Report on the scientific study of the mental and physical conditions of childhood : with particular reference to children of defective constitution : and with recommendations as to education and training.

  • Committee on the Mental and Physical Condition of Children.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the scientific study of the mental and physical conditions of childhood : with particular reference to children of defective constitution : and with recommendations as to education and training. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS OF CHILDHOOD. CHAPTER I. In 1888, at the Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association in Glasgow, a Committee was appointed to conduct an investigation as to the average development and condition of brain power among the children in primary schools. The first action taken was to decide upon a mode of procedure. A form of schedule was drawn up for use in reporting, and a paper of suggestions was prepared by Dr. Warner and others, containing a list of points worthy of note in making observations. In 1889, a report was published on 5,444 children seen in fourteen schools, as drawn up by Dr. Francis Warner, who for over ten years had previously studied the scientific methods of observing and de- scribing indications of mental status in children. The Council of the British Medical Association have warmly supported the investigation and continues to do so, and have made grants of money each year. In the same year, 1889, evidence was given by members of the Committee before the Royal Commission on the blind, dumb, etc., and for the first time it was officially recognised that there was a class of children who, while not imbecile, present a certain amount of mental deficiency. The Commission reported:— That with regard to 'feeble-minded' children, they should be separated from ordinary scholars in public elementary schools, in order that they may receive special instruction, and that the attention of school authorities be particularly directed towards this object. In 1890, a Committee was appointed by the Charity Organisation Society, including members of the former Committee—To promote a A