Control of Heredity: Eugenics 287 



justification which could be offered for the general sterilization 



of the inmates of all public institutions, which is urged by some 

 of our modern crusaders, would be the defense which some per- 

 sons make for war, namely that there are too many people and 

 that anything which will prevent the growth of population is to be 

 welcomed. 



Effects of War on Race. — Advocates of war never cease to 

 point out its beneficial effects on the race, — how it makes men 

 strong, courageous, unselfish, how it makes nations great, power- 

 ful, progressive. There is no doubt that war like any other great 

 crisis discovers great men and furnishes opportunities for the 

 development of great qualities that might otherwise remain unde- 

 veloped and unknown. But there is also no doubt that it takes 

 the very best blood of the nations. Those who go to war are the 

 young, the strong, the capable, while the weak, incompetent and 

 degenerate are left behind as unfit for military service. If con- 

 ditions could be reversed and the bungled and botched, the feeble- 

 minded and insane, the degenerate and debauched could be put 

 in the forefront of battle some benefit to the race might result, 

 but no increase of national greatness can compensate for the 

 awful waste of the best thing which any nation possesses — its 

 best blood. 



3. Positive Eugenical Measures. — Positive eugenical measures 

 are much more difficult to apply and are of more doubtful value. 

 Of course compulsory measures are out of the question and en- 

 couragement and advice alone are feasible. Giving advice re- 

 garding matrimony is proverbially a hazardous performance, and 

 it is not much safer for the biologist than for others. 



Eugenical Predictions Uncertain. — With much more complete 

 knowledge regarding human inheritance than we now possess it 

 may be possible to give eugenical advice wisely, especially 

 with respect to physical characteristics which are hereditarily 

 simple and generally of minor significance. But where the char- 

 acter is an extremely complex one such as intellectual ability, mor- 

 al rectitude, judgment and poise, which are the chief characteris- 



