Every human brain contains among its millions of distinct parts a mechanism which devotes its energies to dealing with conditions of heat and cold. This thermotic apparatus causes closing of the pores when sudden cold strikes the body, and regulates in other ways our physical ability to undergo changes of temperature. So, at least, said the wise doctor that cared for the German baby. This feeble effort of one tiny brain function was sufficient to diminish the baby's vitality and menace his life. Mothers blessed with healthy children normally born should learn from the German baby's narrow escape to let their children's minds rest as long as possible, while the body gets its start.
Nature sets the example by making the baby deaf for a long period of time after birth.
Mothers and nurses often do not know even this. To-day the German baby is doing well. It is as heavy as its competitors on the block and will live to do its share of the world's hard work. It will do infinite good, should the story of its advent here below impress upon mothers the fact that building up the baby's body involves keeping its brain quiet.