The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-31
BY HARRY ELMER BARNES


BY HARRY ELMER BARNES
Medicine once was based upon the
theory that disease was caused by
curse Of God or by an improper
mixture of the four humors: Blood,
phlegm and black and white bile,
which were assumed to make up our
bodily constitution.
So long as this theory prevailed,
the unfortunate patient lived in
spite Of, rather that because of, the
doctor. 1t was only after physicians
began to understand disorders, and
had traced their causes, that the
practice of medicine became a rep
utable science.
Thousands Of doctors now are
prepared to correct our physical
shortcomings. But we have yet to
develop a school of practitioners
capable of correcting our moral
shortcomings. Society's criminal
procedure has failed, primarily be-
cause 1t, as well as penal admins
trations, are based upon the wrong
premise.
Courts and prisons hold that all
men are essentially alike; that all
are capable of distinguishing be-
tween right and wrong; and that
every one is completely free to
choose his mode of conduct. They
do not take into consideration his
equipment at birth or his oppor-
tunities thereafter.
Departs From Fact
1t is commended, for instance, that
when any girl enters department
store she is fully free to decide
whether she will pay cash for
priced article, or will resort to shop
lifting.
According to this view of human
action, the criminal is the person
who wilfully and arbitrarily decides
to do evil. In all cases, he is alb
solutely free to lead law-abiding
career.
The above Interpretation of hui
man conduct is as divergent from
well-established scientific fact as
medieval aStrology and alchemy, in
company of which it made its ap-
pearance.
We now recognize that the be-
havior of each human being is the
result of his equipment at birth, in
fluenced by his experiences and OPP
portunities throughout life.
Tell us where a man came from
in his line of descent; tell us where
he has been, and it is possible to
tell you where he is going. At least,
it is possible to tell you which way
he is headed. There are exceptions,
of course.
No Man Is Master
Behavior is the outcome of long
line of antecedent circumstances. In
this accident, both of heredity and
environment, plays large part.
No man is the absolute master Of
his own destiny. He is affected by
condition over which he has no con-
troll.
One boy, defective In body, the
offspring of feeble mindedness, is
born in the slums.
Another boy, robust, a descendent
of genius, is born in good house
in a good neighborhood.
The suggestion that the child OF
the slums does not have as good
chance as the child of better parent
age is by no means based on snob-
berry. It is based on scientific fact.
We shall not discuss here which is
more important, heredity or envi-
ronment. The answer can be dis
covered for individual cases only
through long and patient examina-
ton
Menace to Society
The criminal is one whose hered-
ity. environment, or both, inevitably
led him to commit acts which are
adjudged to be against the interests
Of society. He is a menace to hui
mainly. But he is no more respon-
sible for his actions than is the
missionary or the philanthropiSt
whose duty It was to save him from
himself.
To punish him on the ground
that he has voluntary wronged So
ciety is as foolish as it would be to
penalize him for contracting scarlet
fever. However intense and natural
our indignation against his deed. We
must calmly recognize that had we
posed opportunities no better than
his, we might have done as he did.
Yet we can not ignore facts harm
full to society. For public protection,
the criminal must be caught and
studied. Only when the origins and
causes Of his criminality are laid
bare can treatment be applied with
intelligence.
The results OF this treatment will
determine whether he is to be seq
regated permanently. or whether he
is to be restored to good standing in
society.
Next: DR.. Barnes VIII discuss
Punishment or Scientific Treat
ment In Handling Criminals"
Airplane service in the interior OF