IMPROVEMENT OF LIVING THINGS 



235 



erty, and alcoholism are closely associated with feeble- 

 mindedness. It is believed that at least ten per cent 

 of feeble-minded persons possess vicious tendencies 

 and that all feeble-minded persons lack self control. 

 When feeble-minded marry feeble-minded, as they 



nternational A'ru'j Photos 



FIG. 373. CONTRAST BETWEEN A TYPICAL NEW YORK 



TENEMENT AND A MODEL TENEMENT 



DWELLING 



commonly do, the children are feeble-minded. 



Since heredity is such an important factor, it is im- 

 portant that we consider the part it plays in the lives 

 of people and in its effect on human society. The 

 science of improving the heredity of future genera- 

 tions, either physically or mentally, is called eugenics. 

 Leaders in the field of eugenics suggest the following 

 methods for reducing the number of defectives: 



1. Keeping defectives in institutions and prevent- 

 ing them from producing another generation like 

 themselves. At present only about ten per cent of our 



defectives are in institutions. 



2. Making and enforcing strict immigration laws 

 to keep out defectives and relatives of defectives. 



3. Revising marriage laws. A few states now re- 

 quire physical and mental examinations of the appli- 

 cants before a marriage license is issued. 



4. Educating the public concerning the principles 

 of eugenics. 



The health, happiness, and achievements of people 

 are affected by their living conditions. Our homes to- 

 day are better lighted, heated, and ventilated than 

 those of a few years ago. In the crowded districts of 

 our large cities many people are still living in poorly 

 built tenement houses, but these conditions are being 

 remedied gradually. 



FIG. 374. CONTRAST BETWEEN UNSANITARY AND SANITARY 

 DRINKING SERVICE IN SCHOOLS 



Great progress has been made in our schools. The 

 school house of a generation ago was often poorly 

 ventilated and imperfectly lighted. The pupils worked 

 on unsanitary slates and drank from the same drinking 

 cups or dippers. Today our schools are clean and sani- 

 tary. Periodic medical examinations of school chil- 

 dren are maintained in most school systems. These ex- 

 aminations show that many children are suffering 

 from adenoids, diseased tonsils, decayed teeth, defec- 

 tive eyesight, or poor hearing. These conditions 

 should be corrected while the child is young in order 

 that he may get the best from his schooling. Some- 

 times children who are backward are able to do good 

 school work after these defects are remedied. 



The working conditions in factories are better than 

 they were formerly. Child labor is generally pro- 

 hibited by law. More and more industrial organiza- 

 tions are providing shorter working days, thus provid- 

 ing more hours of recreation for the workman. 



Sanitary conditions in cities are greatly improved. 

 We have our city and state boards of health to look 

 after the health and recreation problems affecting the 

 entire communitv. In addition, the United States Pub- 



