Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1860-01-07

| to be seen that much may be accomplished by
developing and quiclening, by various means,
the imperfect faculties possessed by these un-
fortunate beings The idiot created with sem
scs perfectly formed, and capable of transmit
ting impressions, but with brain incapable
of receiving and recording them, sees, feels,
and hears, but does not understand. The main
object of education referred TO is to overcome
this Ito speak in familiar language) numbness
of the brain. 1t is accomplished by judicious
| exercise of the bodily powers, by the applica-
ton of appropriate stimuli to each organ of
sense, and it is the systematic and graduated
arrangement of these, as well as the applica-
ton of them in different degrees of intensity,
which constitutes the basis of the system.
Most dotc children are wayward, inatten-
tive to habits of decency and addicted to va
rous vicious propensitites. In conducting a
system of training, therefore, the first efforts
should be so directed as to encounter and
overcome these disgusting peculiarities by ap-
proprate means, which will be readily suggest
cd to the mind of the devoted tutor. When
this first step in the task of reformation is ac-
complished, the attention of the pupil is to a
certain extent. brought into operation, and
some degree of obedience is obtained. At the
S''ne 'i'iie 'iia' ine'iis "te une0'eu ~ s"i' ue
shapie emu, attempts shouiu oe hiaue 10 over
come lncessaht restesshess anu "uso'na'ic
movements observable in most cases of idiocy.
The child should be placed on low chair,
while the tutor, taking one directly opposite,
brings Ahees III ooh'aes WIN 'hose Vi i'is papn.
Inc hahus snoulu W geh.iy grhspeu' piaceu
on tne knees' ana hep'ih 'his posi'ion Ia longer
OF shortef time, accoraihg 10 .he conuiuoh
and temper OF the patient ny iohowing TINS
plan day aiter uay' uegree OF con'roi over
the irregular actloh OF Tue hiuscies Is createo'
anu an apiouh' oi repose Is pfouuceu iu'of"pio
10 future impressions as soon us tuis capa-
oiii3 o. quieseh0e 10 " nequeh' pi"o'oe'
fuliy eonnrmeu' aten'pts shouiu pe iiaue 10
reguiatemuscnlar action' rms Is sacco'nphshed
Dy causing tne pupil 10 assuhie Farious atu-
tudes as, Tor rlnstaace, 10 stana,to SIT, TO place
the feet in different positions' walk 10 ume'
hold up first one hand, then the o'ner' use
dumb-bells, lift anu handle OBJECTS. IN per-
forming these exercises, tne tutor snouid stand
before the pupil anu shoulo assume eheFari-
Gus posluonsi SO US 10 produce not only u vol
untary and regular muscular acuon,sout aiso
excite and cultivate the faculty oil imitaton IN
the pupil.
The above course IS appiicanie TO RESTLESS
cases but there are some idiots IN whom an
opposite condition Is ooservaoie. Littie or no
tendency to muscular action IS manifested, anu
they would if permitted, remain their whole
lives listless, inactive, the joints ultimately be-
nnur rinin M
ending his days in state OF helpless decrepi-
tude. Jpdicious regimen, gentle frictlons, and
passive motion OF the limbs, followed by sui t4
table gymnastic and entertaing exercises, VIII
in general be productive OF increased power
and disposition to motion.
Several expedients may be adopted with
view of attempting to generate in these sub VI
jects capacity of moving the limbs in subjec-
tion to, as well as independent Of, the will
such, Tor instance us causing inc pupii 10
grasp a fixed object with the hands, so as to
aid in the support OF the body. This exercise
can be practised with most advantage when ~
small and suitable ladder rs employed.
should be placed against the wall, and the
hands brought SO as to grasp one OF the bars
situated at such a distance that the ieet Just
rest on the hoor. ny eau sing the puph to
support hmsel: IN TINS manner, hrst on that
side OF the ladder usually ascended, then on
the opposite side, the tendency to crouch and
sink down is dimished, and he ultimately ac-
quires capability OF standing in the erect
posture As soon as this is accomplished
he should, by the assistance OF the tutor, be
made to,stand with one leg on the margin of q
stem 50 that the other remains free and with
Sssp ~ l,oa,. .,,oo ha;,,, No.,
OUT opstruol'on' "ey snoe 's'ns Piaso
on this foot, the limb should be gently swung
and forward, until, by the repetition
- ,i,o oxarcise has hecome canable of accom-
- ,,a,,,.,, n, ,..., -.
pllshing inns 'ho.'o" 'ntousn n'S o"n enoi.s
Ip q similar manner the arms may be brought
into action by means of dumb-bells; and
lastI, Inv causinr alternate motions of the
.,,;a...;. l., .,,oe,o.,
legs, "Ae piNoins 'aiious ~ '.e
the faculties of walking and using the hands
are acquired.
uyo nav hare rcmark that whilst exciting &
.,,......,.. -.
ana regul"'ile "uso"i'. "'.ioh as "oii as
cultivating the iacnlty OF imitation, 1t VIII be
desirable to repress any tendency to grimace
or uncouth sounds by placing finger ON the
=