Soluseptasine

dose or its possible sequelae. As Cyril Burt says, " When all is said, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, corporal punishment, however inflicted, is likely to make the incipient transgressor, not more penitent, but more furtive and defiant." " Once a boy has been flogged, the psychologist finds it hard to regain his confidence and re-awaken his self-respect." One of the queerest arguments brought forward in its support is that moral delinquents are relatively insensitive to pain-as one would say, "This drug has no effect on this patient; let's give him lots of it." A serious objection to corporal punishment is that it is so often-especially in school and home-a vicarious suffering. The faute de m.ieux schoolmaster who knows he is a cut above " ushering," but whose play has been rejected, can take it out on Jones minor; the harassed mother who does not dare to strike her husband, can beat the children he has made her bear him; the father coming home in a fine inward fury against his employer, or his foreman, or a trade union secretary, and called on by a whining unattractive wife to " correct " his child, is no fit person to be allowed by law to strike any living creature. And this leads me to the most terrible aspect of this tragic business-the parent or guardian or teacher who is at heart a sadist, and such are commoner than one likes to think, for there are degrees in lust for cruelty. I have taken up too much of your time, gentlemen, and I hope that you, Sir, have forgiven me, in that I have talked about how not to punish children. Corporal punishment is a refuge for the destitute. If children are properly brought up they need no cane. One does not drive a car by beating it when it it leaves the road. One last word: when to our great regret you leave here tomorrow night by the cross-channel steamers, you will get a glimpse of one of our main industries, the export of cattle. You will see that there are special inspectors to see that their drovers do not strike them with the canes they wave. This is because blows with sticks, even through their tough and hairy hides, bruise their marketable flesh beneath and lessen its value. But these men may, if they so wish, go home …