ANALYSIS OF EXPEESSION. 263 



Now as to what to observe, and how to analyze 

 the expression seen at the same time. 



I think that in practice the most important 

 observations are most easily to be obtained by pro- 

 cedure in the above order ; but, for convenience of 

 analysis, I think it convenient to consider the last 

 point first. On looking at an individual child 

 there must always be some expression ; it may be 

 expression of the normal, the quiescent condition. 

 The trophic signs may be normal in due proportion, 

 and the nerve-muscular conditions may be in rest. 

 In making observations we look for the following 

 points : 



(a) Spontaneous movements, and postures. 



(b) Reflex movements. 



(c) Trophic conditions. 



There may be no movements seen, or but very 

 few. Absence of spontaneous movements is the 

 absence of signs that ought to be present as being 

 signs of health. It may be, however, that the brain 

 is healthy though it produce no movements ; the 

 motor power may be inhibited for the time being. 

 This absence of movement may be due to a want 

 of nutrition of the nerve-centres ; the brain may be 

 so exhausted as to be unable to produce the normal 

 quantity of movement.* It follows, then, that an 

 important question arises. Is the absence of move- 

 ment due to some external force preventing the 

 display of the kinetic action of the brain ? or is it 

 due to exhaustion of the child, resulting from iU 

 nutrition ? Now, then, we may look for other signs 



* See description of fatigue, chap. xiii. p. 228. 



