British Journal of Medical Psychology.

1. Tredgold, A. F. The Definition and Diagnosis of Moral Imbecility. 1-9.

2. Burt, Cyril. The Definition and Diagnosis of Moral Imbecility. 10-46.

3. Smith, Hamblin M. The Definition and Diagnosis of Moral Imbecility. 47-54.

4. Thomas, Rees WM. The Definition and Diagnosis of Moral Imbecility. 55-69.

5. Shrubsall, F. C. The Definition and Diagnosis of Moral Imbecility. 70-.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Here are five papers, contributions to a Symposium arranged by the Education and Medical Sections of the British Psychological Society in March, 1926. Although there is little or no reference made to the psychoanalytic study of any particular individual or individuals that according to the British Mental Deficiency Act of 1913, and classed as “Moral Imbeciles,” a few lines might be given indicating the general scope of the discussion.

Moral Imbecility is one of four classes of mental defect illy defined under this Act. The discussion is aimed at the effort to clarify the concept for medicolegal purposes. It is more or less remarkable that the closely allied grouping, so outstanding in German psychiatry, psychopathic personal is mostly passed over.

Tredgold in his opening remarks shows that the legal concept is that of a combination of mental defect and marked misconduct. His discussion is chiefly clinical. Organic instinctive behavior patterns of long ancestry are first posited. These are at first egoistic and antisocial and later experiences give rise to sentiments of rightness or wrongness which serve as brakes to control the primitive selfish instincts. Moral sense he thinks is essentially emotional and conative. Moral perception or discrimination is a purely intellectual process, the former having greater influence upon inhibition of antisocial conduct than the latter. Three stages are laid down. For the first few years of life conduct consists in the carrying out of certain ingrained tendencies. Second, following precept or example habits of obedience to authority are fo