Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-01
State Care and Training of
The Feeble Minded in Maine,
By Superintendent of Home

before the Portland Medical Club. The
history of the work and the descrip-
ton of conditions and ambitions at
this State institution, by one familiar
with every detail, seems of general
public interest as well as of particular
value to the medical fraternity. DIR.
Hedin said, IN part:
In discussing the subject of state
care and training of the feeble-minded
IN Maine, / shall attempt to consider
briefly, first, the history OF the work;
second, the work being done at pres
ent; and third, the future problem and
its magnitude.
The problem of State care and train
ing of the feeble-minded in Maine is
Of comparatively recent origin. AL
though the insane were provided for
with state care nearly three quarters
of a century ago, no such provision
was made for the feeble-minded in
this State until within the last decade.
This lack or failure of earlier provis-
ion for the proper care Of the feeble
minded, was probably due to indiffer-
ence of the medical profession, as we'll
as to public Inconsistencies of the
widespread prevalence of feeble-mind-
edness.
1t was not until the year 1907 that
the need of State care and training of
the feeble minded in Maine became 50
urgent that the Legislature passed an
Act which provided for the care and
education of this unfortunate class of
people A sum of $4,000 was appropri-
ated the same year for the purpose of
purchasing a site and establishing an
institution for the feeble-minded.
Nearly 1900 acres of land were secur-
ed at the junction of the towns of New
Gloucester, Gray, North Yarmouth,
and Pownal; and in the fall Of 1908
the Maine School for Feeble minded
was esta blished.
AS no new buildings had been erect
ed. only a few feeble minded boys
were admitted that fall. who were
housed in old farm houses which had
been repaired. The construction of a
new frame building to accommodate
fifty boys was at once begun. This
building was completed in February,
1909. In 1910 another frame building
for fifty more boys was added, and in
1911 two brick buildings for girls were
opened. The capacity Of the institu-
ton at the present time is 25S. and
as soon as a permanent water supply
is installed we can open another reno
waited farm house, which will accom-
MEDIATE is more children, making the
total capacity 276.
Before leave the history of State
care for the Predetermined in Maine,
permit me to recall to your attention
the much debated question of whether,
or not, the present location of Maine
School for Predetermined should be
changed From my own knowledge of
the needs of an institution OF this
kind, and my personal experience with
this institution, I1a firmly believe
that the present location is very ad-
mirably adapted toszthe needs OF an
institution of this character. The
school is located out in the country
away from the city, which gives the
children the benefit of an abundant
supply of fresh air and sunshine, so
essential for the Improvement and de-
velopment of children afflicted With
physical and mental defects. The dis
lance from the city saves our In
mates from many curiosity seekers
who would distract the children
feeble attention in their effort OF
learning. The feeble minded are also
better adapted for simple country life
than any other kind of environment.
Out on the farm they enjoy much free
dom. are happy, and can be trained TO
follow simple but useful occupations.
The only objection to the present
location of the institution, / believe, is
the luck of an adequate water supply.
This, however. can be rsmedled; ana
l expect that a permanent water sup
ply will be installed within a few
months.
The Work at the School.
The care and training of the feeble
minded as now carried on in this state
is the special subject of my paper. AS
vacancies in the School occur, we Sc
| lect for admission the most urgent
| cases among the hundreds of feeble
minded persons for whom applications
for admission have been received
These cases are then committed to our
institution by much the same proceed
| IRE as the insane are committed tc
our state hospitals.
After admission our inmates are CIV
en- a physical and mental examination
and CLASSIFIED according to age, physl-
cal ana mental COnultIOL. All tetiSili-
BILE boys and girls under 16 years OF
age, and in certain cases under 20, are
then grouped in classes according to
their mental age and given instruction
adapted to their mentality. The higher
grades are able to learn to read, write
and do simple arithmetic. In the man.
ual training and industrial rooms
they learn to work at various occupa-
lions. The boys learn to do cobbling
carpentry, painting. cane-seating
weaving, basketry, etc. The girls learn
to do knitting, sewing, rug making,
embroidery, weaving, lace making, and
crocheting.
AS already stated, only the higher
grades in mentality of the feeble
minded are capable of learning from
literary instruction; but all, except the
very lowest or the idiots, are improved
by manual and industrial training.
The feeble minded, on account Of their
intellectual deficiency, are not able to
comprehend and remember abstract
things; thy must be taught by simpl-
err and more practical methods. 1t is
for this reason that manual and indus
trial training are more beneficial and
of more importance in their education
IIaro the r,,,y,iIS q ro taught hV object