New-York tribune., 1912-04-07
SIGNS OF PROGRESS.

"What are some of the most apparent ana
at the same time most significant signs OF
prosress in this field?' DR.. Morrow was
asked.
oThe change i'm the spirit and practice OF
the medical profession in sharing its knowi-
edge with the public-the break with the
policy of silence and concealment" he re-
piled.
1T may be fairly claimed that this society
was the first to bring the discussion OF
these diseases into the open, to pronounce
their names before mixed audiences Of
r.en and women, and 10 place this class OF
infections on the same plane of publicity
as other infectious diseases dangerous to
the public health.
Also, there is the change i'm the attitude
of the public toward the sex problem. The
present day is marked by an open-mlnded-
ness on the part Of the public, a recep-
1iyity to the knowledge of the facts which
furnish motives TO this movement, an In
telligent recognition of the significance of
these facts which are in striking contrast
with the indifference. the apathy and the
hostility even on the part of the public
which formerly prevailed. In many social
circles this formerly forbidden topic Is now
discussed with a frankness, candor and
a competence which have never before been
known in social history.
Among the most encouraging signs Of
progress is the change, / might more truly
say the revolution, In pedagogc and social
sentiment toward the introduction of sex
teaching in schools and colleges, as we'll
as in the home.
This society has always regarded the
instruction of young persons in the laws
OF hygiene and sex, as the most impor-
tant and valuable features OF its educa-
tiona programme, and also the most diff1-
cult. as II ran counter to deep seated con-
yfctions and prejudices fortified by gen.
erations of heredity and training. wide
breach has been made in this wall of con-
ventionsl prejudice"
A short time ago DIR. Morrow sent to
200 presidents of colleges and universe
ties and TO superintendents Of public edu-
cation a letter asking their opinion rela-
tive TO:
First-The Importance of educating young
persons in the physiology and hygiene OF
sex.
second-The practicability OF introducing
sex teaching in schools and colleges.
Third-The matter and method of the
proposed instruction.
Within the few days that have since
elapsed. nearly three hundred replies have
been received With few exceptions. there
was the most unqualified Endorsement CT
propositions one and two
The need of such teaching is pronounced
by these various authorities TO be "im-
peratiye." vital" indispensable" The
most vital question civilization has TO
answer. When rightly answered, num-
Der of other difficult social problems VIII
have become non-existent' Its value can
not be overestimated." "Of the most vital
Importance to the physical as well as TO
the moral and spiritual uplift Of the race"
such education Is the surest safeguard OF
YOUTH IAN intelligent and reverent
understanding OF sex will cleanse the world
of the defective conditions OF humanity,
physically. morally and spiritually. Many
a life is wrecked because OF the Ignorance
of these vital principles OF physiology and
hygiene. Many human being spends
life that is worse than torment, because he
has not received the right instruction." etc.
In reply to question three, there is gen.
orally expressed in the letters that have
been received some doubt as to the wisdom
or expediency of introducing this teaching