THE SUB-MAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 31 December 1924, Page 10

THE SUB-MAN

CAUSES OF C 3 POPULATION In the current issue of Science Progress is given a full report of tho recent Chadwick lecture, delivered by Professor E. W. Mcßride, F.R.S., D.Sc., on the important subject of “Some Causes of a C 3 Population.” The chief topic discussed is the sub-man, whom we must contrast with Nietzsche’s super-man. The sub-men form a very real C 3 class in modern society, and their existence gives rise to a serious social problem. The “sub-men” are what the American sociologists call the “morons”—mental defectives, but of a comparatively high grade; hence the danger to society. Such men are below the normal standard of mental development, and the un*

portanco of this point is indicated by tho fact that tho application of intclli- ’ gence tests to delinquents in America lias shown that a very large proportion of criminals, habitual drunkards, and prostitutes are “morons.” Two chief points were considered in Professor Mcßride's lecture. First of all. he showed that this mental defectiveness is hereditary. He then discussed tho original causes of mental defect. llis conclusion is that it is not due to “atavism or a sudden “reversion or “throw-hack” to a more primitive human type. The appearance of a C 3 class in tho first place is regarded as duo to germ weakening caused by unhealthy parental conditions. In support of this view wo are referred to some exceedingly interesting experiments by Gustav Tornie 1 ' in connection with gold fish. The Chinese gold fish is a “mo ron” or dp generate of the fish tribe. Its form and colouring were originally directly due to the insanitary conditions in which it, was bred. In the case of the human “moron,” the unhealthy state and low vitality of the mother result in the weakening ol tho germ and developing embro. This causes tho resultant offspring to be stunted and dwarfed, both physically and mentally. In view of the fact that the low-grade character is hereditary, the conclusion of the lecture is naturally engenical. “Ts it not self-evident that if wo eliminate natural selection—Nature's broom, by means of which she keeps other types of life healthy and clean- - wo must replace it by an equally efficient broom of our own? Until we do so I feel sure that we shall be continually' encumbered by r the problem of a C 3 population.