Experience in Sterilization of Mental Defectives Number of epileptics sterilized: The number of male epileptics sterilized was 31 normals, 140 with an I.Q. below 90, or a total of 171. Fifteen normal females were sterilized, 184 with an I.Q. below 90, or a total of 199, a total of 370 of both sexes or 8.5 per cent of the 4,310 cases sterilized. It has been the policy of the State for many years to sterilize the epileptics, even if normal intellectually. This is especially true as there is apparently more trend towards heredity and because they are not as able to care for their offspring as the ordinary mentally deficient. The total number of epileptics in the institution as compared to the mental defectives runs between 20 and 25 per cent. On December 31, 1943, or the end of this survey period, we had 698 epileptics, or 16.7 per cent of the total population. Mongolian types sterilized: This far we have performed such operation on three cases of this type and only on the insistence of the parents. While we may assume that as long as any female menstruates she may become pregnant, yet in all of our studies at autopsies, on the Mongolian type, 61 in the past ten years, we have found without exception that their reproductive organs were of the infantile type and we feel they could probably not have become pregnant. Although there have been reported cases of pregnancy in this type, we have never been able to obtain a verification of same. Hence, out policy is not to sterilize such individuals. Also this particular type is a very poor surgical risk for any kind of an operation, especially on account of defective hearts and general weakness of their circulatory system and lungs. Defective and psychopathic delinquents sterilized: A new commitment law in California was passed by the 1939 Legislature, allowing us to sterilize such cases regardless of their intelligence. From March 1, 1941, to March 1, 1944, there have been 64 cases committed. Of this number three males and three females have been sterilized and the I.Q.s ranged from 73 to 101, their chronological ages running about the same as the others. These defective and psychopathic delinquent cases are not included in our series of 4,310 cases. We feel that quite a number of this type need this operation very much. We have only sterilized such cases within the past few months, waiting for an interpretation of the law. Status of sterilized patients: The number of males discharged was 856, died 92, transferred 133, still in the institution 784. Females discharged 1,313, died 91, transferred 153, still in the institution 888. Of the 784 males still on our records 243 are paroled and 57 on escape, leaving 484 in residence. Of the 888 females still on our records 295 are paroled and 17 on escape, leaving in residence 576, a total of both sexes of 1,060 or 25 per cent of those discharged, paroled and escaped. The question might be asked why sterilize so many cases and still leave one-fourth of them in the institution. [end]