s researches in a
book entitled "Eugenical Sterilization in the United States." He
publishes the texts of all the laws past and present, gives his idea of
a model sterilization law, together with the necessary forms for putting
it into effect. He also deals with the physiological and mental effects
of sexual sterilization. A reviewer of his book, writing in the _Journal
of Heredity_ of October, 1923, states forcibly the case for the
opponents of sterilization. He expresses the opinion that "The release
of sterilized individuals with feeble inhibitions or anti-social
tendencies is the equivalent to the creation of so-many new and virulent
foci of venereal diseases and promiscuity."

Furthermore, the Central Association for Mental Welfare of Great
Britain, which was formed in 1913 to act as a co-ordinating and
representative body on all questions affecting mental defectives and
their relations to the community, not long ago referred the question to
their standing Medical Committee, who gave the considered opinion that
"sterilization at the present time is not a practical proposition."

The Committee of the Central Association being in complete agreement
with this view, the Association decided not to advocate the policy of
sterilization, because they consider that it would have only a limited
influence in preventing the increase of mental deficiency, that it would
be attended with certain harmful results in other directions, and
because its adoption is impracticable. The Association's statement on
this subject goes on to say: "It is very important to remember that
although propagation by defectives is one of the causes of mental
deficiency, nevertheless this is by no means the only social menace
attaching to their presence in the community. If left unguided and
unprotected, their lack of stability and control may lead them to commit
serious crime, such as theft, arson, assault, and even murder. Their
inability to maintain economic independence results in vagrancy and
destitution. Their helplessness in the face of obstacles frequently
brings about their complete collapse at the first rebuff which they have
to meet. The interest of the community can only be adequately protected
by the segregation of a considerable proportion of these persons in
suitable institutions. A sterilized defective would not be any less
liable to these happenings than would one who was unsterilized. A
defective woman, from the fact of her being ster