ID# 1446:
"Stimulating Public Interest in the Feeble-Minded," by E.R. Johnstone (address to the National Conferenceof Charities and Correction, 1916)
Date:
1916
Pages: (1|2|3|4)
Source:
University of Albany, SUNY, Estabrook, SPE,XMS 80.9 Bx 2 C9

1446. Feeble-Mindedness and Insanity Program Modern Treatment of the Feeble-minded, general session, p. 205. Relation to Other Problems, section meeting, p. 229. Colonies for Feeble-minded, section meeting, p. 239. Dangers of Classification, p. 257. Modern Problems of Insanity, section meeting, p. 266. Borderline Cases, section meeting, p. 292. [centered score] Committee Report: Stimulating Public Interest in the Feeble-Minded * [centered score] E. R. Johnstone, Superintendent, The Training School, Vineland, New Jersey, Chairman [centered score] There are many more feeble-minded persons in this country than the average person believes. True feeble-mindedness is not curable. Feeble-mindedness is strongly inheritable. The average families are large. Their presence entails a heavy burden upon society. Society is inclined to be indifferent. To care for them costs money, but it is cheaper in the long run to do it right. The public must be informed so that they will instruct their legislators to make the necessary appropriations. We want more facts, but we know enough to keep us busy. Let me quote from those who know: -- [extract style text]It is conservative to say that there are at least four feeble-minded persons to each thousand of the general population. [superior 1] No really feeble-minded person ever was, or can be, entirely cured.[superior 2] At least two-thirds of the feeble-minded have inherited their feeble-mindedness.[superior 3] The average number of children born in a family is four, whereas in these degenerates we find 7.3 each, and if the still-born children are included, the disproportion is still more striking, as the average number of children born in each family is brought up to 8.4 [superior 4] Truants, incorrigibles and mentally deficient classes overlap much more than the public at large imagine.[superior 5] Careful inquiries have placed the proportion of mentally defective persons in certain correctional institutions at from 20 to 30 per cent.[superior 6] Of three hundred prostitutes, 51 per cent were feeble-minded. All doubtful cases were reported as normal. Not more than six of the entire umber seemed to have really good minds."[superior 7][end extract text] [em dash flush left] *General session, Monday, May 15, 8:15 P.M. (205) [end]
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