1850. 1860. 1870. 1880.

Total population 23,191,876 31,443,321 38,558,371 50,155,783

Deaf Mutes 9,803 12,821 16,205 38,878

No. of Deaf Mutes in each million of population 423 408 420 675

Out of 33,878 there were 18,567 males and 15,311 females. The number of native deaf mutes was 30,507, and foreign 3,721. White, 30,661; coloured, 3,217, including 3 Chinese and 37 Indians.

CAUSES OF DEAF-MUTISM.

The intermarriage of blood-relations is doubtless one cause. In one school for the deaf and dumb 25 per cent., in another 20 per cent., and in others 15 per cent. of the pupils are said to be the off-spring of marriages between blood-relations.

Davy mentions the following case observed by Meniere:--A married couple, being cousins, who enjoyed excellent health, had eight children, of whom four were born deaf mutes, another was idiotic, another died when five years of age, and two others suffered from absolute deafness, which only made its appearance later on.

In the Inst.i.tution at Derby there are three sisters, and also a younger sister at home, all born deaf and dumb, the parents being own cousins.

On the other hand, there are at the same Inst.i.tution several children having deaf and dumb brothers or sisters, where no relationship exists between the parents, notably one family, in which both parents are healthy, and in which there are four deaf and dumb children. In the same county there are other cases of three, four, and even six in a family, yet there has been no relationship between the parents. In addition to the born deaf, measles, bronchitis, typhus, scarletina, and other diseases are the causes of deafness, and consequently dumbness.

Cases are known to have resulted from lightning, fright, boxing on the ears, and where young children have been allowed to fall on the head, etc.

Damp houses are said to be a cause of deafness. In Paris among eight children born in a family, five were born deaf, and these had all been born in a damp house. The family who had previously lived in the same house had three children, among whom were two born deaf and dumb. It is sometimes said that certain unhealthy trades in which the parent or parents are engaged are responsible for some of these cases, but the only complete statistics are those of Na.s.sau, the results of which are as follows:--

Among 27 Pipe-makers 3 deaf mute children, therefore 1 deaf mute to 9.0 " 146 Stonemasons 4 " " " 36.5 " 186 Bra.s.s-founders 5 " " " 37.2 " 106 Potters 2 " " " 53.0 " 590 Carpenters 8 " " " 73.7 " 176 Earthenware-makers 2 " " " 88.0 " 381 Sailors 3 " " " 127.0 " 1,716 Bricklayers 11 " " " 156.0 " 1,309 Smiths 7 " " " 187.0 " 374 Vat-coopers 2 " " " 187.0 " 1,894 Tailors 10 " " " 189.4 " 2,911 Shoemakers 15 " " " 194.0 " 1,614 Joiners 8 " " " 201.7 " 2,006 Vinters 9 " " " 222.8 " 514 Coopers 2 " " " 257.0 " 1,380 Bakers 5 " " " 276.0 " 49,201 Farmers 104 " " " 473.1 " 18,211 Labourers 24 " " " 758.8

Meckel says that in the families of tradespeople, who are constantly exposed to a damp unhealthy atmosphere or other injurious influences, deaf-mutism occurs most frequently. Moreover, Meckel has found that deaf-mutism is more frequently met with in flour-mills than elsewhere.

Among 990 millers in Na.s.sau, there were found eight deaf mutes, or one deaf mute to 123.7.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

A DEAF AND DUMB BOY NOT AFRAID TO DIE.

Bernard Grimshaw, a little deaf and dumb boy, lay seriously ill in the sick ward of an Inst.i.tution, and was asked, "Would you be afraid to die?" "No! because Christ has taken away the sting of death, if we believe in Him that He died for us; and we should not be afraid of death, if we believe in Him that He died for us; and we should not be afraid of death because He has promised to give eternal life to all believers."

"What do you consider the best thing you have been taught, since coming to the Deaf and Dumb Inst.i.tution?" "I have learned about G.o.d and His beloved Son Jesus Christ, and the Bible. That is best."

A DEAF AND DUMB s.e.xTON ROBBED.

George E. Fischer, the deaf and dumb s.e.xton of the St. Mary's Avenue Congregational Church, put out the lights and started for his boarding house at 10 o'clock at night. He had gone but a short distance from the church when he was pounced upon by unknown persons, who approached from behind and knocked him down. After striking him another blow the fellow went through his pockets, taking every cent he had. Fischer is a hard-working man, but is in poor health, and will feel the loss heavily.--_Omaha World, May 24th, 1886._

ACUTENESS OF EDUCATED DEAF MUTES.

One evening the senior cla.s.s of girls and boys in a School for the deaf and dumb were invited to put any questions they wished to the Teacher; amongst others, the following (which show considerable acuteness and reflection) were proposed to him:--Who made G.o.d? Were there any angels before the world was made? Before the world was made, how was G.o.d eternal? Do you know, are there houses in the moon which people inhabit?

Do you think the dwellers in the moon have got the sin as well as ourselves? Will there be a new world when this is burnt up? How do you know the scriptures to be the word of G.o.d? Do the angels know when the last day will come?

A RUSSIAN DEAF AND DUMB YOUTH'S REPLY.

A young Russian, of great talents, though deaf and dumb, who had been to a Deaf and Dumb Inst.i.tution to be taught, with a view to become the master of a similar Inst.i.tution in Russia, was asked the difference between intelligence and discernment? He said "Intelligence is a faculty, by which we distinguish good and evil, what is useful and what hurtful. I think discernment is the faculty of distinguishing the greater and less degrees of good and evil."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE AGE OF DEAF MUTES.

The question is frequently asked, "Is there a greater mortality among the deaf mutes than there is among the total population?"

The statistics so far published, on the whole, show a somewhat greater mortality among the deaf and dumb than that among the total population.

It may, however, be stated that the deaf and dumb having to labour under greater difficulties, generally succ.u.mb more easily in the struggle for existence than their more favoured fellow-creatures.

In Bavaria, in 1871, there were 4,348 deaf mutes; 557 of these were between 31 and 40 years of age; 556 between 41 and 50; and 852 were 50 years and upwards. In Prussia there were 23,579; of these 3,057 were between 31 and 40 years of age; 2,540 between 41 and 50; and 3,609 were 50 years and upwards. In 1883, the North Midland Counties of England had 705 deaf and dumb: 148 of these were under 5 years of age; 83 were 15 years; 81 were 20 years; 227 were 25 years; 127 were 45 years; and 39 were 65 years and upwards.

DEAF MUTES IN THE TOWN AND COUNTRY.

Wilhelmi tried to ascertain by means of his statistics in what proportion deaf mutism occurred in towns and in the country, and found that it preponderated in the country.

--------------------------------+------------+--------------------

Deaf Mutes.

Deaf Mutes among

10,000 Inhabitants.

--------------------------------+------------+-------------------- In Magdeburgh { In the Towns

181

5.2 { In the Country

338

6.7 In Erfurt { In the Towns

81

5.4 { In the Country

186

8.5 In Pomerania { In the Towns

378

8.3 { In the Country

1259

12.8 --------------------------------+------------+--------------------

COMPARATIVE NUMBERS OF THE s.e.xES OF DEAF MUTES.

In all countries where statistics have been compiled, the number of male deaf mutes exceeds that of the female. In 1871 there were in Prussia 12,736 male and 10,843 female deaf mutes. In England and Wales in 1883 there were 4,408 male and 3,280 female deaf mutes. In Staffordshire 264 males and 217 females. In Leicestershire 64 males and 50 females. In Lincolnshire 112 males and 93 females. In Nottinghamshire 96 males and 75 females; and in Derbyshire 121 males and 88 females.

PROBABLE NUMBERS OF THE DEAF & DUMB.