Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-08-05
CHILDREN WHO SHUTTER

Infantile suffering is condition
which should be distinguished from the
complaint which is known as stammer-
Ing. The terms "stammering" and
''stuttering" are often used interchange
ably, but they do not represent exactly
the same thing.
In stammering the affected child is
hardly able to get words out at all; but
in suffering it appears to make invOlun-
tary sounds, such as the rapid repetition
of cOnsOnant at the beginning of
word, as "w-w-w-what," "b-b-b-but."
The habit is not common before six
years of age, but is sometimes seen
earlier, and it is said to be more common
in boys than girls.
1t generally appears to be caused by
some slight defect in the general health,
and especially seems to have relation
with the constitutional irritability pro-
duced by the appearance of the sixth
year molars, and of the second dentition.
1t differs from what is ordinarily known
as stammering by being transient con-
dition which usually disappears as the
general health improves without any
special attention being directed to it. In
fact it would sometimes seem that the
more child's attention is attracted to
the defect the worse it becomes. AS an
| ILLUSTRATION, l may quote the case of a
lady friend of mine, whose eldest child,
when about six years old, began to slut
ter The mother was much worried
about this as there had been several
cases of stammering in her family, and
took the child to a very high authority
on children's diseases. The physician
prescribed various tonic remedies and
treatment for the general health, but
cautioned the mother on no account to
lay stress upon the defect or mention it
to the child. He said it would pass
away very shortly. This child is now
eight years old, and has no trace of the
defect. Her younger sister, aged seven,
has passed through exactly the same
phase and now does not stammer in the
least, and the third little girl of the same
family is now suffering; but the moth
er, of course, is not at all worried, as
she feels sure that the trouble will pass
away in due course.
Children should be taught from the
first to talk very slowly and deliberately,
and pronounce every word distinctly. If
this is done they will not find any words
especially difficult. They should be
kept from associating with teachers,
friends, or servants, who have any defect
in speech, as the influence of magma
ton is so very strong.
All nervous excitement should be
avoided, especially during excitable
periods like the, second dentitiOn, and
they should never be allowed to talk
when in a hurry OF Over-excited.
They should on no account be scolded
for the defect, nor laughed at it for it,
nor should it be mentioned to other peo-
pie in their presence, as this will en-
barrass them and make the trouble very
much more marked.
Exercises in breathing are very i'm
portant. The child should be taught to
take long breaths standing in an up
right position, and full breath should
be taken before beginning each sentence.
Singing is valuable means of training,
as it strengthens the lungs, and children
who have defects of speech will often
sing the words quite clearly which they
could not pronounce in speaking.
Outdoor exercise should be insisted
upon and the diet should be plain and
nutritious.-McCall' Magazine.