Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-07-16
DEAF AND DUMB IN MINE.

The census of 1870 gives the names of 299
deaf and dumb persons in this State-about
100 of whom were between the ages of and
%. Scarcely half of those thus unfortunately
deprived of the faculty of hearing, in conse-
quence of which they have lost or never en-
joyed the power of speech, born deaf.
The deafness Of the balance was caused in
large part by scarlet fever; although typhus
fever, whooping cough, measles, ulcers in
the head and accidents have each been in
strumental in depriving many of the faculty of
hearing. In Maine one person out Of every
2400 is deaf and dumb, while the proportion
in the older States of New England is one to
every 1000, and in Europe one to 1900. In.
vesiigation has shown that the proportion OF
def and dumb offspring of healthy parents is
only one-twentieth as great when they are
not blood relations, as when they are first
cousins; and that the proportion increases
with the degree of blood relationship. The
children Of healthy deaf mutes, not related
by blood, are rarely deaf and dumb-thus
showing that this physical defect is not
usually transmitted by Inheritance.
1t is only little over fifty years since
there vas any effort to educate this class of
unfortunates in this country, and less than a
century since the first successful attempt
we're made in this direction in Europe. Pre-
vious to 1917, the deaf lnutes in this country
were doomed to life of utter ignorance; but
in that year the efforts Of several philan-
thropic gentlemen resulted in the establish
ment of the pioneer institution in the United
States for the education of the deaf and dumb
the American Asylum at Hartford, CT.
The Institution was designed to be for the
benefit of this class Of unfortunates in all the
States. Congress gave it a literal endow-
ment, in consequence of which the institution
now has fund of about 5000 600, and COM
modious buildings valued at about 500, 900.
Other Institutions have been established since
In various parts OF the county, but this
school still remains the only one of the kind
IN New England with the exception of the
Clarke Institution at Northampton, Mass,
where articulation is taught and is patron
lied by all the State governments. This in.
stitution is managed by a local board of direc-
tors and oy the governors and secretaries OF
the six New England States.
Maine has for more than fifty years edu-
Gated her deaf mutes between ten and twenty
nve years Of age, at the American Asylum,
at the public expense. About 800 persons of
this unfortunate class have been educated,
and have been thus prepared to become use
full citizens. At the present time this State
has fifty one pupils at Hartford, at an annual
expense to the State of &l75 for each scholar
Clothing is furnished by the friends of the
pupils. None are admitted to the institution
less than eight years Of age, and ten or even
twelve years of age is thought to be prefer.
able, as the State in no case extends aid
longer than six years. Gov. Dingley, who
recently visited Hartford to look after the
pupils from Maine, and to attend the annual
meeting Of the Board of Directors, found the
scholars of this State all in excellent health,
and generally making satisfactory progress.
The pupils appeared delighted to receive the