The much-vaunted glycerophosphates are decomposed to and excreted as phosphates.  Sollmann’s remarks apply to all similar proprietary articles: 

    “A proprietary compound of glycerophosphates and casein has been widely
    and extravagantly advertised as ‘Sanatogen’.  It is a very costly food,
    and in no sense superior to ordinary casein, such as cottage cheese.”

Hypophosphites have been boomed by various people, chiefly for financial reasons.  Five or six of them are usually prescribed, with the addition of cod liver oil, and perhaps quinine, and (or) iron and strychnine, the complexity of the prescription being expected, apparently, to compensate for the uselessness of its various ingredients.

To deduce rational remedies, it is first necessary to elucidate the causes of inefficiency; and to expect a brain which is out of order to function in an orderly manner simply because it is supplied with one of the substances necessary to its normal functioning (regardless of whether a deficiency of that substance is the cause of the disorder), is as rational as it would be to expect to restart an automobile engine, the magneto of which was broken, by filling up the half-empty petrol tank.

* * * * *

CHAPTER XXI

TRAINING THE NERVOUS CHILD

“When shall I begin to train my child?” said a young mother to an old doctor.  “How old is the child, madam?” “Two years, sir!” “Then, madam, you have lost just two years,” answered the old physician, gravely.

Neuropathic children are super-emotional, and from them come prodigies, geniuses, perverts and madmen.  They are usually spare of build, with pale, sallow complexions, and dark rings under the eyes.

They can never sit still, but wriggle restlessly about on their seats, pick their nostrils, and bite their nails.  They are always wanting to be doing something, but soon tire of it, and start something else, which is as quickly cast aside; their energy is feverish but fitful.  They jump to conclusions, quickly grasp ideas; as quickly forget them.  Having no capacity for calm, reasoned judgment, they are creatures of impulse, imperative but timid, suffer from strange ideas, and worry over trifles.

The affections are strong and vehement, likes and dislikes are taken without reason, while intense personal attachments—­often unrequited—­occur, but not seldom swing round to indifference, or even bitter enmity.  The passions and emotions are all abnormal, for owing to deficiency in the higher inhibitory centres, the victim is blown about by every idle emotional wind that blows.  The slightest irritation may provoke an outburst of maniacal rage, or a fit.  Consequently, they require the most careful, but firm training, right from birth, to bring them up with a minimum of nerve-strain.  Twitchings, night or day terrors, sleep walking, and incontinence of urine often trouble them.  They should be examined by a doctor once a year.