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social grade than the average delinquent, more intelligent and very frequently the
charge against them was that they were "beyond parental control." In the upper
grades of society an equal number of children would probably contain a higher
percentage of this type of child. The condition can hardly be considered pathological.
(d) Enuresis was noted in 42 (5.8 per cent.), and it is to be noted that more than
80 per cent. of these were over 12 years of age, indicating a fixed habit and one
difficult to cure. It is probable that the presence of a considerable number of
defectives amongst the older children is responsible for the high figure.
(e) Stammer was noted in 3 per cent. of cases (22 children). Here again the
majority of them were over 12 years old. All of them showed other signs of nervous
instability. The London age group children figure for this defect is 0.2 per cent.
(f) Congenital syphilis.—A very careful look-out was kept for the stigmata
indicative of congenital syphilis in view of the opinion held by some workers in this
country and in America that congenital syphilis is often found in delinquents and a
possible causative factor. Only 7 children (0.9 per cent.) showed undoubted stigmata
of this disease.
(g) Rickets.—Compare the 5.9 per cent. of delinquent children showing skeletal
signs of having had rickets in infancy with the London age group figure of 0.4 per cent.
There is evidence, making a general comparison between the two groups, that the
delinquent child is of poorer stock (note the much higher incidence of poor physique
amongst them). His early nurture is faulty as evidenced by the high percentage of
rickets. The high percentage of physical defect he shows is probably to a large
degree to be attributed to ignorance of the parents and neglect on their part to remedy
the child's defect when pointed out to them. The relation between the indifferent
physical condition and the delinquency is, in all probability, an indirect one only.
For instance, there seems to be little connection between, say, the theft of food and
poor nutrition. In only one case did a child give, as a reason for his theft, that he
was hungry. Stealing of food in fact, if we except sweets, is by no means common
—food, that is, to be consumed forthwith. When stolen it is usually negotiable—in
the form of tins of fruit, bottles of sauce, packets of peas, etc. Two cases, however,
may be quoted where there appears to be a direct connection between the physical
defect and the delinquency. One, a boy of 11, had three severe convulsions, subsequently
diagnosed as due to generalised arterio-scelerosis, a very rare disease at that
age. Subsequent to, but not prior to the onset of the symptomatic fits he began to
show abnormality of conduct, violence of temper, swearing and pilfering, etc. It
is reasonable to suppose—on analogy with similar conduct disorder in adults suffering
from this disease—that this boy's change of character was directly due to cerebral
arterial degeneration. The other case was that of a boy with a high degree of myopia.
This boy's quarrelsomeness, general waywardness and wandering habits seemed to be
attributable to his backwardness at school, itself due to his eye defect and not to
lack of intelligence, which made him somewhat of an Ishmael and forced him, against
his will, to associate with younger boys whom he despised. Over a period of two
months, during which time his conduct was under observation, and during which he
associated with boys of his own age, he gave no trouble whatever, and appeared to be
a normal likeable boy.
In general, however, it may be said that the very indifferent physical make-up of
the delinquent has little direct bearing on the delinquency, but sheds a flood of light
on the environment in which he fives.
In addition to the routine physical examination, 153 cases of minor illness,
accident dressings, etc., were attended to during the year.
Mental and educational attainments.—An estimation of the mental and
educational (reading and arithmetic) levels was made in 695 cases, the primary object
being to ascertain fitness or otherwise to benefit by training in certified schools.
Fifty-one (7.5 per cent.) were found to be mentally defective, as follows:—
Mentally defective—fit for special schools only—23 cases.
Feeble-minded (M.D. Act)—fit only for institutional care—26 cases.
Imbecile—2 cases.