crétins. Once a crétin, you are always one.[1] The experiments of the late Dr. Guggenbühl demonstrated that some half-crétins may even become useful members of society, if they are taken in hand early in life; but they did not show that the nature of the true or complete crétin could be altered.[2] He essayed to modify some of the mildest forms of crétinism, but did not strike at the root of the evil. If fifty Guggenbühls were at work in the single valley of Aosta, they would take several generations to produce an appreciable effect, and they would never extirpate the disease so long as its sources were unassailed.
Nor will the house which has been built at Aosta[3] to contain 200 crétin beggars do much, unless the inmates are restrained from perpetuating their own degradation. Even the lowest types of crétins may be procreative, and it is said that the unlimited liberty which is allowed to them has caused infinite mischief. A large proportion of the crétins who will be born in the next generation will undoubtedly be offspring of crétin parents. It is strange that self-interest does not lead the natives of Aosta to place their crétins under such restrictions as would prevent their illicit intercourse; and it is still more surprising to find the Catholic Church actually legalising their marriage. There is something horribly grotesque in the idea of solemnising the union of a brace of idiots;
- ↑ "Le crétinisme achevé est incurable; l'état physique et intellectuel des crétineux et des demi-crétins est susceptible d' amélioration par un traitement convenable, des soins et l'éducation; mais jamais on ne pourra faire d'eux des hommes complets sous le rapport physique, moral, et intellectuel."—Guy and Dagand on Crétinisme dans le Département de la Haute-Savoie.
- ↑ Great expectations were raised some years ago by the reports of Dr. Guggenbühl, and by those of visitors to his establishment on the Abendberg, at Interlachen; but they have been disappointed, and the institution itself has been closed.
- ↑ At the expense of some unknown charitable person. Besides this establishment, there is an hospital at Aosta, belonging to the order of St. Maurice et Lazare, containing twelve beds for crétin children.
pass of the Simplon, and consequent more easy communication with other countries, the people being thus more incited to bestir themselves," etc.; Blackie, p. 53. This testimony, from authors who held totally different opinions as to the origin of crétinism, is strongly confirmatory of the conjecture last advanced.
