DIFFICULT BOYS 345 



A review of Bohannon's findings and conclusions from the observa- 

 tion of this large group reveals much of practical interest. As to gen- 

 eral health and mental ability there appears good reason for believing 

 that the larger children, except the extremes, are superior to others. 

 But it must not be forgotten that there are pathologic cases in this 

 group, especially in those showing marked departures from the average. 

 Those who suggest too early maturity are generally even-tempered. 



Small children evidence delayed development. The less vigorous 

 show degenerative phenomena, many are delicate, ugly, deformed, or 

 vicious, dull, mean or spiteful, and tend toward morbidity. The strong 

 children, while exhibiting many admirable qualities, are likely to be 

 aggressive, harsh, coarse, rough. More is expected of them, hence they 

 are often early exhausted by compulsory work; their offenses are the 

 result of excessive, often explosive, energy. The weakly children are 

 likely to show pronounced evidence of degeneracy, often they are ugly 

 and deformed, cruel and mentally deficient. Inheritance was not so 

 frequently recognized a cause as parental follies, especially during the 

 embryonal period. Temperamentally they are usually unfortunate. 



The deft and agile show better health, yet are undersized. Clumsi- 

 ness is found due to two causes; first, want of development of the 

 mechanisms which function the accessory movements; and second, ex- 

 cessive inhibition of the same, along with lack of emotional balance. 

 Ugliness is usually accompanied by many evidences of degeneration, 

 physical and mental; in the deformed these deviations are even more 

 decidedly present. Deformities are largely (ipso facto) manifestations 

 of deviation, defects of central development exhibiting anatomic and 

 physiologic faults, some of which are remediable. Under good care 

 many of these improve greatly, some becoming distinguished adults. 

 They are found to be treated by parents and associates with amazing 

 lack of consideration, hence they suffer temperamentally. 



Among those showing defects in mind, sense organs and speech, 

 there is much to indicate a general decline. They are morbidly retiring, 

 dependent, and lacking in symmetrical development, due in part to 

 original defects and deficiencies in normal stimulus. 



Those children grouped as ' nervous ' exhibit delicacy and insta- 

 bility of constitution, are deficient in size and vigor, are timid, sensitive 

 and changeful, disposed to be irritable and meddlesome, defective in 

 control, hence untruthful. The extremely over dainty and the distinctly 

 dirty, each excite suspicion of mental abnormalities. Buoyancy and 

 teasing both indicate excess of energy; so also of cruelty, but here 

 ancestral traits seem manifested. 



Lying and imaginativeness are allied, and point to lack of self- 

 control or to selfish imitation; the associated traits are disobedience, 

 ill-temper, thieving and bad health. Those who are peevish, untruthful, 



