The exposure of defective infants was the Spartan method of preserving the physical and mental stature of the race.
The surgical operations on both sexes advocated by some social writers of recent date, have not been received with much favour, and, as a social reform have not been practised.

As operations they are grave and serious, profound in their effect upon the individual, and a violation of public sentiment.

Anaesthetics and antiseptics have, however, made them possible, and if a surgical operation could be devised, simple and safe in performance, inert in every way but one, and against which there would be no individual or public sentiment, its application as a social reform, would go far to solve the grave and serious problem of the fertility of the unfit.
The unfit are subject to no moral law in the matter of procreation.

They can be taught nothing, and they will practise nothing.

Like the lower animals they obey their instincts and gratify their desires as they arise.
It has been seriously suggested that the poor should be systematically taught Neo-Malthusian methods for the limitation of their offspring.
The best among the poor might practise them, the worst certainly would not, and the limitation among the best would only stimulate the fertility of the worst.