New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-03-05
OUR STATE INSTITUTIONS,
NETWORK IDIOT ASYLUM,
IYRou OUR OWN coz RESPONDENT

cation of the idiots and weak-minded children
~ the State of Now-York, was established by
Legislative authority about 16 years age, "t
Syracuse and it is considered branch OF the
pubc school system, which is intended 10 provluo
instruction for all the children OF the state Ano
nrops rty consists OF farm of GO acres ABOUT io
srcn the ety and a large building standing on
rising ground, surrounded with groves OF ever
green's This structure is of wood, well adapted 10
she uso for which 1t was designed and Trough IL
lass costly than most of the State charity DuulnsS
II has an imposing appearance. The superintendent
IL Heryey b. Wilbur. There are SIX Iauy 'e"'neiS'
ma assistant physician, hOusekeeper anu Hia.lon,
and the general management is Ill poaiu VI
trustees The only difficulty now is want OF roorn'
that mo re pupils may be received All the chailty
institutions of the State are overlooking because 10
Uroyision has been made for an increased poIula-
zion The number under cure is 1885, as many more
are in the State needing cure, and there is an III
definite number in poorhOuses and IN families
mostly grown up, and who have, to a great eN'eh''
passed into demented condition.
To DIR. Edward Seguin of Paris, belongs the honor
az havinr first instructed idiots and of having pub
lshed an account of his method, which he did III
1890 Aftcrward he removed to this city, where nc
is now residing, No. IL West Twenty-elghth-st' III
1866 ne published an elaborate work on ldl0cy Oh
nearly 500 pages, which contains mass OF lniorIa-
tion of special value TO every student and educale"
man. whether professional or not. The news OF Dr'
Seguins success having reached Boston, DTS howe
Jarvis and Wilbur applied TO the Legislature for
M appropriation for asylum and about the same
time, Drs Wood and Backus of Rochester did the
same for New-York. In 1851 an experimental school
WAS opened in Albany, under the eye of the Legs
latre when the merits of the plan were so apparent
that the Syracuse Asylum was established Inc
States Of PENNSYLVANIA, Connecticut, ONO, Men
tncly. and Illinois have also established asylmns'
and the whole number of children under instruction
IL not less than 1000.
Having visited the Syracuse Asylum, and wit
messed the success of the treatment, could not iad
to see that Dr. Wilbur by patience, acutcness, and
research, has helped form monument which will
endure so long these poor unfOrunates are to be
among us The study Of idiOcy is so new and the
repulsveness of idiots such, that the common mind
is repealed almost upon the naming of the subject
But, after little investigation, new ideas VIII
arise and to rejecting mind view will he present.
ed of most unexpected character. For the peculiar
condition of the minds of idiots corresponds to out
groupings Of geological strata and each gives view
of some of the secrets OF nature when can De on
tanned by no other means; and now hesitate not
20 say that the study of idocy, and TO great uec
gree insanity also furnishes facts for the basis OF
mental philosophy which have always been wanting,
and that only upon these facts can any lasting found.
atons for this science be laid In another important
Tesnect il the study of idocv of great value. Where
the objective system of education has been fairly
tried, the results have been remarkable but L
produce full results it must become so general as Il
react and gather strength from extension The
greatest obstacles are, first want of quahhed
teachers and second realization with the public
that in consideration of needs, and of the age IN
which we live, other method deserves the name
of instruction. Now, as the training Of idiots has
been wholly by the objective SYSTEM and as IL mas
produced results impossible bv aDv other method IL
rs demonstrated that it is natural system, and one
~ which the benefits should be extended TO our chh
The pupils of this Asylum arc separated according
10 their condition l was introduced INTO a room
containing about 10 pupils TO whom the teacher vas
imparting the most elementary instruction with
reference TO common objects. Their dress was neat
and plain the room was clean, the air pleasant ana
though these children showed low condition they
gave good attention. \ block with many holes IS 10
be filed with iron pins for one lesson; another
lesson is to string button mOlds; another, 10 pace
square and other shaped blocks within corresponding
shaped receptacles; another to string white ana
cOOTed beads, one, two or more OF each mp TO hVe;
another to place cOoTed balls within cups OF CORE
spending cOlOrs aud another TO place skeleton pieces
OF paste-board so as 10 make an oDecI IKE one peIoe
them. Some reading is taught by presenting pic
tuTe cards with printed words which were pro-
nOunced. Spelling seems not 10 be tanght nj all, ana
1T is acquired nsenslbly which seems 10 prove that
there is foundation in the assertion OF certain
teachers that the spelling-book is the worst book
that can be put into clild's hands. When any act
is done wrong ii is TO Do done over, and often the
pupil cOTrects himself as readily expert clerk.
when he mistakes IN reckoning. The teacher
named il correctly. what is it forp ITO wear
when, in Winter or summer In summer
drawing lines between two points on aekboard,
then other lines, and there states with lines at
right angles for guide.
grade. They were seated on benches around the
walls and for the most part they We're supid-almoNt
demented | noticed boy IN particular who nag
nice forehead. and he seemed every way proper Dut
he had a bodily intTmty which aiecied the nerves,
and so long as that continued mental DEVELOPMENT
would be impossible. A girl looked at the sunlight
and laughed as continuously as a dog barks toward
"a the sky. ldiOcy may be defined as disease OF the
media of sensation, and not at all as mental defect
The lowest will scarcely hear feel taste or
smell, and a common primary treatment is TO place
the child in room where strong rays OF llght are
introduced through the shutters, when blocks or
other objects given il TO play with il is watched
to see what twill do, and whatever sense is first
most manifested is seized upon as q base for deve-
Opment.
trates the method of development, and IL seems TO
me 10 illustrate mental phenomena in most remark
able manner This girl eight years old, slender
and well formed. belonging to an intelligent family
Sensation generally was 80 inactive that no distinct
impressions had been conveyed 10 the brain. If
pIicked with pin, she screamed, but she did not
shrink. When her eye-ball touched, she did not
wink. She could neither walk stand, nor could
she sit unless supported; and much of the time she
kept her hand in her mouth. III her chair was sud
denly tipped over, aud caught, before it touched the
floor She did not move muscle, for she dId not
know that she cOuld fall. An infant has this knOwl-
edge in an early period Of its life She could hold
nothing in her hand and the only scmbance Of will
was in throwing herself backW arb with cOnyuslve
motions when angry. Tones of endearment or OF
dspeasnre made no impression upon her, and the
only imitation or reflex faculty she ever exhibited
was lmpefecuy 10 utter what appeared
musical sounds. For long time she bad
been fed on sponge cake and weak tea but
II was necessary 10 place TINS 1000 IN the
back part of her mouth, or she would not swallow,
for her tongue without taste Besides, she was
without the active sense of tOuch. Thus she was n
human being without any OF the senses, and she ex-
hbited condition not only much lower than that of
common newborn infant, but lower even than any