The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-06
Frustrated Minds
By H. ADDINaroN BRg3CR

Fully comparable with the tragedy of feeble- -mindedness, and in some respects even sadder, is the tragedy involved in the mys- terious weakening of intellect occasionally seen in persons who during their early lives, were demonstrably not feeble-minded. Such persons, unless their plight is rec ognized and protective measures taken, are aut to become as grave social problems as the unrecognized victim of inborn feeble mindedness who goes about exposed to all sorts of evil suggestions. A typical case is found in the history of a young man who eventually became an inmate of St. Eliz- abeth's Hospital, the federal institution for the insane in Washington.
 This young man had been transferred to St. Elizabeth's from Leavenworth prison, where he was serving a term for robbery of post office. He was reported to be sub ject to attacks of melancholia and to have shown suicidal tendencies.
 Observation at St. Elizabeths bore out this report. It alse was found that he was strangely sluggish mentally. His whole ap- pearance and manner, in fact, were the appearance and manner of mental defective
 But inquiry into his history revealed that he had once been bright enough.
 As boy in school he had been vigorous, energetic and quick to learn. At sixteen he had left school to go to work. For three years he did well as worker.
 Then, for no apparent reason, he became restless and discontented. From being so- ciable, he beSame seclusive and morose He grew quiet, never looked on the bright side of things" His efficiency. first gradually, then rapidly, lessened. a4 t.
 While in this eondition-a condition of unfecognized mental ill-health--he robbed a post office and escaped detection. There after he became a wanderer, continuing to keep himself in funds by rohbing post offices, until at last he was caught, convicted, and sent to Leavenworth.
 How explain mental weakening such as this? It is indeed difficult of explanation in any individual case.
 The simplest explanation - and the one formerly accounted of universal applicability assumes that, despite the seeming bright ness of the first years, there is an inherited mental weakness that shows itself as soon as the demands, cares and responsibilities of maturity are laid on the one who becomes mentally dull.
 This is the so-called constitutional i'm feriority" doctrine, and that it does ade- quately explain some cases of unexpected mental weakening would seem unquestionable But. in the light of recent medical research, it may well be questioned whether it ex- plains all cases.
 It is quite possible-for that matter, high ly probable-that infections of one sort, or another, and particularly focal infections in the head or the intestinal tract, are respon- sible in a number of cases. In others there would seem to be reason to suspect that glandular disorders are to blame.
 Which, of course, suggests that the out look for the mentally deteriorated may in time be much more hopeful than at present. And, for that matter, occasional reports of favorable results obtained by gland therapy, treatment of diseased teeth and tonsils, treat ment to correct intestinal intoxication. etc.. go strongly to justify an optimistic view of what may be accomplished in the future.