Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-09
Scientists See Gradual
Deterioration in Human
Race; Due TO Incidence

monty ascribed to the wearing of hats,
recent studies have shown that this In
trinity depends largely on ancestry and
the influence of hats is largely ex.
! aggerated.
I'VE have all but lost the use Of some
of our ear muscles and entirely lost the
use of others, but we are no worse OFT
in our present mode of life. Our little
toe is said to be degenerating, and there
are probably several minor structures
in the same situation. further de-
, generation of the vermiform appendix
would probably be a positive advant-
age"
NATURE is FOUND
TO BE CORRECTING.
Despite the dark picture he has
painted of the course Of the American
race, DR.. Holmes is not entirely pes
simistic. In The course of his 1nvestiga-
| lions he has found several factors when
| tend to indicate that nature is herself
! correcting the deficiencies which
modern civilization has conferred on ths
race
THE one agency which appears to be
most clearly working toward racial iD-s
provement is natural selection of mates, "a
he says. AT any rate, there is q large
amount of evidence that it is favorins
the maintenance Of physical vigor and
keenness of mind. Sexual selection is
still in a more doubtful position.
ITO a certain extent it retains what
might be considered its primitive func-
ton Of denying the privilege of parent
hood to the poorer or uglier individuals
of the species, but the more capable and
Independent spirits, especial among wom4
en-, are coming to be denied this privi-
lege also"
Intelligent recognition Of the racial
maladies which affect the present day
and generation forms the only methoo
for correction, says the college writer
and lecturer
1t is only by recognizing these and
understanding the methods Of their
working that effective means can be
taken to keep them in check" he says.
FEEBLE ATTEMPT To
CURTAIL DETECTIVES.
Rather feeble attempts have been
made to curtail the propagation of mem
tai detectives through sterilizins or seq
regating some Of the worst of these IN
desirable elements The practice carried
on much more extensively would I'M
doubleday relieve society of al immense
burden. But the elimination of our
worst detectives would not meet the most
serious difficulty, which consists in the
loss of stocks which carry out best in
heritance.
1T is doubtful If the pecuniary re-
wards which have sometimes been advo-
Gated for increasing the birth rate of de-
siraLle parents would prove very effess>
tive. There is much to be said in making
parenthood voluntary in all classes so as
to restrict the birth rate among the peo-
pie of better endowments. This of itself
would lead to a create relatives fecun-
dity among those of superior intelligence,
and so long as restriction is not carried
far enough to prevent all increase Of
population the result would doubtless be
socially and eugenically desirable
For most civilized countries, there
fore, the necessity for further restriction
of the birth rate must sooner or later
become imperative. If this should oceHr
mainly in people of better endowments
who already have a low birth rate, the
deterioration of our racial Inheritance
will go on at an accelerated pace.
BEST BLOOD
is MOST PRICELESS.
An ignorant and poverty stricken pro
letariat will multiply rapidly through
sheer lack Of restraint. The lest blood
Of a nation is its most priceless pos
session.
1T is a hopeful sign that here and
there among people who have inherited
A generous measure of DESTROYS traits Gu
genie considerations have led to the
rearing Of large families. On the other
hand, many who are aware that they
carry a hereditary faint refrain from
passing a possible affection to pos
terity.
Those who have been most fortunate
In the possession of hereditary gifts
should feel that upon rests an unusual
obligation to see that their qualities are
not allowed to perish from the earth. The
race has its fate in its own hands to
make OF to mar. VIII it ever take itself
in hand and shape its own destiny?"
DR.. Holmes has been associated with
the University of California faculty fer
a number of years. and is a recogniza<s
authority on evolution and eugenics. Be-
sides his book, Just of the press, he is
the author Of THE Evolution of Animal
Intelligence" Studies in Animal Be
havior," and other volumes affecting the
progress of the human race.