How to Grow.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue XXIV, 15 December 1900, Page 1123

How to Grow.

Among- the many laws of nature which man has hitherto been unable to control or regulate none are more mysterious or baffling- than those which concern the growth of animals, and, more especially, of the human race. The vegetable kingdom, to be sure, has yielded up its secrets to him one after another until botanists and gardeners can assist the working of nature to a remarkable extent. But. unfortunately, no amount of “forcing" under glass cases will aid animals of any sort in the matter of growing. To the contrary, we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that under such conditions they would assuredly slowly pine away, and in a short space of time shuffle off this mortal coil. The truth of the time-honoured proverb that by taking thought no man can add one cubit to his stature, however. now appears to be seriously threatened; for. if there is anything in the recent investigations of Dr. Springer, the bright particular star of the laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine in Paris, the observation will soon be relegated to the category of those phrases whose meaning is rather metaphorical than scientifically correct. This distinguished specialist has

come to the conclusion that if taken in time, people who are threatened with “stumpiness" of stature need not despair of becoming at least averagesized men and women. Statistics go to show that not only in France, but in many other countries, the average height of mankind is gradually on the decrease, though, strangely enough, it has increased in Russia. There is something alarming in this; but statistics are hard, inexorable things at all times, and,- like George Washington, eannot lie. The man who "finds a way” to effectually remedy this tendency, therefore, will deserve well of his fellows; and it is probably this thought that led Dr. Springer to devote his earnest attention to the subject. Dogs formed the subject of this eminent sax-ants first experiments. Proper food, we know, will work wonders. He gave some puppies ordinary food and eare and other special food and novel hygienic treatment. The result was that in the latter cases there was marked increase of growth, varying from two to three inches, the other puppies during the same period only increasing about an inch. These experiments revealed one important fact, namely, that salt, used in solution with cereals that are being prepared as food. produces a powerful effect on the bony system. He discovered, more-

over, that cereals which are prepared as food should always be fresh, and that food should be used as soon as possible after being- prepared. After this, Dr. Springer beg-an. experimenting on children, and in this he was successful too. His observations lead him to especially insist upon children receiving plenty of fresh air. This is absolutely essential to normal growth, not only during the day outdoors, but in the bedroom at night. Air in sleeping-rooms becomes very readily polluted, in which state it vastly diminishes the strength, thereby materially retarding growth. After that the influence of sunlight has to be taken into consideration; and even colours must be taken into account, due care being taken to exclude all those which have a depressing and enervating effect. We, in the rush and scurry of modern civilisation, little realise what an influence colours have on us; but the ancients studied the subject more carefully. For instance, purple was chosen as the regal colour because of its solemn and impressive effect. The third way in which to ensure increase of stature is to pay attention to the breathing organs of the growing child. The organs must be kept free from all obstruction and in a sound condition. Not infrequently cases occur among children in which the pharynx and adjacent region suffer through hyper-

trophy; and if such children are stunted and weakly the reason is liecause the penetration of the oxygen in the air. which is perhaps the most ini|M»rtant factor in growth, is impeded. It should Im* borne in mind that a child absorlis much more oxygen than a man. Moreover, there is ample testimony in proof of the fact that the growth of children from whose breathing organs obstructions have been removed is usually no fewer than four times more rapid during the three months following the treatment than, in the case of children who are in some degree prevented from alisorle ing the necessarv amount of oxygen. Of course, there are other and subtler factors at work: nevertheless, these im|M>rtant facts are worth noting.