The purpose of all these measures was to limit population with little or
no distinction as to fitness to survive. The Spartans in ancient times,
and many social reformers of to-day have discussed and advocated the
artificial limitation of the unfit. The exposure of defective infants
was the Spartan method of preserving the physical and mental stature of
the race.

The surgical operations on both sexes advocated by some social writers
of recent date, have not been received with much favour, and, as a
social reform have not been practised. As operations they are grave and
serious, profound in their effect upon the individual, and a violation
of public sentiment. Anæsthetics and antiseptics have, however, made
them possible, and if a surgical operation could be devised, simple and
safe in performance, inert in every way but one, and against which there
would be no individual or public sentiment, its application as a social
reform, would go far to solve the grave and serious problem of the
fertility of the unfit.

The unfit are subject to no moral law in the matter of procreation. They
can be taught nothing, and they will practise nothing. Like the lower
animals they obey their instincts and gratify their desires as they
arise.

It has been seriously suggested that the poor should be systematically
taught Neo-Malthusian methods for the limitation of their offspring.

The best among the poor might practise them, the worst certainly would
not, and the limitation among the best would only stimulate the
fertility of the worst. This is the most innocent and harmless of the