A History of the Care and Study of the Mentally Retarded.

Abstract

In this rather short monograph, we have a scholarly presentation on the history of the care and study of the mentally retarded. Dr. Kanner is to be congratulated on his efforts to fill a great void in the literature. Certainly with the emergence of considerable interest and enthusiasm about the problem of mental retardation, there is a need for all professional people to have a historical perspective about this problem. Dr. Kanner has reviewed in customary style references from Greek and Roman literature, from the Bible, the Talmud, and the Koran. Actually most of our present historical knowledge begins during the early part of the 19th century and is covered in chapter two. Short biographical sketches of individuals such as Pereire Itard (who is known for his observations on the so-called wild boy of Aveyron), Guggenbûhl, Seguin (who is one of the founders of the precursor of the present American