The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-30
The Cure of the Deformed.

medical society in Cleveland has
started movement for removing often
sively deformed and crippled beggars from
the street. Nest people will agree that
this action is wise
OF course. man is not to blame for a
deformity. nor is he exactly to be con-
demRed fer exhibiting the same to make
money, II that is the only way in which
he can obtain his bread and butter. Never
theless, such proceedings are not con-
dueive to the pleasure OF the community.
Nobody likes to sec unpleasantly twisted
figures. or persons with loathsome dis
eases, crawling about the street and maxi
ing themselves conspicuous for the sake
of extorting money from the charitable
Even these who give the money would
probably rather not have it won from them
in precisely that way. There is. moreover.
the shock to the feelings Of children and
sensitive persons to be considered. A little
child's mind is q marvelously tender and
delicate thing and il should he kept as
Ear as possible from ugly impressions.
especially from abnormal sights and
sounds The child's business during the
early years of its growth is to learn all
it can, as fast as it can, about the aver
age. actual world: it is not necessary for
It to study the grotesque and horrible.
Such sights are apt to have grewsorae
fascination fer children, and lead them TO
dwell mcrbidly on unwhelesome things.
1t is necessary that the child should some
day learn about abnormal creatures, and
so is it necessary for it to learn that hor-
rible murders are committed; but the
wise parent will keep yellow sensational
newspapers out of the hands of children,
and not take them through the surgical
ward of a hospital by way of amusement
But if these unfortunate people are TO
be warned off the streets some provision
must be made for them. and it is to be
hoped that the medical society in ques-
ton will look after that. Some day. per-
haps. We shall become so civilized that
all such unhappy persons will be taken
care of. as a matter of course. by the
State. If they are unable to take care Of
There are sentimentalists
who contend that helpless persons should
always be cared for by their own families
rather than by the Government, and they
alIege as a reason for this that the obli
CATION for such service creates in the
family a disposition to be helpful and
unselfish But it is doubtful whether, |
actually. this is so. Suppose there is in
a certain family an aunt. cousin, or other 1
relative afflicted with insanity or some |
kindred disease. If the family, or some |
OF it. should happen TO choose TO !
give years of tender and watchful care to 1
such an afflicted person. instead of sending |
him or her to q public institution. the !
effect on the character of the caretaker |
would probably be very beneficial Such |
cannot be considered as
anything but most valuable in the devel /
1pment of character But if the service /
we're undertaken merely because public |
opinion demanded it. the effect on the |
would be the very reverse of !
good. 1t would simply be one form of |
hypocrisy
1t is time for the public to see that the I
,nly worthy moral actions are those which
are not done under compuisIon. 1t is |
better TO do a good action in 7
than not at all; but in a case |
ike this, If the patient could be more |
cared for in public hos
,ital, and was not wanted in the home
nome treatment would be bad for all con-
,erned.