secretion. After its removal, which is readily accomplished by
greasing the infant with lard or vaselin before giving the initial
bath, it never reappears.

A varying amount of hair covers the head of the infant. No
significance should be attached to the quantity, for the conviction
that exists, especially among negroes, that a heavy suit of hair for
the child occasions "heart-burn" in the mother during pregnancy is
without foundation. The color of the hair at birth does not indicate
its ultimate shade; changes are often noted during infancy. Similarly
the permanent color of the eyes is not assumed until later; at the
time of birth the eyes are generally, if not always, blue in color.

A baby's head is a matter of great concern to the family.
Occasionally, the skull is round and well shaped from the moment of
birth, but more often it is long and narrow; sometimes the form is
even startling to the inexperienced. The peculiar shape of the head
results, of course, from its passage through the birth-canal and is
not a sign of any disease. In a few weeks, or even less, the strange
appearance passes away. It is unwise to attempt to alter the shape of
the head by bandaging or massaging since the growth of the brain will
spontaneously accomplish what is desired; interference can do no
good, and may do serious harm.

Nature facilitates an appropriate molding of the head during birth so
as to permit its easy passage through the bony pelvic cavity of the
mother, and gains that end in two ways. The bones of the head remain
pliable until after the infant is born, and, further, their edges are
not welded together as in an adult, but are separated from one
another by an appreciable distance. During the act of birth the edges