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Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health—1872—3.
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developement. "My prattle" says one of these "was oaths, my play brutality, and my
thoughts and learning crime." Many of our Judges it is said have been struck with the
appearance of the criminals brought before them; for whilst showing traces of "craft and
cunning" they were intellectually below the average. "In the convict prison of Millbank,
the average of insane, weak-minded persons exceeds 20 per cent." "In Perth prison it is
officially reported that one out of every nine is more or less insane, and one out of every
140 irresponsibly so. Of 664 tried for murder, 108 were legally pronounced insane." We
have long enough tried what neglect and punishment will do. It is high time that we try
what care, education, sympathy ,and sanitary arrangements will do. By judicious selection
of what is best; by getting rid of what is bad and imperfect, almost any variety of plant,
and almost any form of animal can be produced, and to quite an extraordinary extent
improved. When man shall obtain the same equal care and consideration, as regards
selection and education that is bestowed upon the animal and vegetable world, we shall
receive our reward in like success. A man is of more value than many sparrows, said One
who know what was in man, and we may venture to hope that ho is even of as much value
as a horse or a bullock.
"Each generation" says a modern writer, "has enormous power over the natural
gifts of those that follow and" he maintains "that it is a duty we owe to humanity to
investigate the range of that power, and to exercise it in a way that without being unwise
to ourselves shall be most advantageous to future inhabitants of the earth. and such
power is needed, for the stream of life is gushing on in an ever increasing volume and
depth, that to resist will require greater endurance and strength. The raising the standard
of our race but one degree would be followed by inconceivable changes. It seems most
essential to the well-being of future generations that, the average standard of ability of the
present time should be raised. Human denizens have been swept away during the last
three centuries, less by the pressure of a stronger race, than through the influence of a
civilisation they were incapable of supporting. And we too the foremost labourers are
beginning to show ourselves incapable of keeping pace with our own work. We are in
crying want for more brains and mental stamina in all stations of life. Our race is over
weighted, and appears likely to be dragged into degeneracy by demands that exceed its
powers. We want as much back-bone as we can get to bear the racket to which we are
henceforth to be exposed, and as good brains as possible to combine machinery for modern
life to work more smoothly than at present."
To enlarge these "natural gifts," and to benefit the "future inhabitants of the earth,''
has employed the mind of this generation to an extent, never before shown or ever contemplated.
By preventing disease; by lengthening life, and making the enjoyment of that life
possible; by emancipating mind and body from the weary bondage bequeathed to us from
the past, we shall raise, and exalt humanity to a degree, that we may now not even dare
to hope.
HENRY BATESON, M.D., Lond.
Tuesday, June 10th, 1873.