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trouble, 13 had deformities of the spine, and the remainder had
congenital malformations or serious defects of the special senses
and of speech.
The children classified as dull or backward and mentally
defective are dealt with under that heading.
The necessity for Special Schools is, however, not governed
by actual numbers. In the case of physically defective children,
for example, other factors must be considered. The nature of
the defect, the need for special treatment, the effect of the
effort on the child to "keep up with" normal children in
ordinary schools, the home environment, more especially diet,
the distance to and from school, the means of conveyance, must
all be weighed. In the case of Tuberculous children, the
question of "infection" enters, and in Chorea, the danger of
imitation.
Having carefully considered all such points I am of
opinion that a Special School or Class for Physically Defective
children is not at present required.
Blind or partially blind, deaf or partially deaf, children
coming within the meaning of the Elementary Education
(Blind and Deaf Children) Act, 1893, are best dealt with
as at present, by sending to Special Institutions.
In regard to "Recovery" Schools further consideration
is still necessary. There are undoubtedly many children who
would benefit by some such school, but actual numbers must
be more accurately gauged. In some cases the return of
children to ordinary schools after illness is hastened too much,
and. in others again, there is unnecessary delay. If such a
school were formed, children "under observation" might be
admitted for six months or a year.
Mentally Defective Children.
A. General Report.
In submitting the following report, I desire to emphasise
that I have endeavoured to approach the question of mentally
'defectives in the school population in as unbiassed a manner as
possible, and that the results are my own personal findings. In
judging Mental Deficiency, the personal equation of the examiner
must always enter. Some Medical Officers place reliance
on educational tests, others again rely on physiological standards,
and some are influenced by the child's general demeanour
and behaviour.
The definitions of Mental Deficiency under the different
Acts allow for considerable latitude. In the Mental
Deficiency Act, 1923, the following definitions are given :—
"(b) Imbeciles; that is to say, persons in whose case
there exists from birth or from an early age
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