The Need To Be Attentive to What Mothers Say
T. E. C. Jr. M.D.
Dr. James B. Harrison, a successful mid-19th century English practitioner, advised a young practitioner to be attentive to what mothers say as follows:
I was once called to see a child which had been crying very much, and was shown a minute spot upon it, which even required careful examination to distinguish. This I did not attach much importance to, but I was afterwards told that a blackened fragment of a needle was ultimately drawn out from it. This shows how careful one ought to be where children are concerned who cannot describe their feelings. It is a good rule always to be very attentive to what mothers say; for, however foolish they are in their way of treatment, you may rely on it that they are good observers where their own children are concerned. They are full of prejudices, conceits, and absurdities, but still they are no bad observers; and let me tell you never to neglect to notice what they say. If you do, you will assuredly some day repent not having given more notice to their tales.1
