The sponge is used simply to clear off the dirt loosened by the wash-rag, and to remove all superfluous soap; therefore, when this is accomplished, the child should be lifted from the tub to the lap and enveloped in a towel, or, better still, in the loose folds of the bath-apron. The drying process now begins and consists in absorbing the moisture from the skin. This is done by a series of very gentle patting movements with a towel folded over the palm of the hand. In drying a baby, special attention must be given to those portions of the body where the natural folds form crevices in which water may lodge. Unless these parts be thoroughly dried, serious consequences may ensue. If it be retained in a normal crevice - the fold of the buttocks or behind the ears - it causes in a short time troublesome excoriation.

"Never allow anything smaller than the elbow to enter the ear" is excellent advice; although during the bath should water get in and be allowed to remain it may lead to earache and abscesses, and in extreme, though not rare, cases, to deafness. In the event of this a blunt cone formed out of a soft handkerchief or of absorbent cotton will quickly absorb the moisture, and will do no harm if inserted but a very short distance within the orifice.

The nose can readily be cleaned by dropping alboline into the nostrils, or by the very careful use of a small cotton swab, especially if a little vaseline be added to facilitate the process. The mouth must be washed in the way already described, with a swab of absorbent cotton, and this is to be done only twice daily, not before or after each feeding. The male and female genitals must receive the same attention as in "sponging," but in regard to the former, after the first year it is quite sufficient to retract the foreskin and wash the parts, once or at most twice a week.

After the infant is patted perfectly dry - not rudely rubbed with a towel - the whole surface, but especially the region on either side of the spine, should be rubbed with the naked palm until the skin becomes slightly red. This modified massage ends the bath, and the child must then be dressed as quickly as possible.

Several important points yet remain to be mentioned. Never give a bath immediately after a meal nor when the child is either cold or overheated. Never suddenly or rudely plunge the body into the water; never allow the time of actual immersion to exceed five minutes, and during the first three months limit it to two minutes. Under no circumstances should the head and face be allowed to dip beneath the surface. Should this happen, the child will become so frightened that it will be difficult to get him to enter the water again. And here, by the way, it may be well to state that if there be repugnance to the bath, the tub may be covered over with a blanket, and the child, being placed upon it, may be slowly lowered into the water without seeing anything to excite his fears.

While the infant's head should be wet before each bath, it must not be washed every day. Too frequent cleaning and the too frequent use of soap dry the skin and lead to seborrhoea or other cutaneous disorders; once a week is quite often enough to wash the scalp. The buttocks and thighs require bathing after each bowel movement; this should be done with simple warm water and absorbent cotton, and after the parts are thoroughly cleansed they must be as carefully dried before adjusting a fresh napkin.

The question of the propriety of using powder after a bath is often asked by mothers. Powdering has always seemed to me to be a lazy way of absorbing the moisture that should be taken up by a dry towel, and unless there be some excoriation or other indication for its use, the skin can be kept cleaner and healthier without it. In cases, too, in which some disorder of the skin would seem to warrant its employment, better and quicker results are ordinarily obtained by the application of cold cream, oxide of zinc ointment, or vaseline.

The rule of one bath a day may be exceeded in very hot weather, when, in addition to the morning full bath, the body may be sponged twice daily with water at a temperature of 85 to 90°F. This, contrary to what might be expected, has a greater and more permanently cooling effect than bathing with cold water.

From what has been written, one might suppose that the details of an infant's bath are endless. So they must seem when given in full. A skilful bather, however, ought to fulfil every requisite and complete the bath in a period of time not exceeding twenty minutes at the very outside, and this must include not only the actual five minutes' immersion, but the preparation of the bath and the drying process.

The full bath should be omitted under the following conditions: in all cases of acute illness until the physician has seen the child; when there is eczema or other skin affection, and in feeble and delicate infants to avoid the risks of exposure and fatigue.

After the third year three full baths a week are quite sufficient. An evening hour is now to be preferred, but the water must be heated to 90°F. in winter, though it may be cooler in the heat of summer. While, at this age, the child has his three full baths weekly, for the purpose of securing absolute cleanliness he must be sponged every day with water, cool or warmed to the season.

The sponge bath is best given in the morning, soon after the child has roused himself from sleep and before any food is given. The nurse, for this, must provide herself with a large basin containing water at a temperature of 75° in summer and 85° in winter, a large, fine sponge and several towels. The bath-apron being donned and the child's nightclothes removed, the sponge filled with water is passed rapidly over the whole surface of the body; then the child must be wrapped up in the apron and the skin first dried gently with a soft towel and then rubbed into redness with the open hand. When this process is. completed - and it should be done in at least ten minutes - the clothing is put on rapidly, and the child is ready and usually hungry for his morning meal. No soap need be used in these baths.