Indiana State Sentinel

Influence of the Mother's Imagination on the Unborn Child.

We find in the last number of the Scalpel, a monthly medical work published in New York, by Dr. Dixon, the following interesting article upon the influence of the mother's imagination on the unborn child. We copy it with the single remark that the Scalpel, as a medical work, is marked with an unusual degree of ability and practical knowledge of medical science:

Mrs. A. of the northern part of this State, married, some forty years since, a lady of an adjoining State. Pecuniary circumstances, at the time of the marriage, rendered offspring undesirable. Within a year, however, it became evident to the wife that their wishes were no longer to be realized; on expressing this belief to her husband, she was, at the moment, quite shocked at the dissatisfaction with which he received it. Taking his hat shortly afterward, he left the house, and was absent for near an hour. He was distressed on his return, to find his wife in tears. He assured her immediately, (for they were devotedly attached,) that he was rejoiced to learn the probable realization of her announcement; that he was now satisfied with the condition of his pecuniary affairs, and convinced of their stability.

The wife dried her tears, but soon expressed her conviction that, in some way, her expected offspring would suffer from her agitation. The husband endeavored to remove her apprehensions, by gentle and affectionate ridicule. But her fears continued at intervals during her early months, and gradually increased as gestation advanced. The relief of the parties was great, at the birth of a healthy and well formed boy. No peculiarity of conduct in the child was observed, till several months had elapsed, and then their fears were renewed, by its extreme unwillingness to approach the father. This gradually increased, until its dissatisfaction was manifested by loud and continued screaming when brought near him.

As age advanced, the most persevering efforts were made to overcome this repugnance; the utmost degree of persuasiveness and ingenuity, diversity of childish gifts and sports, all were tried in vain, and the attempt was abandoned in despair. The feelings of the father may be judged by parents, for he was, and is, an exceedingly affectionate man.

This continued, and at the time of our receiving the information from a near personal relative, the son, then an active and rising member of the bar, had never been able to speak a word to his father, though the most painful efforts were made.

We give this case as we heard it from a lady and her husband, whom to know is to revere. It was told us by the lady, just arising from what we all supposed would be her death-bed, and an offer was made at the time to introduce us to the parties. We now regret that our years induced us to decline the proffered introduction. We did not feel willing, at the time to make any personal inquiries in a matter that had been productive of so much distress, and that time had somewhat alleviated.