Eugenics and the future progress of man / by A.F. Tredgold.

  • A. F. Tredgold
Date:
[1911]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Eugenics and the future progress of man / by A.F. Tredgold. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    this I mean that the individual, in consequence of having a greater potential energy and power of adaptation, of being more immune to disease and more capable of withstanding the vicissi¬ tudes of life, is placed at an advantage in that struggle which is not only inseparable from existence but is one of the chief factors in determining progress. It is probable that in some of these cases the variation may take the form of a tendency to the more ready acquirement of some particularly advantageous quality ; but on the whole I think we shall be more correct in regarding such progressive variations as connoting an increased adapta¬ bility and vitality—a greater power of making the most of the environment of the time. In the second place the variation may be a retrogressive or pathological one. It then results in an individual of diminished potential energy and power of adaptation, of one who is not only incapable of making headway, but is unable to meet the ordinary strain of life. Here again there may be a tendency to the development of certain particular anti-social qualities, but on the whole our best conception of the condition is probably that it is one of inherent weakness and lessened adaptability. Such persons may be termed the “ unfit.” In some cases this unfitness is chiefly mental, in others it is chiefly physical; usually, however, it is shown in a defective vitality of both mind and body. In this respect it is interesting to note the close relationship which exists between mental and bodily development. The mentally degenerate, as a class, are inferior in weight, stature, and general physical development to the most inferior class of the general population. In addition they evince an increased proneness to disease and a diminished power of recovery. In spite of the excellent feeding, clothing and general surroundings of the inmates of public lunatic asylums, which are usually far superior to those of the same class in the out¬ side world, the mortality rate of the insane is six times greater than that of the general population. The Commissioners in Lunacy are quite justified in saying : “ It would seem as if mental deficiency were allied with physical inferiority and a lessened power of resistance.” It is not difficult to see why mental unfitness should be so