They are well taken care of, for our large asylums are full of them; they have good quarters, good food, every attention, so they live long in the land.
But the case is very different with the half imbeciles or the half mad.
Short terms of imprisonment with short periods of hopeless, useless liberty and an occasional spell in the workhouse constitute the circle of their lives; and a vicious circle it is.

Can any life be more pitiable?
Sane enough to know that they are not quite sane, insane enough to have no wish to control their animal or vicious instincts.
Possessing no education, strength or skill, of no possible use in industrial life, with no taste for decency or social life; sleeping by day in our parks, and by night upon the Embankment.

But they mate; and as like meets with like the result may be imagined! Here again we are paying for our neglect of many serious matters.

Bad housing, overcrowding, incessant work by the mothers whilst bearing children, drinking habits among the parents, insufficient food for the children, endless anxieties and worries.

All these things and more amongst that portion of the nation which produces the largest families; what wonder that many incapable bodies and minds result! But if civilisation allows all this, civilisation must pay the penalty, which is not a light one, and continue to have the miserables upon the Embankment.
Have we no pity! no thought for the next generation, no concern for ourselves! No! I do not recommend a lethal chamber, but I do strongly advise permanent detention and segregation for these low types of unfortunate humanity.