New-York tribune., 1901-07-22
TIE NERTOTS CHILD

The increasing tendency toward nervousness Of
children in cities IS causing anxious moments TO
many a parent. While IT is true that inheritance
often proves be the chief cause Of this, proper
environment and care may in time largely counter
act the faSraat manifestations CT the nalady.
Dr. John X. Mitchell. writing this subject IN
''Harper's Bazar,'' says that apart from disease
and nalnutrition. parents are the commonest cause
OF nervousness In children; sometimes by false
precep.s wrong methods. sometimes By unin-
territorial example suggestion.
DO net he ready to attribute all sorts OF
trouble in children to nerves" " he continues
y our grandmother laid the OF diff
cuties 10 teething. with little If the
child is restless irritable sleepess the chances
are much greater that its digestive apparatus has
gone wrong somewhere than that IL is nervous or
that its teeth disturbing It. Above all do not
dose it with poisons under flat catching names
soothing syrup. elixir teething balm wnat not.
Remember, too. that what would be abnormal rest
lessness In adult is only evidence OF healthy
activity in little
"A remnant of the superstition which regarded
the doctor a sorcerer. ard his q best a
sort OF white magic Is the widespread feeling
Gganst which physician constantly finds himself
striving that there is panacea for every woe, a
medicine which fits every case, II cnly II can be
discovered Patients are unwilling to follow a
definite. reasonable, carefully thought out plan Of
life. and beg for specific. for some drug which
be taken in teaspoonful doses three times a
day. to serve instead Of temperance and soberness"
The child's constitution must be built up as sys-
rernatically as possible In doing this DR. Mitchell
lays great stress the healthful influence OF
/ games. considering them far better for children
/ than gymnasium work. except in extreme cases
There is why girls IN their earlier years
should not be permitted the same outdoor freedom
as boys. Riding. rowing. swimming and easy
handling OF the golf stick certainly within their
province. And have you observed" saws
Dr. Mitchell that the little girls who bore the
reproach Of being tomboys rather apt to turn
out very charming and attractive women"
Gymnasium work often requires the child si,ch
strict attention the teachers orders that he "a
under additional strain. whereas he would exer
else automatically in a wei known game or in
walking and bicycling Games also teach selr-.on-
troll and Dr.. Mitchell Is far from holding the
modern View children should be governed onlv
by request and explanation.
Control them teach them self-controi'' he
says They viii never acquire Il so lightly In any
other way. II they left TO learn at the knees
of fe what should have been taught In the nursery
they Will find her harder mistress than their
mother, and buy the knowledge with pain and
blood and the bitter tears OF man and woman in
stead Of the passing griefs OF childhood.
Too much flssing and inquiring after n
| childs health only tends TO make him a confirmed
invalid and the mother must depend on her own
observation The coachman's rough and ready rlle
is not a bad one TO judge by-f ms horse eats he
thinks there is not much wrong II your young
hopeful takes food well great alarm Be felt
IN children the stomach 10 quick acting index
tee much about how they sssi or hear toe mue6