ABSTRACT
At birth the infant lives by means of its hereditary equipment of reflexes and elementary instincts. From the first minutes of life, moreover, according to the many observations by Margaret Gray Blanton, there may be observed among certain new-born infants, tears, cries, yawns, starting at a noise, rotation of the head, defending the respiration when the infant is placed on its face, fixation of a light, and even a movement of following the hand with the eye (generally later). Naturally there is an immediate sucking activity permitting the infant placed at the breast to nourish itself, precocious movements of feeling for the breast, a clasping reflex (the fist closes and holds tight at any excitation of the palm), etc.
