HUMAN CONSERVATION 255 



imbeciles, and rapists may be mentioned, namely, 

 the extreme treatment of either asexuahzation or 

 vasectomy. The latter is a minor operation con- 

 fined to the male which occupies only a few moments 

 and requires at most only the application of a local 

 ansesthetic, such as cocaine. There are no disturbing 

 or even inconvenient after effects from this operation. 

 It consists in removing a small section of each sperm 

 duct and is entirely effectual in preventing subse- 

 quent parenthood. 



In the female the corresponding operation, which 

 consists in removing a portion of each Fallopian 

 tube, is much more severe, but not impracticable or 

 dangerous. 



Eight states ^ already have sterilization laws pro- 

 viding for certain cases and "could such a law be 

 enforced in the whole United States, less than four 

 generations would eliminate nine tenths of the crime, 

 insanity and sickness of the present generation in 

 our land. Asylums, prisons and hospitals would 

 decrease, and the problems of the unemployed, the 

 indigent old, and the hopelessly degenerate would 

 cease to trouble civilization." 



5. The Conservation of Desirable Germ plasm 



Not only negatively by the restriction of undesir- 

 able germplasm, but also positively by the conser- 

 vation of desirable germplasm, may the eugenic 

 ideal be approached. 



1 Indiana, 1907; Washington, 1909; California, ^909; Connecticut, 

 1909; Nevada, 1911 ; Iowa, 1911 ; New Jersey, 1911 ; New York, 19U. 



