Hot air or Vapor Bath. - The body-clothing being removed the child is laid upon a bed, the bed-clothing is pinned tightly about the neck so that the head only is outside, and raised about a foot above the body by an arrangement of hoops or a wicker support. Hot air or vapor is then introduced beneath the raised bed-covering from a croup-kettle. This bath causes free perspiration in from ten to twenty minutes, and may be continued for twenty or thirty minutes unless faintness or giddiness be produced, when it should be stopped at once. Such baths are especially useful in case of suppression of the urine, and in uremia.

Disinfectant Bath.* - Take six and one-half ounces of liquid carbolic acid (90%), four ounces of glycerin, and four gallons of warm water (98°F.); or six ounces of solution of chlorinated soda and six quarts of warm water. Applicable for disinfection of the person after an attack of scarlatina or other contagious disease. Neither of these solutions is as efficient as bichloride of mercury in the proportion of 1 to 5000, but this is such a poisonous substance that it should never be used without a physician's oversight.

*See Chapter XI (Emergencies).

Compresses are often useful. The wet compress consists simply of a roll of flannel or soft linen dipped in cold or hot water, according to circumstances, and wrung out and then applied to the part indicated. Cover this with a piece of oiled silk rather larger than the compress.

There are several matters that bear a more or less close relation to the subject of bathing. These are the care of the teeth, nails and hair.

The teeth must be cleaned morning and evening, and the cleaning process must be begun with the appearance of the first tooth. Ordinarily, a soft wash rag folded over the forefinger, or swab of absorbent cotton dipped in cool water and thoroughly rubbed over the teeth, is sufficient to keep the early teeth clean, and does not injure the tender gums. Should a dark-colored scum form at the junction of the tooth and gum, a little prepared chalk or other bland tooth powder may be used in addition. If it be impossible to get at the point of discoloration in this way, shape with a penknife a moderately hard bit of wood into the form shown in Fig. 17, then rub the woody fibres at the extreme end into a sort of brush, wet this, dip it in the toothpowder and gently rub at the discoloration until it disappears, taking care not to make the gum bleed. Over a piece of wood so shaped one may also wrap a bit of soft cambric and use water and powder as before.

Take good care of the milk teeth, for if they become decayed and broken off or lost, their permanent substitutes are apt to come in irregularly and produce a lasting deformity.

The tooth brush can be used after a number of the milk teeth have been cut. The bristles should be very soft and fine, and it must be employed with gentleness. Unless there should be some discoloration, no powder need be used. The child should early learn to clean his own teeth.

The importance of taking care of the toe-nails has already been referred to in the chapter on clothing. The finger-nails should not be allowed to grow too long; at the same time it is a bad plan to cut them close to the quick. In trimming them, use a moderately dull pair of scissors, and do not round them too much. When hang-nails appear, they must be cut close with sharp scissors. The fingers and toes should be inspected carefully after each bath, to see if they require attention.

Fig. 17 - Stick for Cleaning Teeth.

Directions have already been given in regard to washing the hair. All that remains to be said now is to repeat the caution against the use of a fine comb, and to protest against the employment of hair oil and hair washes. The best scent for the hair is an occasional dressing of soap and water; the best beautifier is a thorough brushing with good brushes, and the latter should be employed every morning and evening.

Besides keeping the long hair of a girl free from scent and grease, do not dress it over the ears or tie it up tight and make it "like a cap of iron over the skull."

If the hair be well brushed and the scalp thus sufficiently stimulated, there will be enough natural oil secreted to keep it tidy; artificial oily applications only act temporarily, and by blocking up the pores of the skin tend to make the hair drier and harder to keep in order.

Should there be a tendency for the hair to fall out, wash the scalp thoroughly and frequently with soap and water, and stimulate it by firm brushing and the use of a wash such as the following:

Take of -

Aromatic spirit of ammonia.......

Tincture of cantharides...........

Glycerin........................

Rose water......................

1 fluidounce.

1 1/2 fluidrachms. 1/2 fluidounce.

7 fluidounces. Mix.

A tablespoonful of this may be rubbed into the scalp once every day, the rubbing to be followed by washing with a sponge and vigorous brushing.

In such cases, however, it is best to seek the advice of a physician, for falling out of the hair may be due to a variety of causes.