The methods of eugenics / [C.W. Saleeby].

  • Saleeby, C. W. (Caleb Williams), 1878-1940.
Date:
[1910?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The methods of eugenics / [C.W. Saleeby]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1/10 (page 277)
    THE* METHODS OF EUGENICS.* In discussing the Methods of Eugenics, one may begin by briefly defining a few terms. It must be made clear that by Eugenics I mean what the word indicates—Good breeding. We are not here concerned with the methods of inquiry in the field of heredity. The proper name for that inquiry is Genetics, introduced by Professor Bateson, its pioneer and greatest living exponent. But Eugenics is good breeding : a practice, based upon what may be most succinctly defined as the Darwinian, which is also the natural, principle of selection for parenthood. Here there may also be noted the following terms for which I am responsible. The person who believes in and works for the practice of Eugenics we may call a Eugenist. When selection occurs in the wrong direction, we may call the process Dysgenics. The eugenic process we may distinguish as positive, negative and preventive, the first being the encouragement of parenthood on the part of the worthy and the second the discouragement of parenthood on the part of the unworthy, whilst preventive eugenics will combat what may be called the racial poisons, such as syphilis and malaria, alcohol and lead, according to the principle obsta principiis. For convenience we may discuss the methods of Eugenics under these three headings, and under each we shall find certain measures or proposals which, as it seems to me, we are to reject, others which we must question, and others which we must accept. The distinc¬ tions between positive, negative, and preventive Eugenics are, of course, only categorical, and in many instances one method may serve various ends. There is no intention in what follows to be comprehensive, but merely to present an indicative outline of the methods of Eugenics. It must be remembered that almost every change in public opinion, however small, almost every legislative enactment or decision on the part of the smallest body, will in greater or less degree affect marriage and parenthood, and may therefore be a method of Eugenics or of Dysgenics. When we acquire the habit of thinking eugenically, we soon see the truth of this contention. But for the present our concern is with obvious and more direct matters. In the first place, it is worth while to insist strongly upon the value of eugenic propaganda. Everyone who knows the impor¬ tance of this subject should be a centre of eugenic opinion. Having for several years past devoted the greater part of my time to this * Revised from a lecture delivered before the Sociological Society, Feb. 8th, 1910.