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The Descent of Man

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however small. Idiots also resemble the lower<br />

animals in some other respects; thus several<br />

cases are recorded <strong>of</strong> their carefully smelling<br />

every mouthful <strong>of</strong> food before eating it. One<br />

idiot is described as <strong>of</strong>ten using his mouth in<br />

aid <strong>of</strong> his hands, whilst hunting for lice. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

are <strong>of</strong>ten filthy in their habits, and have no<br />

sense <strong>of</strong> decency; and several cases have been<br />

published <strong>of</strong> their bodies being remarkably<br />

hairy. (37. Pr<strong>of</strong>. Laycock sums up the character<br />

<strong>of</strong> brute-like idiots by calling them "theroid;"<br />

'Journal <strong>of</strong> Mental Science,' July 1863. Dr. Scott<br />

('<strong>The</strong> Deaf and Dumb,' 2nd ed. 1870, p. 10) has<br />

<strong>of</strong>ten observed the imbecile smelling their food.<br />

See, on this same subject, and on the hairiness<br />

<strong>of</strong> idiots, Dr. Maudsley, 'Body and Mind,' 1870,<br />

pp. 46-51. Pinel has also given a striking case <strong>of</strong><br />

hairiness in an idiot.)<br />

REVERSION.

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