rogressive_
evolution of humanity is found to be without any satisfactory
scientific basis. Improved conditions of life mean better health for
the existing population; greater educational facilities mean greater
capacity for finding and using existing ability; they do not connote
that the next generation will be either physically or mentally better
than its parents. Selection of parentage is the sole effective process
known to science by which a race can continuously progress. The rise
and fall of nations are in truth summed up in the maintenance or
cessation of that process of selection. Where the battle is to the
capable and thrifty, where the dull and idle have no chance to
propagate their kind, there the nation will progress, even if the land
be sterile, the environment unfriendly and educational facilities
small."

As a concrete example of a most commendable eugenic practice we should
mention the sterilization of certain classes of criminal and insane as
it is now practiced in the States of Indiana and Connecticut. For the
last four years (since March, 1907) the laws of Indiana have permitted
the performance of the operation of vasectomy upon "confirmed
criminals, idiots, rapists, and imbeciles" after rigid scrutiny of all
the mental and physical conditions of the individual case and upon the
concurrent judgment of three competent and impartial persons. The
title and significant parts of the text of this law are as follows:

_An Act_, entitled, An Act to prevent procreation of
confirmed criminals, idiots, imbeciles, and
rapists--providing that superintendents, or boards of
managers, of institutions where such persons are confined
shall have the authority, and are empowered to appoint a
committee of experts, consisting of two physicians, to
examine into the mental condition of such inmates.

_Whereas_, Heredity plays a most important part in the
transmission of crime, idiocy, and imbecility;

_Therefore_, Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the
State of Indiana, That on and after the passage of this act
it shall be compulsory for each and every institution in the
State, entrusted with the care of confirmed criminals,
idiots, rapists, and imbeciles, to appoint upon its staff, in
addition to the regular institutional physician, two (2)
skilled surgeons of recognized ability, whose duty it shall
be, in conjunction with the chief physician of