Some account of cretinism, and the institution for its cure, on the Abendberg, near Interlachen, in Switzerland / by William Twining.

  • Twining, William.
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some account of cretinism, and the institution for its cure, on the Abendberg, near Interlachen, in Switzerland / by William Twining. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    happy persons, whose want of rational self-guidance has caused them to be shut up in asylums; where, how- ever, a new system of kindness and indulgence appears to have superseded the former severity and cruel restraint, and it is said they are now in more cases restored to society, than retained under coercion as dangerous to its interests. And if it has been demon- strated by Dr. Guggenbuhl’s successful labours, that, even the Cretins, whose intelligence has been thought to rank below that of brute animals, when brought under his system of education at an age sufficiently early, are capable of being trained up to social useful- ness, and raised even to a sense of moral duty and religious responsibility; it is not unreasonable to expect that the further improvement, and carrying out of his plans of treatment may lead to triumphant medical results, which may demonstrate the power of cultivating intellect in other cases, where it has not been thought to exist, and carry hope and joy to many a parental heart which has hitherto pined over an imbecile child, in concealment and despair. Surely the modest and unpretending philanthro- pist who has disinterestedly devoted both his time and his entire means to the practical elucidation of this delicate and mysterious subject on the Abendberg, may claim public support for his hospital, on the ground of the benefit he confers on his fellow men. But in a cause which involves the first principles of duty, higher motives may be urged. And in making this appeal, it is with pleasure we reflect that institutions, such as the world never heard of before,