Introduction.
In issuing the invitations for this Congress, only the most
general indication of the objects aimed at was given.
Eugenics, as Sir Francis Galton termed the study of the
agencies under social control that may improve or impair the
racial qualities of future generations, presents, it was stated,
problems of the utmost social importance. At present the most
urgent need is for more knowledge, both of the facts of
heredity and of the effects of social institutions in causing
racial change. As knowledge accrues, it must be disseminated
and translated into action. The imparting of such knowledge
would constitute a great advance in education : for both
private individuals and public bodies have yet to be impressed
with the gravity of the situation, and induced to act on
eugenic principles. Ultimately it may be possible to induce
Society to adopt a well-considered eugenic policy and to
carry out reforms on eugenic lines. To attain these ends,
however, it is necessary that those who are alive to the
dangers of the present social situation should combine to¬
gether for the purpose of exchanging views, and of discussing
concerted schemes of action. This is the basis on which this
meeting is about to assemble.
Nothing, it will be observed, either in the foregoing
statements, or in the method of nominating the readers of
papers mentioned in the Preface, implies the adherence to
any fixed eugenic creed on the part of those attending the
Congress. Every reader and every speaker is solely
responsible for his own utterances, and individuals and
societies must not be held to be in the least degree com¬
promised by the expression in this volume of any views to
which they dissent.
B 2
