The etiology, symptoms and treatment of idiocy and imbecility / by T. Duncan Greenlees.

  • Greenlees, T. Duncan.
Date:
[1907]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The etiology, symptoms and treatment of idiocy and imbecility / by T. Duncan Greenlees. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in the back ground* that this cause is prominently advanced., In a large proportion of the cases that have come under my care, that is the cause first advanced by the parents, and it is often the case that all other possible or probable causes are denied, (7) Syphilis in the Parents undoubtedly contributes to the production of degenerates, and I have had several cases of infantile syphilis under my care—this being the only ascertain¬ able etiological factor. (8) Injuries to the Child, either before birth, at the time of birth or afterwards, from falls, etc,, have been noted as causes* and acute diseases, such as measles, convulsions while teething, etc., are often the only ascribable cause of cases of imbecility. In discussing the various etiological factors in the produc¬ tion of imbecility and idiocy, it must not be forgotten that it is, rarely only one cause is found ; rather, we usually find several factors—all of which may contribute to the causation—either as predisposing or exciting causes. The Symptoms of Idiocy and Imbecility. Here I will briefly refer to the main symptoms manifested in the various types of these diseases, and for this purpose I have no hesitation in ascribing my indebtedness to Dr. Ireland’s classic work “ Mental Affections of Childhood.” Dr. Ireland gives various classifications of idiocy and imbecility, and in these, like the classification of other diseases, the pathological one is perhaps the most satisfactory and the one least open to objection, a) Genetous Idiocy,—Here the diseased condition is com-, plete before birth, and heredity is prominent, The circulation is feeble, temperature subnormal, and often rickets exist. The strumous taint is well marked, and the palate generally keeh shaped and narrower than normal, The teeth are late in appearing, irregular, over-crowded, and notched or furrowed, The genetous idiot is usually of short stature, retaining an infantile appearance for many years. When lying in bed they usually assume an ante-natal posture. Deformities are common, and degenerate stigmata, such as in the ears, are frequently found. The testicles, one or both, are occasionally absent, Slavering is common, and rumination often occurs,