Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Is MENTAL HYGIENE?WITH | SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE | FEEBLEMINDED. (By Dr. Frank O'Brien of the Louis?? v^le Mental Survey). In the preparation of a paper on the subject of Mental Hygiene a well known expert on mental diseases | found to hi6 great astonishment that had iotted down no less than seventy-nine headings. Needless to say he did not present the subject in full to his audience. However the fact illustrates the scope of this very important medical subject. I Mental Hygiene is that division of medicine whch has to do with the proper recognition. It is concerned with the health of the individual and for this reason all physical, social and industrial factors affecting him must be included. It is concerned with the human being 'in toto', but with special reference to the mental. It is concerned with all conditions that make for ill health and consequent < social mal-adjustment, in order to eradicate them; it is also concerned very deeply with those that make foi normal health and success in order to preserve those present and to develop those that are latent. : * I Mental Hygiene, therefore, is a sub,- i ject that has place and need in every state, county and City activity; yes? ! its goal takes it still farther into the! very heart of socety?the home, and the human beings living there. The laity and the medical profes- j sion need no warning about the indi- ! viduality in the human being. How-! -*- J ,v.^T +r?siinir>?r the f ever, u auts nvr.-m ii,?, ? ? ( large groups of children in the public j schools and in dealing with the de-1 - . lendant in the court, or the inmate in the institution that the interest of the j individual is lost sight of or clouded, j And all this in spite of the fact that 'the rock udod which social progress is founded is consideration of the inh' dividual.' To make possible a more intelligent, a more humane handling of our delinquent problems especially, it is neces1' \ eary to convince these authorities that in the final analysis it i9 not government they are serving, but society; land it is not society collectively that is so important as its individual con stituents?man woman ana cnua. " To solve these problems, made nec; essary by the inability of so many individuals, to adjust themselves proper" erly to the demands of our present f 'complex society, we must consider K more the needs and less the deeds as we have so often failed to do. f How many of the general public fr v ; Ithow that-many ol^he insane in our state hospital today could have been prevented from ever becoming state wards i? they were rightly understood when they were young and properly? j How many of the general public know that a large proportion of our delinquents need never had become such if they were properly handled at a time when much could have been done for them? How many know that many of the dependents today are in our almshouses because they were neglected by the state during that period when early recognition and proper education would have changed them into self supporting members of society? Finally, how many realize that hundreds of thousands of dollars are j needlessly being spent yearly for thej permanent care of these state wards and only because of wanton neglect. Human beings do not become socially maladjusted by accident nor do they bescome so by the directing force of divine will. The law of cause and ' effect applies just as accurately to human beings and their response to their particular environment, as it does in any other condition. It is because we t more fortunate creatures are too apt to feel that our duty is well done when we spend thousands of dollars to take care of these unfortunates when little Jelse for their good can be given them other than custodial care. The curriculum in our public schools is arranged on the assumption that1 all chldren are a like (or if they not | not we will make them alike,; that i they have the same capabilities, possibilities and propensites, and there is practically no provision matte ior me i child who prove the exception to the rule. The courts, in mo9t cases judicate and sentence the accused according to their deeds and never by their , needs; the institutional authorities! again assume that those committed to' their care are all the same, and that those who do not conform to the arbitrary, iron clad rules and regulations of the institution do so because of j inherent meanness. That infraction of rules might be due to the inability ! of the inmate to do otherwise is never considered. Intensive studies in this, and other j states prove conclusively that human nature is not so uniform and identical as some of our methods assume. The public schools have in addition to those children with special sense de-! feet, such as near or far sightedness, poor hearing, and the like, and deli-! ntfce organ disturbances such as heart,! fcl 1 pEL ' lung or kidney, the retarded and feebleminded," the psychopathic and neurotic, the epileptic and the child with speech defect. All of these present very different problems and reo.uire Special training, each according ! to his peculiar abnormally. To refuse or to deny the child of this training is . to heap up upon the already existing I burdens carried by the state. For the { child of today does not remain so ! forever; as he is the man of tomorrow ! he must be trained when still a child ! so that he will ever be ready to take J ; on the ever increasing responsibilities I of the adult. This training is his ! by birthright, and the more the al>i normal the individual the greater the | duty of the state to provide the special j training needed, a duty both to the I child and to the state. | A study of our institutions throughout the state show what a large penality the state pays when she neglects | these unfortunates when they were I children. Time does not permit a discussion of all, or many of causes of dependency or delinquency so for that reason we will consider very briefly the greatest, single, causative factor, namely Feeblemindedness. Feebleminded is a condition of mental arrest existing from birth or early childhood due to which the individual cannot carry on the affairs of life with ordinary prudence. There are three groups of the feebleminded: IDIOT?is one who never has a mental age over that of about a two year old child and because of this lack of development is unable to protect itself from the ordinary dangers of life, is unable to feed, clothe or bathe itself ! and consequently is always a hospital case. The IMBECILE?is one who. - * -1 ! ? llOQ no matter now om m hv.w | a mental age of that of a seven year | old child; these individuals can protect themselves from the ordinary dangers but cannot be made self supporting. The MORON?is one who no matter how old in years never has a mentality greater than the average eleven or twelve year old child; such, an individual can both protect him-j self from the ordinary dangers of life j and can be self supporting but cannot carry on the affairs of life with ordinary prudence. This later group i.c the most important one of the feebleminded because they are very frequently never recognized by the laity as feebleminded and as a result are allowed to put themselves into situations where they become a great danger and expense to the community. ? For the condition of feebleminded" ? mA ;? *Ti7/-k tVn'rdc ness tnere is nu cuic auu ?... v, of the cases it is due to heredity, i. e. it is handed on from parent to child. This combination of facts makes the feebleminded problem a most serious one when we again recall that they are especially prolific and reproduce their kind with greater frequency than do normal individuals, and through this reproduction provide an almost endless chain of offspring \vhich are a drain on the resources of any community. A study of our penal and correctional institutions shows that between 25 per cent and 35 per cent, of the inmates are feebleminded; that as high as 50 per cent, of the inmates of alms-1 houses are feebleminded; that as high as 62 per cent, of the delinquent girl* i are feebleminded. It is well to remember in this connection, as pointed out by Dr. Walter Fernald, that in most cases there need be no delinquency nor dependency in the feebleminded if he is recognized early enough and then properly trained according to his peculiar capacity to learn, and these methods are not those of the ordinary class room. It is when the state does not provide special training for this group that she is soon called upon to care for them in the most costly way possible, in her corrective and penal institu lions, in auusnuusca o.nu iii ? venerial clinics; methods that artmost costly because they offer no permanent relief from the situation for after spending all this money in giving them custodial and clinical care they are no better equipped to alter their mode of living due to their untrained and neglected constitution. There is no panacea for feeblemindedness. "We will always have the feebleminded with us. It is our duty then ,to give this roup of mentally abnormal individuals that peculiar training which they need due to their ab-! normal brain development. The path of life followed by the j untrained is a perfectly logical one. As he cannot learn by the ordinary j methods of the class room where he j has always been a constant draw back j to the other children, a source of j trouble to the teacher and where he himself has been taught that he is not able to take his place and compete with the other children of the same age. Sooner or later he is forced into Tthe streets to become the companion j of the indolent, and .trouble making group who are often more intellectual Than he. In short time he becomes the 'tool' of stronger 'minds' to be used by them in their delinquent activities. J As a result it is arrested and hailed ! into court, where his deeds and those J not his needs are again considered. He is then sent to a corrective institution the length of stay being determinded by the nature of the act committed and not by the demands of I the individual for his help or reformation. He is sent out into the community again when he has served this arbitrary sentence, the entire senseless ! procedure to be repeated time ad time | again. For we frequently find poor : unfortunate feebleminded men who | have been in and out of jail and prison j * ' ' ' -A ?- *? ?V* /-V C* I twenty ana iniriy umca. . To successfully control this great and important group of social misfits it is necessary to start when they are young, at a time when they are still plastic and before mental deterioration has gone so far or before definite delinquent habits of living have been so strongly developed as to make preventive measures worthless. This is especially true of the feebleminded. As they cannot learn by the ordinary methods of the class room they need special training under specially trained teachers who are qualified to give this education . If there is i done most of the feebleminded can be I trained in the public school and the more costly training of the institution made unnecessary except for that proportion that show definite antisocial tendencies and who require not only special training but custodial care a? well. Many of this latter group after | they have been helped by the disturbing influences of adolescense can be returned back into society to take their place there as desirable members. Both juvenile and adult courts should have the advantage and help of mental clinics so that the needs of the offenders might be clearly understood and as a result the sentence could be more intelligently given in a way that would help make better sentences, it would take the form of treatment and one of punishment. Other institutions, private and pubi?/? nidations, as well as private individuals should have the advantages of mental and psychiatric clinics; these could be made possible by having such clinics added- to the already existing machinery, e. g. the medical examination of the imblic school children could be very well extended so as to include a thorough mental^examination as well. By this means the very early symptoms of mental and physi' cal disorders could be recognized and treated. Other organizations coulc secure this help from the soealled "flying clinic" which could very well i be added to the present functions of I the State Board of Health. Very important is a proper functioning school for the feebleminded. An institution that should serve almost all th? needs of the community a? far as the feebleminded are concerned, this institution should b( equipped to offer special training foi the feebleminded, such as vocational training, manual arts, etc.; it shoulc" give institutional care to all thost needing it especially to women o: child bearing age who manifest hypei sex tendencies ^nd all others showing onti cnr-ini nronensites. It should alsc serve" as a training school tor teachers who wish to take up the educating of the feebleminded in the public schools and for physicians and social workers desiring special training in the proper care of the feebleminded. The attacking of these problems J and especially that of the feebleminded from the preventive point of view by making proper provision for early j recognition and training is one that will save the states not only thousands of useful citizens which are now costly wards of the state because they I were neglected, but will save the etate the present needless expense 01 thousands of dollars. Subscribe to The DispatchNews, $1.50 per yearI CITATION NOTICE. State of South Carolina, County of Lexington.?By W. F. Hook, esquire, probate judge. Whereas, L. B. Kyzer made suit to me, to grant him Lecters of Administration of the Estate of and effects of Sarah Ann Rish. These are Therefore to cite and admonish all and singular the kindred and Creditors of the said L. B. Kyzer, deceased, that they be and appear, before me, in the Court of Probate, to be held at Lexington, C. H., S. C.. on 16th day May, 1922. next, after i publication hereof at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, to show cause, if any they have, why the said Administration should not be granted. Given under my Hand, this 1st day of May, Anno Domini, 1922. W. F. HOOK (L. S.) Probate Judge Lexington County. S. C. Published on the 3d day of May. 1922, in the Lexington paper, 2 weeks. VERONA DOTS. . A real cold and heavy rain fell again \ last Friday through this section. Mack Price and family of the Hollow Creek section were visitors in this section last Saturday. Mr. and Mrs. J. Ira Price and son. Lester, and Mr. and Mrs. Tillman Derrick and children all motored down to Mrs. Price's sister, Mr. and Mrs. L. F. Oswald last Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Crout of Saluda were in this section Sunday and dined with their daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Price. Jacob Frazier and family spent a while Sunday night at C. W. Price's. The Delmar school elosed last Saturday, and a large crowd attended and enjoyed the good exercises. Lawrence Rawl and family spent Saturday. night with Mrs. Pawl's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jerod Taylor. Rev. CSipson preached a very impressive sermon Sunday morning at Rehobeth church, his text being taken l'rom St. Mark. Cth Chapter. Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Taylor of the Pleasant Hill section spent last Saturday night at Luther Shealy's. Mrs. C. W. Price and children spent Saturday afternoon at \\ . L. Bedenbaugh s. John W. Frazier and family, accompanied with Miss Annie Shealy dined-Sunday at Paul Harmon's. Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Oxner and little daughter of the Delmar section worshipped Sunday morning at Rehobeth and dined at J. li. Frazier's. We are glad to note that at this time we do not hear of any new case? of flu. A large crowd of young folks spent Sunday afternoon at J. Ira Price's. Mrs. Mimick Shealy and little daughter, Idelle, spent Saturday nigh' with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. I. Oswald. Win-ford Frazier made a businesstrip to Leesville last Monday. Mrs..W. L. Bedenbaugh and Mrs. Henry Rawl spent Tuesday afternoon in the Delmar section with kinfolks. Some of the school improvement association members met last Tuesda> afternoon at Mrs. C. W. Price's, es pecially to prepare some exercises foi the next meeting1 which will be Friday May 5. CONTRACTORS SUPPLIES Machinery Castings and Repairs. Steel Beams, Rods, Ropes, Tackle, Wheelbarrows, Trucks, Wire Cable, Boilers, Tanks, Stacks, Etc. Ventilators, Grating, Etc. Lombard Iron Works & Supply CO., GEORGE Ford Supplies and Repairs in Sfcoclc. E vertt-Harvar d-D ay to o and Player Pianos VICTROLAS and VICTOR RECORDS. EMERSON AND OKEH. The John Church Co., 608 Main Street, .Columbia, S. C. Mail Orders Receive Special Attention FLOWERS Choicest Carnations, Roses. Sweet Peas, Freesias, Daffodils, etc. SEEDS Nasturtium, Sweet Pea, Pansy, Daisy, Tomato, Carrot, Melon, Peas, Cauliflower, etc. Everything in Bulbs and Plants. ROSE HILL GREENHOUSES 1225 Lady Street Phone 5043 COLUMBIA. S. C. kilT rats and mice?that's RAT-SNAP, the old reliable rodent destroyer. Conies In cakes?no mixing with other food. Your money back If it fails. 35c size (1 cake) enough for Pantry, Kitchen or Cellar. 65c size (2 cakes) for Chicken House, coops, or small buildings. $1.25 size (5 cakes) enough for all farm and out-buildings, storage buildings, or factory buildings. Sold and Guaranteed by Harmon Drug Co. and Lexington Pharmacy. I Mrs. .T. L. Fnlmer and daughter.! i j Willie Mae. a.id Miss Idabelle Derrick j spent Tuesday at J. Ira Price's. Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Bedenbaugh | and Mr. and Mrs. "VV. L. Beden-' i baugh all dined Sunday at J. A.j i Bedenbaugh's. I i Misses Elva Miller and Estolk | : Shealv spent Wednesday afternoon j , with their aunt, Mrs. Jacob Frazier. ' i Mrs. J. L. Derrick is suffering con-. I [ : siderable front a spider running in hev ! ear. several efforts have been made ! to deliver the insect from her head j but seems nothing is successful, j Mr. Patrick Rawl and his sister. I j Miss Adu, who for many years have' ; been staying near the home of Car- i j roll Shealv's moved last Wednesday | i'to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest I : Snelgrdve. j Miss Lucile Wise, Delmar operator. . i made a business trip to the town ol ! Prosperity last Monday. j Mr. and Mrs. Braudus Derrick! dined Sunday at Carroll Shealy's. j Mrs. J. H. Frazier is not doing well 1 at this time. She is being bothered ! with chills. ! Luther Shealy of near Holley's ferry ! j was very sick a few days of last week, j but we are glad he can be at his work | again. J Mrs. John W. Frazier and children ! spent Thursday at J. H. Frazier's. < i o i ? OVERSEAS DEAD. Thursday of last week the remains of sixty-six of the American soldiers who died, or was killed overseas during the World War, was brought over and interred in Arlington cemetery. This adds only a small number to those already brought home for burial and perhaps others will follow. It is sorrowful to think these patriotic sons were sacrificed in a foreign war. DON'T OVERLOOK THE SIDES EITHER Of course the roof of your auto top is important, but so are the sides and the back and the little mica windows you peep through. We don't miss any little detail. They're right all through to the last thread. Made to your order and just the way you want it on your car. w. P. MA "THE AUTC Phone 825 Main Street, EAGLE "MIKADO For Sale &t your Dealer ASK FOR THE YFLLOW P EAGLE I EAGLE PENCIL CO I EVERY ONE LIKES T Do not forget to remember acount with us It does not gifts but increases in value, ai which we add to the deposits. Accounts are invited. The Palmetto COLUMBl RESOURCES 4 Per Cent Interest Paid on C. D. KE1 Coiumbi Special dealers io Coff ! Coffees Roasted t Rict C. D. KE You can Get Your Groceriej ;> at 71S Lady Street. Flour aj Montgomery J 718 Lady Street j BOY SCOUTS ELECT OFFICERS. The boy scouts of Lexington held their weekly meeting Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock. At this meeting they elected the following officers: Bugler. Kenneth Wilson and Scribe, Lever Caughman. They decided to hike to Barre's pond Friday afternoon and also to spend the night there. They have nineteen members. Kneading It. As two lovers were sitting on the couch in the parlor, the girl stroked her lover's bearded chin, with her hand. Peeved, he said, "I know that I need a shave; you don't have to rub it in." > LOANS NEGOTIATED ?on? Improved Farm Lands. CALLISCN & BARR. Home Nat. Bk. Bid?:., Lexington. First Nat. Bk. BIdg., Batesburg, S. C. Catarrh Can Be Cured Catarrh is a local disease greatly influenced by constitutional conditions. It therefore requires constitutional treatment. HALL'S .CATARRH MEDICINE is taken internally and acts through the Blood on the Mucous Surfaces of the System. HALL'S CATARRH MEDICINE destroys the foundation of the disease, gives the patient strength by improving the general health and assist* nature in doing its work. All Druggists. Circulars free. F. J. Cheney & Co., Toledo, Ohio. lTTHEWS ) TOP MAN" 3747 Columbia, S. C. ^^^^^Pencil No. 174 | "< r"?' py. , H / Made in five grades I ENCJL WITH THE RED BAND jj MIKADO I MPANY, NEW YORK | 0 BE REMEMBERD the children with a bank depreciate like many other ided by the liberal interest National Bank IA, S. C. j $10,000,000.00 I Savings Accounts I MY CO. ia, S. C. ees Teas and Sugars laily ! Sold at Cut Prices. NNYCO. 5 at Montgomery Wholesale >> id feed stuffs our Specialty. g Grocery Co. I Columbia, S. C. j| ! fl