THE EUGENIC BARRIER.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1239, 22 September 1911, Page 8

THE EUGENIC BARRIER.

VIEWS OF DR. HAY. An expert opinion on the aims of tho Eugenics Societies is to hv. found in tho annual report of Dr. F. Hay, InspectorGeneral of Mental Hospitals.

"Popular talk in recent years on the subject of heredity," says Dr. Hay, "at a timo when (he phases of opinion held by scientists have been under discussion and less dogmatic views are expressed by publicists, has left tho man in the. street wondering if there is anything in it after all. There being so many men in the street, it is well that they should be told that tho leaders of all the schools are agreed that commonly tho important factor which makes the difference when one individual does and another does not become insane undor a like stress is a tendency which may be and commonly is transmitted by heredity. In this connection it may not be out of place to express a hope that the community will tako full advantage of tho Eugenics Education Societies which have been founded. The mating of individuals, as matters are, is thought to bo the outcome of freo choice; but to the right and left aro artificial barriers which few overleap— such as vsocial position and religion—and eyes aro not turned from the path which leads to limited selection. ~ With the spread of knowledge and higher ideals, it is not too much to hope that in time there will arise the eugenic barrier which will as naturally exclndo from selection the palpably unfit." Dr. Hay also quotes from tho report of the Royal Commission on tho Care and Control of tho Feeble-mnded, as follows:-

"In our opinion, tlio general fceiinß of 'ho people would at present rightly condemn any legislation directed "cfliicfly or exclusively to tho prevention of hereditary transmission of mental defect by sursicnl or other artificial means. . . . The evidence strongly supports measures which on other grounds are of pressing importance, for' placing mentally defective persons, men and women, who arc living at largo and uncontrolled, in institutions where they will bo employed and detainod; and in his, and in other ways, kept under.effectual supervison as long as may be necessary. 1.