Page:The physical training of children (IA 39002011126464.med.yale.edu).pdf/73

 thumb whenever he likes, and as long as he chooses to do so.

There is a charming, bewitching little picture of a babe sucking his thumb in Kingsley's Water Babies, which I cordially commend to your favorable notice and study. 66. But if an infant be allowed to suck his thumb, will it not be likely to become a habit, and stick to him for years—until, indeed, he become a big boy?

After he has cut the whole of his first set of teeth, that is to say, when he is about two years and a half old, he might, if it be likely to become a habit, be readily cured by the following method, namely, by making a paste of aloes and water and smearing it upon his thumb. One or two dressings will suffice, as after just tasting the bitter aloes he will take a disgust to his former enjoyment, and the habit will at once be broken.

Many persons, I know, have an objection to children sucking their thumbs, as, for instance—

"Perhaps it's as well to keep children from plums, And from pears in the season, and sucking their thumbs."

My reply is—

P'rhaps 'tis as well to keep children from pears; The pain they might cause is oft followed by tears; 'Tis certainly well to keep them from plums; But certainly not from sucking their thumbs! If a babe suck his thumb 'Tis an ease to his gum; A comfort; a boon; a calmer of grief; A friend in his need, affording relief; A solace; a good; a soother of pain; A composer to sleep; a charm; and a gain; 'Tis handy at once to his sweet mouth to glide; When done with, drops gently down by his side; 'Tis fixed like an anchor while the babe sleeps, And the mother with joy her still vigil keeps.