Note 60 — THE FEEDING OF CHILDREN

A simple and inexpensive apparatus for sterilizing milk consists of a covered tin kettle ten inches in height by eight inches in diameter, a wire basket, which fits easily into the kettle, supplied with supports or legs projecting one and a half inches from the bottom, one dozen eight-ounce nursing-bottles, and a bundle of fresh cotton wadding. The whole apparatus, costing about $1.25, is kept in most drug stores.

Milk for twenty-four hours' use is properly sweetened and diluted with water in a clean pitcher, and as much of this as the child will take at one feeding is poured into each bottle, and the bottle stopped with cotton wadding, which should fit only moderately tight in the neck of the bottle. The kettle is filled to the depth of one half to one inch with water, the basket containing the bottles placed in it, the kettle covered and placed over a fire until the steam comes out from the sides of the top for half an hour, when the basket containing the bottles should be removed and put in a cool place. When the milk is to be used, it should be heated by placing a bottle in warm water for a few minutes. The cotton is then removed, and a sterilized nipple attached. After the feeding the bottle is cleansed and kept in an inverted position until used again. The above directions are those of Dr. Booker, specialist of children's diseases, Johns Hopkins Hospital.