Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-05-22
miscellaneous.
TINE CAUSES on INSANITY.

THE CAUSES OF INSANITY.
In very interesting report Of DR.. Booth,
now at the head of the Mclean Mass Asy-
lum for the insane, he comedies the fact that
insanity is on the increase, In the cursory
examination of the causes Of this increase, all
of which should receive the most careful CON /
sideration, we find the following remarks to
which we beg attention, on the passion for
beginning the school education of children
too young. We are induced TO copy these in
the feeling that they have peculiar value at
the present time when the attention of the
public has been callad anew to the subject :-
In looking at the manners and habits of the
people of our age, we shall find abundant ov-
idonce of the truth of what has been here in
dcated We start in life as if determined 90
thwart the laws established for the presorya-
ton of health, and for the proper development
of our faculties. Passing over the errors of
/ the nursery, which are many and unqucstion-
/ ably fruitful in producing much of the sick
ness and mortality of infancy, let as follow
/ the child as he is committed to school, usual
/ ~ at the age of four or five years. Perhaps
| it cannot be said that large maiori-
/ ty of children arc obviously injured by being
/ placed at school at this early age but there
are undoubtedly many who suffer from the
undue and unhealthy stimulation Of the brain.
At this age, the brain being profusoly supple
cd with blood, and worry susceptible of irrita-
ton, should be watched with the greatest care,
to preserve its delicate structure from injury
or destruction. But tits hardly possible that
young children can be subjected, for so many
of their waking hours, to the observance Of
rules usually deemed necessary for the gov
ernment of schools. without seriously re-
tarding or preventing the regular healthy de-
voopmcnt of the physical system. In this
way, unquestionably, is laid the foundation of
much disease Of the spine, and kindred all
ments, which permanently cripple so many Of
the young, or hasten them to a premature
grave.
Huieland, distinguished physician in Per-
STA, in his valuable work ON the art of Pro-
longing Life observes, "intellectual effort in
the first years of life is very injurious. All
labor of the mind which is required of chill
dren before their seventh year, is in opposi-
ton to the laws of nature, and will prove in
furious to the organization, and prevent its
proper Development Again, he says, at is
necessary that we should not begin to exer-
else the faculties of the mind too carly it is
a great mistake that we cannot commence
their cultivation too soon; we ought not to
think Of attempting this while nature is Who'll
] ~ occupied Win the ucNclupWtnl OF organs,
and has want of all the yigor of tho system
to effect this object. If children are made Ia
study before this age, the most noble part OF
the vital force is withdrawn from pcriccting
the organization, and is consumed by the act
Of thought from which it necessarily results
that the bodily development is arrested OF
disturbed, digestion is deranged, the humors
detoriorated, and scrohla produced. In fine
the nervous system thus acquires predomi-
, nance over all others, which it preserves ion
the remainder Of life producing nnumerablc
nervous complaints, melancholy, hypocondria
&c. II is true, however, that diversity o
character requires different methods in thi,
respect. But in all cases the course to b,
pursued is directly opposed to that which i,
usually adopted If a child shows, at an car.
ly age, great propensity for study, instead
! of anmating and encouraging him to proceed
in this course, as most teachers do, it ia nee.
essary to moderate his zeal for precociou
maturity Of mind is almost aiuags disease, o.
shows an unnatural propensity, which it j.
= most prudent to correct"