File:Middle-grade Moral Imbecile E.jpg

F. was such an excitable infant that he was kept under the influence 
of opiates up to 11 months, when he was adopted by some benevolent 
people in good circumstances. When 6 years old began to give 
trouble ; was vicious and mischievous, cruel to other children, de- 
structive and brutal, even stoning passers by — in fact became a nui- 
sance in the neighborhood. No discipline seemed to affect him, as 
he was absolutely without fear of man or beast, although a thun- 
der-storm would set him wild with fright. Apparently affectionate 
with his play-fellows, yet at the very moment of fondling them he 
would pinch, scratch, and, if opportunity offered, bite them. Was 
sent to public and to private schools, and his adopted mother 
tried to teach him at home ; all of no avail, he either could not or 
would not learn. When 8 years old he deliberately set fire to his 
adopted father's warehouse, which adjoining the dwelling, both were 
burned to the ground. Notwithstanding he had brought ruin to 
his benefactors, they were still devoted to him, and would have kept 
him with them had not the neighbors vigorously protested. 

Came to us at 9 years, a tall, slender, nice-looking boy, with a 
sweet face, fair skin, blue eyes, and light hair ; neat, clean, playful, 
and talkative. Was soon found to be untrustworthy — a liar, a thief, 
with a violent temper easily aroused, a persistent run-away ; in fact, 
everything that was bad. His slovenly, awkward gait was improved 
by military drill, but making little or no progress in school, his de- 
velopment was found in industrial work, in which he became quite 
useful. 

In his sixteenth year he became so dangerous and violent that it 
was found necessary to remove him to an insane hospital, for al-