Chapter IX 



THE QUESTION OF PHYSICAL DEGENERATION 



I 



INTRODUCTORY 



IF it be true, as I have tried to show, that in wild species 

 stability is maintained only by wholesale elimination of those 

 that fall more than a very little below the average, it follows 

 that instability must result from the relaxation of the system now 

 observable among civilised peoples. Among the variations 

 tolerated will be many of a distinctly retrogressive character : 

 there will be loss, partial or complete, of powers and faculties 

 formerly essential, in fact, what is called degeneration. 



As to whether degeneration, slow or rapid, is actually taking 

 place, opinions are much divided. The optimists have a good 

 deal of evidence to adduce if it will only stand investigation. 

 There is the increased stature of women in the present day, a 

 very striking phenomenon among the upper classes, not a matter 

 of mere fractions of inches discovered by careful measurements, 

 but visible to anyone who is capable of observing. There is the 

 constant advance in the athletic records. There is the fact that 

 our explorers seem to stand hardships as well as any of their pre- 

 decessors, while our soldiers go through campaigns side by side 

 with men of less civilised races. The athletic tendency of the 

 present day must, it is maintained, lead to an improvement in 

 physique. Longevity is increasing and, finally, as to diseases, 

 many that are fatal to savages civilised man throws easily off him 

 when they make their attack. 



On the other side there is much to be said. No breeder of 

 horses would hope for good results were he to take for the stud 

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