88 On Idiotism. 
idiots; the deficiency of intellect varies. in 
its degree, so that we have the complete and 
the partial Idiot; several families have pro- 
duced two or three of these individuals; they 
are a class of beings generally of short lifes 
and on this account many slip into an early 
grave without being noticed. As this list 
is composed chiefly of individuals who had 
overcome the serious diseases of infaney and 
childhood, it is certain that a more careful 
enquiry would extend it considerably, by 
bringing forward those who have escaped 
popular observation; it is however suffi- 
ciently ‘large to ascertain the fact. 
In the Alps, and the Appeunines; im the 
Pyrennees, and the Cevennes; in Tartary, 
and in Bootan; and generally where Idiotism 
is endemic, that enlargement of the neck 
termed Goitre, consisting of tumour of the 
Thyroid gland is found to prevail. This 
tumour is found in many parts of England; 
it is frequently seen in the neighbourhood 
where the intellectual feebleness now spoke 
of is found. It is observed in Warwickshire, 
Norfolk, Lancashire, and more especially 
upon the hills in the county of Derby; its 
prevalence in the last named district is so 
great that it has acquired the name of Der- 
byshire neck, and is so known throughout 
