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.

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    tails of Dr Guggenbuhl's experience, as it is not perfectly applicable to the work we are called on to undertake in this country; but we must advert to the good example of devotedness to a work demanding so much self-denial and patience, which that excellent person has been en¬ abled to set before us. A pamphlet published by the late Dr William Twining of London,1 in 1843, was the means of introducing the enterprise of Dr Guggenbiihl to the notice of the British public. Considerable interest was excited, and money was readily raised in aid of the Swiss work. In 1846, two ladies at Bath (Misses White) instituted, at their own charge, a small establishment for the reception and training of idiot chil¬ dren. This was the first in Britain. It is now supported—at least in part—by the contributions of the charitable ; and, judging from the re¬ ports which have been published, it has been the means of doing much good. We present some remarks, and a few of the cases recorded in one of the last reports of this school:— “ The children are instructed, as their capabilities permit, in reading, writing, arithmetic, and geography ; and their acquaintance with external objects extended and improved. Religious knowledge and moral culture are directly or indirectly kept in view in every pursuit. Control of temper, obedience, order, and kindness to each other, are steadily inculcated; and sufficient progress has been made in these respects to justify much hope for their future conduct. The children show considerable affection for their teachers, and are, in general, happy and contented. Corporal punishment is not permitted in the establishment, but strict obedience is endeavoured to be enforced by means of moral influence. “ A brief notice of two or three cases may be desirable, as showing the working of the system. “E. P. was ten years of age when admitted; idiotic from birth. His appearance and bearing gave evidence of great mental deficiency. He showed much reluctance to be instructed, and his memory was so little re¬ tentive that it required much persevering effort before any real progress was made. An additional impediment was found in the difficulty of controlling his attention. He did not seem to have any power over the organ of sight, nor sufficient mental capacity to fix his thoughts on any given subject, how¬ ever simple. This, of course, much retarded his progress. Three times did he appear to be improving in reading and writing, and as often was he obliged to be put back to the very rudiments of these acquirements; the power he had for a time possessed appeared suddenly to leave him. But, by the exercise of patience and ingenuity, he was again led on to some de¬ gree of proficiency, and he has now been enabled to write two letters to his mother, who had formerly assured his teachers, that any attempt to teach him writing would fail, as she had herself used every endeavour to instruct him, without success. He has now been two years in the institution, and his mind has opened to the reception of much general knowledge, and there is no doubt but he will be capable of being instructed in some trade. A re¬ markable improvement has taken place in this child’s disposition, which, from being extremely selfish and unyielding, has become gentle, liberal, and considerate; he shows much kindness to his younger school-fellows, whom he will at all times assist and protect, as far as lies in his power. “ S. M., deficient from birth, nine years old when admitted, perfectly 1 Some Account of Cretinism, and the Institution for its Cure on the Abendberg.