Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-30
Cases That ShOzU
the Uses of Psychology

II learned from the boys father that for sew.
eral months he had been lisess. had acted queerly
would not answer when spoken and stayed by
himself great deal that he had lost a position he
held for time because OF his apparent careless
lack OF interest that he had left home sew.
eral days before and had not been heard from until
time OF arrest
The boy said he had noted changes in his mental
condition dating back several months, that he had
suffered much from headaches, heard voices calling
his name and had noticed people the street point
ing at him and laughing him
mental examination showed well-developed
form OF dementia praecoX, adolescent insanity and
the boy was committed to State hospital for the
insane.
This represents type of mental disease tina, is
by infrequent among Migrants.
Illustrating the problem of feebe-mndedness
Female Record Case No. iS;-A young woman.
thirty.hve years old who has been problem in
this Court for twenty-one years. having a record
here OF thirtysiX arrests Woman herself says. I've
been arrested for everything but murder" Apparent
ly everything has been tried 10 form better habits
and reform her but without any good results.
Subjects father was chronic alcoholic; he died
when she was Ave years old and until the age of
Twelve she brought up in institutions and various
homes. She never could get further than the third
grade In school, and at the age OF twelve away
from home.
The Court ordered that mental examination be
made, with result that woman was found to be
feebemnded; although thirty-fve years DID, she has
the mental level Of ten years and is incapable of
properly proHting by the usual methods of treatment
This woman is in need OF such benevolent confne.
ment as Will protect her from her own weaknesses.
until by the Development OF proper habits she may
be safely returned society if is every possible
Male Record Case No. 29S-Man aged forty
three years arrested in this court twenty times for
drunkenness within the last seven years. Neither
penal treatment nor probation has in any way de-
TERED him from continuing his steady of alcohol
and frequent drunkenness.
A study OF his ordered BY the Court with
result that progressive impairment Of his mental
faculties evident; he showed a mental level of
eight years. The not capable of exercising
enable him to profit veil by the usual methods Of
penal or probationary treatment He was In need OF
prolonged hospital and attention.
This man represents the type of the odd rounder'
chronic alcoholic. who has been steadily using
alcohol period OF great many years and
whose mentality Is impaired that he needs pro.
longed attention
Representing a amenable type amongst the
chronic alcoholics is the following case:
Female Record No If1-A middle aged woman
forty-nne years old. with record Of nineteen
rests in this court for drunkenness The usual form
OF penal treatment had been tried without very good
results
In September, 1914 a careful study Of this womans
case was made She found 10 be mental de-
fectve, and with such low grade mentality as TO
quire coinual supervision she was to be prevented
from further misconduct Proper Interest and co.
operation OF her family secured and the woman
required to coll frequently at the office, in the
probation officer. The woman came In on an average
of once g week. and this wes kept Up for several
months without any return Oh her part to her old
babits OF drinking. Finally 1t seemed though she
might be trusted to discontinue her visits but the
mistake was soon evident by finding her again in the
House OF Detention charged with drunkenness. She
was put on probation again and the same careful
methods applied formerly. with the results.
After several months greater freedom WAS given her
-obe was not required to report at the office with