We publish elsewhere an article communicated to the Spectator by
Mr. Harold Cox, in which he advocates the sterilization by means of a slight surgical operation of mentally deficient persons of both sexes. The arguments against allowing the mentally deficient to perpetuate themselves and their defects in succeeding generations are as poignant as they arc obvious. Humanity compels us to keep the mentally deficient alive, but it does not compel us to allow their multiplication. If we are to prevent multiplication, sterilization may prove the kindest way. At the same time we admit that there are grave risks in any form of compulsory surgery. Diagnosis is a very imperfect thing, and many a man has been declared mad who was perfectly sane. Therefore we must not be held to adopt Mr. Cox's demand offhand. We feel that further investigation is needed. In any case, a. compulsory operation should be allowed only after inquiry by an impartial authority. It must not be left to the decision of the head of an asylum, however competent and well-intentioned he may be.
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