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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    well; is obedient and attentive; and his countenance has become more cheerful; is active in the plav-ground ; and works in the tailors’ shop.” “ J. H., aged thirteen years; admitted November, 1853; an imbecile from birth ; could neither read nor write ; and was very pugnacious. April, 1855. He can read and write well. The discipline to which he has been subjected has made him a quiet and useful lad. He assists in putting some of the little boys to bed ; he is one of our best singers ; and is learning the tailoring business.” Last year 259 pupils were under training at the two establishments supported by the London Society. And the general result of the expe¬ rience gained in these, so far as the progress of the pupils is concerned, is thus stated :—“ It is now delightfully patent to every observer, that for three-fourths of the pupils, much, very much, may be done”—c< for the remaining fourth only protection and comfort can be provided.”1 The results of some of the cases treated in this asylum show that the patients will be able, on their dismissal, after five years’ training, to contribute in part, and in some cases entirely, to their own support. Already eight of the female patients have been engaged as servants ; and as this is never done as a matter of charity, it is among the best proofs that can be given of the efficiency of the training which they have enjoyed. The board of management of the London asylum have done good service in arousing attention to the interests of the idiot in other districts of the country, in which they have been greatly assisted by the Rev. Edward Sidney, Rector of Cornard Parva, Suffolk. In the report for 1854 they remark:—“ There is reason to hope that in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Edinburgh, and Dublin, an interest has been created, which will issue in separate local action.” A most interesting Lecture on “ Teaching the Idiot,” was also delivered by Mr Sidney in St Martin’s Hall, as one of the series of Lectures in connection with the Educational Exhibition of the Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, in 1854. The series is published in a very cheap form, by Routledge & Co., London and New York. Private institutions for the training of imbecile youth have also been established at Chilcompton near Bath, and at Lowestoft. In 1845, the work was begun in America, and that in a very tho¬ rough manner. The statistics of idiocy were carefully taken up in the state of Massachusetts, and presented to the Senate along with a plan for training and teaching a certain number of patients, and a grant of money from the public purse was made for the establishment of a well- appointed institution. This has been presided over since its formation by the well-known Dr Howe, who has published some most interesting reports of his progress. Take the following as a resume of the results attained :— Several of the pupil-patients, who were in a condition of hopeless idiocy, have gained some really useful knowledge, the most of them have become cleanly, decent, docile, industrious; all have improved in personal appearance and habits, in general health, in vigour, and acti¬ vity of body, and are happier and better, in consequence of the efforts 1 The lowest rate charged in the London establishment is L.25 per annum for each child ; for most of the pupils, L.50 is paid.