The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-13
AS THE DAYS PASS.


nurse III New Jersey the lQe OF the
mysterious malady called infant paraly-
sis" seems 10 be turning toward the
ebb. -Four cases have really responded
TO her treatment. The accounts Of this
newest among the scourges have been ter
rifying because there seemed no one
capable of venturing on any system OF
treatment either preventive or curative.
In the absence OF definite knowledge. no
theory is too wild to deserve attention
for in the multitude OF counsels wisdom
may Turk, as the Oriental philosopher
declared.
In one household where death claimed
the four-year-old boy it was reported
that a hen also was afflicted with some
trouble Of the legs. preventing Iocomo-
ton. The doctors were seeking a possible
connection between the human and feath-
cred victims.
One might ask. is not life too smooth?
Our concrete streets and granolithic side
walks. our parquet floors and tiled baths.
all level. so the muscles Of the feet and
legs must be held in practically one po-
sition-there is nothing for the toes to
grasp. Would ones hands not wither if
/ always held wide open and cased in
heavy, unyielding covering
The latest nerve cure is walking on the
sand barefoot at the seashore The theory
is that as every muscle IS brought into
play the nerves Of sensation, excited by
the prick Of the sand and the brain noti-
fed Of the unusual condition OF the feet.
circulation Of the blood is promoted and
the whole body is benefited. To prove
that relief is felt when too much level
sidewalk tires, just step on the grass
border
To return 70 the hen and leg weak
ness. Chicken fanciers know it is not
an uncommon condition under certain
mistakes OF feeding and lack Of exercise.
II taken in hand with vigor il can be
cured, bur it is not easy. A little house
wife in the northwest part Of town was
proud 70 have hen willing to set I'm mid
winter; so to make the hatch a success.
Biddy was brought into the house When
the dozen chicks appeared they were put
In a concrete cellar and fed on milk.
bread, and eggs. When nearly large
enough for the broiler the owner was
dismayed 10 find ali OF them iuttering
about on their drumstcks. as she called
it. the feet and lower legs being useless
to the first joint. Common sense told the
little lady 20 pu; those useless legs 10
work: so quickly trash and straw was put
over the concrete and bits Of bone and
meat thrown about. which. sinking into
the straw, had 10 be dug for by the
chicks II they would eat. II was a case
Of Root hog. or die" and they rooted
Slowly. under exercise and muscIe-build-
Ing food, they recovered. and all came TO
the table al last.
This would seem 10 have no parallel in
the case Of infants, though II might ap-
ply to little people always walking IN
shoes fiat-footed on a smooth surface. but
now that that strength saver-the go-cart
lis abroad in the land. very young chill
dren are strapped into a sitting position
where held stiffiy for hours at a time,
the circulation in the lower limbs must
almost cease. It Is also possible that the
spine receives many a Jar that the grown
ups do not guess. as some Of the carts
are practically without springs. In the
more roomy carriage the child has more
use Of its feet. and one can see the little
legs kicking and the baby squirting in
muscle-building enjoyment But-the car
riages are too large 10 get in the modern
apartments.
There has been such an outcry about
the cost Of living. coupled with the idea
that we eat too much, that il is likely
parents are tempted 70 reduce the guam
tity and quality Of the food supply from
necessity or from conviction that so
much is needless; but as one cannot build
a strong house without good material. and
plenty Of it, neither can a child be well
built without food and exercise.
An interesting experiment was recently
tried with a monograph and many films
and the latest thing in the picture-taking
machine at the Zoo for the purpose Of
noting the effect Of certain music on ami
mails, wild and tame. The trick was to
turn on the photograph loaded with a
say, aiternated with a grave, bit Of mel
ody, near cage and snap shot the VIC
tim Of the serenade in the various pos
lures with which he expressed his emo
tons. The result has not yet been made
public. but it is safe TO say it Will be
curious exhibit for the report is that
some very interesting films were secured
and the aninls received the musical dose
in many moods.
There is small miss in Massachusetts
avenue who can tell something about
music that did rn+ rhnrn, a.. .n....--