is less effective.  All of this cheesy substance must be at once removed; the most difficult parts will be in the folds and creases.  The nurse should grease the palms of her hands, then take the head of the child between them, and thoroughly grease it; particular attention must be given to the ears; then come the neck, shoulders, arms, chest and back, groins, external genital organs, and lower extremities.  After the child has been thoroughly gone over, the grease should be rubbed off with a soft towel.

A rectal injection of one tablespoonful of warm water is given at once to unload the bowels of the meconium; this generally acts before the baby’s toilet is completed.  The meconium is the first discharge from the infant’s bowels after birth, and that which had collected in the intestines during the pregnancy.

The Baby’s Bath.—­ The baby’s bath-tub is filled about one-third full of water at a temperature of 100° F., tested by the thermometer.  The baby is then gradually immersed in the water, with the exception of the head; this is supported on the left wrist of the nurse, which passes under the infant’s neck, while her hand grasps the left shoulder; with the right hand the nurse quickly rubs over the child’s head and body; the entire bath should not occupy over five minutes.  The infant is then lifted out into the lap of the nurse, on which is spread a soft, warm towel, with which it is carefully dried.  One of the important points in giving the infant its bath is to be sure that the groins, arm-pits, and genitals are thoroughly well dried; otherwise excoriation at these parts is sure to occur.

After this a daily tub-bath is given in the same way; soap is rarely needed; when it is, castile soap should be used; its constant use is not necessary and would only irritate the skin.  These daily baths strengthen the nervous system and prevent coughs and colds.  The bath should be given during the morning, one hour after feeding, and should not last more than five minutes.  The mother herself, just as soon as she is able to go around, should superintend the bath; in this way she is assured that if properly given, and will also recognize any incipient affection of the child.  These daily baths should be continued till the child is four years old.  Powder is not essential; but if it is desired, a plain talcum powder may be used.

The Dressing of the Cord.—­ After the bath the ligature which was tied around the cord at the birth of the child will be found slightly loosened; this should first be made tight, and then the cord, doubled back on itself, should be tied by the ends of the same ligature.  A square of soft sterilized linen or gauze is slit up to its center; the cord is allowed to pass through this slit, which looks toward the child’s right; the stump of cord is laid on the left and the ends of gauze are folded over this; the whole is kept in place by the abdominal bandage.  As there is some exudation from the cord,