ed daily. The
other necessary articles of furniture are a crib of enameled iron
whose bedding will be described elsewhere in this chapter, a chest for
baby's clothes and other necessary supplies, a screen or two, a low
table and a low rocker, a small clothes rack on which to air the
clothes at night, a pair of scales, and a medicine chest placed high
on the wall.

If the room will conveniently admit it, a couch will add greatly to
the mother's comfort; and, if possible, it should be of leather
upholstery; otherwise, it should possess a washable cover, for all
articles that promote the accumulation of dust are not to be allowed
in the nursery. In these early weeks and months baby will not benefit
from pictures or other wall decorations, and so let him have clean
walls that are easily washed and quickly dusted.

The necessities for baby's personal care are:

Talcum powder.
Castile soap.
Soft wash cloths.
Soft linen towels.
Bottle of plain vaseline.
Boracic acid, oz. IV (Saturated Solution).
Olive oil.
Sterile cotton balls in covered glass jar.
Safety pins of different sizes.
Hot water bag with flannel cover.
Baby scales.
Drying frames for shirt and stockings.

BABY'S BED

Since the days of Solomon, accidents have occurred where mother and
babe have occupied the same bed. Not only is there the ever-present
danger of smothering the babe, but there are also many other reasons
why a baby should have its own bed. The constant tendency to nurse it
too often and the possibility of the bed clothing shutting off the
fresh air supply, are in and of themselves sufficient reasons for
having a separate bed for baby.

The first bed is usually a basinet--a wicker basket with high
sides--with or without a hood. A suitable washable lining and outside
drape present a neat as well as sanitary appearance. The mattress of
the basinet is usually a folded clean comfort slipped into a pillow
slip; this is to be preferred to a feather pillow, as it is cooler and
in every way better for the babe.

Drapes about the head of the basinet are not only often in the way,
shutting out air, etc., but they also gather dust and are unsanitary.
Screens are movable--they may be used or put away at will--and are,
therefore, very convenient about the nursery.

The basinet may be dispensed with entirely if the sides of the
enameled crib are lined to cut off draughts and the babe is properly
supported by pillows. After