376 EVOLUTION AND GENETICS 



Goddard points out that the intelligence of a moron, for example, 

 fits him admirably for special education for the performance of 

 menial tasks in which he can feel a sense of accomplishment, while 

 a more intelligent person would find the same tasks drudgery. 

 We cannot avoid the fact, however, that intelligence is a valuable 

 asset. A man must have the physical capacity for his occupation, 

 but within limits he may even overcome physical inferiority by 

 the exercise of intelligence. 



The physical basis for human activities finds its greatest expres- 

 sion in health, since we have now so largely replaced the need 

 of great physical strength with machinery. Normal bodies to 

 begin with and normality of functions throughout life are not only 

 a blessing to the individual but a real asset to society. Their 

 lack is not inimical to great accomplishment, as has been shown 

 over and over in the lives of great men, but it cannot fail to be a 

 handicap even to those who successfully overcome it. 



Abnormalities, both of body and of mind, are fundamentally 

 abhorrent to the eugenist. Abnormalities of body are usually 

 nothing more than handicaps and so can hardly be considered as 

 justifiable material at present for eugenic control; they must be 

 relieved and corrected as far as possible but humanitarian con- 

 siderations forbid any further control. There are some very 

 serious hereditary structural defects whose perpetuation is a matter 

 of grave concern but these, fortunately, are not common. 



Abnormalities of mind, however, are much more likely to be 

 insurmountable. The intelligence of a moron may not make him 

 a public charge. Indeed, if we follow Goddard 's teaching we must 

 regard morons as an asset when properly trained. Idiocy and 

 congenital insanity are on an entirely different plane; they are 

 certain to throw a considerable burden on the public and the 

 public should therefore have something to say about the proper 

 control of their lives. In 1910 there were 187,791 insane in hos- 

 pitals in the United States alone. Here is a case in which eugenists 

 can logically and humanely urge restriction. In addition to these 

 extremes there are many socially undesirable traits including 

 dipsomania, paranoia, immorality, etc., which are not necessarily 

 a matter of public concern in every individual displaying 

 them. 



The amelioration of existing conditions is rather a matter of 

 sociology than of biology, but in many cases conditions are such 



