ID# 1721:
Eugenics: The Science of Human Improvement by Better Breeding, by Charles B. Davenport
Date:
1910
Pages: (1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13|14|15|16|17|18|19|20|21)
Source:
Cold Spring Harbor, ERO,

<i>Eugenics: The Science of Human Improvement by Better Breeding</i>, by Charles B. Davenport

[left side] Eugenics pendent classes? Shall we not rather take the steps that scientific study dictates as necessary to dry up the springs that feed the torrent of defective and degenerate protoplasm? Greater tasks than those contemplated in the broadest scheme of the Eugenics committees have been carried out in this country. If only one-half of one percent of the 30 millions dollars annually spent on hospitals, 20 millions on insane asylums, 20 millions for almshouses, 13 millions on prisons, and 5 millions on the feeble-minded, deaf and blind were spent on the study of the bad germ-plasm that makes necessary the annual expenditure of nearly 100 millions in the care of its produce we might hope to learn just how it is being reproduced and the best way to diminish its further spread. A [italics]new[end italics] plague that rendered four percent of our population, chiefly at the most productive age, not only incompetent but a burden costing 100 million dollars yearly to support would instantly attract universal attention, and millions would be forthcoming for it study as they have been for the study of cancer. But we have become so used to crime, disease and 32 [right side] A Plan for Further Work degeneracy that we take them as necessary evils. That they were, in the world's ignorance, is granted. That they must remain so, is denied. The second great duty of the Committee on Eugenics, education, is not less important than investigation. For the ascertained laws would be more than scientifically interesting; they would be guides to action on the part of the reading, thinking public. As precise knowledge is acquired it must be set forth in popular magazine articles, in public lectures, in addresses to workers in social fields: in circular letters to physicians, teachers, the clergy and legislators. The nature and the dangers of unfit matings, the way to secure sound progeny, must ever be set forth. And, finally, when public spirit is aroused, its will must be crystallized in appropriate legislation. Since the weak and the criminal will not be guided in their matings by patriotism or family pride, more powerful influence or restraints must be exerted as the case requires. And as for the idiots, low imbeciles, incurable and dangerous criminals they may under appropriate 33 [end]

Copyright 1999-2004: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; American Philosophical Society; Truman State University; Rockefeller Archive Center/Rockefeller University; University of Albany, State University of New York; National Park Service, Statue of Liberty National Monument; University College, London; International Center of Photography; Archiv zur Geschichte der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Berlin-Dahlem; and Special Collections, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The images and text in this Archive are solely for educational and scholarly uses. The materials may be used in digital or print form in reports, research, and other projects that are not offered for sale. Materials in this archive may not be used in digital or print form by organizations or commercial concerns, except with express permission.