Mental deficiency (Amentia)

""During the past few years the subject of mental deficiency has evoked a large amount of attention from many prominent persons interested in social and philanthropic questions. To members of the medical profession in particular it is one of much importance, on account of their responsible duties connected with its diagnosis, with the treatment and training of these patients, and their examination and certification as to fitness for special classes and schools, training-homes, and asylums. And there is no doubt that with new legislation, which cannot now long be delayed, these duties and responsibilities will be considerably increased. For these reasons I venture to hope that the account which I have attempted to give in these pages regarding the incidence, causation, pathology, mental and physical characteristics, social relationship, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of persons suffering from mental deficiency, will be found to justify its publication"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)."