The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-03-22
FACTS ABOUT DEAF FOLK.
Prof. &. r. Read Finds Large Percent
are to be Born Without Hearing.

Prof. {. r. Read FINES Large percent
age to be Born Without Hearing.
Prof. Allen E. Read. Of the Institu-
ton for the Deaf in this city, has just
finished fox the Census Department,
at Washington, a collection OF Facts
AID statistics concerning the children
who have, since 1890, been in attend
ance at the institution. The work has
occupied him for several weeks. and
the compilation is volu1ninous. 1t is
the first time that that systematic and
thorough collection has been attempt
ed. The Census Department has ord
cred q like compilation at the other
State institutions, under special direc-
ton of DR.. Alexander Grarsm Bell.
who has long made study of statis-
tics concerning the deaf and dumb.
Prof. Reeds Investigations disclose
some interesting Facts. OF the 452
pupils who have at one time or anoth-
er since 1880 been under instruction
at the institution. 169 are congenitally
deaf, that is, born without the sense
of hearing; 271 are adventitious. that
is. those who become deaf after birth
from sickness or other causes; ten are
feeble minded and two dumb, but in
full possession of hearing. Cne-third
of the 452 have been taught by the
speech method; the rest by the manu-
al form or sign language. One-third Of
these speech-taught pupils are con-
genital and the rest adventurous, from
which it is concluded that the great
majority of those deaf and dumb from
birth can not be taught by means of
speech.
or the adventitious pupils 1863 are
totally deaf and 102 partially so; nine
ty-six lost their hearing under one
year of age, eighty-four between one
and two years, thirty-fve between two
and three, seventeen between three
and four, twelve between four and
five. OF these 271, 244 lost their hear
ing under the age of five years, and
only twerty-seven between the age of
FIVE and seventeen. OF the PA, 143
are totally and 1O1 partially deaf.
The causes of loss Of hearing as
cleaned by the investigation, are va
ried, the chief being spinal meningitis
and complications, fifty-two cases;
brain fever and complications; thirty.
nine; scarlet fever. twenty-eight; ca
tarrh and complications, eighteen
gatherings in head and ears, twenty
six, and typhoid fever, eleven. Among
the others are whooping cough. pneu
monia, measles, diphtheria, grip, and
scrofula In twenty-five cases the
cause of deafness is unknown.
OF the 452 children there is rela
tionship between parents in nineteen
cases, mostly cousins; 143 have deal
relatives, eigbty-seven of the 143 are
congenital and have 163 deaf relatives
-ifty-three brothers, forty-three sis
tiers, seven fathers, and nine mothers
The rest are adventurous and have
| ffty-nine deaf relatives, mostly broth
ers and sisters.
Almost every occupation and profes
sion is represented in the vocation o.
the fathers of the children, 203 bein:
farmers, fifty-fve laborers, twenty
three carpenters, ten railroad men
five preachers, three lawyers, tive
teachers, and one physician. The res
are blacksmiths. butchers, machinists
storekeepers. painters. coal miners
| etc.-Indianapolis News.