ID# 2156:
"Studies in National Eugenics," by Francis Galton, subjects for eugenics inquiry communicated at meeting of Sociological Society (2/14/1905)
Date:
1905
Pages: (1|2|3|4)
Source:
University College London, GP, 182

&quote;Studies in National Eugenics,&quote; by Francis Galton, subjects for eugenics inquiry communicated at meeting of Sociological Society (2/14/1905)

Studies in National Eugenics 15 includes questions of fertility, and the determination of the "probable error" of the estimate for individuals, according to the data employed. [italics](a)[end italics] "Biographical Index to Gifted Families," modern and recent, for publication. It might be drawn up on the same principle as my "Index to Achievements of Near Kinsfolk of Some of the Fellows of the Royal Society" (see "Sociological Papers," Vol. I., p. 85). The Index refers only to facts creditable to the family, and to such of these as have already appeared in publications, which are quoted as authority for the statements. Other biographical facts that may be collected concerning these families are to be preserved for statistical use only. [italics](b)[end italics] Biographies of capable families, who do not rank as "gifted," are to be collected, and kept in MS., for statistical use, but with option of publication. [italics](c)[end italics] Biographies of families, who, as a whole, are distinctly below the average in health, mind, or physique, are to be collected. These include the families of persons in asylums of all kinds, hospitals, and prisons. To be kept for statistical use only. [italics](d)[end italics] Parentage and progeny of representatives of each of the social classes of the community, to determine how far each class is derived from, and contributes to, its own and the other classes. This inquiry must by carefully planned beforehand. [italics](e)[end italics] Insurance office data. An attempt to be made to carry out the suggestions of Mr. Palin Egerton, "Sociological Papers," Vol. I. p. 62, of obtaining material that the authorities would not object to give, and whose discussion might be advantageous to themselves as well as to Eugenics. The matter is now under consideration, so more cannot be said. II. Effects of action by the State and by Public Institutions. [italics](f)[end italics] Habitual criminals. Public opinion is beginning to regard with favour the project of a prolonged segregation of habitual criminals, for the purpose of restricting their opportunities for (I) continuing their depredations, and (2) producing low class offspring. The inquiries spoken of above (see [italics]c[end italics]) will measure the importance of the latter object. [italics](g)[end italics] Feeble-minded. Aid given to Institutions for the feeble-minded are open to the suspicion that they may eventually promote their marriage and the production of offspring like themselves. Inquiries are needed to test the truth of this suspicion. [italics](h)[end italics] Grants towards higher education. Money spent in the higher education of those who are intellectually unable to profit by it lessens the [end]

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