Some of the characteristics of idiocy / by G.E. Shuttleworth.

  • Shuttleworth, G. E. (George Edward), 1842-1928.
Date:
1881
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some of the characteristics of idiocy / by G.E. Shuttleworth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    recorded as having been forceps deliveries, though I ought to add that of the last 2501 cases (I know not from what cause), a much larger ratio of cases is attributed to tha use of forceps—viz., about 4 per cent. In less than a quarter of the cases, however,: were there any marks left by forceps. The subject of artificial cranial deformations is one full of interest, but the only variety met with in this country is that produced by unilateral suckling, of which I have seen several examples, though the cranial asymmetry, which consisted oli flattening of the parieto-occipital region on one 6ide, was unaccompanied by any mental deficiency. It would appear that very considerable artificial deformation e be produced by prolonged, but comparatively gentle, pressure in one region of the skull, compensatory enlargement going on elsewhere, and no detriment to the intelligence resulting. The Flat-head Indians (Chinooks), are modern examples of this statement which however was observed so long ago as the days of Hippocrates, with regard to the Caucasian Macro-cephali.