The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1893-05-15
WHAT Do NEW BABIES WEIGH
The Ten Pound Tradition Seri-
ously Questioned.
Doctors who Cited Some Facts From
Their Experience.
Mothers ana Fathers Are Touchy on
Light w eight Offspring and the
Medical Men Catered 20
the Demand.

A society to ascertain the weight o
new born babies has been organized in
Los Angeles. There has been for Ions
time growing belief that babies, wher
born, do not all weigh 10 pounds.
1t has been deemed essential, in the
interest OF science, which is nothing, i
not exact, that there should be a serious
inquiry into the question. Hence the
organization.
In this era of psychic research nothing
escapes the eye of the seareher after
truth and the formula reasonably GER
tain: weight, 10 pounds; mother do
ing WE'LL" has become the subject oil
legitimate inquiry.
1t was thought at fret by those who
are interested in the subject that it
might be given in charge to the cub
committee of Is in the city who are in
vestigating the hypnotic power, but
after delberation they concluded that
they did not have time to secure the
necessary data, hence an independent
organization was effected. Naturally
the first step taken was The selection of
committee. Nothinggoes without that.
/ Those who had the matter in charge
were not callow. They discarded in the
FIRST place, young married men, on the
ground that they would believe any
thing that their wives and the doctor
would tell them. In the second place,
all women, whose well known and in-
variable disbelief in the physical char
acteristiceH of other peoples babies pre-
cluded fair judgment--in the interests
OF science.
They chose seasoned fellows, who
could see through a glass darkly, and
would get to the bottom OF the matter,
even if in well.
1t was committee OF seven, and they
were aware of the delicate nature of
their trust, so that they met very se-
cretly and swore they would not reveal
the identity OF the members.
They found it niece ssary to,frst inquire
as to the average weight given by par
ents and physicians OF new born babes,
as basis to work from-in the interests
OF 6cience.
Properly enough inquiries were made
of the newspapers, and it was by this
means that HERALD reporter dropped
upon the fact that such an investigation
was actually on foot in. Los Angeles.
One reporter WAS found who agreed
to make search to obtain reliable data
for use of the society, and the result
bore them out in their promise that, as
far ss reported, tho average weight OF
new born baby iEsa10 pounda, irrespec-
tive of sex. He found that in POPS
cases reported, 1890 weighed, accord
ing to the report, 10 solid American, or
if preferable avoirdupois pounds 25
weighed 10, and one, 8 pounds.
In all the Gases mentioned the mother
was edoing WE'LL"
Taxing this as basis, the committee
|, went to work. They were too foxy to
make any inquiries among the ladies,
but confined their investigation to the
interesting interesting &C occasions.
The result was lsughable. Forty-fve
physicians, reputable, and who do not
advertise, were Intercepted, the object
beingsplainly stated to them. The ex-
perts were not to be caught between the
upper and neither milestone. Forty of
tiem avoided categorical answers and
pursued not only Fabian but retreat
ing policy, fetlring into their shells and
pulling the holes in after them. Of the
other five, four said the weights Of the
babies they had assisted into this vale OF
tears might have weighed few ounces
more or less than 10 pounds, while one
said the committee must be id fool,
| Or words to that effect.
/ Such was the status OF affairs when an
| outsider, not so much interested in
science asthe society, in fact spurred on
! by a pure spirit of stirring up strife,
went at the doctors in his own way, and
secured the information which the so
cietv had vainly sought to acquire
This information is now digesting, anc
when they have studied out the lessor
to be derived from. it, will give it to the
public in the shape OF report.
The outsider is, however, under NJ
obligation to withhold the curious infor
nation he obtained.
''I'll tell you what, my boy" said |
physicien with one of the largest prac
tices in the city, whose Office is at tn
corner of First and Sprng,streetH, to tn
investigator, sit would ruin my practic
in the line of babies If l should tel
what the actual weight of some OF then
is. Do all babies, weigh 10 pounds whel
they are born? Well, should say not
How do we arrive at the weightp
will tell you, but don't give me away
You know everything is in confueio
when the event happens. and it is cas-
enough to do some legerdemain. 1t i
enough for me to say when / have tn
chance before both parents that tn
weight is Just 10. The 10-pound bah
is not the average, but it is safer to pu
it at eight and IN great many cases 81
pounde. When l was younger |
practice than / am now once told
mother that the boy--it was boy
weighed eight pounds. She had he
heart set on the usual size, and tbs
woman never spoke to me atterward'
( and as cure as am sitting here save
, that woman's life on the occasion r.
: ferred to. You just let it go at
} pounds, will you, whenever the occs
, sion offers, and if you can throw in a
/ extra pound or two for good weight, IL
it go at that"
, Another physician, young man, a
} sumed a doieful expression. He Is OF
1 of the ablest young physicians In 81
+ CITY and Ia around the city receivir
hospital considerably. -,
"f was called not long ago." he sail
"to a home where | was well know
: The how was fine little fellow, and
!. admired him as we'll as his father al
: mother How much does he weigl
: docfor9, Twas asked, and chump that
n was. I replied. About eight pounds
/ will never forget the look of chagri
7 that came over the faces of my friend
i, They we're 40 polite that they would 81
I, nothing but /, saw they thought q
J. little chap would pull down the scales