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(1) Idiot.— Idiots are, within the meaning of the Mental
Deficiency Act, 1913, persons so defective in mind from an early
age, as to be unable to guard themselves against common physical
dangers. The Authority responsible for dealing with such children
is the Essex County Council. There are 17 cases under the age of
16 years known to the department (1 being notified during the
present year). 4 are in a residential institution, and 13 are at
home.
(2) Imbeciles.—Imbeciles are persons whose mental defectiveness
does not amount to idiocy, yet is so pronounced that they are
incapable of managing themselves or their affairs : or in the case
of children, of being taught to do so. The Authority responsible
for dealing with these children is also the Essex County Council.
There are 21 cases under the age of 16 years known to the department
(3 being notified during the present year) all of whom are at
home.
(3) Feeble.minded Children.—Feeble.minded children are those
whose mental defectiveness does not amount to imbecility, yet is so
pronounced that they are incapable of receiving proper benefit from
instruction in an ordinary school. The Authority responsible for
the proper instruction of these children is the Ilford Education
Authority. There were (at the end of 1930) 65 such cases under