The education of the imbecile, and the improvement of invalid youth.

Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The education of the imbecile, and the improvement of invalid youth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/18 (page 17)
    The backwardness of Scotland, (notwithstanding her abounding educa¬ tional talent, and her eminent medical zeal and skill,) compared with other lands, in efforts for the imbecile, has been justly the subject of remark ; and, in connection with the merely invalid portion of youthful society, it so happens that we may take a lesson from what has been done in other countries, where they have been more ingenious in devising means for the improvement of their faculties, so as to fit them for useful¬ ness. The following notice of an interesting Institution for this class will shew that, with them, as with the imbecile, a rich reward attends effec¬ tive and judicious efforts for their improvement. “ Before quitting the subject of Hospitals, I cannot help alluding to an Institution which lias been lately established in Hamburg for the cure of diseased and decrepit children belonging to the better classes. In this private hospital, children with limbs or bodies distorted, are received from the earl est age, and may remain till eighteen. The patients are subjected to a reguUar course of bandaging and bathing, and during their residence in the establish- ment are educated in every branch of study. The beds upon which the inmates are kept for the most part reclining, are constructed so as to be moved to any angle, and afford every facility for the patient eating, drink¬ ing, and even writing. Over the top of each couch is placed a large mirror, which not only reflects every corner of the apartment, but may be so turned as to show the patients those who may be passing on the street. Twice a- week the patients quit their beds to be bathed, and to take an airing in the garden ; and on other days, when the weather is fine, the beds are wheeled out into the open air. Before any child can be admitted into this institu¬ tion, an examination must be made, or recommendation given by an exper¬ ienced surgeon, that the patient is admissible; and on being admitted the child receives everything from the institution that is requisite for its edu¬ cation, support, and cure. In addition to the more common branches of education and moral discipline, the patient is taught foreign languages, mathematics, history, geography, and music. For all which advantages, in¬ cluding constant medical and surgical attendance, the annual board is only 1200 marks. The parents, relatives, and friends of the children, except under extraordinary circumstances, are only admitted into the institution once a month. It is but due to Herr Goette, the originator and proprietor of this hospital, to say that although the institution was only established in 1823, he lias already sent out several individuals perfectly cured, who most probably, had they not been placed under his care, would have continued objects of pity for life, a burden to themselves and to society.”1 The object then of the Edinburgh Institution is to provide, as far as possible, suitable assistance for those children who are unfitted from any cause for the training of ordinary schools. Some may think that it might be more advantageous to have separate establishments for the Invalid and the Imbecile,—and to this there can be no possible objec¬ tion, were it easv to secure the combination of medical and educational appliances which they require ; but, under judicious direction, it is quite clear that the two classes may be combined in one institution with very decided benefit to each other; of course complete separation would be necessary, so far as educational proceedings were concerned, but, in the family arrangements, carefully regulated social intercourse would afford invaluable opportunities for exercising the kindly affections of the invalid, and stimulating the intellect of the imbecile. 1 Germany in 1831, by John Strang, vol 1, p. 60. B