Incorrigibility Due to Mismanagement and Misunderstanding

The little girl who is the subject of this study was born in February, 1901, her mother dying at the same time in childbirth. Her father was a somewhat erratic personality, rather a genius in his own profession. The child was left in care of nurses and women relatives who spoiled the naturally masterful, egotistical girl to such an extent that living with her was almost impossible. The father remarried after a few years. His second wife was in ill health, and the little girl was again trusted to nurses. When six years old, she developed the habit of masturbation, which was not discovered for about a year and a half. Every device for breaking her of it was employed, electric treatment, whipping, shaming, and even a mechanical device especially contrived for the prevention of this trouble. Not one made any impression, as the habit had become too firmly rooted. Visitors at the house were struck by the wolfish expression habitually worn by the child. Her health was precarious, her temper frightful, her disposition so warped and soured by indulgence and her resentment at interference so fierce, that, in despair, the family sent her away when she was eight, to a trainer who had been quite successful in helping several children with this trouble. Here for two years the little girl was watched incessantly by day, and at night slept with hands and feet tied. Her luxurious toys were taken from her, she was required to do everything for herself (from dressing herself to washing her own simple clothes), and to assist in the general work. She was not overburdened, but every moment was filled with healthful exercise. She hated and resented such treatment, naturally, and up to the time she came to me she had done nothing unless she knew she would be punished for refusing. Her aim seemed to be to get ahead of people, and hurt them before they thwarted her. In determining for myself whether reclaiming the child were possible, one thing enabled me to throw hesitation to the winds. I was told that when the little girl's father had whipped her severely, and had followed the chastisement with reproaches expressing his