The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-08-25
THE JUVENILE DEATH-RoLL.
INFANT MORTALITY.

MEANS By WHICH 1T MAY BE DIMINIsHED.
To the Editor Of the Sentinel.
SSR: The reports of the Beard OF Health
of the city, that appear from week to week
10 the papers. show that during the summer
months over one-half &C the weekly deaths
are of children Of the age of five wears and
under, and the annual report for 1873 shows
that the number OF deaths in The city of the
ages above was 543. Reports of other cities !
show similar state Of facts; SO that the
mortality here Is not exceptional. The say
ing that Imam is born to die" appears true
of the children at any rate. Now, we wish
to inquire, WHY'S this? Why do so many
of the dear pledges of our love succumb To
disease and death before they scarcely begin
to live? Can this be an ofdina CO
of nature, a law of infantile life,
which must be submitted TO without
hope of amendment? We do not so believe,
nor do we believe that Is a dispsnsation of
Providence, AZ our religious teachers usually
present the matter, any more than that the
feeding of children upon mnce pie, fine pas
try, confectionery, etc., is a dispen-ation of
Providence. There are causes, tangible
causes, as we believe, for this MELANCHOLY
state of things, which are within 8ur COM
prehension, and in a very great degree under
our control, by which We may materially di-
miuish this mortality. 1t can not be that
tOis mortality is
MERE MATTER OF ACCIDENT
and chance, that no law governs infantile
life and growth. IL ia not so in any other
domain of nature. In the vegetable king
dom, plants and trees, If left up-
disturbed, live and grow to matu-
ritv, fulfill the object of their being,
mai life; our lambs, and calves, and colts. if
| the natural instincts have free play, attain
maturity and full development and then
submit 10 death. Stock raising would not
4 -.
| half of the took died long before maturity.
We held that our children, too, should and
/ would do the same; that is, live, grow at
tain maturity, and die accidents only ex-
cepted from old sge) if the vital laws were
inlelligently and practically observed by
both parents and children during the whole
period OF their existence We have alum.
dsnt reasons for the belief, that the or
iginsl endowment OF vital power was ample
| for the full development of manhood and
| the realization and enjoyment of at least a
hundred Years of vigorous, happy life,
| with little or no sickness, were the laws of
life and health inteiiigently observed. But
man, by the daily inirsctions or these laws,
so impsirs his vital powers that he can but
impart an imperfect vital constitution to bis
offspring; and further, subjects himself to
| disease and premature death This it nav
be, he does for the most part ignoran.ly, but
that does not alter the fact. Nature has no
| compromises for violation of her laws: she
exacts the full penalty for every disopedi-
encs. The penalty may not be i'm
mediately enforced, but sooner OF
Is some excuse for the existing state
of mortality among children, and, indeed in
4 adult life; for not in any of our schools. col
leyes, or universities, nor even in our medi
cal schools, are the hygenic laws truly and
intelligently taught. Onthe part of a very
; large majority of the community is there
manifested any desire for knowledge on this
} the most vitality important of all knowledge
that demands the attention OF man. Mo-
one parent in ten thousand, nor in ten lime:
ten thousand, has any intelligent under
standing of the laws OF the humsn constitu
r ton, or seems To desire any pTactica
, knowledge of the subject; indeed, man,
treat this whole matter with indifference, i
= not with contempt; and while ready TO ac'
, knowledge their helief that outside physics
natu IS governed by law. in the domain o.
organic human life all supremacy of law i,
( ignored and the whole matter is referred Il
THE DOMINION OF CHANCE.
! Thus 1t is, that IN the rearing OF children al
IN. every law OF their being is habituallJ
violated from birth to death; and the won
: der il, not thar one-half die before they
reach the age OF six years, but
,, rather, that any survived IL woulC
|, scarcely bs an exsgger4tion TO sa,
! that less intelligent care is bestowed
: in the rearing of children. generally, thar
the poultry breeder bestows in raising
shanghai roosters! But the causes of in
fantile mortality, In many cases, begiI
anterior to birth. Hereditary transmission
is large factor in the infantile constitution
and has great influence in determining theil
immunity from. or liability to, disease anC
their tenure OF life; hence, it is a matter o.
grave doubt whether persons OF marked in
D trinity of constitution should marry and h
B the instruments of transmitting such in
: firmities to their offspring. There are also
acquired detects OF constitution or impair
= ment of constitutional vigor in parents
4 arising from habitual infractions of the law'
: of life: such as the habit of using intoxi
eating liquors, the use Of tobacco, Opium, in
diligence III RIGHTEOUSNESS, and many other
: habits which impair the integrity of func
, ton, or organization; and no parent In
4 dulging in any of these vicious habits need
r expect, or hope to impart a thoroughly
3 sound, healthfnl organization to his or be-
offspring. The effect of such habits in thu
, parent will be shown in the less vigor o
ease and liability to premature death
1.-The ultimate results Of enfeeble,
constitution and predisposition to disease
Q inherited from tobacco using and rum drink
A ing parents. These things may be sneereS
at, but sneers do not abrogate physical law
Our feeding, both in the nursery sD'
2 kitchen, together with the quality of tn
: food given, with the frequency in the times
: of eating, Is probably the most fruitfu
. cause of infantile disease and death. Chill
, dren, even of tender age. are allowed liberia
' quantities of animal food, rich gravies, fin,
. pastries, cakes, pudding, confectionery. etc.
|, so that they are often dyspeptic almost b,
the time they can run alone; and the begin
7 ming Is made for summer complaints, dys
enteries, commissions, and premature death
at depends upon the kitchen whether tn
: family shall be robust bright and energetic
or dull, stupid slow" We might hav.
! added, it depends greatly upon the kitchen
= whether there long be any family at all
DIR. James further says; "The housekeepe
: measures out manhood and womanhood u
! the family, and her position is very 70
sponsibie one" The period of dentitior
: with children is looked upon by the pareu
: with a good degree of anxiety; and undo