The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-11-11
TraveIer,' Guide,
PRENATAL INFLUENCES.
Tho Mysteries Of Human Life and
tho Agencies IhaI Mould Them.

tho Agencies IhaI Mould Them'
AT the recent Woman's Congress at
Chicago, DR.. Mary Stafford Blake Of Bos-
ton read very interesting paper on the
above topic, from which We quote a few
paragraphs;
Are the influence Of both parents
equally potent upon their offspring ? Dis.
Crepancy In age between the parents
mobiles the influence that either may ex.
ert. Fortunate for the offspring It Is that
young and vigorous mother usually
gives her physique 10 the child, instead Of
taking that Of the father If he be ola or
infrm. The most Of our experience upon
this subject must be taken from the OBJ
servatons Of careful stock.breeders. The
Arab, who after oil cannot be cited as an
exception, when compared In this respect
with other nations, Is far more absorbed
10 the genealogical perfection oil his horses
than OF his own kind, and he greatly pre-.
tors nobility OF extraction on the part Of
the mother thAn on that oil the father,
When considered in all their varied rela.
tons, the scales Of influence are evenly
balanced between the parents and
their children. Neither can shirk the re.
sponsibilitles resting upon him or her
and be found guiltless. 10 my opinion, q
large share Of influence coming to the
child from the father Is communicated
through the mother by impressions that
she receives Of him during CESSATION. II
there is unison Of spirit, harmonious
blending oil their natures, there Is more
likely to be an equal miugling Of the traits
OF both parents; while, on the other hand,
il the husband is brutal, II her soul
loathes his presence, then the child Is
likely to BIO stamped for lie with his
most undesirable characteristics. Likes
and dislikes frequently stamp themselves
iOrcibly at this period upon the mind Of
the mother. Sometimes an inmate Of the
house becomes odious to her. She car
GeS on o continued warfare with herself
TO overcome the feeling, and the result
upon the child Is the inherited PECULIAR.
ties Of the individual.
These instances, which have been often
observed, teach us o very important les.
son-the necessity OF making
THE SURROUNDINGS OF TIE MOTHER
as congenial and pleasing as possible, II
we will have the child all 1t may be-
bright, happy and beautiful.
We have seen that the life and sur.
rOundiDgs OF both parents before, at the
time Of, and alter conception, are condi-
tIonB that directly affect the child. The
Importance Of physical perfection, both in
the individual and in the race, can not be
oyerstated, for upon sourd physical
basis rests strength Of mind and Of soul,
and all OF its multiple outgrowlhs.
Again,
STRENGTH OF MIND,
that power which comes from thought, is
becoming more and more the great con-
trollGr Of mankind. It Is q pressing duty
upon those upon whom rests the responsi.
billty OF perpetuating the race 10 study
well the conservation Of this force The
sickly in body, the depressed in mind, In
becoming fathers and mothers run the
fearful risk Of multiplying and intensity
ing the misfortune that they, perhaps,
have wrestled with through the neglect or
Ignorance Of their parents. II is incum-
bent upon the parent, then, to make con-
slant effort alter purity OF body, after cul.
tnre and strength OF mind, that these most
desirable qualities may become the birth.
rIghtoi his offspring Healthlul, congenial
employment for the mother, whether in-
telcCtual or physical, best fits her to
transmit love for the same to her child
Not only this, but 1t has been proven in
moro than a few instances that she may
bequeath to the little one lying close TO
her heart love for special pursuits. Let
her devote herself to music with zest, and
il it be but poor weak melody she her
self can create, her soul may some day
be thrilled with tho song OF her child
But OF all the legaCies to which child
has the right, and ofwhich the world has
most need to-day in her children,
PURITY "a THE CHIEF.
Look 10 1t, fathers and mothers. How
is your child to obtain thisI Cleanse 20
the fountain, and the stream shall be
pure Yet when they with washed
hands would lead the impure from their
manner Of lie, 10! oil fingers are laid on
the lips, and silence is compelled. But
the time has come when, il We should
hold our peace, the very hills would cry
out. While every other animal OF earth
ia raised with care and foresight, that
each separate race may inherit
flrmer and finer qualities, man alone Is
not 10 be reared by chance. The time
must come when the God-given and God.
like power Of creating shall not be pros
tituted to lust aud passion. Human be-
ings must learn that sexual appetite was
originally given but for the perpetuation
Of mankind. Is tho thought startliugi
Why soS Is man more animal than
the animals themselves? Alas, yes
and for the very reason that be
has abused his royal powers. Scattered
here and there are pure souls, men and
women, who have gathered themselves
up from the mire Of the world, and who
are leading lives Of confluence, and rear
ing children who can but inherit snow
while souls. And thousands there art
who gladly would-patient mothers, long
suffering wives, who would rejoice TO &C
cept such doctrine as a glad evangel
But till men, as well as women, the wOrl(
over, study well these laws Of inheritance
and become pure and right in their owl
lives, we must still grieVe over the littl
ones who come into life deprived OF tn
moral, physical and intellectual bequest
10 which they are rlghtful heirs.
DR.. ELLEN FERGUSON,
Of Normal, ILL.,, said her mind had bee
very much directed to the subject Of tn
paper Just read. II we would peopl
the world with bright, pure children
we must control the circumstance
which surround their advent into being
Mothers in Chicago had 10 contend wit
widespread social evil, and the demo
OF intemperance. Tho moral and hygieni
Influences surrounding women during th
period OF CESSATION were of the utmost In
portance, and this subject was one |
Il IL. al. al 4 e