Note 486 — OF IDIOTS AND LUNATICS.

Ideocy, or fatuity a nativitate, vel dementia naturalis. Such a one is described by Fitzherbert, who knows not to tell 20s, nor knows who is his father or mother, nor knows his age; but if he knows letters, or can read by the instruction of another, then he is no ideot. F. N. B. 233. new edit. 517. These, though they may be evidences, yet they are too narrow, and conclude not always; for ideocy or not is a question of fact triable by jury, and sometimes by inspection. Hale Pl. 29. Bl. Comm. 304.