What manner of child's clothing, then, best fulfils the conditions that have been set forth? Flannel ought, undoubtedly, to form the chief part of an infant's dress, a long-sleeved flannel gown from the neck downwards being the prin cipal garment. As, however, the child's skin is apt to be irritated by rubbing against the flan nel, a shirt of fine lawn is usually put on next the skin. It is customary also for a roll of flan nel—a binder--to be wound round the belly. During the early weeks of the child's life this is valuable, by giving protection and support to the navel. But it is almost constantly too tightly drawn, and seriously interferes with the action of the chest and belly, greatly impeding breathing. It should always be so slack that the baud can be readily passed between it and the skin. The use of the binder should not be continued longer than six or eight weeks. After that time it should be daily made Dar nower and shorter till in a few days it is entirely given up. The flannel dress should be fastened by means of buttons or tapes, even being not devoid of danger, and it should ex tend for 10 inches or so beyond the feet to keep the legs warm. It should never be so tight fitting at any part as to limit freedom of move ment. A light woollen shawl, to be thrown over the child when it is being carried from one part of the house to the other, completes all its necessary clothing. The head needs no special covering indoors, either by day or by night. When the child is taken out it requires a covering for the head, a soft, light woollen hood being preferred, and it also needs an extra wrap, a woollen shawl being the best. If a cloak is
used, the mistake should not be made of fasten ing it on by tying round the neck only, half strangling the child, as it too often does. The thickness and closeness of the material form ing the added garment should depend upon the weather and season of the year.
About the third month of life, when the child begins to exercise its limbs more freely, its clothes are usually shortened. Stockings and soft pliable shoes become necessary. The cloth ing at this period commonly consists of a linen, cotton, or flannel shirt next the skin, of a pair of stiff-starched cotton stays, of a flannel petti coat made with a body, an outer cotton one, and of a dress with short sleeves. There are some objections to be taken to this arrangement. The shirt should always be of flannel, unless that has already proved too irritating. The stays are worse than useless, they are positively injurious, a hindrance alike to free movement and free growth. There is no justification of any kind for retaining them. Instead of each petticoat having a body of its own, or being simply but toned at the waist, a light flannel body should be made separately. Round the waist it should be provided with buttons to fit corresponding button - holes in the petticoats. With this arrangement, if one petticoat be wet it can be removed without undressing the child. From the waist-band of this body suspenders for stock ings can be attached. The dress should always have long sleeves, and should not be low-necked.
For night a woollen night-dress should be provided, but no night-cap or other covering for the head.