idiot, imbecile or lunatic? .....

[pinkshoes]

This is troubling me (possibly for the future rather than the past)

Who decided whether a person came into the category of idiot/lunatic/ imbecile/ feeble minded, and how did they distinguish which was which - (or who was what). Was it up to the person who completed the schedule to deem a person thus?

Just curious ... ...

Pinkshoes

[LesleyB]

Hi Pinkshoes
I came across a fascinating account of the definition and differences between idiots, imbeciles, lunatics etc. in the past. What surprised me was that they all had reasonably precise meanings unlike today where in common usage they are all virtually interchangeable.

...but I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it. (not sure what that makes me!? ) If I have any flashes of inspiration I'll get back to you!

Best wishes
Lesley

[pinkshoes]

Thanks Lesley - would be very interested in that (if inspiration comes)

Pinkshoes

[LesleyB]

Ha!
Didn't take long!

It was in a magazine called Your Family Tree (Future Publishing) issue 17, Nov. 2004. An article called "Witches, idiots, imbeciles and lunatics".

It states:
Idiot: this was precisely defined in some of the early legislation as any individual with a mental age of under three years.

Imbecile: Again, defined in legislation as someone with low to moderate mental deficiency and a mental age of between two and seven years.

Lunatic: Obsolete legal term for a mentally ill person, originally derived from a supposed connection between mental illness and the moon's phases.

and er..
Batty: The word is derived from Dr Battie, the custodian of St Luke's Asylum in London in 1751.

They do not give any precise reference for where they found this info - there is a list of 7 sources at the end of the article.
Hope this is of some help.

Best wishes,
Lesley

[pinkshoes]

Thanks again Lesley - you were quick off the mark! I recently found in 1881 census "Annie, age 21, Imbcile" - (yes, I had to look twice too)


It was one of those irrational moments which brought me close to tears - like I say, irrational!

Thanks for your help. (I'd still be interested to know who would have deemed Annie an "imbcile"

Pinkshoes

[LesleyB]

Hi Pinkshoes
It still doesn't answer your question but you might find the following article interesting. I came across it while digging about trying to find out more about asylums in the Edinburgh area because one of my lot was in an Asylum at Newbigging, Musselburgh in 1862.

"Care of the Mentally Disabled in and around Edinburgh c.1680-c.1820."
http://www.rcpe.ac.uk/publications/arti ... sabled.pdf

Best wishes
Lesley

[Andy]

And here's me got to this stage in life thinking that Batty came from having "Bats in the Belfry" (scatterbrained). Much the same as a fidgety, nervous person is described as "Antsy" from having "Ants in the Pants".

Until yesterday I thought that America was named after Americo Vespucci only to find out yesterday the continent was probably named by John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) who on 24 June, 1497 came across New Found Land and named it after Richard Amerike who funded the trip for his ship the Matthew.

[sheilajim]

Hi Andy

That was very interesting about John Cabot.
In school we were taught that North & South America, were named after Amerigo Vespucci, even though he was relatively late on the scene. It really makes more sense that the 2 Continents were named after Richard Amerike (a person I had never heard of ) by John Cabot.

Sheila

However, being a born Skeptic, I would need more proof.

[pinkshoes]

That's a really good document Lesley, thanks for taking the trouble - interesting to see that the concept of "care in the community" was alive and well even in 1680

There's nothing new under the sun ...

Regards
Pinkshoes