New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-28
TRAINING THE WEAK MINDED
THE PHYSIOLOGICAL METHOD OF DIR.
SEGUIN.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE HANDS. THE SIGHT AND
THE HEARING TIE FIRST STEPS-IIMITA-
TIONs OF THE SYSTEM


Dr. Edouard Segun. the founder of the physi-
illogical method of training predetermined children
believed that ldiocy IL not usually the result of de-
1clency or malformdtion OF the brain or nervous
system II Is an arrest Of mental development oc-
curing before. at after birth, and in some
this arrest may be overcome and the child be
restored TO society and life by patient and long
continued system Of physiological training The
organs OF sensation being within our reach and
those OF thought ont Of it, the former are the first
that set In action. The physlolos cal edu-
cation OF the senses must precede the psychical
education OF the mind" DR. Segulns method is
employed in schools in Europe. Asia, the United
States and Canada.
The diotic hand is idlotic as the brain In
the schools the touch is developed by series OF
tactile impressions by which the pupil is made TO
distinguish opposite properties of matter by con-
tac; alone. In other exercises sight and hearing
are trained TO perceive impressions. The improve
ment in these processes Is capable of positive meas
urement Normal people require but a fraction OF
a second to transmit an impression from without
within. volition from within without; but be-
fore training several seconds required by the
idiot for these transmissiOns.
In the physiological method the teacher watches
for taste propensity of the child and
through that crevlce in darkened existence finds
a way to waken the dormant powers One success
full teacher discovered this In pleasure expert
enced by the cnlld In the sense OF touch.
The criterion OF idocy Is found in the physioogi-
cal symptoms rather than in the form of the head
which Is often normal The muscular activity NJ
the feeble minded Is especially deficient as mani
Tested by their awkward and uncertain movements
Mental awakening usually results from Increased
physical development Some of the institutions
have found the military drill OF great benefit 10
their boys. The Ling Swedish plan of educa-
tlonal gymnastics has been adopted in some az
the schools with excellent results As II requires
the close attention Of the pupil. 1t is a mental as
well physical drill.
RESULTS OF MOVEMENT TRAINING
culture class which had been In training for many
weeks. yet some OF the pupils were unable TO make
the simplest movements without aid A teacher
stood by each child and raised lowered its arms
guided its feet In an advanced class in an adj
Joining ROOM the pupils went through their exer-
cises gracefully. and took part in musical drill
In a way that would be 'credltable to normal chill
dren Yet they had been awkward and incom-
petent the pupils In the primary class. "Why do
you make that child go through the same motions
"a hundred times day." asked friend OF tho
late DR.. Segun. Because she does not make them
right in nnety-nine times trying" his answer
Children enter the schools who are incapable OF
guiding spoon or fork TO their mouths and who
tumble helplessly with string button when
they attempt to dress themselves. After persist
emit tireless training they learn to eat dantly and
dress themselves neatly. The training Of the hands
In the schools. public and private. includes kinder
garten work. plain sewing knitting, crochet lace
making. matchmaking. hat-makIng. wood-carv-