The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-06-18
EXERCISE, FOR BABY.
"A PHYSICIANS VIEWS ON THIS VERY
IMPORTANT QUESTION.

tWTVNaNNI 0OCotlONs
1anuenos ~ Repressed Activity ON the
Growth u.d Development Of InfAnts.
This Authority Declares Positively For
Freedom Of Movement.
"Infantile Athletics was tho subject
of paper read at meeting Of the SEQ
tion on pediatrics Of the New York
Academy Of Medicine by DIR. Henry
Ling Taylor.
"SWhen ono considers the important
physiological effects of muscular sctiv-
ity," said DR.. Taylor. lit IL apparent
that the human organism ia imperfectly
adapted to sluggish or sedentary ex-
istence. Medical practice, at least In
the cities. is largely made up Of disor-
ders which are distinctly traceable -
the neglect Of proper exercise. Print
tive man, being obliged to hunt and
fight in order to exist, was OF necessity
athletic, and now that the struggle has
in q measure been shifted from Drawn
to brain, men still find II sdvantageous
to train their muscles In sports and
games. When the important relation Of
muscular sctivity to nutrition, respira-
'tion, circulation and elimination h re-
called, this wholesome instinct easily
finds its vindication. Every muscular
mass il in m important sense supple
mentary heart and Q supplementary
kidney. The lungs are never thorough
ly ventilated, except through vigorous
exercise. Moreover, the nervous and
muscular elements ara 20 intimately
related az to form practically but one
system. Education and progress come
through motor and sensory experience
that is, largely through muscular activ-
ity. Growth itself is Influenced by exer-
else.
"Dr. H. G.. Boyer of the United States
Naval academy has shown that not only
do those cadets who take systematic
.gymnastio training largely exceed those
who do not in average gain in weight.
lung capacity and strength, but that
their average gain in height during the
four years is greater by over an inch.
The cadets range in age from 18 to 81
years, and 1t is probable that appropri-
ate exercise would have similar IL not
greater effect in children.
"It is even more true of the infant
than Of the adult that the kind and de-
gree of habitual muscular activity will
largely determine the structure Of the
body and the tone Of the mind and char
acter. It Is more true because the in
fant is more incomplete and more plas.
tic. The newborn babe is, as 1t were,
but half made. It's organs are imma-
ture, its activities restricted, and they
will never attain full and harmonious
development except under the stimulus
Of use. 1t is not without Significance
that exercise is begun Ave months or
more before birth, and that the infant
appears upon the scene with kick and
cry. Though among the most helpless
of natures children, the infant comes
with considerable training and some re-
markable muscular endowments, as, for
instance, the we'll known ability to sup
port itself by grasping horizontal rod.
In waking hours the small limbs prac-
tics constant and vigorous movements,
specifically aimed, but important in
producing tissue changes fundamental
to nutrition, as we'll as in furnishing
sensory and motor experience necessary
to mental and bodily growth, develop
ment and power.
"At 3 months Of age the baby finds
its hands and begins to reach out for
and hold objects; at 8 or months it
creeps; at 10 or ID it walks, and so
progresses from simple to complex pur-
pOsive movements and to such adjust
ments as put it in more comfortable and
intimate relation with its surroundings.
"Since the infant has such ample en-
dowments and spontaneous impulses to
wholesome activity, our first and most
important care must be to avoid undue
interference or repression. It is interest
ing to observe what pains some uncivi-
lized mothers take that the wrappings
and appliances needful to protect the
baby shall not prevent freedom Of move
ment. In describing Indian infancy and
the use Of the portable cradle Mrs.
Fletcher says: 1t is mistaken notion
that the child is kept up all the
time. Every day the baby is bathed
and placed ON q robe or blanket to kick
and crow to its hearts content, but
when the family cares call the mother
away he is put into the cradle, with his
arms free to play with the many bright
beads that hang from the hook which
enoircles the head of this little portable
bed.'
What q refreshing contrast to tho
insipid experiences of our overdraped,
overcoddled youngsters Still, rough ex-
ercises are not required for civilized ba-
bies. They will attend to their own
gymnastics, IL not prevented. It is evil
dent that the movements of the trunk
and limbs sheuld not be impeded with
wrappings. Baby's activity should have
free play. At the start we are confront
ed with the conventional bellyband; il
tightly adjusted, it must exert injuri-
GUS pressure; IL too loosely adjusted, IL
gets displaced and rolls into contract
ing string. When adjusted with prop
nv dooroo ~ opuouooo n ,,,a ~ no ;nuocu