TJNCHASTITY 283 



voice to increase in volume and depth of tone as it 

 should, in deficient growth of the beard and in failure 

 of the chest to become full and the shoulders broad. 

 The mind and character show the dwarfing influence 

 by failure to develop those qualities which especially 

 distinguish a noble manhood. In the female, defective 

 development is shown by menstrual derangements, by 

 defective growth either in stature, or as shown in un- 

 natural slimness, and in a failure to develop the graces 

 and pleasing character which should distinguish early 

 womanhood. Such signs deserve careful investigation ; 

 for they can only result from some powerfully blighting 

 influence. 



4. Sudden change in disposition is a sign which 

 may well arouse suspicion. If a boy who has previ- 

 ously been cheerful, jDleasant, dutiful, and gentle sud- 

 denly becomes morose, cross, peevish, irritable, and dis- 

 obedient, be sure that some foul influence is at work with 

 him. When a girl, naturally joyous, happy, confiding, 

 and amiable, becomes unaccountably gloomy, sad, fret- 

 ful, dissatisfied, and unconfiding, be certain that a blight 

 of no insignificant character is resting upon her. Make 

 a careful study of the habits of such children; and if 

 there is no sudden illness to account for the change in 

 their character, it need not require long deliberation to 

 arrive at the true cause; for it will rarely be found 

 to be anything other than solitary indulgence. 



5. Lassitude is as unnatural for a child as for a 

 young kitten. A healthy child will be active, playful, 

 full of life and animal spirits. If a young child mani- 

 fests indisposition to activity, a dislike for play, life- 

 lessness, and languor, suspect his habits, if there is no 

 other reasonable cause to which to attribute his unnatu- 

 ral want of childish sprightliness, 



