OF A CERTAIN PENNSYLVANIA FAMILY. 75 



mother. One day while playing with matches set fire to his clothes 

 and was burned to death. 



IV-133, born 1890. Health always good, senses normal, walked at 

 18 months and talked at 2 years, but articulation poor, all words being 

 reduced to one syllable. Always active, vigorous, mischief-making. 

 Mental defect early became apparent. Color and number sense failed 

 in development almost entirely under conditions at home. Could run 

 errands, carry wood and water, but for most of the time was meddle- 

 some, disobedient, on the roads, or up to some senseless prank all day 

 long. Committed to the Institution for the Care of the Feeble-Minded, 

 Polk, by the county directors of the poor, 1904. Medical examina- 

 tion February 1908 showed nutrition good, reflexes absent, no marked 

 physical defect excepting enlarged tonsils and rather poor circulation. 

 Classified as a mid-grade imbecile. Placed in school and proved a 

 very talkative, inattentive child. In the course of 6 months learned 

 to sit still,do paper-pasting and cutting, managed to do the Klondike- 

 step, and to count up to 5. Improved during the following year until 

 he became very helpful as an errand-boy, and learned to sew carpet- 

 rags; but showing no advance w^hatever during the ensuing year 

 (1906-7), he was taken out of school to help in the cottages. Since he 

 could not be relied upon to perform many household tasks accepta- 

 bly, now helps in such outdoor work as pushing the lawn-mower. 

 Is a pleasant-mannered boy, usually grinning, very fond of baseball 

 and other sports. The circle of his interests limited to mamma's 

 visits and the county fair. 



IV-134, born 1892. General health always fairly good, but slightly 

 less vigorous and active than his brother. Walked at 2 years and 3 

 months. Had "warm fits" when a year old, and mental defect notice- 

 able from early childhood. Appetite and sense of taste were normal. 

 Could tell colors but badly, recognize form, and distinguish pictures. 

 Learned to talk and sew, able to utter polysyllables, though indis- 

 tinctly, always rather quiet and good-tempered. Less aggressively 

 mischievous than his brother. Committed to Polk, 1904. Medical 

 examination showed nutrition good, general appearance anemic, 

 reflexes normal, no physical defect excepting weak heart and partial 

 optic atrophy. Classified as a mid-grade imbecile. When placed in 

 school talked a great deal. He showed some capacity for education 

 and interest and improved in his conduct. Showed considerable per- 

 sistence, until at the end of a year and a half he could sew carpet-rags 

 and baskets beautifully and count up to 10. During the ensuing year 

 (1906-7) learned a number of new words, read a little from books, and 

 handled very small numbers and quantities successfully. School work 

 continued for 3 more years, when it was found that he had completed 

 82 pages of Cyr's second reader. Learned to recite addition and 



