By Mrs. F. Lassels Mather, Central Midwives' Board. A.r.san.1. Author of " Health and Home Nursing? " Hygiene and Temperance:; Home and Nursing," etc.

As soon as a woman knows that she is likely to become a mother, it should be her sweet duty to order her life that her child may be born strong, healthyand beautiful.

It is the beginning of life which matters. The period of nine months before birth and the first year after, are the most important times as far as health is concerned, in the life of every human being.

The essentials which should receive attention are - food, clothing, exercise, and fresh air, rest and sleep, and good surroundings.

The wise woman will put aside her fancies and eat only such foods as will be most beneficial to herself and her unborn child.

Wholesome, plain, nourishing food should be taken, little meat being required. Indeed, some authorities recommend a diet chiefly of fruit and vegetables, with plenty of wholemeal bread.

Spiced and highly seasoned foods, pastry, and pickles should be avoided.

Tea and coffee should be drunk sparingly. Well boiled oat and wheat-meal porridge with good milk, brown bread-and-butter, green salads with oil, fruits, bananas, oranges, grapes, fresh or stewed apples. prunes, or figs are all good, and all tend to prevent distressing constipation. Avoid all stimulants. Up-to-date doctors are agreed that alcohol in any form is generally highly injurious and unnecessary.

Professor Sims Woodhead says, " No woman can take alcohol, even in a moderate quantity, without it affecting her baby." Clothing should, of course, be warm but light, and should not be suspended from the waist, and there should be no pressure on any part of the body.

Corsets must be dispensed with, as they cause harmful pressure on the heart and stomach.

A combination under-garment should be worn, and the petticoat and skirt made to button on to a bodice, so as to hang from the shoulders.

For house wear a pretty maternity dress or princess robe. made in tea-gown style, is becoming and easily made at home.

Great comfort and relief can be obtained by wearing a shaped belt made either of flannel or strong drill. This keeps the back warm and has other advantages.

Garters, which are never advisable, must lot be worn, as they increase the tendency to varicose veins.

Exercise and Fresh Air.-it is a great mistake to suppose that the expectant mother cannot take exercise or do her ordinary household work. She should, however, avoid such work as entails lifting the arms high above the head, lifting heavy weights, climbing up stairs, or standing too long.

" Lead a gently active life."

An abundance of fresh air is of highest importance, as during this time breathing is quickened, and therefore a larger quantity of oxygen is needed.

As far as dutier; and weather permit, as much time as possible should be spent in the open air and sunshine. These promote better digestion and cheerfulness. A brisk walk, just before retiring often ensures refreshing sleep.

If the weather be unsuitable (for great care must be taken not to contract internal chill), the house must be flushed with fresh air, especially the bed-room and living-room, which should be as bright and sunny as possible.

Deep-breathing exercises are good, and may be done by an open window.

Much rest is needed. A woman should have plenty of sleep in a cool. well-ventilated room on a wide bed, fitted with a good firm mattress.

Good Surroundings. -The ancient Greeks used to surround their women during this time with all that is beautiful in art, that their sons might be strong and their daughters graceful. Try to cultivate pure, placid thoughts remembering that " of all created things, the loveliest and most divine are children."

Avoid undue excitement such as crowds or theatre-going.

Constipation. - It is a great mistake for the expectant mother to take strong purgatives, unless by medical advice.

The action of the bowels should be carefully regulated by a, certain amount of exercise and by attention to a regular habit.

Much can be done by judicious dieting, or by drinking a glass of natural aperient 01 clear water on rising and on retiring.

The simplest means should always be tried first, Shquld these fail small doses of the compound liquorice powder in water may safely be taken or a little castor-oil. When, in spite of these methods, constipation persists, the doctor should be consulted cr painful piles may result. If these appear, the patient must keep to bed for a few days, bathing with very warm water from time to time.

The doctor chosen should be seen and consulted early. He will inform his patient if any special arrangements are necessary. If circumstances permit, a trained maternity

Children nurse is very helpful, especially to a young, inexperienced mother.

While it is always wise, even at great sacrifice, to secure a good doctor, sometimes means do not permit, and a midwife must be engaged. Care should be taken to secure a trained, qualified woman licensed by law under the Central Midwives Board, and not one of the " Sairey Gamp " type.

Definite arrangements should be made in writing with her, or the nurse, as to date when wanted, fees, washing allowance, etc.

The nurse or midwife should be invited to the house some little time before, and shown where all necessary things are kept. She will also give a list, if asked, of things required at the time.

Choice and Preparation of the Room. - Choose, if possible, a large, airy, bright room, with an open fireplace and a window that will open easily. If the room chosen has a smaller one opening out of it, so much the better.

All carpets should be lifted and beaten, the floor scrubbed, and woodwork wiped with disinfectant. Remove all stuff curtains and draperies, using only washable kinds; also take away excess of furniture.

Things Required - For baby: All the little garments and baby's basket should be ready at least by the end of the seventh month.

For baby's toilette: Baby's bath and a bath thermometer, two soft warm towels, cake of well refined " baby " soap or piece of pure curd soap. Cheap, highly-scented soap must not be used.

Soft, good sponge, or washing glove of softest white flannel, or Turkish towelling.

Good dusting powder, or refined fuller's earth. For this, closed puff-box with puff or powder dredger. Small pot of white vaseline for head. For the eyes: a weak solution of boracic acid and small pieces of lint or old linen.

For cleansing the mouth: weak solution of borax and water, and small squares of soft old linen, or white rag, safety-pinned together ready for use.

Baby's tiny, soft hair brush and soft flannel or Turkish towelling apron, for lap of nurse or mother.

Baby's First Clothes or Layette. - The materials for the little garments, and the number of each, will, of course, depend on the circumstances of the mother.

They should always be made of woollen material, and never of flannelette, which is doubly dangerous, on account of being highly inflammable and not affording sufficient warmth.

The clothes should be light in weight and colour, warm and loose-fitting. Warmth and weight should be equally distributed over the body, no part being left unprotected.

The first clothes consist of (1) the binder or swathe of soft flannel; (2) the vest or shirt, generally hand-knitted of soft wool, or made of soft flannel, with all seams outside; (3) the long flannel, or barracoat, also made of flannel, made long to protect the legs and leet, and drawn up at the neck with soft tape or silk, with no buttons to hurt the tiny neck; (4) the day-gown, for summer wear made of nainsook or lawn, for winter wear of nun's-veiling or white wincey; (5) napkins and pilches. Napkins should be made of either old, soft sheets or Turkish towelling. The pilch is usually a square of flannel doubled over to form a triangle. This is put on over the napkin for protection during the night, or when baby is taken out.

Some kind of naphtha soap should be provided to wash these articles; common soap or soda must not be used, or baby will suffer from soreness and rash.

Bibs are better made from Turkish towel ling, and tied with soft tapes behind.

Night-gowns can be made of natural flannel and should be either in the form of a sleeping-bag or to button over, so that baby's feet and legs are never unprotected.

Needless to say, baby should have distinct sets of clothing for both day and night wear. A small shawl or head flannel is usually provided for use when carrying baby from room to room.

Out-door Clothing, in addition to the foregoing, usually consists of: (1) a large white warm woollen shawl; (2) a soft warm hood or bonnet with fine Shetland veil; and (3) a pair of knitted combination boots and stockings, which must come well up the legs.

Articles Needed for the Mother. - (1) Change of underclothing and night-dresses; (2) woollen bed-jacket or " Nightingale."

A comfortable dressing-gown and pair of bed-room slippers are needed for convenience. Other additions will probably be suggested by nurse. \

A separate cot or bed for baby is an absolute necessity, in order to obviate the risk of overlaying. The cot or cradle should have no rockers, and be of the simplest possible make.

The fewer draperies the better; if they are used, they should be of washable material.

To warm the cot, a tiny hot-water bottle is needed, and an ordinary stone ginger-beei bottle with screw-top, covered with a woollen bag, serves the purpose quite well.

Pincushion, with pins, safety-pins, and threaded needle, clinical thermometer, and a roller towel are all necessary.

There should be plenty of both hot and cold water handy, as well as several towels. The infant's clothes, clean bed-clothes, and mother's garments should be hung up to air in readiness. It is well to have in the house some stimulant, such as sal volatile, also easily-warmed food, such as milk, beef-essence, soup, or cocoa, and a feeding-cup. Wherever possible, consult the special tastes and fancies of the patient. After the first few days following the arrival of baby the young mother should be encouraged to think of this time as one of great happiness, rest, and contentment - cheerfulness is a great restorer.

Further articles of advice to mothers will appear in Every Woman's Encyclopedia.