Quality and Quantity: The Quest for Biological Regeneration in Twentieth-Century France (Cambridge Studies in the History of Medicine) - Softcover

Schneider, William H.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 052152461X ISBN 13: 9780521524612

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002

Synopsis

This book examines in detail how eugenics in early twentieth-century France provided a broad cover for a variety of reform movements that attempted to bring about the biological regeneration of the French population. Like several other societies during this period, France showed a growing interest in natalist, neo-Lamarckian, social hygiene, racist, and other biologically-based movements as a response to the perception that French society was in a state of decline and degeneration. William Schneider's study provides a fascinating account of attempts to apply new discoveries in biology and medicine toward the improvement in the inherited biological quality of the population through such measures as birth control, premarital examinations, sterilization, and immigration restriction. It is the first attempt to set forth the major components of French eugenics both for comparison with other countries and to show the interaction of the various movements that comprised it.

About this title

Book Description:

This book, first published in 2001, explains how eugenicists tried to bring about the biological regeneration of the French population. It is the first attempt to set forth the major components of French eugenics both for comparison with other countries and to show the interaction of the various movements that comprised it.

Review:

"A strength of the book is its comparative perspective." paul Weindling, Times Higher Education Supplement

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 052152461X
• ISBN 13: 9780521524612
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 404