New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-04
THE NEW GYMNASIUM.
Physical Work for Defecti0e Chill
dren of RandalPS Island.

With the formal opening Of the new gymnasium
. OF the New-York City Children's Hospitals and
Schools RandalI's Island last week new page
turned in the care Of the defective children
who compose about threa-ffths OF the child popu-
lation Of the island Dr., Nathan Oppenhein, the
attending neurologst OF all the island institutions.
has long felt that gymnasium afforded one OF
the most valuable means at command for the
treatment of the feeble minded, and the completion
Of this attractive building. with its beautiful
equipment of baths. toilets and apparatus,
is the realization OF two years earnest effort on
his part
ALL KINDS OF MENTAL GRADES
Every one is familiar with the idiot-the person
whose mental powers are distinctly below the
normal. There are, however. all kinds Of mental
grades between the idiot and the normal-using
the word normal indicate not any fixed and
absolute standard, either mental physical but
simply the possession Of such powers as Will en-
able meet his environment successfully, TO
compete with his fellows something Ike equal
terms The mental standard cannot be settled by
saying that IL consists IN the ability 10 read
write The child who can read ana write may
fail desperately IN his attempt TO compete in play
school certain ages the normal person
gives certain results. The normal boy, competing
with his little world Of school and play fellows,
the normal university student competing with his
bigger world OF classmates, gives these results.
thus proving his right 10 be considered normal.
When the individual fails to give these results he
HOPE FOR BACKWARD CHILD.
It is only comparatively recently that the def
Gent child has received much scientific attention.
Here and there were noted children who caused
their teachers annoyance by their inability TO keep
up with classes and their parents anguish by
lack OF scholastic and social briILaucy They were
spoken Of as backward" but they were seldom
made the subjects OF any special study or special
treatment.
The backward" child IS no longer a negligible
quantity. The number OF deficient atypicaI
children has increased 50 rapidly that all through
the East private schools are being opened for them
and IN the public schools separate classes be
ing formed.
How many deficient children there are IN this
country, even in this city, Is known for the
reason that the United States census and the
school census take no account Of the deficient as
e class. but according TO leading neurologtst.
there IS great deal OF this material IN the
world than is supposed Some estimates OF their
numbers received from teachers and others" said
he, are so great that do not like 10 mention
them. One reason FOR this uncertainty is that de-
hciency is regarded as a stigma on the family,
and knowledge OF it is kept back. One Of the
OF the community On this point
SIX HUNDRED ''DEFICIENTS" ON THE ISL
AND.
Now. there are about six hundred deficient chill
oren a. RandalFs Island. and they represent all
grades Of deficiency. from the kind OF idiot
with decency the ordinary functions Of life 10
those who, had they been born more fortunately.
would never have been branded with the stigma
OF deficiency at al. and who, II placed under
proper conditions, viii be able 10 make a good
showing in the world
What the medical sta1 OF the island IS trying to
DO is 10 take this great mass OF undigested ma
tefaal break IT up into the smallest possible sub
oAlslons OF assnilated sorts, and then apply 70
each little group the sort OF treatment that will
Oest answer 10 the deficiency in question. This
treatment may be medical. surgical educational
al OF any stI further part OF the training lies In
environment. the putting them under the most
t4oIthsl conditions where they viii have the least
N1.21nt OF storm and stress 70 work against
20 al THIS regenerative work new gym
~ ia IS expected tc form important adjunct
80 pan Is 70 make II social centre as we'll as a
,'SEe.yper OF feeble minds and bodies The instttu-
o5 emo usually comes being a factory
--Le eIId as II IS possible 4e is fed
- t.s - and handled IN wholesale groups. He goes
- Lee n mass, gets up in and Is treated zen
10y IN gross amounts IN a way that is most dis
aonahtageous 10 his spiritual and mental life The
~ gym lUTn Is 10 be social ~
Ssllefet through little sOdalties and clubs accord
needs. men SocidI
THEIR SPECIAL EXERCISES
With the intention OF enabling these deacients
~ take exercise in thoroughly free but thoroughly
regulated way. the gymnasium Will be furnished
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