid (ten
grains to one ounce of water). If the lids stick together, a little
vaseline from a tube should be rubbed upon them at night. If the
trouble is slight, this treatment will control it; if it is severe, a
physician should be called immediately, as delay may result in loss of
eyesight.

MOUTH

_How is an infant's mouth to be cleansed?_

An excellent method is by the use of a swab made by twisting a bit of
absorbent cotton upon a wooden toothpick. With this the folds between
the gums and lips and cheeks may be gently and carefully cleansed
twice a day unless the mouth is sore. It is not necessary after every
feeding. The finger of the nurse, often employed, is too large and
liable to injure the delicate mucous membrane.

_What is sprue?_

It appears on the lips and inside the cheeks like little white threads
or flakes. It is also called thrush. In bad cases it may cover the
tongue and the whole of the inside of the mouth.

_How should a mouth be cleansed when there is sprue?_

It should be washed carefully after every feeding or nursing with a
solution of borax or bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), one even
teaspoonful to three ounces of water, and four times a day the
boric-acid solution mentioned should be used.

SKIN

_How should the infant's skin be cared for to prevent chafing?_

First, not too much nor too strong soap should be used; secondly,
careful rinsing of the body; thirdly, not too vigorous rubbing, either
during or after the bath; fourthly, the use of dusting powder in all
the folds of the skin,--under the arms, behind the ears,