Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1857-06-27
INTER Esrive TO FATHERS NJ FAM.
LIES.
CAN A CHILD LIVE WITHOUT
CLOTHING.

his infaut child, ior the purpose oil ascertain
inv whether he can dispense with clothing, |
taken from the Dublin Evening Mail:
The subject Of the costume Of the nncien
Britons has often been discussed; il ha
been asserted that they were naked. Thos
who opposed that view adduced as reason
the colduess and variable nature Of the eli
mate. The question has been set at rest b,
an experiment which has recently been mad,
on n child Mt ST. Annes Blarney, near Cork
The child is fourteen months old, and is tn,
son of MIR. -. who determined to ascer
tain what the human frame would bear. The
child is perfectly naked, day and night; he
sleeps without any covering in q room with
the thermometer at 38 degs.; from this he
goes into bath Of lls degrees; he some
times goes to sleep in the bath he ls per
fec,ly Indifferent to heat or cold is lively,
active, cheerful aud intelligent; his appear
anco constantly reminds the observer OF the
best efforts of our best painters aud sculPtors
+rhrrein ia tho brau ideal--he ia tho reality.
His simple, natural, easy. graceful, and ever
VARYING postures, are charming. lie arrests
tho attention ana commands the admiration
of all who see him. The peculiar character
of his skin is very striking; II is exquisfeiy
healthy aud beautiful 1t may be compared,
90 the ravs of the sun streaming tbro pain
red window.
During tho progress Of the experiment he
has cut three teeth without maniies,ins any
of tho disagreeable symptoms usual to ch'i'
drep in that condition. He appears TO DO
Quito sensible to pain. Occasionaiiy no mas
an ugly full but not sound escapes MS ups.
I;s manner. demeanor. and general behavior
srn ennaIly striking. His mode OF saiuting
nerson is to take the hand in graceful man
ner aud kiss it. He is under the complete
control Of his father, and is perfectly, quiet
during meals, and also when he Is toid 10 DC
so. lie goes about oil day, amusing ana oc'
cupying himself in a quiet way. NO one ac-
customed to children would know tnero was
a child in the house So incredible are 'nese
resnlts that some Of the residents OF o.' Au,
ace regard the whole matter win mingled
fsnlinys of horror. amazemcnt and wonder
Those who have made careful observation
C,r themselves and prefer the evidence oil
their ewes rather than their ears, see no'h!ng
but to admire and respect. No douot some
Of Them would even 60 so fur as to repeat Tue
experiment on their own children, were 1t NOT
for fear Of that eternal question, Nv bat VIII
Mrs. Grundy say !"
Wo have received from correspondent an
extract from the Journal kept by the latheTo'
the child: =,
Dec. u, ls57.--I was about to begin with
gelf.reproacLos for not having noted during
il. progress the steps OF an experiment 10 no.
vel. and ir its consequences so important
bat the fact ia that was not aware that
was making an experiment untll the .hinS
was done. Hcnceforward shall record daI'
ly incidents which may serve TO illustrate Inc
ease, and at an after period methcoicaiiy
treat it.
This day the outdoor laborers were enga-
god in storing ice for the ice-house. Inc
child sleeps on the floor, on travelling rug
folded in four, the room without lire or carpet
aud is generally washed daily. There 10
large bow window to the north. IL ID lhr
coolest roou, in the house. lie was put TO
bed at halfpast ten. lie is without any
clothes or covering whatever. Az ono o'clock
being uuubl, TO sleep, was a, cold with three
blankets tlat had to put on fur CLOAK
The child walked up, and made vehement ap
meals to be taken in. took him in. When
/ was going 70 sleep myself, told him to 60
10 bed lie moaned SO bitterly that appre-
h.nd,d that he feared the cold. To test him
! got out of the bed and lay down on his rug
without cloihesl he then would not remain
a moment iu The warm bed, but followed me
10 his rallet lie composed himself to sleep,
living ike fl frog aud left him. When he
cu,ne into bed, was obliged to put blan-
kst between us for the bitter cold OF his limbs
hut ovcry way that ] could arrange the clothes
led to no sign that he suffered from the cold
or desired the heat.
To correct the frightful fts Of crying he
used to have, and for another failing which
had of necessity TO be put stop to, had to
have recourse formerly to punishment by
sbnking him, aud dipping him in trough o.!
culd water. As his frame hardened under
the action Of cold aud very severe champoon-
pooui, &. punishment by these processes be-
came impossible.
He has two meals-generally boiled rice.
which is put on napkin on the ground. and
he picks it up to the last grain. After that,
oi milk, which he drinks. While eating his
rce Le looks different being, there is at
once pride and enjoyment ofperformance.
lie has the air Of the orator addressing an
audience.
During thn day he goes to cleep when be
likes, merely lying down on the Hoor.
was remarked by lady today, that he
is not ike child, bu small man. gen.
ticman has iuat remarked that he never knew
the meaning Of man child until be had seen
him.
The attitude he assumes in sleeping is that
of the Musselnan making prostra!ions--on
his knees with his hands spread out before
him, which could not be if he suffered from ia
tigue but his muscles are too hard for that.
BY this means he concentrates the ealoric III
the stomach, and so il is Indifferent to cold
however cold the limbs land they get fright
fully cold 10 the touch, and never numb, be-
ing on the contrary mottled red,) the loins
are always warm.
This is the Grst working day snce he has
been in my hands that he has not been in the
vipor hath. 1t is the first word he has learn
I'd to say, and he calls for it every morning
Yesterday he was in an hour and a half He
means little when the cold water is put OF
him, but stops when told TO do so. Hot wa
Ter he will bear at temperature that coulc
GOT endure.
The problem he presents physiolog :cally i:
this: \ developement Of the nerves produ
cling pleasurable sensations, aud a ceres
pondiug deadeuing of those the contrary
The intensity Of the enjoyment which he dc
tves from contact with the skin ia only equal
led by tho insensibility of the flesh. W.
have never known him since bis exposure {
extreme cold to cry from pain. Last nigh
the difference between his power Of enjoy
ment aud niue was brought home to me in
remarkable manner Inv nv suifernO from IN