HEREDITY 



they are not. They give this impression because they con- 

 cern the whole political system. Perhaps the biological 

 point of view can be made to appear more practical, how- 

 ever, if some definite and concrete problems where its 

 adoption would make for a better world are mentioned. 



Most readers are familiar with the fact that the larger 

 cities are starting medical and psychiatrical clinics in 

 connection with the courts. This is a real scientific advance 

 in one of our most important social institutions. Our 

 penological system is a fossilized remnant of the dark ages. 

 One may not be convinced that law breakers come, in the 

 main, from the feeble-minded and insane. Possibly the 

 majority possess normal intelligence. If so, either our 

 early teaching of the malcontents or the formulation of 

 some of our laws is at fault. On the other hand, there is 

 satisfactory evidence that a lot of the petty crime is com- 

 mitted by easily led morons, and that nearly all of our 

 revolting crimes are committed by people who should 

 be in psychopathic wards. 



Obviously, the asocial individual is often ill and demands 

 treatment instead of punishment. He is a human being, 

 not a machine. There is no good reason why his case should 

 be disposed of by the gentlemen of the bar, men versed 

 solely in legal precedent, instead of by the psychologist and 

 physician. And such a change in judicial procedure is 

 imminent. But what would you say to going still further 

 and demanding preventive medicine as well as correctives? 

 I firmly believe that this should be done. I go so far as to 

 advocate clinics where every child is examined both 

 physically and mentally at stated ages. 



Presumably such institutions would pay their way as 

 public safety devices. Maniac depressives and paranoiacs 

 would frequently be detected before they got in their 

 deadly work. The epileptic and the feeble-minded would 

 be earmarked, so to speak, and limited in their activities. 



[191] 



