The development of the child / by Nathan Oppenheim.

  • Nathan Oppenheim
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The development of the child / by Nathan Oppenheim. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    children of the same age together, on much the same plan as similar kinds of merchandise are assorted. Naturally, there are no higher examples to be followed, and children do not progress so rapidly as under better auspices they would. Even in infancy one can plainly notice this fact. These little creatures look, act, and really are far otherwise than the ordinary baby in good surroundings. Their want of mental as well as physi- cal activity is so plainly apparent as to be visible even to non-professional observers. From such a source comes the remark that “institution babies are tolerably lethargic.” They are lethargic because their vitality has been sapped away, and one might with equal truth say that institution babies are tolerably withered. Even more striking is a fact that can be vouched for by any physician who has had much experience in hos- pital wards for babies. Such patients languish in insti- tutions although their food and care are fairly good. In fact, the same food and care, if provided with the surroundings of a home, will often bring the little one to blooming health and vigor. The reason is not hard to find out. The gist of the matter is, that the care of a baby is not meant to be arranged on a wholesale plan. He needs personal attention, and without it his body withers. An even greater effect has a too strongly marked routine upon his mind. The routine means machine-like repetition, day after day and week after week, of the same or similar acts. It is the