DECADENT RACE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 12080, 20 October 1933, Page 5

DECADENT RACE

Ai.AßM.iNj3'' POSITION iN BRITAIN* ONE IN 120 FEEBLE-MINDED. CONTINUAL PROPAGATION OF UNFIT. STERILISATION AND BIRTH CONTROL SUPPORTED. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Oct. 19. Lord Horder, inaugurating post-graduate lectures at Hampstead Hospital, said that the national stock-taking had produced most unpalatable facts. Britain, he said was staggered during war-time to find that only ono of three recruits aged from 17 to 18 years was perfectly sound. To-day, one in 120 was feeble-minded, one in 200 insane, one in ten over-dull and over-sickly to be absorbed in industry. The nation was making an enormous expenditure to educate and maintain these inefficients, said Lord Horder, but this was not as serious as the fact that future stock is being continually recruited therefrom. He pointed out that the eugenic movement sougjit to operate voluntarily, advocating the sterilisation of mental defectives and mental convalescents, and also sufferers from transinissable defects.

Lord Horder urged that genetics should bo taught to medical students, reinforcing doctors’ knowledge of many diseases, and enabling them to properly advise those contemplating marriage. He feared that many doctors were still unable to give scientific: advice on contraception.