that large
numbers die, showing, that where the organism is weak, it is unable to
carry on the new and sudden process without over-action, since we have
only a limited quantity of vital force. Over-action in one part, is
inevitably under-action in another, and either is but another name for,
and not the cause of, disease.[9] We know that a larger proportion of
children cut their second teeth without any disturbance, and this result
was to be expected; for the terrible, and yet most merciful hand of
death, seven years before, had thinned the ranks by transplanting the
weakest to a clime where the burden of the body is not a hindrance, and
had left us only the strongest for the second trial. We know also,
however, that many children do suffer from nervous irritability, and
from weakness in other directions at this time. If it is the digestive
or respiratory organs that manifest the strain, the child is tenderly
cared for; if the over-action is in the nervous system, we "wonder what
possesses the child," and she, probably, is sent out of the room, or
punished in some other way, in word or act.

When the third and last especial and exceptional work takes place, we
may expect the same results, and we find them. Up to seven years of age,
however, the little girl's life has been comparatively a healthful one,
at least as far as sleep is concerned. As far as clothing affects
freedom of motion, she has also, probably, not suffered, though when she
has walked in our chilly winter and damp spring air, she has had
interposed between her body and the climatic influences only a defence
of one thickness of cotton, while her brother has been carefully guarded
by thickly woven woolen garments. But from seven to fourteen, the
deteriorating causes in the average American family increase rapidly in
intensity, in fact, much faster than the increase of the growing
strength. The food remains nearly the same, though even this is not
always the case, for the times at which it is taken often become
somewhat more irregular, and its material more varied and innutritious;
her hours of sleep are considerably curtailed, from different causes;
her clothing, while not increasing in warmth and thickness, is drawn
closer, and, in addition to this, the brain is set definitely to work in
actual study. Is it not manifest, that while the demands upon the vital
force have been increased, the supply of material has been decreased? If
this have been the case,