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State Institutions for the Socially Inadequate: A Comprehensive Classification, Lecture notes of Public Health

The need for a clear and comprehensive title to describe individuals who require social care or attention, and suggests the term 'socially inadequate'. The document also proposes a list of ten subclasses that belong to this general group, and emphasizes the importance of accurate and non-stigmatizing terminology in social sciences. quotes from professors E.A. Ross and W.F. Willcox, and references to the Eugenics Record Office and the Bureau of the Census.

What you will learn

  • What are the ten subclasses of individuals who are socially inadequate according to the document?
  • What is the role of the Eugenics Record Office and the Bureau of the Census in the classification of social handicap?
  • What is the term 'socially inadequate' used to describe in social sciences?
  • What was the older designation for individuals who are socially inadequate according to the document?

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THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE: HOW SHALL WE
DESIGNATE AND SORT THEM?
HARRY H. LAUGHLIN
Carnegie
Institution,
Cold Spring
Harbor,
Long Island
ABSTRACT
The alliteration
"defectives,
dependents,
delinquents" has become a scrap-
basket
title. We need first
a general
title which
will
convey
a clear-cut
meaning,
second
a subsidiary
list
for
the
subclasses. Giddings'
satirical
suggestion
of "The
Seven
Devils" to be known by
the
fourth
letter
"D." List of subclass
titles
proposed
to the Census
Bureau. The phrase
"socially
inadequate." Opinions
of sociologists
upon proposed
designations. Present
usage of
state institutions. Summary.
As
a result
of
research
in
many
departments
of
social
science,
a great
deal
has
been learned concerning
the structure
of modern
society. In investigations
made
for
many
different
specific
pur-
poses,
students
of social
science
very
frequently
come
upon
certain
kinds
or
classes
of
individuals
who
do
not constitute
a net
asset to
the
comnmunity
in which
they
live. When
the whole
or at least
a considerable
portion
of the
life of
a particular
inadequate
individ-
ual is taken
into consideration,
it appears
that
as a result
of
his
limited
physical,
mental,
or
temperamental
qualities
he is a debtor,
rather
than
a creditor,
to the
public
happiness,
safety,
or
efficiency.
Some
of
these individuals
are called
defectives,
others
depen-
dents,
others
delinquents,
and finally
by common
consent
this
alliteration,
the "defective,
dependent
and delinquent
classes,"
became
a sort
of
scrap-basket
title
meant
to include
all of the
persons
who
were
not,
in the
last
analysis,
to be rated
as effective
and largely self-directive
members
of the community.
The
phrase
is
a long
one,
and
long
outlived
its usefulness
because
there
was
nothing
better
to
take
its
place. Practically
all
sociologists,
insti-
tutions,
administrators
and social fieldworkers
dealing
with
the
problem
of
poor
social
adaptation
are inclined
to smile whenever
the
long,
alliterative
trinomial
is
mentioned,
and often
one
offers
a new
title
to take
its
place.
54
pf3
pf4
pf5
pf8
pf9
pfa
pfd
pfe
pff

Partial preview of the text

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THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE: HOW SHALL WE

DESIGNATE AND SORT THEM?

HARRY H. LAUGHLIN Carnegie Institution,Cold SpringHarbor, Long Island

ABSTRACT The alliteration "defectives, dependents,delinquents" has become a^ scrap- basket title. We need firsta general title which will convey a clear-cutmeaning, second a subsidiarylist for the subclasses. Giddings' satirical suggestionof "The Seven Devils" to be knownby the fourthletter"D." List of subclass titlesproposed to the Census Bureau. The phrase "socially inadequate." Opinions of sociologists upon proposed designations. Present usage of state institutions. Summary.

As a resultof^ researchin manydepartmentsof^ social^ science, a greatdeal has beenlearnedconcerningthe^ structureof^ modern society. In investigationsmade formanydifferentspecificpur- poses,studentsofsocialscienceveryfrequentlycomeuponcertain kindsor classesofindividualswhodo not constitutea net assetto the comnmunityin whichtheylive.^ When^ the^ wholeor at least a considerableportionofthelifeofa particularinadequateindivid- ual is takeninto^ consideration,it appearsthat^ as a resultof his limitedphysical,mental,or temperamentalqualitieshe is a debtor, ratherthana creditor,to thepublichappiness,safety,or efficiency. Some of theseindividualsare called defectives,othersdepen- dents,othersdelinquents,and finallyby commonconsentthis alliteration,the "defective,dependentand delinquentclasses," becamea sort of scrap-baskettitlemeant to includeall of the personswhowerenot,in thelast^ analysis,to be ratedas effective and largelyself-directivemembersofthecommunity.The phrase is a longone, and longoutlivedits usefulnessbecause^ therewas nothingbetterto takeits^ place. Practicallyall sociologists,insti- tutions,administratorsand social fieldworkersdealing^ with the problemof^ poor social^ adaptationare inclinedto smilewhenever the long,alliterativetrinomialis mentioned,and oftenone offers a newtitleto takeits^ place.

54

THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE 55

But the principalobjectionto the "three D's" is not their length;it is thatthephraseis too^ enumerativefora generaltitle and not enumerativeor specificenoughforlistingthe (^) subgroups. What is neededis, first,a singletitlewhichwillnot enumerateor tryto enumerateall ofits (^) subclasses,but whichby definitionand usage will (^) conveya clear-cutgeneralclass (^) meaning,and, second, a subsidiarylist whichwill call the subclasseswhichbelongto thesamegeneralgroupbytheirownspecificmedical,legal,biologi- cal,or socialnames. The "threeD's" do not serveeitherofthese purposes. But sometimes,by way moreof (^) apologythanexplana- tion,the"threeD's" are^ augmentedor^ reinforced,so thatwe have not only"the defective,the (^) dependent,and thedelinquent,"but also "the deficientand the degenerate,"makingin all the "five D's." But thisis not enough. ProfessorFranklinH. Giddings, in a delightfullysatiricaleditorialin the Independent,Septem- ber I3, I9I9, writesof^ "The SevenDevils," ofwhichhe says: The SevenDevilsare wellknownand theirnamesare familiar:by the willofGodor thewhimofmantheyall beginwith"D." (^) Theyare (^) (i) the Depraved,includingthecongenitallymurderous,cruel,dishonestandobscene; (2) the Deficient,includingall the feeble-minded,fromidiotsto morons; (3) the^ Deranged,congenitallysubjector predisposedto illusion;(4) the Deformed;(5) the Disorderly;(6) the Dirty,habituallyunsanitary;and (7) theDevitalized. But the fetishof the letter"D " has not leftus. He continues by sayingthat possibly " the dissolute" and " the (^) depleted" classes should be added. Perhaps the proper way would be to turn to the dictionaryand abstract therefromeach uncomplimentary adjectivebeginningwith"D" and set up thereforan idol incar- native of a socially impaired organic type. As the matter stands today the socially ill-fittedgroups have many nicknames but no legitimatetitlescorrespondingto thefacts. The EugenicsRecord Officepreparedforthe Bureau of the Census a study' of state institutionscoveringall typesof (^) individuals who require social care or attention of one sort or another, and headed the list, "State Institutionsfor the Socially Inadequate." The sublist was given as follows: (^) (i) Feeble-minded, (2) Insane, I See StatisticalDirectoryof State Institutionsfor the Defective,Dependentand DelinquentClasses,United States Bureau of the Census,by H. H. Laughlin.

THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE 57

The term"sociallyinadequate"has moreof^ theappearanceof a generaldesignationthanhavethethreeterms" defective,depend- ent,and delinquent." The formerexpressionis shorterand more business-like.Moreover,the term"socially inadequate" means a conditionwherebythe individualsincludedare unable^ to meet thedemandsoforganizedsocietyin^ properlycaringforthemselves, and in behavingtowardtheirfellowsin the mannerrequiredof usefulcitizens. The expressionin itselfconnotesnothingcon- cerninghereditarynature,permanency,prognosis,blame,custodial care,orpastsocialvalue.^ It meanssimplythatnowtheindividuals includedwithinthegeneralgroupneedsocialattention. The Bureau of the Censusand textbookwriters,by adopting in theirfutureclassificationsthe (^) generalheading"sociallyinade- quate," withits ten definitedescriptivesubheadings,wouldserve the social scienceswellin theireffortsto classifysocial handicap. The CensusBureau shouldlead whenopportunitypresentsitself. In organizingthe data forthe censuspublicationabove men- tioned,matterswentsmoothlyenoughuntil someonediscovered thatour old friendthe "threeD's" was cast aside forthe totally inadequate,unsupportable,and unhistoricgeneral title, " The Socially Inadequate." Then began a tempestin a teapot. A referendumwas held,principallyamongtheprofessorsofsociology ofthecountry. Theyalmostall agreedthattheold term," defec- tive, dependent,and delinquent,"was veryunsatisfactory,but theycouldnot agreeupon a singletitleto take^ its place. Most ofthem,however,had somesuggestionofan appropriatename. ProfessorE. A. Ross, of the Universityof Wisconsin,says: I wouldsay thatthe phrase"socially inadequate" seemsto be reasonably satisfactoryas a comprehensivetermforall classes of the population,which owingto a deficiencyofone kindor anotherare objectsofspecialsocialconcern.

ProfessorW. F. Willcox,ofCornellUniversity,writes:

The census phrase "defective,dependent,and delinquentclasses"^ is clearlyunsatisfactory.Why not strikeout the two words^ "defective" and "delinquent" implyinga judgment,and call them^ simplythe "dependent classes"? If thatis unsatisfactorybecause it is too broad and mightinclude all personswho are dependenton the money-earningmembersof theirown families,an alternativephrasewouldbe "public charges." Neitheris entirely

58 THE AMERICAN JOURiVALOF SOCIOLOGY

satisfactory,but^ I likeeitherbetterthanthepresentphraseor^ thanthephrase you propose,"socially inadequate."

Professor Carl Kelsey, of the University of Pennsylvania, writes: I have oftenfeltthe desirabilityof having^ some generaltermto cover the classesyou mention,forI am not satisfiedwiththe^ old^ terminology.Pos- sibly because it is new, the term "socially inadequate" does not strikeme very favorably. Of course,any title could be used, providedpeople would accept it and understandit. It strikesme that "socially inadequate" is prettyvague and indefinite. My ownway^ ofmeetingtheproblemharksback^ to an old^ discardedtheory of economics. You may perhaps rememberthat the physiocratsof France suggestedthe idea of a national^ ledger; on the one side to be enteredthe social creditors; on the other,the social debtors. I have taken over this terminologyand have been in the habit,^ fora numberof years,of givinga courseon the social debtors. I shouldbe glad to knowhow^ this^ termstrikes you. It probablyis open to the dangerof being^ vague and indefinite,but it seemsto me it has the^ distinctmeritofincludingthosewho,forany^ reason, cannot measureup to standardsof self-support,or who,^ forotherreasons, mustbe caredforby the^ public. ProfessorFrank A. Fetter,of PrincetonUniversity,says: Your problemof^ terminologyis a verydifficultone because^ theten^ classes you mentionare not exactly co-ordinate. The group as a whole involves more or less of cross-classification,as you well realize. A classificationby physicaldefect,such as blindness,deafness,or deformity,is not co-ordinate withthe class of dependents. Blindnessmay be a cause of^ dependency,but the blind man may be able to supporthimself,as also the totallydeaf or deformedman. I mentionthis only to get the problemclearlybeforeus, forI readilygrantthat thereis good social reason forgroupingall the ten classes togetherforpurposesof social statistics. The generaltitle"defective, dependent,and delinquent"involvesthis illogicalcross-classification,forthe threeclasses are not mutuallyexclusive,a fewdefectivesbeingneitherdepen- dent or delinquent,but in most cases the defectivenessbeing the cause and explanationof dependencyand delinquency. I believe that the solutionof your problemof terminologywould not be obtainedby the use of the phrase of "socially inadequate," formany of the blind, deaf, and deformedare socially adequate, eitherin the economic senseorin thesenseoffitnessforsocialrelation. In mytreatmentofproblems ofmodernphilanthropy,I have forthelast^ tenyearsmade^ thebasic distinction between the normal^ and the abnormal,the test of abnormalitybeing the lack of economicmeans of supporteitherfromone's effortsor fromthose of one's immediatefamilyand naturalprotectors.

6o THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

commonterm,and I presumewe shall have to wait until one is developed in experiencethat fitsthe demand. SometimesI use the term"those classes in need of social care, controlor correction." This seems to me moresatis- factorybut is too lengthyas a heading. I appreciatethe need of a shorttitle and am sorryI cannot^ suggesta shortand comprehensiveone whichwouldbe freefromobjection. Professor Franklin H.^ Giddings, of Columbia University,^ says: The Census Officehas, I think,a numberof prettygood reasons for wishingto keep the title"defective,dependent,and delinquentclasses." For one thing,it insuresa unityforclassification,and, as you know,one of the thingswe have mostto dreadin censusadministrationis the destructionof all, possiblescientificcomparisonsby changingclassificationsfromone ten years to another. My own^ preference,on the whole,would be to use such a term as "socially inadequate," followedby, "includingthe defective,dependent, and delinquentclasses." ProfessorWilliamL. Dealey, of^ Hamline University,writes: Re terms,yoursocial emphasiswouldseem the rightdirection. It seems needless to have an enumerativegeneral title ("Defective,dependent,and delinquent classes"), duplicatingthe specific^ enumerationsof the table. Moreover,the term "defective" hardlyapplies to the insane as contrasted with the mentallydefective(feeble-minded),or diseased as contrastedwith the physicallydefective(deaf,deformed,etc.). Although"sociallyinadequate" is broadenoughto includefurtherclasses, such as industrial"misfits"lackingpropervocationalguidanceand training, or idle holdersof largeproperties,etc.-at the same time,theseare not^ insti- tutionalclasses. "Maladjusted " appeals to^ me^ as a morescientificwordthan"inadequate"; but forstatisticalpurposes"inadequate" is shorter,simplerand morereadily understood. I thereforepreferyourexpressiveterm,but in thisorder:"classes socially inadequate." ProfessorSamuel McCune Lindsay, of Columbia University,says: Theproblemyoustate,to secureforthevariousclassesmentioneda good generalnon-enumerativebut^ all inclusiveterm,is a difficultone. The term yousuggest,"sociallyinadequate"doesnotseemto me^ whollysatisfactory. Personallyin someof my^ teachingand writingI have used the^ term social-debtorclassesto coverthegeneralgroundindicatedin^ yourgroupbut I realizethatit is neithera veryprecisedescriptivetermnorwhollysatis- factoryfromthepointofviewoflogicalclassification.I shallbe interested to knowwhatconclusionsyoureachfinally. ProfessorCharlesA. Ellwood, of^ the^ Universityof Missouri,writes: The DepartmentofSociologyat theUniversityofMissouriis verymuch opposedto^ givingup thetitle"dependent,defective,and^ delinquentclasses" forsucha termas "the sociallyinadequate." It seemsto me thatsuch

THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE (^) 6I

euphemismis utterlyout of place in science,that we oughtto use veryplain English and call a spade a spade. Furthermore,the term"socially inade- quate" is very much broader than the ten classes whichyou mention. If any singlephrase will cover (^) those classes,it would be some such expression as "the sociallyabnormalclasses." However,I am not sure that that is so desirableas thebroaderand moredescriptivetitle. In any case, I am opposed to euphemismsin our governmentdocuments. OfthesecriticismsthatofProfessorFrankA. Fetterseemsto be especiallyvaluable. The difficultyin any subclassificationis to makeall membersofthesubclassesco-ordinateandtopreventcross- classificationwithinco-ordinategroups. In organizedsocietythe individualis the unit. For the purposeof institutionalcare, althoughan individualmightbe blind,deaf,deformed,diseased, and inebriate,convictedofcrimeand possiblyinsane,he couldnot be placedat thesametimein separateinstitutionsforeach ofthese primarygroupsand giventhespecifictreatmentaccordedto each class ofinmates. Neverthelesstheclassificationand thepractical organizationofinstitutionsandthecareforthesociallyhandicapped is baseduponprimaryailmentsor defects,so thatindividualswho comeundermorethanoneclassaremostproperlygivencarein the institutionbest adapted for treatingtheirprincipal handicap. In the (^) moreadvancedof the largerstate custodialinstitutionsa furthersubgroupingis made upon the basis of the condition- complexesof theirpatientsor inmates. In most states the law specifiesinstitutionalcarein referenceto certainsocial,medical,or legal types,so thatregardlessof theoptimumadjustmentto par- ticularneeds,statutorydirectionsmust be followedin placinga givenindividual. The ten subclasseshere enumeratedare not meant to be inflexibleand final,but are based upon (^) thesituationas it is found in the treatmentof the social debtorsor the sociallyincapable, followedat presentby thebestorganizedsocialworkin theseveral states. It is not a classificationbased uponetiologyor prognosis. Thereis no sortingon thebasis of blame,or on thepossibilityof salvage,noris thesortinga eugenicalone. Indeedin mostofthese handicappedgroupsas theyare sortedand handledby theexisting social regime,both individualscarryingdesirablehereditytraits and those of constitutionaldegeneratequalitywould be found.

THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE 63

EXECUTIVEOFFICB PHOENIX,ARIZONA I am able to advise you that the inclosedlist of Arizona'sstate institu- tionsforthe sociallyinadequateis correctas presented. GEO. W. P. HUNT,Governor

EXECUTIVECHAMBERS STATEOF CONNECTICUT I returnherewithlist of state institutionsforthe sociallyinadequate of this state as containedin your letterof the 22nd ult. I thinkit is correct and complete. W. M. MALTBIE,ExecutiveSecretary

WEST VIRGINIASTATEBOARDOF CONTROL We are returningherewithyourlist of state institutionsforthe socially inadequatein thisstate and advise that same is correctand includesall such institutionsat thistime. State Board of Control Roy REGER,Secretary

GOVERNOR'SOFFICE AUSTIN,TEXAS I beg to returnyou herewithlist of institutionsforthe "socially inade- quate" of Texas. Your list is correctwith the exceptionof the additions noted. JOHNL. WROE Secretaryto^ theGovernor

STATE BOARD OF CONTROLOF WISCONSIN Your letterof July 27 to GovernorPhilipp inclosinga list of the state institutionsforthe sociallyinadequate of Wisconsinhas been referredto this departmentforattention. We have made an examinationof the list whichaccompaniedyourletter, and findthat it is correctand coversall the state institutionsof this state. None of the buildingsat the SouthernHome forthe Feeble-mindedat Union Grove have yet been constructedand that institutionwill not be ready for occupancy beforeMay i, I9I7. None of the buildingsat the Industrial Home forWomen at Taycheedah have yet been built, and that institution will (^) not be openeduntilsometimein I9I7.

STATE BOARD OF CONTROL OF WISCONSIN M. J. TAPPINS,Secretary

64 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

STATE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION,LABOR, AND STATISTICS We herewithreturnthe list of state institutionswhichhave to deal with the sociallyinadequate classes in our state. This list is correctas given on the sheetherewithinclosed. H. T. (^) HAINES, Commissioner

GOVERNOR'SOFFICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA Replyingto yourinquiryof July 27 I beg to say that the list of institu- tionsforthe sociallyinadequatein thisstate inclosedthereinis correct. MAY F. JoNEs,PrivateSecretary

EXECUTIVE OFFICE STATE OF MICHIGAN Attached herewithyou will finda correctlist of State Institutionsfor the Socially Inadequate of Michigan. The State Sanitoriumfor Tuber- culosisat Sanfordis a name only,as the act whichcreatedit was notcarried out, due to conditionswhich made it inadvisable to build this institution. E. C. AUSTIN, (^) Secretaryto (^) theGovernor

STATE BOARD OF CHARITIES, NEW YORK I am returningto you the list of state institutionsforthe sociallyinade- quate in the state ofNew York..... As you willnoticethelist sentby you remainssubstantiallyas forwarded, withthreechanges,and the list of ten institutionsalmostentirelysupported by directappropriationsfromthe State Treasurybut whichare privatecor- porationsmanaged by theirown Boards of Trustees are added as they fall underyourdefinitionof institutionsforthe sociallyinadequate. ROBERT W. HILL, ActingSecretary

DEPARTMENTOF ARCHIVES (^) AND HISTORY STATE OF ALABAMA Your letter,requestingthe confirmationof your list of Alabama state institutionsfor the socially inadequate, addressed to the governorof the state has just been referredto me forattention. In returningthe list (^) herewith,I beg to advise that it is fulland complete so faras I can ascertain,withthe possibleexceptionof the Alabama Epileptic Colony. Informationconcerningthis (^) institution,whichhas never (^) yet been opened,has alreadybeen suppliedyou. THOMASM. OWEN, Director

66 A THEMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

Cases of mental diseases are treated regularlyamong the beneficiaries of the Service,the numberusuallyexceedingioo everyyear. In addition,the Service is activelyinterestedin all effortsrelatingto the preventionand controlof mentaldiseases,and a numberof officershave conductedinvestigationsand publishedpaperson thissubject. In connection with the studies of school hygiene,for^ instance,mental examinationshave been made duringthe past year and a half of over i8,ooo school childrenin 4 states. The percentageof feeble-mindednessobserved^ in the course of these investigationsvaried fromo. 3 to i. i^ per cent, accordingto locality. In connectionwith^ the studies^ of pellagra,like attentionhas been paid to cases ofinsanityresultingfromthisdisease. Tuberculous.-The activitiesof the Public Health Service in regard to tuberculosismay be summarizedas follows: Enforcementof laws forbiddingthe immigrationof tuberculouspersons. Investigatingscientificproblemssuch as the viability of the tubercle bacillus, the effectsof climateon the course of the disease, and the value of (^) preparationsadvocatedfortreatmentof the disease. Conductinga campaign of education against the disease throughbul- letins,lectures,exhibits,etc. Examininggovernmentemployeessuspectedofhavingthe disease. Inspectinggovernmentbuildingsin Washingtonto see that the provisions forthe preventionof the disease^ are enforced. Treating beneficiariesof the Service afflictedwith tuberculosis,and operatingfor this purpose the federal sanatoriumat Fort Stanton,^ New Mexico. Investigatingthe problemsconnectedwith^ the migrationof tuberculous personsfromone state^ to another. Blind.-Among the activities of the Service specificallyaimed at the preventionand controlofblindnessmay be mentioned: The examinationof arrivingaliens to preventthe admissioninto this countryof personsafflictedwithcommunicableeye diseases,as, forinstance, trachoma.Thus,in the io-yearperiodendingJune30, I9I5, 23,654 cases of trachomawere detectedand excludedat immigrationstations. As similar inspectionsare made at foreignportsto preventthe embarkationof diseased aliens,manytimesgreaternumberswereundoubtedlypreventedfromsailing for this country. In one year alone, I906, forinstance,29,600 immigrants with trachomawere detectedat foreignports and kept fromembarkation. The examinationsof personsin this country,especiallyschool children, to determinethe prevalenceof trachomaand othereye diseases and suggest remedialand preventivemeasuresto the properauthorities. About^ 200, individualshave alreadybeen examinedin not less than i6 states,the preva- lenceoftrachomavaryingfrom9.5 percentto 0.02 percent. Similarexamina- tions have been made of over^ 39,000 Indians in^24 states,^ 22.7^ per cent of whichwerefoundto be sufferingfromtrachoma.

THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE 67

In order to demonstratethe eradicabilityof trachomain the regions found most heavily infected,six small hospitals have been establishedin thestatesofKentucky,Tennessee,Virginia,and West Virginia,wherepatients mayobtaintreatmentsfreeof charge. Up to June30, I9I6, nearlyI3, patientshad been treatedat thesehospitals. In connectionwiththe opera- tion of the trachomahospitals,an educationalcampaignhas been conducted throughthe entireAppalachianregionby means of clinics,lectures,publica- tions,and visitsto countryhomes. A compilationhas been made of the laws relatingto ophthalmianeo- natorum,thus showingthe measuresso far taken in this countryto prevent infantblindnessand the need forfurtherlegislationof the same character. Cases of blindnessamongbeneficiariesof the Service are treatedat the stationsof theService. DuringtheyearendingJune30, I9I5, 2,I04 cases of eye disease weretreated. Deaf.-Cases of deafnessamong beneficiariesof the Service are treated at the stationsof the Service. Inebriate.-Reviewsof the legislationon this subject are publishedat frequentintervals,in connectionwith the generalstudies relatingto habit- formingdrugs. Lepers.-The specificactivitiesof the Service in this directionare as follows: Conductof scientificstudies^ of the disease at the LeprosyInvestigation Stationmaintainedin Hawaii. Co-operationwiththe Hawaiian authoritiesin the treatmentof the lepers in the territorialsettlementat Molokai. Preventionofthespreadofleprosyin (^) interstatetraffic. Periodicalcompilationsof (^) reportsof the prevalenceof the disease in the variouspartsof the (^) country. Drug habitues.-The Service has co-operatedwith the InternalRevenue Bureau in the enforcementof (^) existingfederalanti-narcoticlegislation,render- ing advice in regardto technicalquestions. Popular articlesin regardto the preventionand cure of this conditionhave been published,and compila- tionsare periodicallymade of all the (^) legislationrelatingto thissubject. Respectfully, W. G. STIMPSON,ActingSurgeonGeneral Letterswereaddressedto 576 stateinstitutionsincludedunder the typelist givenin thispaper. Only threeof the institutions objectedto the classification.One was a UnitedStates Naval Home, which objected to being includedin the classification "defective,dependent,and delinquent." Later on, however, whenthenatureofthestudyand thefullconnotationoftheterm "sociallyinadequate"was explained,the Secretaryof the Navy

THE SOCIALLY INADEQUATE 69

What is neededis a termhoarywithage, but stillvenerable on accountof its greatcurrentservice. If thereis no termthat carriestheproperconnotation,anyone whicharbitrarilymightbe agreeduponand definedwoulddo thework,creepintothediction- ary,and ultimatelycarrythe connotationwhichits moreor less arbitrarydefinitionattributesto it. JackLondonsaid theway to proveanythingis to say it threetimes. The continueduse of (^) a termin a givenconnectionestablishesit in a language. Newly inventedterms,if useful,soon set immovablyin the linguistic matrix. "What's in a name," other than a clear-cutdesignation? A sociallyinadequatepersonmayproperlybe definedas one who, by his own purpose,initiative,and efforts,chronicallyis unable to maintainhimselfas a self-supportingand usefulmemberof the organizedsocietyin whichhe findshimself. In ourmodernsociety thisinadequacyis generallytheresultofpersonal,mental,physical, ortemperamentalhandicap,eitherinheritedoracquired. It should be, however,providedthatthe term"sociallyinadequate"should not be appliedto individualswhosepersonalor social ineffective- nessesare due solelyto thenormallyexpectedexigenciesofyouth, old age,or temporaryillness,whensuchineffectivenessesare taken care of adequatelyby the respectivefamiliesin whichtheyoccur. The subclassificationmay well deferto thosemedical,social, and legal classes as theyare handlednow by organizedsociety. As institutionsbecomemorespecialized,and the eugenicaland social (^) scienceshave moreinfluenceuponpracticalcare and treat- ment,doubtlessothergroupswillbe segregatedforsocialtreatment. Law, medicine,eugenics,sociology,and criminologyhave their specialclassificationsforindividualswho,in theirsocialbearings, come withinthe ken of each particularscience,but when one attemptsthestudyoftheseclassesfromthestandpointoforganized societyhe must treatthemnot fromthe viewpointof any one science,butfromtheirfunctioningin and theiractualtreatmentby the socialorganism. By sometheblindand thedeafare grouped togetherunderone class, the cacaesthenicor thosewithdefective senseorgans,but forthemostpart organizedsocietytreatsthem separately,so thattheyare heremadeintoseparateclasses.

70 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

The basis forthegroupingherefollowedis foundprincipallyin the classificationof inmatesof custodialinstitutions,modified somewhat by social, demographic,medical, and eugenical researches.It is not primarilyeugenical. A classificationbased upon eugenicalprincipleswould divide mankindinto two great classes,first,the eugenicgroupor thosewho,regardlessof their personalsocial^ adjustments,are carriersin theirblood of sound and raciallyvaluablephysical,mental,and temperamentaltracts; and second,the cacogenicor those who, regardlessof personal socialreactions,are potentialparentsof offspringhandicappedby the inheritanceof degeneratequalities. Within each of these primarygroupstherewouldbe manysub-classes. In each of the sociallyinadequateclasses thereare both eugenicand cacogenic individuals. Doubtless most socially inadequate persons are cacogenic,but the two bases of classificationare different-oneis socialadjustmentwhiletheotheris qualityofthegerm-plasm. Summarizingthe problem,it appears appropriateto use the generaltitle "socially inadequate" as quite properlyand accu- ratelyincludingall of^ thesocialgroupsin needofspecialrestraint, direction,or care, of whichgeneralgroupthe followingspecific classes are definitesubgroups: (i) feeble-minded;(2) insane; (3) criminalistic(including the^ delinquent and^ wayward); (4) epileptic;(5) inebriate(includingdrughabitues); (6) diseased (includingthe tuberculous,lepers, and others with chronic infectioussegregateddiseases); (7) blind (includingthosewith seriouslyimpairedvision); (8) deaf(includingthosewithseriously impairedhearing); (9) deformed(includingthe crippled); (io) dependent(includingorphans,old folks,soldiersand sailorsin "homes,"chroniccharity-aidedfolk,paupers,ne'er-do-wells).