The medical diseases of children . ice daily,constitutes the usual dose necessary forthe maintenance of the treatment. MICROCEPHALIC IDIOCY. In many cases of idiocy the circumfer-ence of the head is below the normal, butthis is not alone sufficient to warrant theinclusion of a mentally-deficient child inthe clinical group of microcephalic characteristic of this group is not somuch an absolute diminution of the cir-cumference of the head, as a relativesmallness of the cranium in proportion to the size of the face. By this disproportion in the growth of thecranium and face the forehea
The medical diseases of children . ice daily,constitutes the usual dose necessary forthe maintenance of the treatment. MICROCEPHALIC IDIOCY. In many cases of idiocy the circumfer-ence of the head is below the normal, butthis is not alone sufficient to warrant theinclusion of a mentally-deficient child inthe clinical group of microcephalic characteristic of this group is not somuch an absolute diminution of the cir-cumference of the head, as a relativesmallness of the cranium in proportion to the size of the face. By this disproportion in the growth of thecranium and face the forehead is caused to slope backwards in acharacteristic way. Etiologically this group shows no distinguishing features. Occa-sionally the condition is seen in several members of a family. Pre-mature closure of the cranial sutures cannot be regarded as the causeof the maldevelopment of the brain, but is more properly looked uponas a result of the small size of the brain. The physical characteristics are then those which have already been. Fig. Cretix (Age, 3J years). 442 DISEASES OP THE NERVOUS SYSTEM mentioned—namely, the sloping forehead due to the cranium beingsmall out of all proportion to the face, and the premature closure ofthe anterior fontanelle. Occasionally spasticity is found in this classof idiocy. Mentally every grade of backwardness, imbecility, and idiocy maybe found. The brain may show general maldevelopment, the whole structurebeing much diminished in size; or some parts of it may appear normal,while others are very rudimentary. Cortical sclerosis may also befound. Treatment.—None is of any avail. Operations for removal ofportions of the cranial vault formerly advocated are no longerpractised. HYDROCEPHALIC IDIOCY. Little need be said of this form. It may be congenital or acquired(seep. 488), in which case it is usually the result of posterior basicmeningitis. Care must be taken to make an examination of themental condition of the patient, as very severe hydrocep
Size: 985px × 2536px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectpediatrics, bookyear1
