NURSERY NOTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XV, 15 April 1899, Page 504

NURSERY NOTES.

When giving a baby diluted milk-and-water never warm it just up to the right point and no further; let it boil for three or four minutes, and then cool down to the desired degree, as this will ensure the destruction of germs, as one cannot always depend upon the absolute purify of milk and water. German measles is a disease of comparatively small importance, although —like al! fevers—if care is not exercised, it may be followed by bad consequences. It is an acute, contagious ami eruptive fever, runs its course quickly, and occurs only once in a lifetime. The patient should be kept in bed, and the room darkened if there is any weakness of the eyes. Perfect isolation should be insured by keeping a sheet soaked in disinfectant over the door, ami not allowing anything to pass out of the room without being disinfected. The diet must consist of light food, such as milk, broths, toast, etc., ami plenty of barley-water if asked for.

To administer castor oil, or, indeed, any aperient medicine, to a newly-born baby is a great mistake. To start the poor little mite on its journey through life with anything in the nature of medicine, unless by the doctor's orders, is most unnecessary and bad for t he child.

Children should be, if possible, taught to eat fat with their meat —but very often they show a great dislike for it —as it is necessary for their growth and health. If it cannot be taken in one way, it must lie taken in another; and it should be remembered that there are many kinds of fat besides animal fat —such as fresh eream, butter, and dripping. A little suet boiled in milk, which then must be carefully strained, will form a drink of the most nourishing description, to which very few children will object. Paddling is often a. great cause of headache in children, the feet being chilled while the hot sun keeps the head warm: and it has even been known Io cause convulsions and other maladies of a dangerous kind. If children are allowed to paddle they should only stay a few minutes at a time, and then run in and out of the water. A wet cabbage-leaf put on the head, under the hat or sunbonnet, will keep the head cool.