Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-06-17
MISCELLA A n Y.
Can a Cbild live without Clothing 2

M is @ E l. l. A n Y.
Can a Child live without Clothings
The following account of an extraordinary ex-
pertinent recently made by parent with his in
FAINT child, for the purpose of aScertaining wheth-
er he can dispense with clothing, is taken from
the Dublin Evening Mail:
The subject of the costume of the ancient Bri-
tons has often been discussed it has been asser-
ted that they were naked. Those who opposed
that view adduced as reasons the GOODNESS and
variable nature of the climate The question
has been set at rest by an experiment which has
recently been made on child at st. Anne's
Blarney, near Cork. The child is fourteen
months old, and is the son OF Mr., who de-
termined to ascertain what the human frame
would bear The child is perfectly naked, night
and day he sleeps without any covering in
room with the thermometer at 36 degrees; from
this he goes into bath at 11S degrees; he some
times goes to sleep in the bath; he is perfectly
indifferent to heat or cold; is lively, active,
cheerful, and intelligent; his appearance con-
stantly reminds the observer of the best efforts
of our best painters and sculptors. Therein is
the beau ideal; j.; he is the reality. His simple,
natural easy, graceful, land ever varyngpostu
are charming. He arrests the attention and
commands the admiration OF all who see him.
The peculiar character of his skin is very strik-
ing it is exqusitely healthy and beautiful. 1t
may be compared to the rays OF the sun stream
ing through painted window.
During the progress of the experiment he has
cut three teeth without maniiesting any OF the
disagreeable symptoms usual to children in that
condition. lie appears to be quite sensible to
pain. Occasionally he has an ugly fall, but not
a sound escapes from his lips. His manners.de-
meanor, and general behavior are equally strlk-
lug His mode Of Salutng person is to take
The hand in Il graceful manner aud kiss 1t. lie
is under the complete control of his father, and
is perfectly quiet during meals and also when
he is told to be SO. He goes about all day, a
muSing and occupying himself in IL quiet way.
No one accustomed to children would know
there was child in the house. So incredible
are these results that some of the residents at
ST. Annes regard the whole matter with NM
gled feelings of horror, amazement, and wonder
Those who have made careful observation Tor
themselves and prefer the evidence OF their eyes
rather than their ears see nothing but to admire
and respect. No doubt some Of them would e.
ven go SO far as to repeat the experiment on
their own children, were it not for the fear of
that eternal question, What will Mrs. Grundy
sayw
extract from the journal kept by the father Of
the child:
dec II, 1861 was about to begin with
self-reproaches for not having noted during its
progress the steps of an experiment so novel,and
in its consequences 50 important; but the fact
is that | was not aware that was making an
experiment until the thing was done. Hence
forward | shall record daily incidents which
may serve to illustrate the case, and at an after
period methodically treat it,
This day the outdoor laborers were engaged
in storing ice for the ice-house. The child sleeps
ON the floor, on travelling rug folded in four,
the room without fire or carpet, and is general
y washed daily. There is u large bow window
To- the north. 1t is the coolest room in the
house. He was put up to bed at half past ten.
lie is without any clothes or covering whatever.
At one o'clock being unable to sleep, was so
cold with three blankets that had to put ON
cloak The child walked up, and made vehement
appeals to be taken in. took him in. When
was going to sleep myself, told him to go to
bed. He moaned 50 bitterly that apprehended
that he feared the cold To test him got out
of the bed and lay down on his rug, (without
clothes } he then would not remain a moment
in the warm bed, but followed me to his pallet.
He composed himself to sleep, lying like frog,
and lett him. When he came into bed, was
obliged to put blanket between us for the bit,
ter cold of his limbs; but every way that could
arrange the clothes led to no sign that he suffer
ed from the cold or desired the heat.
$50 correct the frightful fits of crying he used
to have and for another failing which had OF ne
cessity to be put stop to, had to have re-
course formerly to punishment by shaking him,
slapping him, and dipping him in trough OF
A. he
action of cold and very severe shampooing,
punishment by these processes became impossi-
ble.
HE has two meals-generally boiled rice,
which is put on napkin on the ground, and he
hicks 1t up TO the last grain. After that, wheaton
flour cake, with butter, and a cup OF milk, which
he drinks. While eating his rice he looks dit
terent being, there is at once pride and enjoy
ment of performance. He has tue air OF an Ora
tor addressing an audience.
"During the day he goes to sleep when he
likes, merely lying down on the fopr.
lit was remarked by lady IL day, that he
is not like child, but suall man. A gentle
man has just remarked that he never knew thH
meaning OF Tnau-Child' unit be- -
"lAv ALiif"" nad seen HIM.
-"ue he assumes in sleeping is that
of the MusSulman making prostratiuns-on his
@aees, win his hands spread out before him,
which could not be it he suffered lom fatigue !;
buC his muscles are too hard tor that. BY this
means he concentrates the calurc in tie stom-
ach, and So 1t is indifferent to cold; however
cold the limbs (and they get hightfully cold to
the touch, and never numb, being ON the con-
trary, nottle red) the loins are always warm
This is the hrsl working day since he has
baen in my hands that he has not been in the
vapor bath. 1t is the first word he has learned
to say, and he calls tor it every morning. Yes
terday he was in al hour and half. He moans
a little when the cold water is put on him, but
stops when told to do so. Hot water he will
bear at temperature that | could not endure.
"The problem he presents physiologically is
this A developement of the nerves producing
pleasgrable sensations and a corresponding dead
ening OF those the contrary. The intensity OF
the enjoyment which he derives from contact
with the skin is only equalled 10y the insensibl-
ity of the flesh. We have never known him
since his exposure to extreme cold to cry from
pain. Last night the difference between his
power ofenjoyment and mine was brought home
to me in q remarkable manner, by my suffering