Here is an illustration, both of the present need of better knowledge
and the hope of its attainment. It is an account of one accidental
experience which showed that _excess of food_ may be as detrimental
to a tiny baby dependant, as it is generally conceded to be harmful
to grown persons. The case was described by Dr. Chadwick of Boston to
Professor Bowditch, and by the latter repeated to the author. An infant
was not progressing as it should and failed to gain normally in weight.
It was under the charge of a nurse and was being carefully watched.
A certain quantity of milk was prescribed for daily nourishment, at
prescribed times, in a prescribed manner; but the child did not
increase in weight and was "doing poorly." For some reason the nurse
was changed and instructions were repeated by the old to the new
nurse. In the course of a week the little patient showed signs of
marked improvement, both in gain of weight and in general condition.
In order to record the particulars of the change the physician
questioned the nurse and learned that only one half the nourishment
originally prescribed had been given, the new nurse having forgotten or
misunderstood the orders.
The reason the little fellow had been "doing so poorly" under the
original prescription was because he had been using up his puny
strength getting rid of the excess of food that had been forced upon
his little stomach and intestines. When the excess was stopped, so
that his digestive apparatus could occupy itself with his real needs,
the babe had a surplus of energy for growth and thrived as a rightly
nourished child should do.
NOTE: In connection with the foregoing, reference is invited to the
author's conception of how attention to one's personal economies,
beginning with the economy of personal nutrition, is interrelated
to general menticulture and the child-saving phase of our personal
responsibility in child culture. Even if we are carelessly suicidal
ourselves, we owe better care to innocent and dependent children. This
will be found in the "Explanation of the A. B. C. Life Series" at the
end of the book.