It was not necessary to articulate
any sound, but only to give the labial movements. When tried in a
foreign language she was at a loss to understand a single word.
Since the establishment of the modern high standard of blind
asylums and deaf-and-dumb institutions, where so many ingenious
methods have been developed and are practiced in the education of
their inmates, feats which were formerly considered marvelous are
within the reach of all those under tuition To-day, those born
deaf-mutes are taught to speak and to understand by the movements
of the lips alone, and the blind read, become expert workmen,
musicians, and even draughtsmen. D. D. Wood of Philadelphia,
although one of the finest organists in the country, has been
totally blind for years. It is said that he acquires new
compositions with almost as great facility as one not afflicted
with his infirmity. "Blind Tom," a semi-idiot and blind negro
achieved world-wide notoriety by his skill upon the piano.
In some extraordinary cases in which both sight and hearing, and
sometimes even taste and smell, are wanting, the individuals in a
most wonderful way have developed the sense of touch to such a
degree that it almost replaces the absent senses.
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