OUR BABIES. BILLIARDS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14339, 26 April 1912, Page 4

OUR BABIES.

BILLIARDS.

(Br Htokia.'("Weekly Tress and Referee.")

HARDENING A DELICATE CHILD

I gave you last week a re-publication of tho history of a delicate child who came under my notice over four years ago, whom I have kept in touch with since. This week I give an account of tho course that was pursued with a view to restoring her to health and strength: — WHAT HAD TO BE DONE. Tho leading instructions to the grandmother were on the lines laid down in the beginning of the Society's book MEALS. Suitable- meals of wholesome, plain food—such as bread and butter, toast, rusks, porridge, milk (li pints a day)— were to be given with perfect regularity only three or, at most, four times in the 21 hours. No -'pieces wcro to bo permitted between meals, and no ''lollies," cake, or swee-t. biscuits, etc., at any tune. A drink of water might bo given ln?tween meals it tho child were specially thirsty. Tho use of wholesome, ripe fruit and suitable vegetables was to be encouraged at meal times. The litilo meat allowed was to be underdone- Thorough mastication was to be ensured as tar as possible. This dietetic regimen was not to be arrived at suddenly, but by proper gradations, and pending some improvement in digestion tho milk was to bo partly modified. Due warning was given as to the harm liable to arise from any sudden, extreme change of habits. It was explained that some weeks would havet<. Ik- spent in attaining the prescribed goal, but that distinct vices such as th 0 taking of -greets" and • -pieces" between meals were to be abandoned at once. EXKRCISK. As the child could not walk, the first exercise had to be given in the form of "massage," which fortunately a member of the family was able to carry out herself, as she had had some nursing experience. BATHING. .Stimulation of the skin was to be initiated by first .sponging the limbs only, cold bathing for the whole body being gradually arrived at on the lines laid down in the preceding articles and summarised on page 71 of the Society's book. In this connection particular stress was laid on the paramount need of winning the child to resume the use of its voluntary muscles by making the 'exercise after bathing' , take tho form of an openair game —such as the most primitive form ot ' ; hide .Vnd seek," cairied cut in such a way as to induce the child not to dawdle, but to run with spirit from point to point of the route chosen for the morning excursion. (This may ?eem very troublesome and exacting, hut it mus:. be borne in mind that the relations were in earnest, and that they were fichting for the child's henlth and life. Moreover, they won the battle in the course of a single month! , ) GOING HAREFOOT. The time was midsummer, and it. was advised tlint the child should be trained to walk barefootCLOTHING. J Tlii* clothing next the skin was to be non-irritating (silk and wool), and the rest of the clothing was to be as light and porous a.s possible, consistent with din , warmth - louse, woollen materials, not ciittou. Km titer, there was to be ab-oiute Ireedoni from xinstriction ot any kind—nothing to hamper the tree play of the muscles and internal organs. pi:rr air and sunlight. The chiid was to be kept a.s much as

possible in the open air by day, and to sleep in pure ajr au night. These wero the leadins injunctions. (For tbc rest set* the Society's book)SUMMARY OF PROGRESS. "When first seen the child was over 2J years of age, and weighed 241b. Exactly a month later (viz., on February 10th, 190*) the grandmother wrote:— I must tell you how my little grandchild is getting on. I. am pleased to nay she is much improved under the treatment recommended. She has gained 2Jll> in weight; her appetite is much better, and she rests better at night. Within another nine months the cfiild had increased in weight from 241b to 34i Ib, and had attained above tho average weight for her years, haying gained in 10 months about three times the ordinary "weight-increase for 12 months from 2J to 3£ years of ago. Of course, she was "putting on flesh" and making up for lost? time. The following series of letters will serve to show that the all-round improvement in health, vigour, and happinowi -was onite as remarkable as tho gain in weight:— March, 19, 1908 Little Annie's weight is now 301b, and she is still improving. April 17, 1003. Since writing to you a month ago sin. , had had diarrhoea, and for a t.imo was not finite as well, but is taking her food bettor now, and continues 1o in weight. She was weighed to-day, and weighs 321b —that is an increase of 2lb since I last wrote. Six. , still has her cold bath every morning. We are. wondering if we should continue them through the winter, or substitute tepid water during tin* very cold weather. Tho grandmother was written to and informed that the cold bath ought to be continued through the winter, provided that proper re-action could be ensured by the taking of a sufficiency of suitable exercise immediately after bathing. CTRED OF CAPRICE AND FASTIDIOUSNESS. Further progress was reported in May, but unfortunately the letter has been mislaid. It stated that the child was full of life and spirit, growing steadily, and "on the yo" all day long. Her appotvte was pood, fastidiousness as to food had disappeared, and the maintenance of a consistent, regular daily regimen had completely obliterated the old craving for capricious and irregular indulgences. This the crandmotlier exemplified by the following incident: — When in town the child was offered some sweets, but refused them of her own accord, saying:—"I don't have things between meals." June 9. ]908. I am pleased to tell you that little Annie is still improving. She is growing fast, and* is not like the

AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP OF CUEISTCHURCH. A meeting of delegates representing lie various amateur clubs in Christchurcb was lv.i'cl in the Pioneer Club roo:n= on Wednesday niglu, when i. was deciaed t< run the . hati!._):ouship as in prev-ii-iis ynrs. It was dec : df-ci to receive entries fry.m bona fido amateur chib niembcrs. entries to close on May 25th. It is expected that the various clubs will hold Uuriiaraects previous to the closing of entries to enable them to select their representatives.