A very young girl, showing signs of mental deficiency, seated with her hands clasped upon her lap. Photograph by W. Moscrop.

Kendal (107 Highgate) : W. Moscrop

1 photograph : photoprint, albumen ; sheet 9.2 x 5.7 cm

Cretin Oct 21! Lettering hand-written in black ink on front of mount. Lettering pasted on verso continues: "DEATH OF AN INTERESTING <?> - Sarah Agnes Simpson, who had been an inmate at the workhouse at Milnthorpe for over 11 years, died there last week, and was interred at Heversham Church on Monday. She was 26 years of age, measured 3ft. 5in. in height, and weighed 4st. 4lbs. She was fairly proportioned in all parts of the body, from the nape of the neck downwards, but the head was abnormally large, and the spine had been indented from birth, which was the probable cause of her arrested development. She was not able to speak, but could learn, and apparently, and apparently understand anything that was said to her, and was of a happy disposition, laughing and playing like a child, never out of temper, but well behaved, and a great favourite with those about her. General regret was expressed when she died"

Part of a collection of photographs formed by George Edward Shuttleworth (1842-1928). He was Superintendent of the Royal Albert Asylum at Lancaster from 1870 to 1893. On his retirement in 1893, he devoted himself to the study of insanity, and published a book entitled "Mentally-deficient children: their treatment and training", London 1895. Some of his photographs, manuscripts and publications were presented to the Wellcome Institute Library in 1929

Wellcome Collection 39031i