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Show Hethodt of Treatment Sueg;eted Fot Cer-tain Cer-tain Classes of Tubllc Dependents. Dr. James W. Walk, in a lecture on "Defectives" before the University of Pennsylvania, defined the defectives as those members of society having serious mental or physical defects, either congenital con-genital or acquired. Thi3 group comprised com-prised six classes first, the blind; second, sec-ond, the deaf mutes; third, insane; fourth, the feeble minded, or idiots; fifth, the inebriates where drunkenness drunken-ness has become a disease and sixth, the epileptics. Dr. Walk took np each of these class es and stated what he believed to be the best way to deal with them. Of the blind and deaf he said: "Blind, deaf and feeble minded children have as much claim to an education as others, and since their defects prevent them from receiving it in the ordinary public schools it is only just that they should be instructed in schools especially adapted adapt-ed to their condition. Such schools are also a most economical investment ot public money, for by means of the training train-ing they give the great majority of the blind and deaf mutes become self supporting sup-porting In adult life. "To fit blind children for self support it is necessary that their discipline while at school should be rigid, so as to impart thoroughness in the practice of the few industries, such as weaving and music, which are open to them. The managers of the best schools for the blind now insist upon this rigid training, train-ing, and in this way sometimes incur unpopularity among those who do not understand their leal motive. "For those of the adult blind who cannot maintain themselves in open competition with normal workmen there should be founded in each state industrial homes where. they may reside and labor, the deficiency in their earning earn-ing being supplied by benevolence. Where such homes are well conducted i they are nearly self supporting. "Under the stimulus of the popular interest excited by the eloquent addresses ad-dresses of the great philanthropist, Dorothea Doro-thea Dix, Pennsylvania many years ago undertook to make adequate provision for the insane at public expense. The first institution for their care in the commonwealth was the insane department depart-ment of the old Pennsylvania hospital. We have now many asylums for these people, but not enough yet to accommodate accommo-date them all. Asylums should be so regulated that the inmates can work and be self supporting." Dr. Walk thought that idiots, or the feeble minded, should not be permitted to marry. Of epileptics he thought the same, as their defects are hereditary. Inebriates should be confined for a long period, during which they would be forced to abstain totally. This treatment, treat-ment, he said, results often in permanent perma-nent cure. Philadelphia Press, |
