During the first two or three days the vulvar dressings should be changed from every three to six hours, and at all times as often as they are soiled.  Each time that the dressing is renewed the external genitals and their immediate surroundings are to be carefully cleansed with sterilized water, and finally washed with a solution of boric acid, in the proportion of one tablespoonful of boric acid to one quart of water.  It is convenient to keep this solution mixed and on hand, as it takes some little time to prepare it; it should be kept in a strength double that which is desired, so that it may be diluted with warm water to give the desired temperature.  This solution may be poured over the parts from a small pitcher, the douche-pan having been placed under the patient before the washing began.  After labor the vulva is very sensitive, so that while the greatest care must be used to remove all clots of blood and the discharge, there must be no brisk rubbing of the parts.  No blood-stained linen should be permitted to remain about the patient or the bed.

Since the lying-in woman perspires freely, her skin ought to be frequently cleansed by sponging with a weak solution of alcohol in tepid water; this should be followed by friction with a towel until the skin is in a glow.  Cleanliness of the bed is promoted by the use of a draw-sheet, which is a sheet folded to four thicknesses and placed beneath the patient’s hips in such a way that the upper edge of the sheet shall come under the lower part of the pillows.  Air and light must be freely admitted at all times in order that the room may be bright and cheerful.  For the first few weeks the eyes of the new-born infant should be shielded from all strong light.

Visitors.—­ For the first week after the confinement the patient should see no visitors.  Even the husband or mother should not remain in the room long at a time.  Nothing of a disagreeable nature should be told to the patient; and whoever goes into the sick-room should always carry the most cheerful manner, as it is highly necessary that the patient should be kept mentally as well as physically quiet at this time.

Diet.—­ For the first twenty-four hours the diet must be restricted to liquids, and in most cases nothing is given until the patient has had a few hours’ rest.  The first thing that is given to the patient should be a cup of warm milk or tea.  Milk is the best diet; this may be varied with beef-tea, bouillon, mutton or chicken broth; any of these broths may be made with rice or barley to vary the flavor, but these must not be given to the patient.  The patient should have six ounces of the liquid every two hours during the day and every three hours during the night.