Deaf mutism : a clinical and pathological study / by James Kerr Love. With chapters on the education and training of deaf mutes by W. H. Addison.

  • Love, James Kerr, 1850-
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Deaf mutism : a clinical and pathological study / by James Kerr Love. With chapters on the education and training of deaf mutes by W. H. Addison. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    Still when a deaf mute is adduced as a witness, the court, in the exercise of due caution, will take care to ascertain before he is examined that he possesses the requisite amount of intelligence and that he understands the nature of an oath. When the judge is satisfied on these heads, the witness may be sworn and give evidence by means of an interpreter. If he is able to communicate his ideas perfectly by writing, he will be required to adopt that as the more satisfactory method; but if his knowledge of that method is imperfect, he will be permitted to testify by means of signs.' l A further case which occurred in this country is worthy of note on account of its peculiarity. At 60 years of age a Jady born deaf and dumb, and educated in that condition, became blind also. She was entitled by will to considerable wealth. At 70 years of age she executed her own will, with the aid of good advisers, and an interpreter of known experience (Dr. Buxton). At her death, 10 years afterwards, the will was disputed by her relations on account of her many infirmities, which were represented as disqualifica- tions ; but, after ample trial and the fullest evidence, her competency to make the will was established, and the will was proved. The particulars of this case were given in evidence before the Royal Commission by Dr. Buxton.2 1 Taylor on Evidence, 2nd edition, 1855, Vol. 11., p. 1075. 2 See Minutes of Evidence, Royal Commission on Condition of the Blind, etc. (9,