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"DEAR DOCTOR: -- Will you kindly give me your opinion upon the following points. Please indicate your desires in regard to the publication or non-publication of your name in connection with these sentiments and your wishes will be strictly observed:

1. In what proportion of the inmates of your Institution do you consider procreation advisable?

2. In what proportion of the inmates of your Institution do you consider procreation possible?

3. What would he the probable effect of asexualization upon their mental and moral conditions?

4. What effect upon their physical conditions?

5. What operation would you advise upon the male; removal of the testes, ligation of the cord, or ligation of the vas deferens?

6. What operation would you advise upon females?

7. At what age would the operation be most effective?

8. Have you had practical clinical experience in this matter?

9. Should a State law be enacted to legalize the operation? If so, what would you suggest in regard to such a law?

Yours truly,
DE FOREST WILLARD.

From the fifty-nine institutions -- twenty-five American and thirty-six foreign including those of Great Britain, France, Germany, the Scandinavian countries, Austria, Russia, Switzerland and Finland -- he received but twelve answers, nine American, one German, one Scotch and one English. But nine could give definite answers, and while all agree that procreation is not advisable, they are slow to express an opinion, except that asexualization should be performed only on those of the highest grade, considering that the class to be most feared.

The first question is unanimously answered "none;" the second, an average of 80 per cent. The non-committal tenor of the replies to the third and fourth, as to mental, moral and physical effects, evidences the limited opportunities for collecting sufficient data, or timidity in expression of opinion. The fifth, sixth and seventh, as to the modus-operandi and proper age, are more explicit -- the majority favoring testiectomy in the male, and ovariectoiny in the female, at or before the period of puberty.

To question eight, five state frankly that they have had no practical experience, and the others give but indifferent answers.

To the ninth, as to Legislative aid, two-thirds are of accord, two see no cause, and one is doubtful of success.

That the replies amounting to but one-fifth of the whole should be almost exclusively American, and in the main favorable, show our confidence in both subject and leader; while the conservatism of the Europeans, and their consequent carefulness in the adoption of new ideas, may account for the meagre response from abroad.

My own experience, although limited, has been decidedly favorable; three cases of ovariectomy and one of testiectomy have resulted in improvement, especially marked in a boy, who has grown mentally, morally and physically.

My preference, therefore, inclines to ovariectomy in the female, and testiectomy in the male, pure and simple; but if one objects to this, a harmless and almost painless operation, (although the temperature after it does run alarmingly low) vasectomy is less heroic, and it is said quite as effective as castration.

Pavone (2) reports thirty-four cases where he had performed vasectomy for other reasons, in normal persons and with marked success.

On the whole, the result of Dr. Willard's investigation shows a readiness to advance, wherever united action shall ensure encouragement, in the more difficult task of educating the public mind.

It remains, therefore, for us to confer upon a subject so vital, and as I doubt not that we are of accord, to devise ways and means by which, in addition to mere official utterances, we may best further Dr. Willard in legalizing methods which shall benefit alike society, these unfortunates and ourselves, the custodians of the race.

We cannot hope to convert the public in a single day, nor to secure Legislative enactments in a single year, but patience and indomitable perseverance in presenting the subject must finally overcome mere prejudice and prove conclusively that this can bring but gain to society and the individual, without loss to either.

Colonel A. C. Holt, (3) a Southern legal authority, says that we have no clause in the Federal or State constitution which forbids emasculation where necessity demands it. (vide note page 14).

Dr. Willard has drawn up for suggestion the following outline of a resolution for an act:

"An Act for the Prevention of Idiocy."

"Whereas: -- Heredity plays a most important part in the transmission of idiocy and imbecility;

"Therefore, be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State, that on the first day after the passage of this bill it shall be compulsory for each and every institution in the State, entrusted with the care of idiots and imbecile children, to appoint upon its staff at least one skilled neurologist, and at least one surgeon of recognized ability, whose duty it shall be, in conjunction with the Chief Physician of the Institution, to examine into the mental and physical condition of the inmates.