364 EUGENICS 



laws in operation. Wisconsin has enforced such a law since 1914. 

 In this state the people show an intelligent interest in their health. 

 Before any man may receive a license to marry, he must have a 

 thorough health examination. If an applicant for a marriage 

 license is told that he has a disease which makes it unwise for 

 the marriage to take place, in most cases such a person is interested 

 in learning how to overcome the handicap so that he may marry 

 at some future time. The enforcement of this law is having a 

 beneficial effect on the health of the people, as a whole, and it cer- 

 tainly will mean better health for the next generation. When 

 such laws are in operation, only the fittest are selected for parent- 

 hood. 



(5) The environment may be improved by enacting and enforc- 

 ing laws concerning : 



(a) The eight-hour day 



(b) Better tenement and housing conditions 



(c) Public playgrounds for city children 



(d) Compulsory education 



(e) Laborers' compensation laws 

 (/) Widows' pensions 



(g) Child Labor laws 



(h) Vocational guidance and training 



The eight-hour day permits a man to live a normal life with 

 sufficient opportunity for education, recreation, and physical re- 

 laxation. Better tenement and housing conditions will give all 

 children opportunities to grow up in a clean, wholesome environ- 

 ment. All houses should be built so that fresh air, sunlight, and 

 good sanitation will be available for every person, no matter how 

 rich or poor he may be. Public playgrounds for children will 

 prevent accidents that kill and maim so many children who have 

 no place to play except the streets. 



The compulsory education laws vary in the United States. Most 



