Sometimes the eyes of children have been weakened by sickness, and it is necessary to use spectacles. When a boy or girl feels any peculiar sensation about the eyes, or they seem to act wrongly, the oculist should be appealed to at once.
What is said of the hair? What should be done by a boy? By a girl?What objection have you to oil and grease?
How can the hair be made glossy? How is that superior to pomatum? How should the head be cleaned?
Of what use is the hair? Why are so many men baldheaded? Why is it rare that we meet a baldheaded woman? When only should the head be covered?
What is said of the ear? How should it be kept clean?
What of the wax in the ear?
What can you say concerning the eye? What is often done by boys and girls?
Tell how the eyes should be washed. What is it well to do now and then?
What is said of straining the eyes? What of a strong glare of light?
What rule should be followed in reading or study? What of a shade?
When should you cease using the eyes? What should be done if a cinder gets under the lid?
What should be done if that fails?
When must spectacles be used, or an oculist consulted?
How must the feet be kept? Which are the better, cotton or woolen stockings? What of tight shoes? What should be done with the nails?
CHAPTER VI THE TEETH
boys and girls take proper care of their teeth. All of us admire a set of strong, sound, even, white teeth, and those who do not have such, will tell how sorry they are because in youth they were so careless that their teeth were ruined.
The teeth should be carefully cleaned each morning before breakfast. This is best done with a good brush, Castile soap, and lukewarm water. Use none of the numerous tooth-powders sold, and never pick your teeth with a metallic substance. Quill, wooden, or ivory tooth-picks only should be employed.
When the brush does not remove the stains from the teeth, the soft end of a small stick, covered with powdered charcoal will answer, though it should not be used often.
Sometimes the second teeth crowd so closely that the first become wedged in place. The old tooth should be removed, just as soon as the second can be discovered pushing after it. If this is not done, the mouth will be filled with crooked and unsightly teeth.
The mother or father of any boy or girl will readily draw a loose tooth, by means of a looped thread. Often, however, a brave child will pull his own teeth, without help. Be on the watch and clear the way for the second teeth. If you don't you will be sorry all your life.
Some children have poorer teeth than others, and the utmost care will not save them from decay. When the first speck appears, go to the dentist. Dentistry has made such improvements during the last few years, that the poorest teeth can be made to last a long time.
What is said of boys and girls?When and how often should the teeth be cleaned? What should be used for that purpose? What is said of tooth-powders and tooth-picks?
How may stains be removed from the teeth?
What substances injure the teeth? What about cracking nuts and other hard substances with the teeth?
How many teeth has a child? A man? When do the second teeth begin to appear? How long is it intended they should last?
What sometimes takes place? What should be done? What will follow if this advice is not heeded?
How are loose teeth generally pulled? Have you ever known of a boy or girl pulling his or her own teeth? What must you watch for and do? Is there any need of such care?
What is said of some children? When should you go to the dentist?
CHAPTER VII EXERCISE
That form of exercise is best which brings most muscles into action. It should not be too violent nor continued after one is tired. It should be in the open air, and some kind of game is preferable because it also engages and interests the mind.
school-days are over and a young man takes up some sedentary occupation, he should manage to gain exercise every day.
The gymnasiums afford the best forms of exercise, but boys and girls can walk, run, and use some of the simpler forms of gymnastics at their homes. They should make sure they breathe pure air, that they do not form bad habits, and are regular in everything daily required of them.
What form of exercise is best? What should be guarded against? Where should it be? What is preferable?What games are popular? What should every boy do, after his school-days are over?
What of the gymnasiums? What can be done by all boys and girls? Of what should they make sure?
CHAPTER VIII THE ART OF SWIMMING
When ready to take your first lesson in swimming, plunge into the water until the head and body are cooled. Then, standing where the water reaches your waist, lie down gently on your face, head erect as if walking, with the mouth just above the surface. Lift your feet from the bottom and strike them out in imitation of a frog. At the same instant or a second later, throw your arms, palms outward, from the front of your breast, drawing them in and striking out as before.