The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1892-06-10

The Increased percentage Of inssnt
blind, deaf and dumb and other sfllicie
persons. presents Q problem worthy o
the interested attention alike Of th
economist and the phiianthropist. Peo
pie 10 general do Int stop In the couI D
|of business aud professional avecation
10 think much Of such subjects. TskinI
|it for granted that only scientists ar
qualified 10 deal with them. aud tha
they consider suggestions from lsymeI
|ss an interference and even a hindrsnce
|or from lack Of time, or perhaps acs1s
indifference, the public AZ large avoid
any direct investigation Of question
with which their material as well Is ihei
social and bodily fortunes and deepl.
In paper on sHeredity." recently
read before the Pastoral Association o
this city by DR.. A. J.. Thomas, A. N NJ
ID, L l. ID. Medical Superintendent Of
the Southern Hospital for the Insane. ht
challenges this apathy on the
part OF the average citizen. and invi'eI
universal attention 10 certain reforml
which he argues are essential il the in
crease in these unfortunate classes Of So
ciety il 20 be checked.
There is scripiural precept that the
sins Of the father shall be visited upon
his children 10 the third and fourth gem
erations. and the testimony of science 10
all ages has sustained this physiological
law. No one now disputes the theory
of the transmission OF disease, aud OF
mental and physic eccentricities from
fsther to son. DR.. Thomas said:
This subject should be thoroughly
discussed. |, should form part OF the
discourse OF the clergyman, the teacher
in The schools should give il bis best at
tention. the parent 10 the family circle
should mot forget to give his children
the benefit Of his knowledge Of this
matter. The general principles to be
laid down as q starting point ale few In
number and simple in nature. lIlurtra-
lions will come 20 hand every time YOU
go from your Office 10 your home. You
can see object lessons on the thorough
fares Of our city every day.
Education and instruction will do
much. Hygienic. dietetic and social
changes have some effect. The dispo-i-
ton or dia'hesis NAV BE modified or rem
dered less dangerous. A proper course
pursued. sufficient length Of time. may
eliminate the prejbposition towards the
inheritance Of malady, either phvsical or
mental. but how long will that take? Ii
would certainly not be proper 10 cay
that Il could be done IN one generation
~ even two. The know ledge ofthe laws
of bcredisy should be A. widely difEused
a. Is The knowledge OF the alphabet. or
'he multiplication table. Especially
ahonld this information be disseminated
among aud impressed upon the UNDER
of the world"
Dr.. Thomas refers 10 the great interest
that Is taken in breeding horses and cat.
tie. how carefully the stud book is stud
led with view 10 securing the most
perfect aud healthy slrains Of stock, aud
Now when Young man proposes
20 our daughter. what course
il pursued by nine men out OF ten? Ii
is this: tie asks II the young man a.
tends church. whist Il his vocation, il IL
lucrative, does he belong TO rich fam.
iIy, what amount OF the family fortune
will he inherit, asks about his habits and
in . general way.gives the young
man your consent. coupled with q check
TOR q sufficient amount for the expenses
Of the bridal tour.
DO you inquire as 10 the ancestry o(
hat msn's father and mother? DO you
find out what physical disease the
prospective husband has been afflicted
with? DO you inqaire II thsre have
been cases 81 consumption, paralysis. In
'anity, h,eteris, epilepsy or other simi.
lar diseases In the family history? As
4 rule you do not, and the result IL
pure, sweet, wholesome, perfect girl IL
given 10 . nsn who may entsil upon her
such shame. sorrow and suffering that
he will seek aud pray for death - :
blessed relief
There u no denying the truih OF every
word here spoken. TIE ordinary parent
. NOT vesv particular about the health Of
The one whom his daughter or sons may
iesire TO marry. II there IL good hank
account IN sight. aud other evidences
that the alliance will bring sflluence and
luxury 10 his offspring Nor Il the re-
suit Of such marriages less frequent or
than Is here stated. ADv
body can call 10 mind instances In his
own experience quite as unfortunate a.
DR.. Thomas has pictured. and Il ID 10
prevent the recurrence of such alliances
with The innumevsbIe ills thev entail,
that DR.. Thomas raises bic voice. We
quote:
"The power which makes the law
should take from this defective person
The opportunity to procrcatc offspring OF
bic own kind. and after bic own image.
Upon this point I am earnest and en-
phatic. Every individual OF The defec-
tive Glasses, whether man or woman,
should become the ward Of tho state, Ia
whose care be should be piaced. and
kept under lock and guardianship. 1'hi-
could DO done early; forbid the mar
risge of such people. appoint . commis-
sion of scientific, humane aud phiisn-
lhropic snen 10 determine, after carcfu!
aud confederation, the pro
per condition of the alleged defective
person, and ifit was decided that tho
OF snch person would be det-
rimental 10 society aud 10 The common
wauifh tIa uuhlic auftnrffv uhoul1 a.