Chapter V What is to be Done? No one interested in the progress of civilization can contemplate the facts presented in the previous chapters without having the question arise, Why isn't something done about this? It will be more to the point if we put the question, Why do [begin italics]we[end italics] not [begin italics]do[end italics] something about it? We are thus face to face with the problem in a practical way and we ask ourselves the next question, What [begin italics]can[end italics] we do? For the low-grade idiot, the loathsome unfortunate that may be seen in our institutions, some have steadily proposed the lethal chamber. But humanity is steadily tending away from the possibility of that method, and there is no probability that it will ever be practiced. But in view of such conditions as are shown in the defective side of the Kallikak family, we begin to realize that the idiot is not our greatest problem. He is indeed loathsome; he is somewhat difficult to take care of; nevertheless, he lives his life and is done. He does not continue the race with a line of children like himself. 101 [end]