72 THE FAMILY AND THE NATION 



even at the parents' valuation, to be normal members 

 of society, while 328 persons, the descendants of 150 

 pairs of parents not necessarily both feeble-minded 

 showed definite mental disease in some form or other, a 

 considerable increase in one generation. Again, it was 

 noted by the Commissioners that in one workhouse 

 alone, sixteen feeble-minded women had produced 1 1 6 

 children, and out of one such family of fourteen, only 

 four had been able to do remunerative work. 



The lack of moral responsibility in the individuals 

 who create such offspring, and in the society which 

 tolerates or encourages such a proceeding, is appalling. 

 Verily, if it needs must be that such offences come into 

 this world, woe unto that man or woman by whom the 

 offence cometh ! 



