The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-06-19

has been a gain in vitality in the
Younger age groups is unquestion'
able. Unfortunately this has served
to cover a loss of vitality in the Older
age periods. The peculiar feature OF
this is that this rising mortality in the
later periods of life is observable in
the United States and not in most
other civilized countries.
England and Wales. Denmark, Nor
way. Sweden and Prussia show i'm
proved mortality at every age period.
In these countries the fall in the death
rate has not been due solely TO a re
duction in infant diseases. tuberculo-
sis and other communicable ills. In
these diseases the United States does
not compare unfayorably. 1t does com
pare unfayorably as regards degenera-
tive or regresisve diseases, which
chiefly affect middle life and old age.
1t is held by many investigators that
this condition must be ascribed in a
broad sense to a lack of adoption 10
our rapidly developing civilization.
The remedies suggested are;
Eugenics, to improve the stock.
Periodic examinations to detect ear
" signs OF disease, as well as defects
OF teeth, tonsils, nasal cavities, etc.
The practice of personal hygiene
The observance of these measures
would not only further decrease the
total death rate, but would tend TO
lengthen individual life.
What "Eusenies" Really Is.
Few words have been more mis-
used or less understood in recent
years than eugenics. Eugenics is not
simply sex hygiene. Sex hygiene is
one. but only one of the considera-
tions in eugenic improvement.
Eugenics does not require the prac-
tice of infanticide or any other meas
ure repugnant to humanitarian or re-
ligious principles.
Eugenics does not mean, as some
have imagined, compulsory or govern
ment made marriages.
Nor is eugenics the science of i'm
proving the human stock physically
by matings that are accidentally ideal
but lacking the element of individual
attraction and love.
Eugenics does deal with the laws
of heredity. Its object is the improve
ment of the inherent type and the
mental and physical capacities of the
individual in the future. 1t is wider
in its immediate scope than hygiene,
that is the personal care of the indi-
vidual.
While important discoveries regard
ing the law of heredity have been
made, there are many of its workings
which yet remain mysteries.
From a practical view point the
most important eugenic recommenda-
tions which have been made by eX-
perts are: (D. Education of the public
on the inheritability OF physical and
mental traits; (2) segregation OF de-
fectiyes so that they may not mingle
their family traits with those on sound
lines; GO sterilization of certain gross
and hopeless detectives, to prevent
propagation of their types.
These recommendations may seem
radical. They are easier to lay down
theoretically than to carry out prac-
tically. The question OF deciding just
who is and who is not defective, would
be a puzzling one. Nevertheless,
there is a growing feeling that it is
not right to bring into the world chill
dren who because of parental defects
are doomed to lives of crime and mis-
cry.
To Keep Youth.
Far too many men and women in
this country, while not invalids, have
lost youth and vitality by the time
40 is reached. There is no vital ne
necessity for this. Bad habits, lack OF
fresh air, above all too little exercise
are responsible for much of this con
dition. Even constitutional defects or
actual ailments can be to a large eX-
tent overcome. When this is under
stood and practiced a great step will
be taken not only towards lengthening
life, but to making life better worth
living.