RT Journal
T1 BElgium
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1929
FD February 23
VO 92
IS 8
SP 667
OP 667
DO 10.1001/jama.1929.02700340067027
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1929.02700340067027
AB Social Defense Against Recidivists and Abnormal Persons 
    The loi de défense sociale pertaining to abnormal delinquents and to recidivists, which the lower house has just adopted by a large majority and which is now being considered by the senate, is a remarkable document showing the evolution of penal ideas in the matter of dealing with delinquents, and constitutes much needed social legislation in the crusade against crime. In an article in the Bruxelles-Médical, Dr. Vervaeck discusses some of the essential points of the law. The first question that arises is: How are abnormal persons to be studied and recognized? According to the terms of the law, their observation will be carried out in a special psychiatric annex of the jail. This measure will almost always be necessary, except in case of their internment in a psychopathic hospital. It is very difficult to observe under favorable conditions an accused person of