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EUGENICS.
For many years I sat on the Council of the Eugenics
Society and have always advocated eugenic measures—
indeed these may be regarded as the motive power of my
actions in the cause of public health. In these I may claim
to have had the full support of my Councillors in keeping
abreast with modern methods and improvements.
Eugenics, the science of well-being, of good living, has
been prominently before the public for many years, yet it
cannot be said to be well understood and practised.
When one notes the care men take in their breeding of
cattle, horses, dogs, poultry, one is amazed how neglectful
they are of the human race! The time is overdue when,
instead of wasting huge sums on educating people who are
incapable of assimilating the higher grades of instruction,
we should spend far more on physical culture. Every encouragement
should be given by prizes, patronage and subsidy
to scientific training, and to keep in close touch with
youth till the age of 25.
The exercise in sports, however good in their way, does
not necessarily develop special groups of muscles to enable
competitors to hold their own among the nations. Parallel
with this is the consideration that there is a very serious
loss to the services of the nation by the exclusion of able,
well-conducted youths of splendid physique who, by no
means ignorant of affairs, could never sit for, or pass any
examination test of the matriculation standard. This is a
plea for the recognition of marked intelligence combined
with physical fitness. So many youths are late developers
mentally.
NUMBER OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS.
There are now 56 qualified resident medical practitioners
in the district, and about 30 from other districts who treat
patients.
BIRTH CONTROL.
In my last Annual Report I foreshadowed the establishment
of a Birth Control Clinic. By the time this report
is issued this Clinic will be in being. It will be established
because it is realised that many residents need this assistance
and advice. Only last week two typical cases came to
our notice among probably a score of others in the district.
These had already eight or more children—husband out of
work—none robust. The advice is needed for those who
have already borne children of low mentality, who are con-
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