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For this purpose three methods were employed, viz.:—
(1) Such inmates as had been suggested by the superintendent of the
casual ward, usually on the advice of the visiting medical officer, were examined
in detail by a certifying officer under the Mental Deficiency Acts.
(2) On some occasions a certifying officer was present at the monthly special
examination of the inmates by the local visiting medical officer. Both officers
then saw every case and any one suspected of mental abnormality was examined
in detail.
(3) On certain other occasions a certifying officer visited particular wards,
and himself, having seen and passed every inmate scrutinized, set aside for
further investigation any who showed signs of abnormality.
As a result of the first method it was found that there were cases of mental
deficiency, 4; psychosis, 1; instability or mild dementia not certifiable as mental
deficiency or insanity, 5; cases in which special treatment was desirable, 3. Of the
remainder the conditions found suggested that the persons concerned were of a
rather poor type in intelligence and cultural level, but that they fell within the limits
of normality.
At the time of the special monthly visits or on the occasions when the certifying
officer alone saw all the inmates, the total numbers seen were 631. More detailed
examination of these showed cases of mental deficiency, 4; psychosis, 4; instability
or mild dementia, 5; bad stammering, 6.
In 41 instances the persons either fell within the limits of normality, or, in a few
cases, the available history could not establish evidence of defect prior to the age
of 18.
The proportion of mental deficiency found was lower than had been anticipated
by the certifying officers, but the superintendents of casual wards were of opinion
that this was in accord with past experience, and that, as it was being ascertained
and dealt with through other channels, mental deficiency was not commonly found
in the London casual wards. In this connection it may be added the majority of
the subnormal inmates found had drifted into the county from the outlying country
districts. It is noteworthy that out of all the cases seen, only one had attended a
London school for the mentally defective.
Mental
condition of
epileptics at
Brentwood
colony.
Dr. Duncan has made an analysis of the mental condition of 292 cases of epilepsy
in patients over the age of 16, who have been in residence at Brentwood colony for
periods varying from a few weeks to 18 years.
The ages of the inmates ranged up to 86 years. On examination 194 were found
not to be defective within the meaning of the Mental Deficiency Act; and 98 were
certifiable as mentally defective. In spite of their disability, many of the patients
had been engaged in various kinds of occupations before admission, but eventually
had had to give them up, chiefly on account of the frequency of the fits. The
following were the occupations followed:—
Occupation Not amentia.
Mentally
defective.
Total.
Domestic service 75 13 88
Factory 26 14 40
Dressmaking 4 1 5
Tailoress 3 — 3
Shirtmaker 1 — 1
Hospital nurse 1 — 1
Waitress 1 — 1
Laundress 5 — 5
Saleswoman 5 — 5
Wardmaid 1 — 1
Typist 3 — 3
Messenger 1 — 1
Barmaid 3 — 3
Milliner 3 — 3
Machinist 1 — 1
Upholsterer at home 2 — 2
Needlework at home 3 2 5
Book-keeper 2 — 2
Living at home—no work outside 54 68 122