File:High-grade Moral Imbecile F.jpg

Tall, slight, dark, choreic and languid. With manners deferential 
and cringing toward superiors, he was habitually domineering and 
disagreeable to all others. Perfectly conversant with the proprieties 
of life, he was yet addicted to many filthy habits, and would even 
spit in boys' plates at the table. Would refuse food, but at the same 
time would steal fruit or meat from the dish. With an abundance 
of fine clothing and supplied with every toilet luxury, he yet loved 
to crawl away in dark corners, even into coal-bins, to lie in dirt and 
filth. 

At school learned to read, write, and cipher, and was greatly bene- 
fited by the military drill which he cordially disliked. Was disobedi- 
ent, willful, and insolent. Had a violent temper and once made a 
homicidal attack with a scythe on a man. On one occasion was found 
bombarding with rocks a house, in which he had securely confined a 
female attendant. 

The father, a member of the wealthier class, was willing to expend 
any amount for his comfort and improvement, and his step-mother, 
who lavished much affection upon the boy, was repaid only by abuse. 
Removed in his twenty-first year, and found intolerable at home, he