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(b) Idiots.— Idiots are, within the meaning of the Mental
Deficiency Act, 19.13, parsons so defective in mind from an early
age, as to be unable to guard themselves against common physical
dangers. The Authority for dealing with such children is
the Essex County Council. There are 16 cases under the age of
16 years known to the department, 2 being notified during the
present year. 3 are in a residential institution, and 13 are at home.
(c) Imbeciles.— Imbeciles are persons whose mental defectiveness
does not amount to idiocy, yet is so pronounced that
they are incapable of managing themselves or their affairs; or in
the case of children, of being taught to do so. The Authority
responsible for dealing with these children is also the Essex
County Council. There arc 6 cases under the age of 16 years
known to the department. 2 are in a residential institution and 4
are at home.
(d) Feeble-minded Children.— Feeble-minded children are
those whose mental defectiveness does not amount to imbecility,
yet is so pronounced that they are incapable of receiving proper
benefit from instruction in an ordinary school. The Authority
responsible for the proper instruction of these children is the
Local Education Authority. There are (at the end of 1923) 33
such cases under the age of 16 years known to me, of whom 17
are attending public elementary schools in the district, 1 is attending
a private school, 9 are in a residential school, and 6 are not
at school.
The Mental Deficiency (Notification of Children) Regulations,
by which the School Medical Officer is the Certifying
Officer, came into force on the 1st April, 1914. A census was
made of the school children by the Attendance Officers in October,
1914, and again in 1921, and all children suspected of being
mentally defective were examined by the School Medical Officer.
Since these dates children suspected of being mentally defective
are referred to the School Medical Officer, either by the Teachers,
the School Attendance Officers, or, occasionally, by the parents.