The history of the relationship between the concept and treatment of people with Down's syndrome in Britain and America from 1866 to 1967
This thesis fills a gap in the history of mental handicap by focusing on a specific mentally handicapping condition, Down's syndrome, in Britain and America. This approach has facilitated an examination of how various scientific and social developments have actually affected a particular group of people with handicaps. The first chapter considers certain historiographical problems this research has raised. The second analyses the question of why Down's syndrome, which has certain easily identifiable characteristics associated with it, was not recognised as a distinct condition until 1866 in Britain. Subsequent chapters focus on the concept and treatment of Down's syndrome by the main nineteenth and twentieth century authorities on the disorder. The third chapter concentrates on John Langdon Down's treatment of 'Mongolian idiots' at the Royal Earlswood Asylum. The fourth chapter examines Sir Arthur Mitchell's study of 'Kalmuc idiots' in private care. The fifth considers how Down's and Mitchell's theories were developed by later investigators, with particular reference to George Shuttleworth's work. Archive materials from the Royal Albert, Royal Earlswood and Royal Scottish National Institutions are used. The
Zihini, Lilian Serife
History
The history of the relationship between the concept and treatment of people with Down's syndrome in Britain and America from 1866 to 1967. This thesis fills a gap in the history of mental handicap by focusing on a specific mentally handicapping condition, Down's syndrome, in Britain and America. This approach has facilitated an examination of how various scientific and social developments have actually affected a particular group of people with handicaps. The first chapter considers certain historiographical problems this research has raised. The second analyses the question of why Down's syndrome, which has certain easily identifiable characteristics associated with it, was not recognised as a distinct condition until 1866 in Britain. Subsequent chapters focus on the concept and treatment of Down's syndrome by the main nineteenth and twentieth century authorities on the disorder. The third chapter concentrates on John Langdon Down's treatment of 'Mongolian idiots' at the Royal Earlswood Asylum. The fourth chapter examines Sir Arthur Mitchell's study of 'Kalmuc idiots' in private care. The fifth considers how Down's and Mitchell's theories were developed by later investigators, with particular reference to George Shuttleworth's work. Archive materials from the Royal Albert, Royal Earlswood and Royal Scottish National Institutions are used. The
history relationship concept treatment people britain america fill_gap history mental handicap focus_specific condition britain america facilitate examination_various scientific social_development actually affect particular group_people handicap first_considers certain historiographical problem_raise second analysis question certain easily identifiable characteristic associate recognise distinct condition britain subsequent focus concept treatment main authority disorder third concentrate john treatment mongolian royal asylum fourth_examines sir study private care fifth considers theory develop later investigator particular_reference george work archive_material royal royal royal scottish national use