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Gentle Firmness

ALL who undertake the care of children, or who have the care of the sick, should cultivate the virtue of patience, soft speech and gentle kindness. There must be no swerving from duty, however distasteful it may be to the child or patient; firmness and gentle perseverance in the thing to be done should be the rule. The nursery should be provided with every possible appliance for the comfort of the infant, so that when sleeping it may lie soft, and warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The ventilation must be perfect; children, like birds, require an abundance of fresh air. When awake they should have a soft pallet where they can exercise their limbs to their hearts' content. It will save much unnecessary tending. Don't be afraid to toss them about when they have acquired strength to stand it, but be certain of your own coolness and muscle; then they will come to enjoy it.

As they begin to notice objects, provide them with toys to amuse them, hard rubber or ivory rings, wicker rattles, a toy balloon or other object to catch the eye and educate the sight. There is no reason why children should be constantly sick or ailing; nine times out of ten their ailments come from want of care, or rather from too much care and dosing.