lop, either
at all, or at any rate, not to the same degree as in a normal
individual. This result, however, is not constant, and depends
principally upon the age at which the operation is performed.

_After puberty_ the operation is very much less effective. The secondary
sexual characteristics have been already established and persist. It
occasionally occurs that certain mental effects are produced. In women
these resemble, generally speaking, those occurring at the climacteric.
In both sexes, however, mental disturbances may occasionally arise.

The immediate effect upon sexual desire and capacity is slight. It would
appear, however, from the small amount of evidence available on this
point that the tendency is to a gradual diminution of sexual desire,
possibly even to disappearance after some years.

As it is generally after puberty that sexual perversion becomes
manifest, it is clear that much cannot be expected from this operation.

The problematic result and the extent of the mutilation restrain the
Committee from any suggestion that such an operation should be made
compulsory.

The Committee feel that the information at present available in regard
to sterilization or desexualization of sexual offenders is quite
inadequate to permit of a sound and final judgment as to the value of
the procedure. They recommend, therefore, that the whole question be
remitted for careful investigation to the Eugenic Board which it is
proposed should be set up.

SECTION 5.--SCIENTIFIC TREATMENT AND SEGREGATION WITH INDETERMINATE
SENTENCE.

After very careful consideration the Committee have come to the
conclusion that it is most desirable, in continuation of the system of
prison reform which has been inaugurated with so much success in this
country, that every person charged with a serious sexual offence should
be carefully examined by a medical man and skilled psychiatrist before
his trial, and evidence given to the Court of any physical or mental
defect having a bearing on the case.

In the judgment of the Committee, the best way of dealing with persons
guilty of sexual crimes is by means of the indeterminate sentence. Each
case should be examined by a psychiatrist as well as by the Prison
Medical Officer, and the length of the period of detention should be
determined by the Prisons Board after looking into the nature of the
offence and considering the report of the psychologist and evidence as
to the conduct of the pri