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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    In exercising his pupils, M. Seguin aims at causing them to put forth their strength moderately, but to continue to do so steadily for a certain fixed time. His apparatus for exercise consists of a table, a balance, a ladder, and dumb-bells. Seeing that prehension always precedes walking in infancy, the idiots are at first made to climb up and down on the ladder, secured to it by a moveable belt; and, by a little management, the instinct of self-preservation is brought into play, so as to cause the hand to take fast hold of the steps to prevent falling. Thus, the muscles gradually learn to contract energetically, and the limbs to bear weights and shocks, which previously would have over¬ whelmed them. After this, the power gained is applied to the taking of food, to the lifting and carrying of stones, and the handling of various implements. Then the dumb-bells are used ; also the balance, which is a bar of wood, with a heavy wooden knob at either end, intended to be raised by the hands above the head, so as to make the child stand erect and walk steadily. It seems to be essential to the child’s locomotive energies being rendered perfectly submissive to the will, that he should, in the first place, learn to stand still. This is accomplished by having his feet fixed in boxes, while his hands swing the dumb-bells. But some require even to be taught to sit still. Gradually, all are taught, and sometimes at the expense of great trouble on the part of the teacher, to use the fingers in the actions necessary to daily life ; such as to tie, to button, to fold, to wash, to comb, &c. ; and, subsequently, to cut, to saw, to plane, to draw, &c. II. Then follows the education of the senses, beginning with touch, thence proceeding to the exercise and improvement of sight, hearing, taste, and smell. Touch is exercised by submitting to the patients various sub¬ stances of different qualities and at different temperatures, such as oils and astringent substances ; bodifes rough and smooth, hard and soft, heavy and light, differing in size and form, and causing them to remark and describe their several qualities.