File:Hydrocephalus AB, Microcephalus B.jpg

at 18. Height 5 feet 2 inches; weight 1343/ pounds. 

Head Measurements. inches.

Circumference 2754 

Naso-occipital arc 17% 

Binauricular arc I7J4 

Antero-posterior diameter 8j4 

Greatest transverse diameter 8 

Binauricular diameter 6j4 

Facial length yyi 

Cephalic index 92.34 

Skin very white, eyes blue, large nose, and defective teeth. Walks 
with difficulty ; footsteps weak and tottering. Has a fair vocabulary ; 
talks incessantly, but in childish fashion. Has a good memory ; 
repeats nursery rhymes, and imagines he can read, but really knows 
only a few letters of the alphabet, having been tried in school for 
three years with no result. Learned to care for a helpless child, and 
to polish floors, but seven years after admission, began to grow more 
helpless and retrogression was marked. 

Father, a machinist by trade, 36, and mother 30, at time of C.'s 
birth. Maternal uncle insane. Eighth child ; born at full term ; labor 
ordinary ; apparently strong and healthy until sixth month, when he 
began to fail and head began to enlarge.

Case B. — W. P. Male, superficial excitable idiot, aged 10 years.

Height 3 feet 7% inches, weight 40 pounds. Head, microbrachy- 
cephalic, resembles a cocoanut in size and shape. 

Head Measurements. inches. 

Circumference T-Al'i 

Naso-occipital arc g 

Binauricular arc 9^ 

Antero-posterior diameter 51/^ 

Greatest transverse diameter ! 4 

Binauricular diameter 31/g 

Facial length 514 

Cephalic index 77

A semi-mute with brown hair and eyes. Large mouth, thick lips,

prominent teeth, alveolar arches wider than normal, and palate al- 
most flat. Sialorrhcea marked. Sight and hearing normal; taste 
and smell very acute. Is left-handed and fingers are clubbed. Mus- 
cular development fair, is very active and has a peculiar " running " 
gait. Obstinate, but not sullen, has a violent temper and when 
roused will throw himself upon the floor, beating his head with his 
hands. Is eager to attract attention and excite sympathy. 

When first brought to me, in his seventh year, was as wild and 
untrained as any animal of field or wood. In first and second 
years he improved in matters of self-help, becoming more cleanly in 
habits and able to feed and dress himself with very little assistance. 
Very imitative, he will attempt to do anything that excites his inter- 
est, delighted to aid in polishing floors and, understanding simple 
commands, is fairly obedient. 

Under training in articulation he began to call his play-fellows 
by name and to use short phrases : " I wont," " Come here," " You 
can't get it." Will laugh and tap his head when asked " Who is 
dumb ? " and, showing a power of associaton, he will make the same 
gesture when required to do anything to which he is disinclined. 
Will defend himself from other children if imposed upon, yet is 
generous and affectionate toward them, and always willing to share 
any sweetmeats. 

First-born, at full term ; labor ordinary ; was nourished by mother 
who during fourth month of gestation was frightened b}^ an organ- 
grinder's monkey jumping into her lap. Father an Austrian by 
birth, by occupation a miner, was 20 years of age, and mother, a 
Prussian, was 17 at time of child's birth.

Case B. — H. H. Male; idio-imbecile, epileptic, 17 years old.

Came to me at 13, when mental limit had almost been reached. 
Height 4 feet 7% inches ; weight 89 pounds. 

Head Measurements. inches. 

Circumference 25 

Naso-occipital arc 1654 

Binauricular arc 1754 

Antero-posterior diameter 8^ 

Greatest transverse diameter 7J4 

Binauricular diameter 51X 

Facial length 6^ 

Cephalic index 86 

Fair complexion ; eyesight somewhat defective, hearing and speech 
perfect, but limited vocabulary. Cleanly in habits, but needing care 
in self-help. Powers of imitation and memory good, but had been 
much neglected. Learned to do simple house-work, and after eight 
months' persistent effort, to braid rope in three strands, and to wash 
and dress himself. 

Father a stone mason, drank to excess as did also paternal grand- 
father. Mother's sister feeble-minded. Birth ordinary; nourished