The urinary bladder, and the other organs in the bason, are differently placed, as that cavity is very imperfect, from the gristly state of the bones of which it is composed. The extremities are weak, and the condition of the articulations, and quantity of gristle on the superior and inferior extremities, render them incapable of performing their proper functions for a considerable time. The changes by which the size and strength of every part of the body are increased, and the perfection of the several organs is completed, proceed gradually, and are not fully accomplished till the period of puberty. While those important changes are going on, the bones acquire additional strength and size, the ligaments and muscles become firm, the cellular membranes and skin more dense, the action of the heart and arteries less frequent, the respiration more slow, the nervous system less susceptible of impression, and the sympathy between the skin and the internal parts less considerable. Whatever may be the political effects of these charities, it is impossible to cavil at the motives of those who support them.
Distress is always an object of compassion.
But whether that pecuniary assistance, to which the natural decay of friendless old age has the most indisputed claim, should be equally extended to those premature infirmities which originate in intemperance, or that the money which would be well bestowed in the relief of suffering virtue, is with the same propriety expended in affording an asylum to the voluntary profligate, may, perhaps, be questioned. The utility of administering medical relief to the children of persons in the inferior ranks of society admits of no such doubt. When the children of the poor are afflicted with sickness, to which those who live in the close unventilated habitations of great towns are peculiarly liable, natural affection, which knows no distinction of ranks, renders the mother anxious to obtain medical assistance. The complaints of children are not in general of such a nature as to be exasperated by being brought into the air under the care of their parents. They may in general be alleviated by a small quantity of appropriate medicine, and their recurrence may frequently be prevented by suggesting some rules concerning diet and general treatment, to which I have observed that young mothers especially, are commonly attentive, and willing to put in practice.