i I 



tion is in protection from the State, and that protection should continue 

 throughout her whole lifetime. 



The question is frequently asked if feeble-minded girls should ever 

 be allowed to marry. In my judgment no feeble-minded girl should ever 

 marry, even though she has been sterilized at pubescence. For the danger 

 lies in the fact that she has hot the intelligence adequately to comprehend 

 the meaning of the nuptial tie. The obligations of this relationship 

 would mean nothing to her. and she could not be held responsible for 

 violations of those obligations. If she were free from state control, and 

 should be permitted to marry, even though she had been sterilized at 

 puberty, there would still be the tendency to fall into prostitution and 

 crime which would be unavoidable. It would afford the means of spread- 

 ing venereal disease and stimulating prostitution, which I feel no State 

 can afford to permit. 



One of the greatest social problems of the day for Indiana and all 

 other States is the proper control and education of the feeble-minded 

 delinquent girl. If she is not brought under control, she will propagate 

 her kind, and it is probable that the percentage of feeble-mindedness will 

 increase. With its increase comes added expenditure for state institu- 

 tions, juvenile courts, medical aid, and waste in education, etc. which 

 increases with leaps and bounds. But if the State takes under its pro- 

 tection and care all feeble-minded girls and boys, there will soon be a 

 great decline in many of the social wastes which at present are sapping 

 the resources of the State. It is difficult to estimate the whole cost to 

 the State of the offspring from one degenerate woman. Fortunately we 

 have a few statistics on this point. The Germans have studied with care 

 the long line of descendants from a few degenerate women, and have 

 calculated their cost to the state. For example, a Margaret Siler. who 

 is characterized as a weak-minded prostitute, was the mother of six chil- 

 dren. After ISO years the history of her progeny is as follows: She had 

 1.280 descendants: of these there were 200 criminals. 280 adult paupers. 

 300 died of congenital diseases, there were 50 tramps, and she cost Ger- 

 many $150,000,000 in legal proceedings alone. Another instance is that 

 of Ada Joirk. a feeble-minded prostitute and drunkard. Seven hundred 

 nine of her descendants have been accounted for. There were 141 beg- 

 gars, <i4 in the poorhouse, 287 vagabonds, and TO sexual criminals. She 

 ciist Switzerland $1,250-000 in 120 years, and through the lines of con- 



