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45
In the Feeble-minded.
Per cent.
In the Imbecile.
Per cent.
Neglect at birth 1.25 2
Meningitis 1.25 2
Epilepsy 6.25 6
Other illnesses 3.75 2
Injuries in infancy 10.0 6
Air raids in infancy — 2
Nil 48.75 30
100.0 100
One of the striking features is that in 70 per cent, of the imbeciles the alleged
cause depends on extrinsic factors, whereas in the feeble-minded the percentage is
only 42-5. The difference seems to be in agreement with the fact, noted in last
year's report, that the parents of imbeciles were often more intelligent than those
of the feeble-minded.
The percentage of cases in which fright and worry during pregnancy is given
as the cause, is much higher in the imbeciles, 38 per cent, as against 12.5 per cent,
in the feeble-minded. It is a specially common statement in the case of Mongol
imbeciles. In the majority of cases the fright or shock was due to a serious cause,
such as bombs or distress at the death of a near relative—occurrences which did not
take place during previous pregnancies. On the other hand, it must be added,
that in the majority of such cases it was reported that the mother was of a nervous
disposition and sometimes the father was said to be " nervy." Against the probability
of fright or shock during pregnancy being a common cause of defect, it must
be remembered that of all the babies born during the air raids, no more than the
usual percentage was defective. It is probable that these causes are not negligible,
but that their significance has been enormously exaggerated.
Illness and injury during pregnancy sound likely factors, but most of the cases
resulting are of the type that occurs with inherited defect and the percentage is no
higher among the imbeciles who would include nearly all the examples of secondary
(i.e. non-inherited) defect.
Difficult birth with instrumental delivery is recorded more frequently among
imbeciles, but in only one case was there paralysis or epilepsy which might be anticipated
as a concomitant effect of cerebral pressure.
Meningitis is a real though not common cause producing a definite type
of defect.
Epilepsy may be a definite cause of mental deterioration. One case in this series
was normal till 8, feeble-minded at 11, and completely imbecile at 15 ; but epilepsy
may merely accompany or aggravate congenital mental defect. There are at least
two examples of this.
Other illnesses in early childhood have very little real significance. In the
majority of cases there was evidence of pre-existing defect (e.g. a child had an
illness at 3, but had never been able to speak).
Air raids at the period of birth are among the causes that are similarly shown
to have scarcely any significance in the causation of mental defect, though they,
like some of the other influences, are possible causes of neurosis.
Falls or blows on the head are often mentioned by parents, but in the cases here