210 NATURE STUDY REVIEW [7:8— Nov.. 1911 



the reason why it has proved so indispensable in combating many 

 diseases, notably in the case of diphtheria. Diphtheria antitoxine 

 has saved thousands of human lives but its present method of 

 preparation would be quite impossible without the use of guinea- 

 pigs, as well as of the horse, in experimental tests, not necessarily 

 fatal but made to avoid uncertain results with the life-saving 

 diphtheria antitoxine,, in the case of man himself. 



The Child's Need of Pets 



By F. M. Lane. 

 Principal, Washington Grammar School, Fresno, Cal. 



The subject of Pets and Animals for young children is an 

 important one from many view points. It has the practical side 

 to it : for the boy or girl who learns to care for rabbits, dogs, 

 birds, or other animals obtains ideas of feeding, watering, hous- 

 ing, and breeding that can be gotten in no other way. 



To children who are residents of the rural districts this 

 practical knowledge gained by caring for pets is not so important, 

 because the environments of the country children give opportun- 

 ities to learn about domestic animals and fowls ; but to the child 

 in the city, this personal knowledge of animals is largely ob- 

 tained by rearing and caring for household pets. There is no 

 intention, however, of suggesting that boys and girls in the rural 

 districts should be deprived of their cats, dogs, colts, etc. 



This caring for animals causes children to form a habit of 

 doing something at regular intervals. In the morning, it is feed 

 and water the animals or birds ; and in the evening when school 

 closes, it is hurry home to take care of the pigeons, guinea pigs, 

 or rabbits, as the case may be. It is much to be regretted that 

 some children live through each succeeding day with never a 

 thought that there is anything for them to do save to eat the food 

 that is prepared for them, and wear the clothes that are fur- 

 nished them. 



In the human family is an underlying principle that we form 

 an attachment for the things to which we voluntarily devote our 

 time and energies. The little child who has a cat, bird, or rabbit, 

 and who plays with it, and cares for it, develops a certain amount 

 of kindly feeling for this pet in particular and a better disposi- 

 tion for animals in general. The child's affections are increased, 

 are broadened, are strengthened. He has a kindlier feeling for 

 not only animals about him, but for every one with whom he 

 comes in contact. He has assumed a better attitude for his sur- 



