SECT. XIV.—THE REGIMEN OF INFANCY, AND OF THE SUCCEEDING AGES UNTIL MANHOOD.
Infants and children when weaned from milk, are to be allowed to live merrily and without restraint; their food ought to be light, and their exercise gentle. After six or seven years of age, both boys and girls are to be consigned over to schoolmasters of a mild and benevolent disposition; as such persons will impart instruction to them in a cheerful manner, and without constraint; for relaxation of the mind contributes much to the growth of the body. Boys twelve years of age should go to teachers of grammar and geometry, and get their bodies hardened by gymnastic exercises. From fourteen to twenty-one, their proper employment will be the study of mathematics and initiation in philosophy. At the same time, however, it will be proper to use more exercise for strengthening the body, so that, exercising both mind and body, they may be prevented from indulging their carnal desires. They ought likewise to be restricted as to wine. To adults the fullest supply of nourishment, both as to body and mind, ought to be allowed; wherefore, they should use all kinds of gymnastic exercises, particularly such as each has been accustomed to, and food which is sufficient and nutritious. In the decline of life, both the bodily and mental supply ought to be abridged; and the gymnastic exercises diminished in proportion. The food also is to be gradually lessened as the habit begins to contract the frigidity of age.
Commentary. These simple but judicious directions respecting the regimen of the different periods of life are taken from Oribasius (Synops. v, 14); or from Aëtius (iv, 29.) Many of them are borrowed originally from Galen. (Hyg. i.)
Similar directions are given at great length by Haly Abbas. He positively prohibits children from taking wine. He insists that wine not only proves prejudicial to health, but also deteriorates the morals. (Pract. i, 22.) Alsaharavius agrees with him in proscribing wine to children. (Theor. xiii, 2.)
Avicenna makes very judicious observations on this subject, but the greater part of them are taken from Galen. He insists, with becoming earnestness, on the propriety of attending to the regulation of the passions of the child, as being conducive to his health as well as to his morals. As soon as the boy is roused from sleep he is to be bathed; then he is to be allowed to play for an hour; afterwards, he is to have something to eat, and then is to be allowed more play. Afterwards he is to be bathed; then he is to take food; and, if possible, he is to be prevented from drinking water immediately after a meal, as it has a tendency to make unconcocted chyle be distributed over the body. When six years old, he is to be consigned to the care of a teacher, but he is not to be compelled to remain constantly in school. Avicenna goes on to state that, at the age he has then reached, he is to be more sparingly bathed, and that his exercise is to be multiplied before eating. Like most of the ancient authorities, he forbids wine to a child. Thus, he adds, is the regimen of the child to be regulated until he reach the age of fourteen. (I, i, 4.)
Averrhoes gives very sensible directions on this subject. He forbids the use of wine and ales until manhood. (Collig. vi, 6.)