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The number of classified Insane, Idiots and Imbeciles residing in Workhouses
is defined on each County Page.
Higgs states (pp88-89 A Clearer Sense of the Census" by Edward Higgs, pub.
PRO ISBN ).
" The exact definitions of terms such as 'lunatic', 'imbecile', 'idiot' and
'feeble-minded' are plainly extremely problematic".
He goes on to say that according to the 1881 Census Report
"No accurate line of demarcation can be drawn between the several
conditions indicated by these terms. Speaking generally, however, the term idiot
is applied in popular usage simply to those who suffer from congenital mental
deficiency, and the term imbecile to persons who have fallen in later life into
a state of chronic dementia. But it is certain that neither this nor any other
definite distinction between the terms was rigorously observed in the schedules,
and consequently no attempt has been made by us to separate imbeciles from
idiots. The term lunatic also is used with some vagueness, and probably some
persons suffering from congenital idiocy, and many more suffering from dementia,
were returned under this name."
Mental Health Acts
1879
An 'asylum for idiots' was established at Park House, Highgate which later
became known as Earlswood Asylum.
1886
The Idiots Act 1886
Legislation addressed the needs of the Mentally Handicapped for the first time.
Registration and Inspection of specialised Asylums was introduced.
1896
The National Association for the Care of the Feeble-Minded was founded
1913
The Mental Deficiency Act 1913
Four "classes" of Mental Deficiency were defined:
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Idiot ~ unable to protect
themselves from common dangers.
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Imbecile ~ could protect
themselves from common dangers, but unable to take care of themselves.
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Feeble-Minded ~ required
care to protect themselves.
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Moral Defectives ~ criminal
or vicious personalities. Unmarried Mothers also became absorbed into this
category!
The Board of Control was
established who took on the powers and responsibilities of the Lunacy
Commissioners.
1927
The Mental Deficiency Act 1927
Local Authorities were given responsibility for providing occupation and
training for those with Mental Deficiency.
Mental Deficiency was defined as "a condition of arrested or incomplete
development of mind existing before the age of 18 years whether arising from
inherent causes or induced by disease or injury."
Page updated September 04, 2004
by Rossbret
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Imbeciles