The sun., 1916-08-28
MEASURING MINDS.
The Binct. Simon system Of Brain
Examination Defended.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Str: Your
editorial article Measuring Minds" as
we'll as the judicial pronouncement
which ELECTED II, will be much more
gratifying to the average reader than
vexatious to those you designate as
theorists,
The subject Of feeblemindedness ESQ
called) is less understood than 1t should
be for the public good. 1t Is not. as
YOU seem to think, based upon theory.
The talented investigators who de-
vised the Binet-Simon tests had an
enormous number of scientifically de-
veloped facts upon which to base their
experiments. So far as these particular
tests are concerned, they can be applied
by an expert In such a manner that a
very accurate diagnosis can he made
Of the condition Of the brain OF the
subject.
We cannot see into the brain Of one
Of these unfortunates during life. but
the brain substance Of thousands OF
them has been carefully examined. and
a study OF the facts SO obtained, along
with the life history of the individuals.
has made It possible TO place each one
In a definite class. In the EFFORT to do
all that is possible for these unfortu-
mates, as well as to protect society from
potential criminals. paupers and moral
perverts found among them, and also In
the effort to keep them from filing the
world with their even more unfortunate
progeny. it became highly desirable to
devise means to determine the degree OF
cerebral development In all cases.
One defective In a class will retard
the progress of the whole number by
from 10 per cent. to 90 per cent, as any
experienced and intelligent school teacher
will tell you. Removal OF the detectives
TO classes where the. instruction Is more
suitable to such cases improves their
condition and eliminates a useless ex-
pcnse from the class. The Binet-Simon
tests make this possible.
"The rest Of us" stand In frightful
dread OF being placed in the defective
class, and with very good reason. In
100 OF us. just one will be perfect. The
remaining ninety-nine will run steadily
down the scale to zero, where the help
less idiot is found. Probably the most
Of us average well above the 80 mark.
Certainly all who are capable OF main
tanning existence without assistance.
under present clas~sincations, are safe.
The time Is coming when II will he
possible to give every Individual a num-
Der which will express a degree OF physi-
cal development as well as mental de-
velopment. Indeed. we are doing It now
In an indefinite way. and men are ex-
| T1rInd FROM, Tho nrya x,.In 10 not
measu up to the physical standard. as
they are from banks. professions and
occupations when they are below moral
standards-which. thanks to such in
vcstigators as those who developed the
tests YOU deride. we now know are lack
ins In number or quality of certain
nerve cells or groups Of nerve cells in
the brain. The sooner we look these
facts in the face the soonc we shall
arrive at "A point where IL will be pos.
siblc to correct the condition upon
which depends the incident OF feeble.
mindcdness.
The Judge who allows his prelude,
TO prevent such study OF this subjec,
as would enable him TO comprehend /,
Will continue to turn loose upon the word.
away from institutions where alone
comfort. happiness and well being are
provided, these unfortunates to a life
OF misery and often OF crime. with III.
certainty that society must pay the bill
and that future generations will sufe,
multiplied Affections because Of II. Prob
ably in the case IN question those VIII,
presented the evidence assumed tn,
judge would he familiar with tho fact,
concerning tho suhjec: of fechlominded,
ness. THERON &. SrrARNs, NJ. D..
JERSEY CITY. y. j.. July 81.