Searchlights on Health: The Science of EugenicsJefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Philosophy
Searchlights on Health: The Science of Eugenics
Jefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Eugenics; Hygiene; Marriage; Medicine, Popular; Sexual ethics
12. GROSSNESS OF SENSUALITY.--The poor degraded harlot draws in the
victims like a heavily charged lodestone; these men are found in large
numbers throughout the entire community; they would make fine men were
they not weighted with the grossness of sensuality; as it is, they
frequent the race-course, the card-table, the drinking-saloon, the
music-hall, and the low theaters, which abound in our cities and
towns; the great majority of these are men of means and leisure.
Idleness is their curse, their opportunity for sin; you may know them
as the loungers over refreshment-bars, as the retailers of the latest
filthy joke, or as the vendors of some disgusting scandal; indeed, it
is appalling the number of these lepers found both in our business and
social circles.
[Illustration: PALESTINE WATER CARRIERS.]
* * * * *
POISONOUS LITERATURE AND BAD PICTURES.
1. OBSCENE LITERATURE.--No other source contributes so much to sexual
immorality as obscene literature. The mass of stories published in the
great weeklies and the cheap novels are mischievous. When the devil
determines to take charge of a young soul, be often employs a
very ingenious method. He slyly hands a little novel filled with
"voluptuous forms," "reclining on bosoms," "languishing eyes," etc.
2. MORAL FORCES.--The world is full of such literature. It is easily
accessible, for it is cheap, and the young will procure it, and
therefore become easy prey to its baneful influence and effects. It
weakens the moral forces of the young, and they thereby fall an easy
prey before the subtle schemes of the libertine.
3. BAD BOOKS.--Bad books play not a small part in the corruption of the
youth. A bad book is as bad as an evil companion. In some respects it
is even worse than a living teacher of vice, since it may cling to an
individual at all times. It will follow him and poison his mind with
the venom of evil. The influence of bad books in making bad boys and
men is little appreciated. Few are aware how much evil seed is being
sown among the young everywhere through the medium of vile books.
4. SENSATIONAL STORY BOOKS.--Much of the evil literature which is sold
in nickel and dime novels, and which constitutes the principal part
of the contents of such papers as the "Police Gazette," the "Police
News," and a large proportion of the sensational story books which
flood the land. You might better place a coal of fire or a live viper
in your bosom, than allow yourself to read such a book. The thoughts
that are implanted in the mind in youth will often stick there through
life, in spite of all efforts to dislodge them.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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