OUR BABIES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3154, 25 February 1911, Page 4

OUR BABIES.

Published under the auspices of the Society for the Health of Women and Ch.ldren. “It is wiser to put up *a fence at tlie top of a precipice than to maintain an ambulance at the oottom. (By “Hygeia.”) LETTERS OF A GRANDMOTHER At the conclusion of last week’s column the following summary was given, which I repeat in order to recall tbe essential facts: —

SUMMARY OF PROGRESS. When first seen the child was over o.i years of age, and weighed 241 b. ~‘Exactly a month later, (viz., on February 10, 190 S), the grandmother wrote: —

I must tell vou how my little grandchild is getting on. lam pleased to say she is mucii improved under the treatment recommended. She lias gained 2jib in weight; her appetite is much better, and she rests better at

night. Within another nine months the child had increased in weight from 241 b to 34Aib, and had attained above the average weight for her years, haying gained in 10 months about three tunes the ordinary •‘weight-increase” for twelve months from 24 to 34 years of age. Of course, she was “putting on ilesh” and making up for lost time. [Few people are aware that a child ordinary increases in weight only about 41b a Vear m the third and fourth years of life. Knowing that the average baby puts on a stone in weight in the first 12 months—thus trebling its weight,—they can believe that growth slows down so much in the succeeding years. Tlie immense importance of this matter is dwelt on in the Society’s book, page *l3-3, under the heading, “Make Hay While tlie Sun Shines.” which should he read in tis connection. I March 19, 190 S Little Annie’s weight is new 301 b, and she is still improving. April 17, 1903.

Since writing to you a month ago, she has had diarrhoea, and for a time was not nuitc well, but is taking her feed better now, and continues to gain in weight. She was weighed to-day, and weighs 3210 —that is an increase oi 21b since I last wrote. She still has her cold bath every We arc wondering if we should continue them through the winter, or substitute tenicl water during the verv cold weather. The grandmother was written to and unformed that the cold bath ought to be continued through the winter, provided that proper reaction could be ensured by the taking of a sufficiency of suitexercise immediately after bathing. CURED OF CAPRICE AND FASTIDIOUSNESS.-

Further .progress was _ reported in May, but unfortunately the letter has been mislaid. It stated that the child was full of life and spirit. growing steadily, and ‘ : on the go” all day long, tier appetite was go-cd, fastidiousness as to food, had disappeared, and the maintenance of a consistent, regular daily regimen had completely obliterated the old craving for capricious and irregular indulgences. This the grandmother exemplified by the following incident. Wlfen in town the' child was offered some sweets, but refused them of her own accord, saying : ‘T don’t have things between meals.” June 9, 1908.

I am pleased to tell you that little Annie is still imnroving. She is growing fast, and is not like the same child. She takes her food well. We have kept on faithfully with the cold bath, and she takes a need run after. Her weight ;s now 331 b lOoz. I cannot express my gratitude for what has been done for her

July IS, 190 S. ' You will be pleased to hear that- little Annie is still keeping well and gaining m weight. She has gained 21-11) since June 8. She still continues the cold oath. N.B. —This was the coldest month of thp year and the region—Southland! September 24, 1808 I am pleased to tell you that little Annie is still keeping well and getting on satisfactorily. You would hardly know her for the same child you saw in Dunedin. Slip is never still long together; she plan's- and romps about, and sings and dances. She lives regularly, go6s to bed at the appointed time, rising and taking her meals at appointed liourh. She sleeps well, and will now take anything that is going, and enjoys her food. She likes her bath, and, if the weather is such that she cannot go for a run directly after, Lizzie romps about with her until she gets warm. She is warmly but lightly clad,her under garments being of silk and wool. She went with bare feet until May. when I spoke to you about that, and you said she could wear warm socks and good boots during the- coldest weather. She is now living in C—n. She can walk down town past- the station and back without comolaining of being tired (poor wee mite; when she first, came down she could not walk at all); she trots and jumps nearly all the way. I -often wonder she is not tired -out. She is now three years and three months old . We had her weighed yesterday, and her weight was 34)1b. I a-m very much pleased to bear of the success of the Baby Home in Dunedin, and trust the Society will long continue the- good work. December 21, 1908 I thought I would send a line to let you know bow little Annie is getting on. She is -keeping in splendid health, and still gaining in ■ -weight. She takes her cold bath, and. o.uito. enjoys .it. She will now take any food that- is placed before her, - and is scarcely over .still. Sometim.se' I think shell's too active, but she is in splendid health. . . February ( , 1809. j am -sure-that -you will be pleased to hear that litle Annie is keeping oniondid. She still has her cold bgth and run round after it.: -