Endemic degeneration / by W.A.F. Browne.

  • Browne, W. A. F. (William Alexander Francis), 1806-1885.
Date:
[1861?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Endemic degeneration / by W.A.F. Browne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    nor fish. He cannot herd a cow, nor hoe potatoes. He might pre¬ pare potatoes, but could not aspire to porridge. Can sweep the floor and kindle fire, and would extinguish it in case of danger. Never wanders. Requires guidance in all his acts. Speaks indistinctly, and almost inaudibly. Was at school, and can read a little. Goes to church, and has some rudimentary notions of religion, but could not be admitted to communion. He had the diseases of childhood. Y. A male. Hied in twelve hours after birth. YI. Roderick, set. 19; height, 3 ft. 6 in. Head hydrocephalic, irregular in shape; circumference above ears, 22^ in.; measurement, from nose to occipital protuberance, 13 3 in.; from ear to ear, 13 in.; from nose to ear 5 \ in.; from ear to occipital protuberance, 5J in.; from head of humerus to condyles, 8 in.; from olecranon to carpus, 7 in.; from head of femur to condyles, 10 in.; from condyles to tarsus, 91 in. Ringers flexed on palm; slight curvature of spine ; teeth irre¬ gular, never changed; palate normal; ears small, unchiselled ; enor¬ mous distance between the eyes; nose rudimentary; features flat, puffy; colour of skin, bluish-brown; abdomen tumid, has the aspect of anasarca and ascites ; eyes and hair dark; urine healthy; faeces clay-coloured. He had dinner during the inspection, of which he partook heartily, but seemed to masticate imperfectly and to swallow with difficulty. He has an aversion to potatoes, and seldom takes salt. When pinched, he does not withdraw the part; when pricked with a needle in various parts, he seemed to suffer little pain; but he recoiled from the application of a burning peat. His expression is repulsive—Calmuckian. He walked when four years old, but does so slowly and laboriously. Has never been beyond the door of cottage. Sits constantly upon a block of wood, gazing on fire, or where the fire usually is; would not move if starving, nor if cottage were in flames. It is inferred that he recognises the heat of fire when placed close to it, but not as distinguished from cold. Hoes ^ not know night from day. It is supposed that he recognises his parents, but this is very doubtful. Knows nothing, can do nothing. Is easily frightened. Is described as “ vicious,” as refusing food, as screaming, and as being disposed to strike those around. Is not punished except by exciting his fears, and regarded by his parents as insane. Is of dirty habits. He cannot articulate, but his mother is of opinion that sounds or looks are exchanged with his sister Christian, which enable them to understand each other. Except pertussis, had no disease of infancy. The scalp is covered, to the extent of six inches in length, five inches in breadth, and a quarter of an inch in depth, with a dry, hard, dark-coloured, almost black crust, resembling peat or baked earth, which crumbles down when touched. It is never moist, lias never exfoliated, and cannot be removed. It appeared when Roderick was seven vears old. and has gradually extended. 22500886930