must do our
part. Every mother must become an enthusiastic eugenist. If she begins to
teach, and preach, and practise its principles now, she will contribute to
the heredity of unborn generations. To those of us who are alive to-day,
environment is the vastly more important consideration, for our heredity is
fixed and beyond the power of control. The question of eugenics for the
present generation, therefore, is a question of environment.

All our efforts must be directly in developing what heredity gives our
children. We are wholly responsible for that. We must feed and clothe them
properly; we must provide air spaces and playgrounds for exercise; we must
educate them, and protect them from disease; and we must safeguard the
birth of future generations by keeping our race stream pure. This is no
small task, and the only way it will ever be satisfactorily accomplished is
for each mother to realize her individual trust. The average individual
does not realize the actual conditions that prevail. When recently the
question of the public health was investigated by competent authorities,
and the report furnished to the United States Senate, it caused a
tremendous sensation. If that is possible in a body composed of men who are
supposed to be intelligent and wide-awake to existing conditions, how much
more significant and appalling it should be to the average mother whose
interest is centered in her own home.

According to the statistics and statements given in that document the
annual financial loss from needless deaths and accidents alone amounted to
$3,000,000,000. [Page 49]

Acute diseases are held responsible for a large part of the loss. Chronic
diseases are responsible for the greatest part of the waste of life, and
they are believed to be increasing in their ravages. Minor ailments,
believed to be nine-tenths preventable, are now costing the nation many
dollars through incapacitation of persons and through leading to serious
illness. Industrial accidents, largely preventable, are also exacting a
heavy toll annually.

That this great waste of life and health and the national economic loss
that results can be modified by national action is asserted. Here are to be
found the reasons advanced for a great national department of health. The
work of this department would be varied. It would include direct work in
promoting health on the part of the government, such as administering the
food and drug act; aiding the healin