THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF MAN 269 



which means that, until we are clearly sure of what 

 constitutes a hereditary criminal trait, we should 

 move very slowly in the matter of mutilating crim- 

 inals. 



What steps may the eugenist, with his present 

 limited knowledge, clearly, hopefully and confidently 

 take to improve the future of the human species? 

 There is one avenue open to us in this matter in 

 which we can hardly go wrong. Even our mistakes 

 can work little harm, and every well-done piece of 

 work in this field will be a blessing to the race. This 

 step lies in inculcating in our boys and girls high 

 ideals of parenthood. This is more effective than 

 legal prohibition of certain forms of marriage which 

 cannot prevent matings, ancf adds the curse of illegiti- 

 macy to the other handicaps of the children of such 

 unions. The first step in this process has already 

 been reasonably well accomplished. Both our boys 

 and our girls are in love with health. A good hus- 

 band and a good wife should be healthy and vigorous. 

 This does not mean that we expect a boy or girl who 

 is looking forward to marriage to sit down and ask 

 himself deliberately about the health of the person 

 with whom he would mate. We must fill our chil- 

 dren with the love of outdoor life, with the love of 

 exercise. This will foster in them an admiration for 

 people who are vigorous of body and alert of mind. 



