In the tri-weekly cleansing bath the process of washing is much the same as in infancy. That is, the bathtub being filled with water at a temperature of about 90°, the child is put into it up to his neck and thoroughly soaped with a wash-rag, and next douched clean with a large sponge. Here, also, the head must be wet first; the body immersion must not last longer than five minutes, and the drying must be done quickly and with a patting rather than a rubbing movement. Ample reaction of the skin must be secured by gently rubbing with the palm of the hand, especially over the spine.

The washing of the head is a most important matter, as it cleanses the scalp, prevents the formation of scurf, and adds beauty to the hair. At the same time the nurse must be careful how she dries the hair. To rub it gently with a soft towel and then brush it out with a fine hair brush is the proper plan. Combing, in so far as it means dressing the hair and cleansing the scalp with a fine comb, must never be allowed, as it not only thins the hair by pulling it out by the roots, but also irritates the scalp and produces eruptions upon it.

As the child approaches puberty he must gradually be taught to wash himself, and should be encouraged to form the habit of bathing every day. The bath at this age should be a sponging rather than a soaking process; it is best taken in the morning directly after rising, and the temperature of the water may range from 65 to 75°, though delicate children may require it warmer, especially during winter weather.

When childhood merges into youth, while the sponge is still preferable to the plunge, water may be used, all the year round, just as it flows from the faucet. The temperature will be, of course, quite low at times, but so long as the bath is taken in a warm room, completed quickly, and followed by a sense of stimulation and warmth, nothing but good results.

Whatever room be used for the purpose of the toilet, the child, if he be old enough to bathe him-self, should occupy it alone, so that the whole body may be stripped naked; otherwise washing cannot be thoroughly or effectually accomplished.

A boy should wash his head each morning; a girl, who has long hair, at least once a week. Any loitering over the bath is attended with the danger of chilling. Never occupy more time than fifteen minutes in the whole process.

These daily sponge baths are ordinarily quite sufficient to keep the person perfectly clean. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to take, in addition, a full warm bath at intervals of a week. These baths are relaxing if too prolonged; ten minutes is the maximum time for remaining in the water. After leaving the tub there must be no exposure to draughts. The best hour for such a bath is in the evening; some time after the last meal and just before going to bed.

Sea-water baths are useful for a child of any age, although ordinary sea bathing is not to be recommended until the child is old enough and strong enough to hold his own in a moderate surf - after the eighth year, for instance. A younger subject may, when at the seaside, be dressed daily in a bathing suit and allowed to splash for a time at the edge of the surf. The process of carrying a child against his will into the waves and immersing his head, as is often done, is cruel and productive of so much terror that more harm than good results.

In our climate, the proper season for sea bathing is from the middle of June until the middle of September.

On arriving at the coast, it is always well to prepare for the plunge in the sea by giving, on the first day, a warm salt-water bath. On the day following, about three hours after breakfast, the child may don his bathing dress. Immediately on entering the water, the head must be thoroughly wetted. After this, the bath may be protracted for fifteen, or at most twenty, minutes. To get the invigorating effects of a surf bath, it should never be repeated oftener than once a day, and in some cases it is better to allow a day to intervene, or even to enter the water only twice a week. Drying and dressing should be rapidly performed, and a half-hour's brisk walk is very useful in promoting reaction and causing free circulation of the blood. Should the bather feel faint after coming out of the water, he must be wrapped in towels and given half a tumblerful of milk containing one or more tea-spoonfuls of brandy or whisky, and the succeeding baths should be at longer intervals and for shorter periods, or they must be discontinued if their effect is uniformly depressant, and a daily sponge bath of equal quantities of salt and fresh water substituted. When the child is either cold or perspiring freely, the bath must not be undertaken.

The bathing suit should be of light flannel, made in one piece like a pair of moderately loose night drawers, but with short arms and legs; it should open only over the shoulders, where, when put on, it is fastened by buttons. This arrangement permits of easy removal after the bath when the flannel is saturated with sea water, and is, in consequence, heavy and sticky.

The question of sea bathing suggests that of swimming. Boys, and girls too, should early learn to swim. The art is not only a safeguard, but a means of most pleasant and invigorating exercise. It develops the muscles, expands the chest, aids digestion, strengthens the whole frame, and promotes energy, courage and self-reliance.

Swimming, like every other exercise, must be taken in moderation. Even with this care it is not always beneficial. The bather should leave the water experiencing a pleasant glow over the whole surface of the body; the spirits and appetite should be increased, and there ought to be a sensation of augmented strength. If, on the contrary, it should disagree, there is a sense of chilliness, with lassitude and depression of spirits; the face is pinched and pale, and the lips and finger-nails are apt to look blue.