South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-08-09
MICHIGAN DOCTOR
CLAIMS INSANITY
CAN BEPREVENTED
DIR. Barrett, University Pro-
fessor, Declares Problem
One of Greatest.

ANN ARBCR, Mich. Aug. s.
There is no problem that should be
II more concern 70 the people than
the mental health OF its citizens.
for il is this that determines the
capacity OF its people to respond 10
cultural Influences that mold char
acter and determine progress" says
DR.. A NJ Barrett.
DR.. Barrett is professor Of psy-
chiatry and diseases Of the nervous
system. in the University Of Michi-
gan medical school. and director Of
the Michigan State Psychopathic
hospital at Ann Arbor.
Insanity Open To Control.
He contends that heredity insan-
ity is open TO control and that the
development Of those abnormalities
OF mind and conduct which some
times later in life cause mental dis
orders. are very possibly prevent
able. if recognized in childhood and
corrected. In this connection he at
tacks the public school which runs
by rule and rote, without differentia-
ton between types Of pupils.
I'VE are familiar with the great
differences in physique and in
minds OF children in the same FAM
lily. yet we place our children in a
school system organized for train
ing children as if they were equally
endowed" he says "As one thinks
of this, it's absurdity is evident. Elk
perience shows a very unequal apti-
tude Of children for doing a pre-
scribed work in any average of ef-
ficiency. Given a nervous child. one
which comes Of a family strain
which makes it liable TO the occur
ance Of nervous and mental dis
turbances. its training becomes a
very serious problem. Not only is
this true in the school but still
more so in the family. Parents
should early appreciate the differ
ences in personalities OF children.
Zone should recognize that a nerv-
Gus instability is often back Of alb
normal sensitiveness, shyness and
seclusion. the lack of self-depend
ence and vaciliating will.
Stronger Wills Sought
The training of the child is not
different from that OF the aduIt
who finds himself troubled with
nervousness or mental peculiarities.
Education of the Will controls our
attention A disturbance Of the Will
is the chief symptom of the men
tally abnormal and peculiar psy-
cnopathic personalities who stand
on the borderland OF insanity. The
training later on becomes a self
training and in this all that lea os
to strict normality, towards sim
plicity, indifference 10 pain and dis
comforts, utilizing all that promotes
bodily health strengthens the re-
sistance.
The best protection one las
against the development Of neuras-
thenia, hysterical and unhappy
mental states is self-contidence and
a strong will and a disregard OF
feelings which stand in opposition
to ones best judgment.
"In the schools there should be a
cooperation between physicians and
teachers Provision should be made
for the separation Of children ac-
cording 10 personal aptitude. There
should be special classes for back
ward children. This has already
been done in schools Of the larger
cities. A careful attention 10 the
physical condition Of the child
should be a matter OF practice. a
higher standard OF qualifications
should be made of teachers. and
they should have a training in psy-
chology which would fit them 10
meet the personal difficulties or
their pupils. Too often what is re-
garded by the teachers as inatten-
ton due TO obstinacy IS but a sign
OF a more easily fatigued brain.
Says Alcohol Vital Factor.
Whatever tends toward strength
ening the body must act we'll upon
the mind Mind and body are in
separable and reciprocally respon-