Atypical children : the etiological factors in their production / by S.P. Goodhart.

  • Goodhart, Simon P. (Simon Philip), 1873-
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Atypical children : the etiological factors in their production / by S.P. Goodhart. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    ATYPICAL CHILDREN * The Etiological Factors in Their Production. By S. P. Goodhart, M. D., New York. Statistical records and histories of the truly de- fective afford us valuable data as to the etiological factors underlying the direct and indirect causes of this class of unfortunates. Reviewing a large number of histories in private practice and in the course of many years of clinical experience, agree- ing with practically all other observers, I find that heredity plays an unquestioned role; there is the oft emphasized history, either in the direct, or col- lateral lines, of syphilis, alcohol, one of the many forms of insanity, epilepsy, consanguineous mar- riage, etc. Indeed, it can no longer be a question of dispute that in those instances of marked men- tal deficiencies showing themselves in the very early years of life, or later in the juvenile period, on one or both sides the prenatal influence is the dominating factor. While we all admit the impor- tance of heredity, especially in the organic nervous diseases, yet in some cases the influence of envi- ronment and education is far greater in the strengthening of the forces of the child than is the case in those of marked physical defect, in which we may also expect to find organic changes in the ideational centres of activity. The value of studying the needs of so called atypical children will become evident when we con- sider that among them are found some of the best minds—those that give to the world intellectual artistic, and moral qualities. Exalted intellectual January 9* ^3. Y°rk Academy °f Medicine, Section in Pediatrics, Copyright, 1913, by A. R. Elliott Publishing Company.