Evening star., 1912-11-16
FOR HELP TO. CHILD
Georgetown University Hospi-
tai InstalIs New Department.
TO MAKE SPECIAL STUDY
Laboratory in Charge Of Dr.. D.
Percy Hickling and Three
Assistants.
70 MAKE SPECIAL STUDY


laboratory, such as was conducted at the
fifth international congress on hygiene
and demography by DR.. Mary r. Camp
bell of Milwaukee and Chicago, the most
adequate results in the study of mental
and physical diseases Of children may be
obtained, Georgetown University Hos
pital has installed such a department.
This new department will be used ex-
clusively for the purpose which the name
suggests. and will be made a part of the
curriculum Of the medical school of the
university.
DR.. D. Percy Hickling is in charge of
the new department., and has as his as
sistants DR.. B. Glueck. DR.. ]. ]. Madigan
and Miss Margaret Stewart. DR.. Hick-
ling holds clinics at the hospital Saturday
morning from 10 to IL o'clock, and We'd
nesday afternoon from to 3 o'clock.
Preliminary examinations, which include
the Binet-Simon test for intelligence and
the anthropometric examinations, are
given by Miss Stewart at various times
during the week by appointment. after
which physicians conduct thorough med
ical examinations. The physicians, as
far as possible. learn the heredity Of the
child, especially in mental cases.
A child who seems different in his
play, at school or at home, is the type
that will be studied most, said DR.. Hick-
ling. In many cases., 1t Is pointed out, 1t
will be a simple matter to remedy
troubles of child which to the parents
or teachers seem great. Sometimes the
different child. 1t is said. is not re-
ceiving the proper home training.
Build Up Body Of Child.
In many cases. according to the physi-
clan, where the Child seems not to be
mentally normal, the lack of mental de-
velopment may be quickly built up by
building up the body of the patient with
proper nourishment. In some instances
where a child is not getting along well
In school it is found that by advancing
him one or two grades that he will be
perfectly at home with his fellow school
mates, while in others it is recommended
that the child be put back grade.
Although many cases are similar, it is
said that new phases are discovered
daily. The examinations given the chill
dren are simple and do not frighten or
make them nervous
BY the Binet-Simon test the mental
age Of the child is determined. The
normal child when one year old will
choose piece Of candy instead Of
block and will initiate simple move
ments. 1t also will grasp things in its
hand and the eyes will follow light
At three years the child will touch its
eyes. nose or mouth, or pictures of these,
when directed. He also should know his
family name and be able to repeat easy
sentences of six syllables
The child Of four should know its own
sex and recognize articles such as q key,
knife or penny, be able to repeat three
numerals and tell which is the longer of
lines differing by centmeter. At five
he should be able to draw q recognizable
square, after copy, count four pennies
repeat short sentences and rearrange
rectangular card that has been cut di-
agonally into tw" triangles
At six the child 81. ould know the right
hand and foot from the left, and should
know pretty face from a distinctly
ugly one.
Test Becomes More Severe.
From seven years up to the adult fifteen
years the test becomes gradually more
severe. In this time he should have
learned the value of stamps know some
Of the fundamental colors. names of the
days of the week and be able to say them
in order quickly, know what to do in
various emergencies and be able to define
many words.
Five of the tests to be given to the child
more than fifteen years old are as follows:
Imagines and draws result of cutting
triangle from side OF twice folded paper.
Imagines and draws new form produced
by joining transposed pieces of diagonally
divided rectangular card.
Distinguishes from abstract terms OF
similar sound and meaning.
Gives three differences between the pres
ident of republic and king.
Gives a central thought Of a selection
read to him.
Many children are found to be mentally
older than their physical age.