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197
SECTION IX.
MENTAL DEFICIENCY.
The stall of the department dealing with the mentally defective
consists of the Medical Officer of Health and the Deputy
Medical Officer, who are certifying officers ; one whole-time visitor;
the teacher at the Occupation Centre, with three helpers.
In April, 1929, the Council established a small home at 5,
Morland Road, for the reception of 20 low grade mentally deficient
boys under the age of 16 years.
The population in this small institution does not vary much.
During the year 2 patients were admitted and 2 discharged on leave.
The average number in was 21.
The difficulties inherent in the conduction of a small institution
of this kind have made themselves felt, more particularly in the
matter of staffing.
There are two main administrative groups of mentally defectives,
viz.:—
(a) The Statutory Cases, who consist of certified mental
defectives under 7 and over 16 years of age: ineducable mentally
defective children between the ages of 7 and 16 years; and children
referred to the Local Control Authority under the Mental Deficiency
Act, 1913, as being incapable of further education at a Special
School or of being incapable of such education without detriment
to other children.
(b) Education Cases, who consist of mentally defective
children between the age of 7 and 16 who are capable of instruction
in a Special School. The former group are dealt with by the
Mental Deficiency Committee, and the latter by the Education
Committee.
The largest number of notifications of children suspected to
be suffering from mental defects are received from School Teachers
and the School Attendance Officers. Sources of information regarding
cases not coming within the category of school children are
mainly the Infant Welfare Centres, Health Visitors, and Probation
Officers.