An essay on the deaf and dumb; showing the necessity of medical treatment in early infancy : with observations on congenital deafness / By John Harrison Curtis.

  • Curtis, John Harrison, 1778-approximately 1860.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on the deaf and dumb; showing the necessity of medical treatment in early infancy : with observations on congenital deafness / By John Harrison Curtis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    any way tend to restore the sense of hearing and faculty of speech, but only to furnish them with very imperfect substitutes for both. It was with this view that, on the occasion alluded to, I recommended, as a measure of primary importance, a minute examination of all deaf and dumb children, and that none should be presented for admission into asylums unless accompanied with certificates of such examination by competent professional men, stating that every medical means of restoring or improving the sense of hearing had been employed without success. If a plan of this kind were resorted to, insti- tutions for the deaf and dumb would fulfil the rational objects of their founders,—would be appropriated solely to those who are incurable, — and the number of applications would thus be reduced within the means and legitimate scope of these charities. Another very im- portant advantage would result, namely, that opportunities would be furnished to medical men for experience, and for ascertaining the best means of administering relief in cases