boiler by means of a stout drawstring run through each end and, for additional security, down each side as well. The boiler should be filled about one-quarter full of water. If the dressings are placed in loose cheesecloth bags, it will facilitate handling them. After the articles have been put in the hammock the boiler cover should be put on and the articles left to steam for an hour, when they may be removed and dried thoroughly in the sun by pinning the bags to the clothesline or, if that is not possible, they may be dried in the oven, being very careful not to burn them. They are then to be put away in a closed drawer until needed.

OTHER PREPARATIONS.

The brightest room in the house should be chosen for the delivery. If possible, it should be close to the bathroom, and if there is a communicating room that can be given up to the use of the nurse and the baby, this will be greatly to the advantage of the mother. It is needless to say that the delivery room should be made as clean as possible,. and all draperies, hangings, and upholstered furniture should be removed.

A single metal bed, either iron or brass, and a comfortable mattress are desirable. The ordinary double bed is inconvenient, because it is both too wide and too low. But if any low bed must be used, it will be well to elevate it by putting blocks, 6 or 8 inches high, under the four legs, first removing the casters so that there will be no danger of the bed slipping off, and if the mattress sags in the middle, a board or two under the mattress will be found advantageous. The bed should be placed in such a position that both the doctor and the nurse can get at it at once, and so that a good light falls upon it, especially at night, for in case stitches must be taken a proper light is of the first importance. A portable electric lamp is a great convenience under these circumstances.

OUTFIT FOR THE BABY.

It is very apt to be the case, especially with a first baby, that the mother wastes a good deal of vital energy in the preparation of an elaborate layette, only to find that many of the garments are outgrown before they are worn. On this account it is much more economical, not only of materials but of the mother's strength, to make only a few very simple garments at first. Later, when the baby is older, such a wardrobe as the mother desires may be added, but for a little baby plain garments of the softest materials procurable are the most suitable.

Large dealers now supply the entire outfit for an infant, and in many cases it is an economy to buy one of these layettes complete.

In preparing for the newborn several principles should be kept in mind. The first is that the garments must be warm without being unduly heavy; another, that they must be loose enough to provide for perfect freedom of the muscles; the third is the desirability of perfect simplicity; and the fourth that of cleanliness. Adornment serves no other purpose than to gratify the mother's taste.

THE BABY'S CLOTHES.

The following list includes all the garments that it is necessary for any young infant to have for the first few weeks of life; later, if a more elaborate outfit is desired, other garments may be added:

Three abdominal bands, 6 to 8 inches wide and 20 inches long, soft flannel strips, unhemmed.

Three shirts, size 2, wool and cotton, or wool and silk, not all wool. Four flannel skirts, "Gertrude " style.

Three nightgowns or wrappers of outing flannel, buttoned in front. Eight white slips.

Three knit bands, with shoulder straps, part wool.

At least 4 dozen diapers.

Cloak.

Cap.

Carriage blanket of crocheted or knitted wool.

Three pairs of socks, if in summer; three pairs of long white merino stockings, if the weather is cold.

NURSERY EQUIPMENT.

The essential articles for the baby's nursery are a comfortable bed and the things that will be needed in his toilet. The following list will be found to include the essential items:

A crib. If desired, a clothes basket makes a good bed. A basket or box that may readily be moved about is a great convenience. The mattress for any sort of a bed may be made from table felting. which, when folded a few times, makes a very soft, smooth bed and has the great advantage over the ordinary mattress that it may be washed and boiled and dried in the sun.

ADDITIONAL CONVENIENCES.

Below is a list of additional articles that will be found convenient

in the care of the baby:

Bathtub, tin, galvanized-iron ware, or rubber.

Drying frames for shirts and stockings.

Bath apron of turkish toweling or outing flannel.

A low chair, without arms.

Baby scales.

A low screen, to protect the baby while it is being bathed.
A low table on which to bathe and dress the baby.

BIRTH OF THE BABY.

At the conclusion of the nine months' period nature has directed that the child shall be born. This involves the expenditure of energy, and thus the name "labor" has been given to the act of birth. This act is a natural one, and although it may be painful and exhausting it should ordinarily proceed and terminate in a normal manner, provided the patient has had proper care during her pregnancy and is in the hands of a competent attendant who understands the necessity for perfect cleanliness and uses every means to secure it.

PRECAUTIONS THAT MUST BE TAKEN.

The prevention of the infection that gives rise to puerperal septicemia, or "child-bed" fever, as it was formerly called, lies in the scrupulous care taken by everyone who is concerned in any way with the attendance upon a woman in childbirth to allow nothing not absolutely clean to touch her. This is a wholly preventable disease, since its cause and the measures necessary to prevent it are well known, and all women in childbirth or their families have a right to insist upon this protection. No physician who values his professional reputation will be satisfied to neglect any of the wellunderstood precautions against this most dreadful disease. The patient, the family, and the nurse must be ready in every way to aid the physician in this effort.

LABOR.

The progress of labor may be divided into three stages. The first is occupied with the dilatation of the mouth of the uterus, the second with the expulsion of the child, and the third with the separation and expulsion of the afterbirth and membranes. The first is the longest and most trying part to the patient. In this stage the mouth of the uterus, which is less than one-quarter of an inch in diameter at first, must increase to 3 or 4 inches before it is large enough to admit the passage of the child's body. This process may occupy

some hours, and is very tedious to the patient, because she is unable to feel for herself that she is making progress. To pass the time between the pains, she may occupy herself in any way she likes; she may sit down, lie down, walk about, or sometimes even sleep. The pains will recur at decreasing intervals and with increasing strength as the dilatation of the mouth of the uterus proceeds, and in the early part of this stage the patient should summon the nurse, if she is not already at hand, and notify the doctor that the confinement has begun. Since the doctor can not hasten the progress of this stage, it is not usually necessary for him to remain with the patient continuously. But he should keep close watch of the case throughout and be always within easy call. The patient will take a warm tub bath, unless the doctor otherwise directs, and should have an enema of warm soapsuds. If she is hungry, she may have some light food. As soon as the doctor comes he will, however, give such advice on all these details as he thinks best. The bed should be made ready, protecting the mattress with the rubber sheet or oilcloth or several layers of newspapers, and an extra sheet, folded in the middle, pinned across the bed under the mother's hips. This sheet may be drawn out after the birth, leaving the bed clean and dry. If the confinement is to occur at a hospital, the patient should be ready to go at the first pain. The ride to the hospital will help to pass the time, and may also serve to hasten the delivery, to some extent. The patient. will take with her a bag that should have been packed some time before, containing nightgowns, toilet articles, slippers, wrapper, and the like, with the baby's first outfit, including plenty of diapers.

The second stage of labor is much shorter than the first, usually from two to two and one-half hours. It is less trying to the patient than the first stage, because the pains are of an expulsive nature, accompanied by the inclination to strain, so that with each pain she can feel that she is accomplishing something. The pain of the actual birth may be lessened or altogether deadened by the use of an anesthetic, if the physician so decides. The "bag of waters," as the fluid surrounding the child is called, is usually ruptured as the expulsive pains of this stage begin, and after this occurs it will normally not. be long before the child is born. In case the bag of waters is ruptured earlier, as sometimes happens, the birth is said to be "dry," and will probably proceed somewhat more slowly than otherwise,

After the baby is born the third stage of labor, namely, that occupied with the detachment and expulsion of the afterbirth and membranes, takes place. This occupies about half an hour. "Afterpains" are the pains which immediately follow the emptying of the uterus, and are due to the natural contractions of its muscle fibers. These pains are less apt to be felt in a first pregnancy than in later

ones.

EMERGENCIES.

It sometimes happens that the baby is born before the arrival of the doctor or nurse when labor comes on earlier than was expected or the doctor is at some distance. In an emergency like this it is necessary for the prospective mother and her family to know what to do.

The delivery room must be set in order and the bed freshly made. The mattress should first be covered with the rubber sheet or oilcloth, or in emergency newspapers may be used. The patient should have an enema of warm soapsuds and take a warm bath, if possible. At least, the external genital organs should be well washed. The sterilized dressings, still in their packages, should be put close to hand, and two quarts of bichlorid of mercury solution should be prepared, following the directions on the bottle for a one-thousandth strength. (If the doctor prefers a weaker solution or a different antiseptic, he will give the proper directions when he takes charge.) The greatest care must be taken not to leave the solution or the tablets within reach of a child, since they are deadly poison. A large kettle of water should be boiled and cooled without being uncovered.

Meanwhile, if matters have progressed so far that the pains are returning every five minutes, or if the "waters" have broken, the patient should go to bed; she will lie on her back, with the knees drawn up and spread apart. (If a doctor is in charge, he may prefer another position.) When the pain comes the patient will bear down, but will not attempt to strain save when the desire to do so is imperative. Whoever is at hand to render assistance will then put one of the delivery pads under the patient's hips (pads of newspapers slipped inside a folded sheet may be used), and should thoroughly disinfect the hands by scrubbing them for five minutes in warm water, using a brush and plenty of soap. After they have been washed, the nails cleaned, and the hands washed again they should be soaked in the bichlorid solution for five minutes or longer if there is time. If bichlorid solution can not be had at the moment, soak the hands in alcohol. The attendant will sit by the patient until the baby is born, but should not touch her until the head of the baby appears. After the head is born, if the face of the baby turns blue the patient should be told to strain vigorously, and at the same time she may press with both hands upon her abdomen, while the attendant grasps the baby's head by the chin and under the back and pulls it steadily but gently downward. These measures will shortly effect delivery. As soon as the child is born it should take a breath and cry. If it does not do this, the attendant must slap it smartly upon the back, meanwhile holding it up by its feet for a moment. When it cries it should be laid down close enough to the mother so that the navel cord will not be stretched, care being taken not to smother it or allow any of