FEEBLE-MINDEDNESS 47 



have little power of looking into the future, or of foreseeing 

 the consequence of their own acts. They do not well 

 remember past warnings, and are often in some respects 

 devoid of a sense of shame. And the fact that they would 

 multiply rapidly if left at Uberty makes the prevention of 

 parenthood especially necessary in their case. 



Then as to the ways in which parenthood should be pre- 

 vented, some of the feeble in mind are endowed with strong 

 sexual impulses, and are a danger to the pubhc when at 

 hberty. All of them, if unaided, are incapable of looking 

 after themselves properly. As to those without natural 

 protectors, many must, therefore, be sent to institutions, 

 whilst far more ought thus to be cared for than is the case 

 at present. This is, in fact, generally the best way of 

 preventing parenthood. 



To have to shut up any one is of course very distasteful 

 to us all, for we all advocate freedom. But can we call the 

 feeble-minded person " free," even when he is at liberty ? 

 A boy so afflicted may be jeered at in the streets, and when 

 grown up he will not be treated as an equal by his com- 

 panions. Is this freedom ? When sent to an institution he 

 will for the first time in his life be surrounded by his equals ; 

 with the result that he will generally be more contented 

 than when out in the world. Those who visit such an 

 institution, and who watch the faces of its inmates, will 

 reahze that they are not as a rule to be pitied on account 

 of their own feehngs. No doubt a few do fret, but not 

 many. At such places the feeble in mind can learn better 

 than anywhere else to pass their time in a useful and not 

 disagreeable manner, and consequently to send them there 

 is generally the kindest thing to do for them. 



If the parents are neither feeble in mind nor living 

 uncivihsed lives, or if suitable guardians can be found, it is 

 often a good plan to leave the feeble-minded person under 

 supervision at home or elsewhere. In nearly all cases the 

 possibihty that they will have illegitimate children has to 

 be considered; but, as remarked in the last chapter, this 

 risk could always be avoided by sterihzation. This policy 



