MINERS' NYSTAGMUS
1923; BMJ; Volume: 1; Issue: 3253 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1136/bmj.1.3253.757
ISSN0959-8138
Autores ResumoMINERS' NYSTAGMUS.TRu B 757 fecble-mindedness, indolence, licentiousness, and dishon-esty."The cost to the State had risen to 2,500,000 dollars.The one Who investigated this fanlily histbry most justly remarked that this evil anght have been averted by preventing the reproduction of the first degenerate.'T'he second was the striking example ofsuperiority and de- genieracy in the well known case of the Kallikaklfamily, published by H. H. Goddard.21A young soldier of good stock had a son by a feeble-minded girl, from whom there have descended in a direct line 480 individuals, -of whom only 46 are known to have been normal.Of the rest, some are unknown or doubtful, and the othlers turned out to be feeble-minded, alcoholic, some of the women grossly immoral (mostly prostitutes), epileptics, and criminals.Years later he married a woman of good family, who bore several children, and the descendants turned out well, many of them being distinguished.The two families lived in the same environment.These two families show wlhat evil can be done from the feeble-minded scattered all over the empire.In conclusion, I need hardly say that I am fully aware of the opposition my suggestion wil meet with in this country, not only on sentimental grounds but on those of State inter- ference with the liberty of the subject, and the possibility of evasions, which would certainly be attempted.Nevertheless, those who seriously consider what is best for the future of our race, in view of the facts I hiave mentioned, cannot but agree that it ought to be of the highest importance; we should at least endeavour to secure the advent of only healthy children, and as we lhave the means at our hand we ought to avail ourselves'of them and prevent the propagation of the mentally defective.
Referência(s)