I04 



NATURE 



[November 23, 191 1 



in the mineral kingdom is discussed, and a list of 

 examples given, which might be considerably en- 

 larjjed. Three lectures are devoted to two-component 

 systems, introducing the subjects of solution and solid 

 solution, and discussing the crystallisation of silicate- 

 magmas of ideal binary composition. Next we come 

 in due order to three-component systems, which are 

 treated less fully than might be expected. The author 

 makes a bold attempt to construct a diagram for th«^ 

 system silica-lime-magnesia by combining data drawn 

 from various sources. He does not allude, except in 

 a passing reference, to Schreincmakcr's work. Thf 

 important case of an aqueous solution containing 

 several components receives due notice, and the results 

 of van 't Hoff's researches on the crystallisation of 

 marine salts are given at some length. A lecture on 

 surface energy in its application to geological pheno- 

 mena contains much interesting matter. Joly's work 

 on sedimentation is not cited, but there is an account 

 of Schade's curious researches on the oolitic structure. 

 In the final lecture, dealing with cosmology and vul- 

 canology, the author has permitted himself some 

 latitude of speculation, and some of his remarks are 

 at least open to debate. 



The book will serve as a very useful guide to 

 chemical geology. Its information is in general well 

 up to date, though a few exceptions may be found ; 

 for instance, Shepherd and Rankin showed two \'ears 

 ago that the high-temperature form of silica is not 

 tridymite but cristobalite. A. H, 



FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN. 



(i) The Feeble-minded: a Guide to Study and Prac- 

 tice. By Dr. E. B. Sherlock. With an introduc- 

 tory note by Sir H. B. Donkin. Pp. xx+327. 

 (London : Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 191 1.) Price 

 8s. 6d. net. 



(2) Feeble-niindedness in Children of School Age. By 

 Dr. C. P. Lapage. With an appendix on Treat- 

 ment and Training by Mary Dendy. Pp. xiv + 359. 

 (Manchester: University Press, 191 1.) Price 55. 

 net. 



THESE two books are in a sense complementary 

 of one another, the former being a work which 

 might easily be of interest to the general reader, and 

 will certainly be a useful help to those who are 

 engaged in the care of the feeble-minded, while the 

 latter is essentially a scientific book in which idiocy 

 and imbecility are treated from a more academic point 

 of view. Both works take full advantage of the 

 information obtained by the Royal Commission on the 

 Care and Control of the Feeble-minded, which was 

 appointed in 1904 and concluded its work in 1909. 



(i) Dr. Sherlock's book has seventy pages devoted 

 to a brief account of the nature of mind and its 

 physical basis. The two chapters, though brief, give 

 a very good working foundation for the study of 

 mental deficiency. Then follow another sixty-four 

 pages on the nature of the " feeble mind " and its 

 physical basis, including discussions and illustrations 

 of such conditions as microgyria, porencephaly, irre- 

 gularity of the convolutions, &c. There is also a 

 description of changes in the dura mater, skull cap 

 NO. 2195. VOL. 88] 



and scalp and of the various deformities comm< 

 known as the physical stigmata of degeneration. 



The chapter on "Causation " is excellent and, 1 

 alia, compresses into a short space all the chief vi 

 which have been held in modern times as to 

 nature of heredity. 



Dr. Sherlock introduces a new classification of 

 varieties of idiocy which coincides for the most i 

 with former classifications, but there are some r 

 words which display his known tendency to esc! 

 consonants from his neologisms. The "atelci 

 forms " are the " minds in miniature " will, 

 abnormal development of any one faculty, such 

 occurs in some idiots. The hypertrophic sclerosi- 

 Bourneville receives the new name "epiloia" wi 

 includes the author's cases formerly comprised by 

 term "anoia." All the paralytic cases are grov 

 together under the name of "plegic forms " and tl 

 is a separate group of "residual forms" in w! 

 are included presumably all the rarest forms of idi« 

 The author does not make any separate group for 

 epileptic idiots inasmuch as he regards the occurrence 

 of fits as accidental to all varieties of idiocy and 

 sufTicient to warrant a separate clinical group, h' 

 ever convenient for practical purposes. 



The work concludes with a very clear chapter on 

 the handling of the feeble-minded, the way in which 

 they may be placed under care, legal relationshi 

 mental and physical examination, mental and phys 

 training, craftsmasters, craftsmistresses, &c. 



(2) Dr. Lapage 's book, so far as practical relat: 

 ship of the feeble-minded is concerned, is based n 

 experience at the Sandlebridge Colony for the Fe' ■ 

 minded, and there is an appendix by Miss M 

 Dendy, honorary secretary of the Lancashire ai.u 

 Cheshire Society for the Permanent Care of the 1 

 Feeble-minded, on the treatment and training of tlv 

 patients. 



Her chapter, in common with the rest of the b( 

 is very well arranged under the headings of adi 

 sions, food, dress, dormitories, bath-rooms and 1. 

 tories, wardrobes, dining- and day-rooms, kite! 

 utensils, school, work, games, hospital and si 

 rooms. 



Naturally the treatment of the subject by 1 

 Lapage falls under similar headings to those of 1 

 Sherlock. There are chapters on the statistics of 

 subject, on the physical and mental characteristics 

 the patients, diagnosis and prognosis, &c. 



Four chapters are devoted to the condition of • 

 brain in feeble-mindedness and on its causation 

 inherited and acquired factors. 



To the general practitioner an appendix givinc 

 list of institutions for the mentally defective, includi 

 asylums, homes, colonies, and schools, will be foi; 

 exceedingly useful, seeing that mental deficiency 

 so very common, and the provision for patients sufi 

 ing therefrom so small and so little known. Th 

 is a very good chapter on the defects of speech. 



From both the above books we learn that feeble- 

 mindedness is an incurable condition and that the 

 only hope for such patients lies in institution care. 

 The patients can be trained to become useful in 

 handiwork and capable of earning their own livin: 



