be administered
entirely under the bed clothes, only care must be taken to keep oil
from the blankets.

Many of our mothers prefer to give the tub bath at five o'clock in the
afternoon, when the house is thoroughly warm, and the child is thereby
prepared for the long night's sleep. Before dressing in the morning an
oil bath or rub may be given in such cases.

If the forenoon is selected as the time for bathing the child, then an
hour just before the mid forenoon meal is the best. In either event,
be regular about it--do it at the same time every day. Let the
caretaker attend to her many duties, and, as far as possible, mothers,
bathe your baby yourself. The folds of the skin, the creases in the
neck, the clenched fists, must all receive particular care, and no one
in all the world will ever care as you--the mother--cares.

SOAP AND WATER

Select a soap free from irritants and excess of alkalis. There are few
kinds that equal the old-fashioned, white castile soap our
grandmothers used.

Very hard water which makes the skin rough and sore may be improved by
boiling, but if possible substitute rain water for it. A flannel bag
tied over the faucet and changed each day will help to clarify muddy
water, provided the stream flows gently through it.

ROUTINE OF THE TUB BATH

Just as we directed the nurse or caretaker to stand while the oil rub
or sponge bath was given, so we admonish the mother to stand while the
tub bath is given. First, get everything in readiness for the bath as
directed for the oil bath, and then the baby's tub setting on the
securely cleated slats placed across the top of the family tub may be
filled with water by means of a hose attached to the faucet. The
temperature should be 100 F. when baby is dipped in to be rinsed.

The head and face toilet are identical with that described before, and
with the baby undressed and wrapped in a warm towel placed inside
the warm blanket on the pillow or comfort as before mentioned, we
proceed with a good lather of castile soap and water to lather the
baby's body all over--under the arms, the neck, chest, groins, thighs,
buttocks, legs, feet, and between the toes, while the genitals also
receive their share of attention. The foreskin of the boy baby is
gently pushed back and cleansed thoroughly; while the vulva of the
little girl baby, having first been swabbed with boracic acid, is now
gently lathered and cleansed. Now grasp the ankles and legs with the