Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-01-31
[FromH ONE and Health for january
CONCERNING CHILDREN---OVER.
--,. MUCH STUDY.

By HENRY L. CHAMPION, N. D.-TIRsr PAPER.
The experience Of several years in
that best Of all schools. the house
hold, as well as an acquaintance Of
fifteen years with the treatment of
every form Of childish ills, has quali-
/ fled US to say few words concerning
children.
First in the order OF importance is
the question Of their physical culture.
For the first few years OF their exis-
1 tenee their animal nature needs de-
veloping and guiding. A new crea-
ton is going on; human being un-
/ like in some respects any other which
/ has preceded it on the globe, and
different from any which shall follow,
is to exhibit the miracle Of existence.
Nothing which affects its life, in any
of its phases, whether ply steal or
I mental, is beneath our notice.
The development Of our minds
must wait In this busy age there is
no danger of our children growing up
ounces. The improved method of
instruction in our schools, will per-
vert this. We should rather aim to
retard the childish intellect from
study, or from continuous mental ap-
/ plieation. 1.-THE brake must be put
Oa" or our children will growup phe-
nOmena, able to read perhaps at three
or four years of age, with brain de-
veloped disproportiOnately, and with
nervous system in an irritable con-
/ dition, brilliant in certain directions,
! but sure to suffer for it in health in
after years.
We say animal nature, for the lusty,
vigorous, untrammelled growth of
the child is all in the doctrine Of its
animal existence. It is at once the
most sensitive and the most helpless
of all animals, for it cannot obtain its
own food for several years.
f. At first nature will indicate the re-
quired amount to be supplied. Should
an excess be taken, Ii will be simply
thrown Of, or "regurgitated," the act
of vomiting with a child being pain
less and natural, except when due to
disease. As the child grows nature is
still our guide. The old adage that
we should "get up rom the table
hungry 30 often preached to the
little ones, is an absurdity. We sell
dom do it ourselves. In health the
4 feeling safety determines the neces-
! sary amount TO be taken.
No animal eats more than it re-
quires, and the human species is no
exception to the rule. There is no
/ created being so long in reaching its
maturity, and none which requires
greater care. Food, fresh air, daily
exercise, careful avoidance of all mem
tai stimuli, except such as the child
neceasarilY receives in the daily in
struction OF the household from listen
ing to its parents, are all 1t needs for
several years. II possible it should
be sent to gymnasium, or take excl
else of some sort commenced at home
after reaching the age of six, which
should be continued at some institu-
/ ton until it becomes able to perform
without fatigue the most elaborate
1 exercises.
The men who have ruled the world
were what is termed backward in their
youth. Nature would not be denied
in building up the sound body, and
the sound mind came after. This
truth cannot be too forcibly impressed
upon the minds of parents and in
structors. Children who have in
herited delicate constitutions are often
prone to study at an immature age |;
they develop mentally very early and
the delighted parent will often en-
courage them to exertiOn. They will
sing with "childish treble, or speak
pieces" or otherwise exhibit some
faculties which are unexpected and
therefore surprising; but il is at fear
full cost. b.. .----r.
How many children are there who
at fifteen or sixteen are only capable
of speaking pieces" or singing at
childish concerts, who have became
unable to get out Of this narrow
groove! This is the mildest revenge
that nature takes. Often the overtaxed
nervous system gives way and chOTed
Ia trembling or tWitehing Of the mus
cles) directly traeeable to nervous ex-
citement or even hydrocephGLtIs water
on the brain), Is the sad result.
Take the books away and give them
childish games or even toys, cease to
encourage Over-brain work by an
appeal to their love Of appreciation.
In another article we will pursue
this subject further.