The Abendberg, an Alpine retreat : founded by Dr. Guggenbühl for the treatment of infant cretins / by L.G., Geneva ; with an introduction by John Coldstream, M.D.

  • Gaussen, Louis, 1790-1863.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Abendberg, an Alpine retreat : founded by Dr. Guggenbühl for the treatment of infant cretins / by L.G., Geneva ; with an introduction by John Coldstream, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of the worst symptoms appear ; and they prove the most intractable. Nevertheless it is remarked, that where a goitre exists at birth the brain is less affected than in other cases. Individuals are to be found in whose persons all these conditions exist together ; and others there are who present various, combinations of the symptoms ; but in all the classes goitres are seen frequently. The manifestations of the mental powers and moral feel¬ ings vary much in all the classes, and correspond pretty exactly with the greater or less activity of the organs of the senses. It is well known that Cretinism occurs chiefly amongst the inhabitants of the lower parts and the shady sides of narrow valleys in the higher ranges of the Alps. In the more open places, and at eleva¬ tions of 4000 feet and upwards, the disease is seldom met with. It would appear that in the deepest valleys, and even at particular spots in these valleys, the worst cases occur. In his account of the Cretins, Dr. Reeve remarks that he found many bad cases in one small village in adjoining houses, “ which were built under ledges of the rocks, and all of them very filthy, very hot, and miserable The children of the poor are more frequently affected