St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1913-02-26
4 COMMUNICATION
A Lady Advocates the Adoption of
Sterilization In Vermont
Editor of Caledonian:

Editor of Caledonian:
Is sterilization" a word which is
properly understood? We should
judge not, if we are to base our con-
clusion upon the newspaper articles
appearing in the public press from
various editors, as well as indiVi-
duals
One of these writer's refers in
slurring manner to the 'SuffragetteG
and women VINO brazenly appear be-
fore a committee of men and dis
cuss Venereal diseases" Now we dc
not know to whom this modest
man refers, but we would like to in
form him and any other such, that
we believe it eminently proper fol
women to address a committee upon
any subject in which they are vital
ly Interested, and especially so when
it affects their health and happiness
in common with men. Furthermore
it is entirely constitutional. Shame
on such masculine prudery when the
health and happiness of the race may
be in the balance.
If it is unwomanly to show an in
terest in the matters directly and
vitality affecting women and causing
them needless sorrow and suffering
SAOA VIC AuuoL p1CdQ W Ll1C
charge.
VenereaI disease often does 70.
a man exactly what the Sterilization
bill proposed TO do for the
states detectives, the only difference
being that one is self inflicted
through ignorance of natures laws
while the other is deliberately plan
ned.
Men have tried 10 lay the blame
of childless homes at the feet of
women. Isn't it about time the
light was turned on, and the blame
placed where it belongs?
Venereal disease is the chief
cause of dead and defective children
hospital operations which mutiIate
and unsex women and consign then
to permanent invalidism, and the
sudden death of men in middle life
is often caused by the same thing.
Have these Sterilization alarm
lists" ever arisen to cry from the
housetops that "men must learn the
art of self control, and live pure
life, or the race is certainly doomed
to extinction?"
The Sterilization bill is in line
with progressive legislation, but
should have included some defective
types fortunate enough to keep out
of our state institutions but who arc
menace to every community. Sim
liar bills have been adopted in In
diana, Oregon, Michigan and have
been introduced in several other
states.
Inc -Vasectomy, is
said to be trif1ing and painless. 1t
entails no wound infection, no dan
ger, no confinement in bed and no
impairment of sexuality, which is
more than can be said of the opera
tions women are forced to undergo
as a result of the husbands inf
deity.
1t will thus be seen that no
cruelty is imposed upon detectives,
but the multiplication of degenerates
and detectives is restricted.
Every progressive and intelligent
farmer realizes the necessity of
wedding out the scrub stock in his
flock and herds. Why should it seem
a crime and ''immodest" for men an6
women to intelligently discuss a
human problem which concerns both
sexes, and especially when both men
and women are compelled to pay the
bills and suffer the consequences?
The average man and woman who
marry, and assume the responsibility
of parenthood are more or less de
void of proper knowledge and of how
to rear healthy, happy normal child
rem. Isn't it about time the state
inaugurated a campaign OF educa-
ton along these lines, the educators
to be composed of both men and
women?
MRS. E. L. PARMELEE,
Enosburg Falls, VT.