Mental defectives : their history, treatment, and training / by Martin W. Barr ... Illustrated by 53 full page plates.

  • Barr, Martin W., 1860-1938.
Date:
1904
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Mental defectives : their history, treatment, and training / by Martin W. Barr ... Illustrated by 53 full page plates. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    CHAPTER I. synonyms and definitions. Synonyms. Through all ages, in many climes, we may trace the close analogy in many tongues, of the various titles of mental defect, thus: Greek.—Iditas; idios. Latin.—Amentia; fatuitas; imbecillitas. Italian.—Idiotismo; tardivi. Spanish.—Idiota; idiotismo; tardo. Portugese.—Idiota; idiotismo; imbecilidade; imbecil; tardo. French.—Idiote; imbecile; les enfants du bon Dieu; les enfants arrieres; demence innee; idiotisme; beganne (Island of Jersey). German.—Geistig zuriick gebliebene; congenitale oder angeborener Blodsinn und Dummheit; die Spracheigenheit. Scandinavian.—Aandelig abnorme; sinueslo; idiot. Japanese.—Hakuchi. Scotch.—The daft bairn; the innocent; the feckless. English.—Idiot; imbecile; backward; feebly-gifted. American.—Idiot; imbecile; backward; feebly-gifted; feeble- minded. Definitions. The terms idiot and imbecile indiscriminately applied for cen- turies to a despised and neglected class, have naturally, through the mere force of association, become synonymous with and even ex- pressive of opprobrium and reproach. So closely welded has been this association of word and idea, that even the advance of the nine- teenth century with all its revelation of true conditions has failed to sunder them. Viewed apart from this association the expressions idiot and imbecile really do indicate certain conditions now, as clearly