Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-01

the boys. In the laundry they learn
to wash, iron, and fold clothes. In
the dining and kitchens they
learn to wait on tables, and to assist
in cooking.
The training Of the low grade de-
fectives is a slower and more diff
cult problem. On account of their
low mentality, the idiots are able to
learn to perform only the simplest
tasks. Things which normal children
learn without effort and without be-
ing conscious Of learning, these child
rem must learn by slow and tedious
process, indeed, If they learn them at
all. After much painstaking effort on
the part of the teacher, about all we
can teach these lowest in intelligence
is some slight Improvement in their
habits and conduct. Some can be
trained to eat more properly and to
pay some attention to other natural
wants; but unfortunately not all are
able to learn how to properly perform
even the simplest of movements.
The Future Problem.
now wish to call the attention of
the profession to the special problem
of future State care of the feeble
do not have any definite information
as to the actual number of feeble
minded persons in the State; but since
the institution was opened at Pownal
there have been requests for the adj
mission of over 1000 feeb1e-minded
persons. There is every reason for
believing, however, that the actual
number of feeble-minded within the
State is much larger.
In England and Wales, where off,
cial Investigations have been made.
it has been found that 1 in every 243
of the population is feeble-minded.
In New York State the estimates run
from / in 800 to l in 200 of the popu-
lation. Throughout the United States
the lowest estimate has been given as
1 in 500 of the population. Now, If we
accept the smallest proportion for
Maine, or l feeble minded person in
500 of the population, we would have
approximately 1900 of this class of
people in the State.
What shall we do with this large
number of dependent people? Let US
see how the State has met similar
problems in the past. AS 1 have al
ready stated, Maine has provided
State care for the insane for nearly
quarters Of a century, or, to be
exact, 70 years, and we are now car
ing for more than 1900 Of this worthy,
but extremely unfortunate, class of
citizens. Why not do the same for
the feeble minded as for the insane?
The feeble-minded are always de-
pendent, and never capable of self
support without supervision. While
some of them are apparently harmless,
the great majority of them are a
source of greater danger to the COM
munity than are the insane. 1t is
estimated that from 25 to 40 per cent.
of the reformatory, Jail, and prison
population belong to the class of high
grade imbeeiles or the defective de-
linquent class.
The feeble minded girl between the
ages of Is and as years is source
of potential danger to the community.
Recent Investigations have demon
strated that the Predetermined wo-
man is twice as prolific as the nor
NAL woman. DR.. Goddard, of Vine
land, n. J., has also found that the
heredity of feeble mindedness, for the
most part comes from the feeble
minded woman.
At the lowest estimate of the total
number OF feeble minded within the
State. Maine is now providing State
care for 256, or for about one-sixth
of the total number. Last year 437
feeble-minded were supported by the
cities and towns in the State. This
makes total of nearly 700 support
ed by means of public funds. While
all those supported by the towns, cf-
ties and relatives, outside of an in
stitution are receiving some care, we
know too well that the great major
ity of them are not properly cared
for, nor is the community protected
from their dangerous tendencies.
Many mothers and fathers write us
that their feeble-minded boy or girl
has become unmanageable in one way
or another. Overseers of the poor
write us that this or that feeble-mind-
ed woman has given birth to illegiti-
mate children, and that they have no
means by which to prevent the re-
currence.
The answer, then, in my opinion. to
the great question: What shall
Maine DO WITH ner ieeplS-liiAhoSus 10,
Segregation and State care BY
segregation and properly caring for
the feeble-minded, they themselves are
made happier and more useful, society
is protected from many crimes, and
future generations of feeble-minded
persons can be materially decreased.
DR.. H. H. Hart of New York, has
stated: IF every feeble-minded wo-
man should be faithfully segregated
for 20 years, at least so percent. Of
feeble mindedness would disappear"
Some of you may ask, why not
sterilize the feeble minded and thus
prevent them from procreating their
kind2" That, 1 feel, in connection
with certain cases, would be a step
in the right direction; but public SEN
timent is so strongly against 1t that
fear it will at best be only a partial
remedy.
In closing, I wish to make a final
appeal to the members of this dis
tinguished club, and to the profession
in the State, that you will use your
powerful influence for better care and
training of the feeble-minded of this