MENTAL DEFECTIVES

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1927, Page 3

MENTAL DEFECTIVES

TREATMENT ENGLAND -AND UNITED STATES. AUCKLAND, Oct. 10. An extensive investigation of what is being done in other countries can the matter of treating mental defective cases has been completed by Dr A. J. W. Pliilpott, superintendent of the Receiving Home for mental defective cases at Melbourne. Dr Pbilpott is a through passenger by the Aorangi to Sydney.

“Great advances have been made in treating eases of paralysis by the injection of malaria,” stated Dr Pliilpott. “This treatment is proving very effective on cases which are not considered hopeless. Both in America and in the United Kingdom everything possible is being done to get the very best from these unfortunate people. Tn England there were schools for mental defectives where they remained until the ago of 16. If there was then no chance for them they were handed over to the mental authorities, hut if they showed any aptitude they were permitted to pursue the trades for which they were, best suited.”

Dr Philpott visited The Manor, Epsom, where 100!) mental defectives are working. Every year they turned out thousands of pounds’ worth of work, but the sale of it was not encouraged by the Government. In tile visitor’s opinion tbo Government must get over this sort of thing. The system of classifying defectives in England was proving very effective. Their teachers found out what they liked best in the way of handicrafts and encouraged them to pursue their fancies under the discipline of school life. Many improved wonderfully while on others it had no effect.

Dr Pliilpott is convinced that Australia is well advanced in the management of its mental defective cases. He wil make a report as a result of his tour, but does not think there wil be any drastic changes as the result of it.