34 PHYSICAL TRAINING 



fever, while some forms of stuttering are likely to 

 be of hysterical origin. In such a case the gen- 

 eral condition of the child would need attention. 

 Such causes as have been mentioned probably lie 

 behind temporary forms of these affections. 

 When the trouble is more deeply seated, however, 

 in a large percentage of cases an entire cure can- 

 not be expected. In all cases a scientific training 

 in speech-work, and a careful study and, if nec- 

 essary, an improvement of a child's general phys- 

 ical condition and environment, may do much to 

 improve the disorder. 



Chorea, or St. Vitus' dance, is met with, occa- 

 sionally, in the class-room, generally in some mild 

 form. In these cases a child may seem restless, 

 unable to hold objects for any length of time, 

 may be excitable, may fall easily, and may make 

 purposeless, spasmodic, or unexpected move- 

 ments. Efforts to restrain these actions seem to 

 stimulate them, excitement of the exercising of 

 the affected muscles seeming to have the same 

 effect. When the affection is very mild, little 

 more may be noticed than a kind of awkwardness 

 shown in ordinary motions and muscular ac- 

 tions, perhaps accompanied by uneasy bodily 

 motions. 



A child displaying any of the above symptoms 

 should have medical attention, the teacher's and 

 parents' part being to see that the child has 



