The opinion that warm baths
generally relax and weaken, is erroneous; for in this case, as in all
cases when properly employed, they would give tone and vigour to the
whole system; in fact, the tepid bath is to this child what the cold
bath is to the more robust.
In conclusion: if the bath in any shape cannot from circumstances be
obtained, then cold saltwater sponging must be used daily, and all the
year round, so long as the proper reaction or glow follows its use; but
when this is not the case, and this will generally occur, if the child
is delicate and the weather cold, tepid vinegar and water, or tepid
salt water, must be substituted.
Sect. VI. CLOTHING.
IN INFANCY.--Infants are very susceptible of the impressions of cold; a
proper regard, therefore, to a suitable clothing of the body, is
imperative to their enjoyment of health. Unfortunately, an opinion is
prevalent in society, that the tender child has naturally a great power
of generating heat and resisting cold; and from this popular error has
arisen the most fatal results. This opinion has been much strengthened
by the insidious manner in which cold operates on the frame, the
injurious effects not being always manifest during or immediately after
its application, so that but too frequently the fatal result is traced
to a wrong source, or the infant sinks under the action of an unknown
cause.
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