Down's Syndrome: The History of a Disability (Biographies of Disease)

For 150 years, Down's Syndrome has constituted the archetypal mental disability, easily recognisable by distinct facial anomalies and physical stigmata. In a narrow medical sense, Down's syndrome is a common disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British asylum medical superintendent who described the syndrome as Mongolism in a series of lectures in 1866. In 1959, the disorder was identified as a chromosome 21 trisomy by the French paediatrician and geneticist Jérôme Lejeune and has since been known as Down's Syndrome (in the English-speaking world) or Trisomy 21 (in many European countries). But children and adults born with this chromosomal abnormality have an important collective history beyond their evident importance to the history of medical science. David Wright, a Professor in the History of Medicine at McMaster University, looks at the care and treatment of Down's sufferers - described for much of history as'idiots', - from Medieval Europe to the present day. The discovery of the genetic basis of the condition and the profound changes in attitudes, care, and early identification of Down's in the genetic era, reflects the fascinating medical and social history of the disorder. For 150 Years, Down's Syndrome Has Constituted The Archetypal Mental Disability, Easily Recognizable By Distinct Facial Anomalies And Physical Stigmata. This Book Looks At The Care And Treatment Of Down's Sufferers From Medieval Europe To The Present Day. In A Narrow Medical Sense, Down's Syndrome Is A Common Disorder Caused By The Presence Of All Or Part Of An Extra 21st Chromosome. It Is Named After John Langdon-down, The British Asylum Medical Superintendent Who Described The Syndrome As Mongolism In A Series Of Lectures In 1866. In 1959, The Disorder Was Identified As A Chromosome 21 Trisomy By The French Pediatrician And Geneticist Jerome Lejeune And Has Since Been Known As Down's Syndrome (in The English-speaking World) Or Trisomy 21 (in Many European Countries). But Children And Adults Born With This Chromosomal Abnormality Have An Important Collective History Beyond Their Evident Importance To The History Of Medical Science. Here The Author Looks At The Care And Treatment Of Down's Sufferer, Described For Much Of History As 'idiots', From Medieval Europe To The Present Day. The Discovery Of The Genetic Basis Of The Condition And The Profound Changes In Attitudes, Care, And Early Identification Of Down's In The Genetic Era, Reflects The Fascinating Medical And Social History Of The Disorder. The Philosopher's Idiot -- Mongols In Our Midst -- The Simian Crease -- Trisomie Vingt-et-un -- Into The Mainstream. David Wright. Includes Bibliographic References And Index. For 150 years, Down Syndrome has constituted the archetypal mental disability, easily recognisable by distinct facial anomalies and physical stigmata. In a narrow medical sense, Down Syndrome is a common disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British asylum medical superintendent who described the syndrome as 'Mongolism' in a series of lectures in 1866. In 1959, the disorder was identified as a chromosome 21 trisomy by the French paediatrician and geneticist Jrme Lejeune and has since been known as Down Syndrome (in the English-speaking world) or Trisomy 21 (in many European countries). But children and adults born with this chromosomal abnormality have an important collective history beyond their evident importance to the history of medical science. David Wright, a Professor in the History of Medicine at McMaster University, looks at the care and treatment of individuals with Down Syndrome- described for much of history as 'idiots', - from Medieval Europe to the present day. The discovery of the genetic basis of the condition and the profound changes in attitudes, care, and early identification of Down Syndromein the genetic era, reflects the fascinating medical and social history of the disorder. For 150 years, Down's Syndrome has constituted the archetypal mental disability, easily recognisable by distinct facial anomalies and physical stigmata. In a narrow medical sense, Down's syndrome is a common disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British asylum medical superintendent who described the syndrome as Mongolism in a series of lectures in 1866. In 1959, the disorder was identified as a chromosome 21 trisomy by the French paediatrician and geneticist Jerome Lejeune and has since been known as Down's Syndrome (in the English-speaking world) or Trisomy 21 (in many European countries). But children and adults born with this chromosomal abnormality have an important collective history beyond their evident importance to the history of medical science. David Wright, a Professor in the History of Medicine at McMaster University, looks at the care and treatment of Down's sufferers - described for much of history as 'idiots', - from Medieval Europe to the present day. The discovery of the genetic basis of the condition and the profound changes in attitudes, care, and early identification of Down's in the genetic era, reflects the fascinating medical and social history of the disorder Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 12 Acknowledgements......Page 6 List of Illustrations......Page 13 Prologue......Page 16 1 The Philosopher’s Idiot......Page 31 2 Mongols in our Midst......Page 63 3 The Simian Crease......Page 96 4 Trisomie vingt-et-un......Page 130 5 Into the Mainstream......Page 161 Epilogue......Page 194 Glossary......Page 202 Notes......Page 207 Further reading......Page 226 A......Page 238 C......Page 239 D......Page 240 E......Page 242 F......Page 243 I......Page 244 L......Page 246 M......Page 247 O......Page 249 R......Page 250 S......Page 251 T......Page 252 W......Page 253 Down's Syndrome is a mental disability with very distinctive characteristics. David Wright looks at the care and treatment of Down's sufferers - described for much of history as 'idiots' - since Medieval Europe right up to the present day; considering the change in attitudes, care, and identification of the condition in the modern era.