From the popular Mary Frances story-instruction series, this volume begins when Mary Frances completes a Red Cross First Aid class just before her birthday. When her brother offers any favor she wants as a birthday present, Mary Frances, proud and anxious to show him how much she had learned, asks him to grant her a day of play at the Doll Hospital in her playroom. As the children step into the playroom, in the magical way that things happen in the Mary Frances books, they immediately shrink until they are the same size as the dolls and thus the adventures begin.
The ensuing story concerns the escapades of the dolls---the make-believe maladies that befall them and the pretend remedies that relieve them---as the children play hospital. The delightful cast of characters includes Miss Helpem, Miss Bossem, Doctor Surecure, Doctor Quickenquack, Officer Arrestem, Officer McStoppem and the Brave Family. Safety training lessons are interwoven with the story, such as how to identify poison ivy, not to play with matches, keep flies off of food, and roll if you catch on fire. Detailed diagrams are provided for how to wrap bandages by practicing on a doll. Set in the early 1900s, the story also addresses the issues of soldiers injured in World War I. The overriding theme is to prevent accidents before they happen, and to see a doctor for serious injuries and illnesses.
The back of the book contains an alphabetical reference list of common afflictions such as cuts, bruises, burns, poison ivy, earaches, insect bites, bee stings, colds, bloody nose, car sickness, and black eyes, along with simple home remedies including baking soda, vinegar, and oil.
Reflecting the best suggested treatments and remedies of the early 20th century, the value of the information resented is more of historical significance than as the best of recommended treatments available and preferred at the beginning of the 21st century.
--Publisher information
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