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CHAPTER IV.
CLOTHING FROM THE AGE OF ONE TO TWELVE YEARS.
"It is quite as cruel to compress the chest, to weigh down the form, to impede the movements at thirteen years of age, as to swathe the infant of thirteen days; quite as wicked to slowly poison the body with close vitiated air and unwholesome food, when the mind is rapidly unfolding, and the individual is beginning to sustain wider external relations, as to injure by the same means the unopened life of the infant. Throughout the whole period of youth, the watchfulness of maternal love must enfold the organic life of the advancing being, and provide for its necessities."
Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell.
Thy infancy, thy childhood, and thy youth."
Milton.
WE will next suppose that Baby has been short-coated, and has attained sufficient muscular strength to preserve the erect position whilst sitting in its nurse's arms. Now is the time when its dress becomes a matter of very serious consideration,