THE ANATOMY OF CHILDHOOD

Bartholomaeus Anglicus, tr. Trevisa, Bk VI. c. 5, 6 (ed. 1536, f. 72 a).

Of the little chylde.

The chyldes fleshe that is newe borne is tendre, nesshe, quavy and unsadde. Therfore dyvers remedies and fode ben necessary to the chylde, as saith Constantine li 3. capit. 32. And he saythe, that chyldren that be newe borne shulde be swathed in roses grouned with salte, that theyr membres may be comforted, and delyvered, and clensed of cleymye moysture. Thanne the roofe of the mouthe and gommes sholde be froted with ones finger wette in hony, to clense and comforte the inner partye of the mouthe, and also to excyte and to kyndle the chyldes appetyte with swetnesse of the hony. And he sholde be ofte bathed and anointed with [oil of myrtle or of roses], and al the limes shuld be anointid and rubbed with this oile, and namely the lymmes of males, the whiche bicause of traveyle ought to be more harde and sadde than the lymmes of females. And also it is nedefulle that they shulde be brought a-slepe in derke places, tyl theyr sighte be gadred and joyned: For a place that is to bryghte, departeth and devydeth the syghte, and hurteth the small eyen, that be yet full tendre, and ofte maketh children to loke a squinte. And therfore they shold not be brought nor layde in to bright aier, leest the spirite of sight be dyvyded and departed.