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From this it is clear that the risk of nervous defect, as seen in the cases examined, increases
progressively with the length of interval between births. With the longer intervals the incidence
rate of symptoms is very clearly in excess of that shown by any other group of cases, including
that of the only child. It should, however, be repeated that these figures do not represent the
sum-total of the risks within the "big interval" family. The elder children affected by the "big
interval" cannot be excluded from the reckoning, and if they could be brought directly under
review would no doubt bring the total in case numbers much higher than the figures of " nervous
cases" shown here.
3. The Special Circumstances Child
(Foster children, step-children, adopted children, etc).
The total number of these cases examined was 16, the total number showing nervous
symptoms was 11. The figures are too small to allow of any general deductions but they suggest
that children placed in the abnormal surroundings of a foster home, deprived of the advantages
of the family " unit," or placed by circumstances in an unusual relation to either parent, show a
predisposition to the development of nervous defect.
4. Other Cases.
Percentage of children in "other cases" group showing nervous defects equals 30.
Percentage of total children examined showing nervous defects equals 47.4.
Therefore, incidence of nervous defects in type of family here classified equals less than
average for all families, including "only" and "big interval" children. But the smaller
average figure is more striking when the incidence of nervous defect ill these children is compared,
not with the total cases figure, but with the average figure for all the "special" groups
taken together, namely 67. This would appear to show that symptoms occur to less than
half the extent in what might be called the "normal" family as compared with the special
cases that have been analysed, representing situations in which opportunities for maladjustment
are commonly believed to occur. The types of symptom, also, that represent no less than
half of the total here—bad reaction to strangers ("nervousness") plus backwardness—are
types for which nature may be expected to find its own cure in the larger family, with its special
opportunities for comradeship. There is nothing to suggest that the same can be said for
the groups of symptoms suggesting over-dependence, over-anxiety and solitariness that bulk so
much larger in proportion amongst the "only" and "big interval" children (typically enuresis,
mismanagement, acidosis), and that constitute at the ages as examined much clearer evidence of
imperfect adjustment.
As this report cannot be a symposium on "the family," and includes only one small
aspect of the difficulties of its planning, and states nothing on the other side, it will be better
if the subject is now left with this single remark—that nothing probably could be more difficult
for the conscientious parent than the problem how, with all the knowledge available, to arrange
his children so that they shall come with greatest advantage to the family unit, least hurt to
themselves, justice to their mother, and, in mental growth at least, the best chance of flowering
as happy and independent individuals of real solace to themselves and the race.