Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1897-07-10
EXERCISE FOR BABY.
A PHYSICIANS VIEWS ON THIS VERY
IMPORTANT QUESTION.


IMPORTANT QUESTION.
Influence of Represscd Activity on the
Growth and Development of Infants.
This Authority Declares Positively For
Freedom of Movement.
"Infantile Athletic" was the subject
of Il paper read at meeting of the sec
ton on pcdiatrics of the New York
Academy of Medicines by DR.. Henry
Ling Taylor.
"When ono considers tho important
physiological effects of muscular activ-
ity," said Dr. Taylor, "it is apparent
that the human organism is imperfectly
adapted to sluggish or sedentary ex-
istence Medical practice, at least in
the cities, is largely made up of disor-
lers which arc distinctly traceable to
the neglect CT 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 Il measure been shifted from Drawn
to brain, men still find it advantageous
to train their muscles i'll sports and
games. When the important relation of
muscular activity to nutrition, rcspira-
ton, circulation and elimination is re-
called, this wholesome instinct easily
finds its vindication. Every muscular
mass is in an important sense supple
mentary heart and Il supplementary
kidney. Tho lungs arc never thorough
" ventilated, except through vigorous
exercise. Moreover, the nervous and
muscular elements are so intimately
related as 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.
CDR. H. c. Boyer of the United States
Naval academy has shown that not only
do those cadets who take systematic
gymnastic training largely exceed those
who do not in average gain i'll weight,
lung capacity and strength, but that
their average gain i'll height during tho
four years is greater by over an inch.
The cadets range in age from l6 TO 81
years, and it is probable that appropri-
ate exercise would havo similar if not
greater effect i'll children.
at 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 1t is more true because the i'll
FAINT is more incomplete and more plas-
tic. Tho newborn babe is, as it were,
but half made. Its organs are imma-
tnre, 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 five months or
moro before birth, and that the infant
appears upon tho scene with kick and
cry. Though among the most helpless
of NATURES Children the infant comes
with considerable training and some re.
markable muscular cndowmcnts, as, for
instance, the we'll known ability to sup
port itself by grasping II horizontal rod.
In waking hours the small limbs prac-
tice constant and vigorous movements,
specifically aimed, but important III
producing tissue changes fundamental
to nutrition, rs we'll as i'll furnishing
sensory and motor experience necessary
to mental aud 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 or months 1t
creeps; at 10 or II it walks, and so
progresses from simple to complex pur-
posive movements and to such adjust
ments as put it i'll more comfortable and
intimate relation with its surroundings.
"Since the infant has such ample ell
dowments and spontaneous impulses to
wholesome activity, our first and most
important care must be to avoid undue
interference or repression. 1t is interest
ing to observe what pains some unciyi-
LIKED mothers take that the wrappings
and appliances needful TO protect the
baby shall not prevent freedom Of move
ment. In describing Indian infancy and
tho use of the portable cradle Mrs.
Fletcher says: 1t is !; mistaken notion
that the child is kept up all the
time Every day tie baby is bathed
and placed or u 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
encircles the head of this little portable
bed.
"What Il refreshing contrast to the
insipid experiences of our overdraped,
overcoddled youngsters. Still, rough OK
ercises are not required for civilized ba-
bies. They will attend to their own
gymnastics, if not prevented. 1t is evil
dent that the movements of the trunk
and limbs should not be impeded with
wrappings Baby's activity Should have
free play. At the start we are confront
ed with the conventional bellyband; If
tightly adjusted, it must exert ln1url
Gus pressure; if too loosely adjusted, it
gets displaced and rolls into contract
ing string. When adjusted with a prop
Ell degree of snueness, it may be innocu-
Gus, but do it's benefits outweigh its dis
advantages? The clothing should be
loose and simple, fitting i'll successive
layers, Sc that al can be put on at once.
"Wllcn it comes to artificial exercises
for tie baby, thcre are few prevalent
among us that seem calculated to help
| him. HOMOGENEOUS jarring, shaking and
trotting are undesirable, if not harmful
When the idea is once grasped that a
good, hearty cry is an admirable chest
expander, there is less temptation to
this form of parental indulgence, for it
will usually be found that the baby is
trotted for tho sake of the trottcr rather
than for its own. Pcevshness is of