Idiocy

In medical jurisprudence. That condition of mind in which the reflective, and all or a part of the affective, powers are either ontirely wanting, or are manifested to the slightest possible extent.

Hay, Insan. § 58; Whart. & 8. Med. Jur. § 222.

There is a distinction between “idioey” and “dementia,” the first being due to tha fact that there are original structural defects in the brain; the second resulting from the supervention of organie changes in a brain originally of normal power.

Ham. Nervous System, 338.

Idiecy is that condition in which the human creature has never had, from birth, any, the least, glimmering of reason; and is utterly destitute of all those intellectual faculties by which man, in general, is so eminently and peculiarly distinguished. It is not the condition of a deranged mind, but that of a total absence of all mind. Henee this state of fatuity cau rarely ever be mistaken by any, the most superticial, observer. The medical profession seem to regard it as a natural defect, not as a disease in itself, or as the result of any disorder. In law, it is also considered as a defect, and as a permanent and hopeless ineapacity.

1 Bland. Ch. 356.