Morning journal and courier., 1881-03-18
Danger in Baby Carriages.
Infants More Healthy when Carried b,
 Nurses-The Bicycle Trouble.


 Nurses-The Bicycle Trouble. From the New York Sum-
 The physiological or hygienic effect of the baby carriage on the child has been recently considered by Dr. Henry H. Smith in paper read before the Philadelphia County Medical society. Inquiry among physicians tends to fully sustain many of Dr. Smiths conclusions Divested of technicalities, the results of in yestigation that important muscular functions are impaired, particularly those of the spine and abdomen, and that the growth and proper development of the child are greatly retarded by the constant and inju- dicious use of baby carriages. Other evils, such as mpeded respiration, brain conges- tion, spinal concussion, and inadequate diges- tion or nutrition, are adverted to in this con- nection with emphasis which enforces attention, while other considerations are sug gested full of interest to those who have the responsibility of bringing up children.
 It Is said that when a child lies down, as 1t usually does, in baby carriage during in- fancy, the muscles of the spine remain near ly at rest. When, however, child sits on it's nurses arm, it's head and upper extremi- ties are balanced on it's pelEis, thus calling into play the spinal erector muscles and those of the abdomen, together with those which control the lateral motions of the body. 'sHence," the Doctor concludes, tits exercise in preserving it's balance prepares it's muscles for the more steady action demanded of them subsequentlysin creeping or more especially in walking"
 To carry an infant is in fact to train it in balancing it's head and shoulders, while the abdomenal muscles, acting as fiexors of the spine, compress the liver and other viscera, and aid in both respiration and the peristal- tic action of the bowels. Such infants are sooner able to sit alone, creep and walk than the supine product of the baby carriage. Their improved respiration assists the oxy- oe% %I,ah tha ofa of ticSuo ar- suingson muscular action increases the neces- sity for repair, and we find increased appe- tite, with improved nutrition.
 It has been contended that the carriages are beneficial by enabling the nurse to keep children longer in the air. The Doctor con- siders that nurse unable to carry the child is unfit for her duty, and believes that @ fondness for filtration underlies the nurse's excuse of fatigue. He says, moreover, that the infant is often neglected and allowed to hang it's head over the side of the carriage in a way to induce certain degree of brain congestion, is too often found in some position which in time may result in curya- lures or carries of the spine. Another evil likely to ensue from the constant use of the baby carriage is coneussion of the delicate brain or spinal cord of the infant, caused by bouncing the vehicle over curbstones, 8 matter as severe upon the nervous system of the child as railroad travel has been shown to be upon the more matured organization of the man.
 While Dr. Smith fully appreciates the fact that the use of the baby carriage permits the poor, tired mother little relaxation, and values it in cases of children recovering from illness, he believes that as general rule the facts referred to are sufficient to call attention to the abuse of "a custom that is by no means necessity in the case of in fants or those under twelve months of age.'' ;. In illustrating the foregoing he gave the follow two cases: stAn infant now nine a baby carriage, but has taken it's exercise out of doors for several hours at time on it's nurse's arms. It is now able to sit alone; creeps around actively seldom falls or bumps it's Ehead is bright and observant of everything; creeping to obtain any article that attracts its notice. It has bright color,