xistence, in the same
way as forms considered monstrous when exhibited by adults, frequently
exist in the foetus, is such a simple and common phenomenon that it
eluded notice until it was demonstrated clearly by observers like
Moreau, Perez, and Bain. The child, like certain adults, whose
abnormality consists in a lack of moral sense, represents what is known
to alienists as a morally insane being and to criminologists as a born
criminal, and it certainly resembles these types in its impetuous
violence.

Perez (_Psychologie de l'enfant_, 2d ed., 1882) remarks on the frequency
and precocity of anger in children:

"During the first two months, it manifests by movements of the
eyebrows and hands undoubted fits of temper when undergoing any
distasteful process, such as washing or when deprived of any object
it takes a fancy to. At the age of one, it goes to the length of
striking those who incur its displeasure, of breaking plates or
throwing them at persons it dislikes, exactly like savages."

Moreau (_De l'Homicide chez les enfants_, 1882) cites numerous cases of
children who fly into a passion if their wishes are not complied with
immediately. In one instance observed by him a very intelligent child of
eight, when reproved, even in the mildest manner by his parents or
strangers, would give way to violent anger, snatching up the nearest
weapon, or if he found himself unable to take revenge, would break
anything he could lay his hands on.

A baby girl showed an extremely violent temper, but became of gentle
disposition after she had reached the age of two (Perez). Another,
observed by the same author, when only eleven months old, flew into a
towering rage, because she was unable to pull off her grandfather's
nose. Yet another, at the age of two, tried to bite another child who
had a doll like her own, and she was so much affected by her anger that
she was ill for three days afterwards.

Nino Bixio, when a boy of seven (_Vita_, Guerzoni, 1880) on seeing his
teacher laugh because he had written his exercise on office
letter-paper, threw the inkstand at the man's face. This boy was
literally the terror of the school, on account of the violence he
displayed at the slightest offence.

Infants of seven or eight months have been known to scratch at any
attempt to withdraw the breast from them, and to retaliate when slapped.

A backward and slightly hydrocephalous boy whom my father had unde