Exhibit C 21—25.7
“ In places regeneration is evident which invariably is
inaugurated by marriage with a good woman and the consequent
abandonment of the abuse of alcohol. As with the degeneration so
with the regeneration the wife takes the leading part.”
The question whether modern civilized races are degenerate in
body and mind is much disputed. In some respects for instance in
the increase of myopia and caries of the teeth it is generally
admitted, but in others it is doubtful, though it may be considered
an established fact that the general average of health among all
civilized nations is unsatisfactory. We do not know for certain
whether the general level of all or certain qualities is being lowered
or not, and still less can we say what part is played by heredity.
The demand for the systematic collection of data on these points
is the first which Race Hygiene has to make from Governments.
The examinations as to fitness for military service in
Germany might offer an excellent index of the physique of the people,
but for this purpose the physical condition of the conscripts would
have to be recorded in a much more thorough manner than at present
(S. Gruber Concordia, 1910). There appears, however, to be no
doubt that in general the country and agricultural pursuits produce
young men of better average health than do towns and other
occupations. This agrees with the fact that the life of the inhabitants
in rural districts and of those engaged in agriculture is longer than
that of town dwellers.
Table C 22 compares the duration of life of men living in towns q 22
with those living in rural districts in Prussia. Beyond all doubt
the peasant population is still constitutionally the most valuable
part of the people, and the colonisation at home, such as the
Prussian Government is pursuing to an increasing degree, may
become of the very highest value for the improvement of the race.
Dr. Walter Abelsdorff gives the following explanations to Table ^ 23 24 &
C 23, and figures C 24 and C 25. “They endeavour to show the 25
number of families brought ‘back to the land’ in North Germany in the
years 1900-1910.”
“ The Royal Commission for settlement in West Prussia and
Posen has achieved notable results since the beginning of its activity
in 1886. This body has brought about from 1886 to 1910 the settle
ment in the country of 18,507 families, 18,127 in leaseholds and 305
in labourers’ dwellings. For 1900 to 1910 the total number of
families settled amount to 14,511.”
