The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-02-19

MARRIAGES TO BIZ DEPRECATED.

niDlL marriages between cousins, very
wide discussion upon the impolicy of
consanguineous marriages led to the
further consideration OF the propristy Of
prohibiting marriages between persons
had shown would be transmitted to the
children of such unions. The marriage
of cousins is not always detrimental to
their children, although statistics show
that if either parent is afflicted with
vitiated constitution that stflictioA is
apt to be visited more severely on the
offspring. But where there is bodily or
mental weakness in both parents, it is
likely to come ont in 9 more aggravated
shape in the children. The statistics
upon the effects of the marriage of
cousins are sufficiently clear to warn
people against them. Whilst they
should be ssrenuously discouraged by
the parents and friends of those who
desire to contract them, the law would
prove but poor impediment. If they
were prohibited to marry in Kentucky,
they could cross the river into another
state where they are not prohibited and
marry with impunity. Then again the
law would be dead letter. for it would
be difficult to devise any penalty for
such marriages made in state where
they were legal.
One of the most interesting prob
lens in social science lie, whether
marriages between persons afflicted
with physical or mental diseases
that are likely to be transmitted to their
offspring ought not to be strictly prohib-
tied by law. A distinguished German
collector OF vital statistics lays down the
proposition that no man should be al
lowed to marry unless he can pass a
medical examination to show that his
children will not become 80 deficient az
to be likely to become charge on the
community. There is sound philosophy
in this suggestion, for communities have
the right and it ia their duty to check as
much as possible the increase of help
less beings who can never support them
selves, and who are liable to become a
tax on the whole community. This, of
course, is apart from the humanity oil
the suggestion, for nothing can more
harass we'll constituted feelings than to
know with almost absolute certainty
that when two consumptives, or two per-
sons tainted with insanity, marry, their
issue will inevitably inherit their infirm.
tiles. here, Lnen, ls double reason
why the legislature should interpose to
prevent the cslamitou5 effects of such
| marriages.
II the Kentucky legislature had left
the marriages of cousins to work ont
their own salvation, and addressed it
self to the actual harm done TO commun-
tiles by the marriage of persons afflicted
with diseases, physical and mental. that
are known to be almost invariably
transmitted to the offspring. it would
have started out on q path that would
undou btedly be followed by all the Other
states. 1t would also give such prom
inence to the question that science
would bestir itaelf to collect all the dats
attainable on the subject, and thus have
placed the problem as to whether suct
marriages ought to be prohibited by Law
beyond the boundary OF debate. TIT
discussion would have enlightened us 81
to the limit we ought to apply to inner
tied disease in legislating against it,
propagation. There would perhaps be nj
dispute as to consumption and insanity
but there might be a question whethe
to these ought not to be added cancer
congenital deafness and dumbness ano
some other diseases that are considered
to be transmissible to the children. |
is almost demonstrated that the disease
named when inherited are aggravated
in each generation. Insanity is likel.
to carry with it its own termination, TO
the offspring of two persons tainted
with insanity will probably be an idiot
and two idiots cannot perpetuate thei
race. But that is not the case witt
persons afflicted with consumption o
who are deaf and dumb. The latte
may have children who can speak an
hear, but they are likely to have other
who will inherit the in6rmity of Ghei
parents. 1t may be skipped for gener
pearance. This same ecceEtrioity {
transmission is peculiar also to cor
sumptives. The children are likely
die OF the family disease, hut if an
escape they are apt TO transmit it
their offspring. 1t may spare one gener
u alton and appear in the next.
This problem is now engaging tn
serious attention of eminent physician
l. both in this country and Europe. S
far the weight of testimony adduced
% that persons who have consumption
who lack one Of the senses or who ar
: infrm of mind should not be allowed
! perpetuate their Affections upon q
innocent posterity by contracting ma
: rage with each other. The law, esDec
/ ally in the case of some consumptive
T. would be cruel; but it would be cru,
y to them only to be kind to the unbor
} and to the communities in which the
u live.