Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1874 — Bathing Children. [ARTICLE]

Bathing Children.

Some mothers think, when their Children get beyond two or three years of age, the frequent entire bath can be dispensed with. If some of the main facts of physiology were well known and understood, every one would perceive that cleanliness of the skin is one of the conditions of good health. It happens when bathing is disregarded that the lungs, kidneys or bowels have more than their own apportionment of work. If these are strong and healthy, they may bear the tax with little apparent injury, but, in most cases, a lowering of the vitality and tone of the system ensues. , Large bath-tubs are pleasant and convenient, bat not indispensable to the proper cleansing of the skin. A speedy sponging of the body in pure water, rollowed by friction in pure air, is all that is necessary. When disinclined to use water, I find a thorough application of the flesh-brush to the whole person an admirable substitute; especially, on retiring it relieves nervousness, equalizes the circulation and induces quiet sleep. Mothers, above all, should see that their children are well bathed. If their skins are kept active and healtny there will not be half the danger from fever, colds and eruptive diseases. If your little one is cross or troublesome, and finds no occupation that pleases him, try the effect of a bath; sometimes it is magical, and, if tired, he will go to sleep and awaken bright, cheerful and happy. Do not though, as I have seen some parents do, plunge a child into cold water when he screams and shrinks from it, thinking you are doing a good deed. Nature must be the guide. If your child has a nervous constitution, a shock of this kind is only exhausting and injurious.— Agriculturist. "