The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-04-02
DON'T sooLD TOO QUICK.
A Child Thought Dull and stupid May
Only he Deficient in Hearing.

The study Of the education Of the deaf
and dumb Of late years has brought out
some observations in that connection
which are Of wide general interest. A gem
tleman in Savannah, who has given con
siderable attention to this matter is Of
the opinion that more should be done in
this direction, and that Savannah should
make some provision for the more care
full training OF a class Of children which
science has denominated deaf.
But there are comparatively few deaf
persons in Savannah" il was suggested.
Il know" was the reply, but there is
a fact in connection with the deaf that
is very much overlooked. There are many
children in the common schools who are
often punished for dullness, inattentiOn or
perversity, while the real trouble with
them is deficiency In hearing. That this
Is a fact proven by scientific investigation
is now beyond question. DR.. Sexton and
other noted aurists have urged recog-
milton of this fact, and they are Of the
opinion that II clearly justifies a classin-
cation Of the public school children on
that basis"
Gould the same methods be employed
with this class as with those who are en-
tirely deficient in hearing?" was asked
ITO certain extent. yes was the re-
ply, "but it need not be carried so far. The
public should take a deeper interest In
the development of its unfortunate classes.
Our state institution, while well differed,
does not receive the support from tho
state which 1t ought to have. 1t should
be furnished with the means to perfect
its oral and its aural system of instruc-
ton. The state of Wisconsin is one Of
the most progressive of all the states in
its educational system. 1t has adopted a
policy whereby provision is made for the
deaf in the public schools of the larger
cities. This brings about two results; it
keeps the children under home influences,
and in touch with the classes among
which they are to live, and it also makes
provision for the partially deaf now
classed In many places as dun. The fu-
ture should assure us a broader and wiser
policy in the care of those classes which
nature has deprived in a degree Of the
sense through which knowledge and
pleasure is to come"
In this connection It may be said there
are now forty-nine public institutions in
the country for the education OF the deaf
and dumb. These have 626 instructors and
s,275 pupils, but these include very few Of
the class denominated as dull, on account
of a deficiency i'm their hearing There
are three systems adopted in the instruc-
ton of the deaf and dumb; the system of
gestures, the alphabetical system I'm which
the letters are spelled by signs made with
the hands. and the oral system begun by
Dr. Melville Bell. the father Of the tele-
phone, which is the latest and most pop
ular. This consists of a set of signs from
the motion of the lips, which the deaf are
taught to understand.
In addition to this an effort is being made
TO teach the deaf TO hear as well as TO
speak. 1t must be apparent that there are
many degrees Of hearing. Many children
heretofore believed TO have been entirely
deaf have been found to have some hear
ing, and this It is said, by patient, care
full training. can be so improved as to be
of some service.
A young man who became deaf at four
years of age was taught to speak so well
that he delivered his graduating essay at
the institute of technology at Hoboken
so we'll that those who heard him could
not detect his inhrmity. There is a child
in this city who was under the instruction
Of Miss Warren of New York for short
while. Miss Warren uses the last system
mentioned, that of signs through the lips
and other organs Of speech. This child
through the system being carried out by
her mother at home. has made credit
able advances in speech and has greatly
improved her hearing.