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80
The Science of Dress.
[CHAP. VI.

have veils over their faces and mouths. The best thing for this purpose is lace, which, however, must not be too thin; the old-fashioned Brussels lace veils, perhaps doubled, are extremely good. Woollen veils should not be used, as the particles of the wool get breathed in, and are apt to irritate the throat and nasal passages. For the same reason the fur rug should always be well shaken out before use, so that there shall be no loose hairs. Bearskin is one of the best furs for this purpose, and white bear looks lovely with the rosy face of baby peeping out over the edge of it.

Children after the first few weeks of life, and unless they are delicate, should not be kept at home merely because the weather is cold, but should have on warm out-door garments.

Young children of both sexes should always wear hoods out of doors. It is commonly noted by doctors that baby-boys suffer greatly from earache and catarrhal diseases of the ear; whereas little girls rarely suffer in that way. The cause is not far to seek, for girl-babies generally wear hoods out of doors, while infant-boys, by some cruel freak of fashion, are condemned to wear uncomfortable, stiff, and unprotecting hats. The ear-pieces which are sometimes put on boy's hats either slip out of place and are useless, or have to be fastened with elastic or silk strings so tightly under the chin that the pressure is injurious. Hoods made of white cashmere, and lined with the same material, are both healthy and comfortable, or they may be crocheted out of Berlin wool and lined with soft