Four all-wool undershirts. Six muslin night-slips, one yard long. Two flannel skirts. Four pairs knit socks.
Two blankets of fine flannel or merino, one yard square, bound with ribbon, for a shawl.
One baby-basket, containing: a box of baby-powder; one powder-puff; one cake of old, white Castile soap; pieces of old handkerchiefs, to be used in dressing the navel; one box of cold-cream; one fine sponge; one paper of large, one of small, safety-pins; one pair of sharp, round-pointed scissors. A complete suit of baby-clothes should be in it at the time needed.
Strange as it may appear, it is often the case, that, while attending a woman in labor, the physician finds no provis- ion of the most necessary articles, creating delay and con- fusion. Some women are so indolent, that they put off these preparations until the time overtakes them quite unprepared.
Among the lower classes of women in Italy, it is cus- tomary to raise a chicken for the mother, and save money for the doctor's fee. A most philosophical plan! Nine months will make a good chicken, that will yield rich broth for a debilitated parturient. The doctor's fee is quite as necessary for him. In this country, a great deal of unnecessary flummery is often gotten up for the child, very often forgetting the chicken, and the physician's need.
MONTHLY NURSE.
By this term, is meant a woman experienced in attend- ing confinements, and capable of assuming the care of a baby, and of the parturient, for a month from the com- mencement of labor.
