INSANITY AND ALCOHOLISM. 89 



the effects of which we shall never live to see, will de- 

 termine whether we are prepared to adapt our ideas 

 and modes of action to the lines that reason and the 

 knowledge of the times have clearly pointed out as 

 the only ones which it is expedient to follow. 



I have so far only indicated in most general terms 

 the aim which in my opinion we should have in view. 

 We have in the two succeeding chapters to consider 

 several problems somewhat similar to those which we 

 have already discussed, and then it will be more easy 

 to obtain a general view of the whole question. We 

 may then consider what steps it may be advisable to 

 take with a view to bringing about satisfactory selection 

 of the population, remembering always that in such a 

 matter nothing can be accomplished which has not 

 the sanction and approval of the mass of the com- 

 munity. The education and conviction of the masses 

 must precede legislation, so that we shall have to 

 consider what is expedient, from a practical point of 

 view, for us to do at the present time, and we shall 

 leave speculation as to possible future action to those 

 who have greater gifts of foresight, and who believe 

 in the possibility of predicting the future action of 

 such a complex machine as an empire of men and 

 women. 



