The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-12-11
BLOOD MARRIAGES.
Some Ills Arising from the Union Of Close
Relations.

Some Ills Arising from the Union Of Close
Relations.
The results of these marriages have
been differently regarded by various au-
thors. Esquirol attributed to them a
predisposition to insanity among the
descendants. Meniere affirms that in
the majority of cases deaf-mutes owe
their infrmity TO the ties of relation
ship between their parents. Lucas
thinks that these marriages are cause
of degeneration in the human race; that
they produce mental dullness, brutali-
ty, insanity, impotence, etc. Liebreich
states that consanguinity is frequently
the cause of pigmentary retinitis among
the descendants. Raynaud ranks con-
sanguinity among the conditions
which may produce albinism. Luys
seemed TO have proved also, says the
writer, the injurious influence of con-
sanguineous marriages. On the other
hand, says the writer, others have bold
ly declared themselves in favor Of
these marriages, and state that they are
not at all injurious, that generally they
give good results. II is not astonishing
then, he SAYS. that in the face of such
extreme opinions other authors. such Is
Levy, Bouchardat, Voisin, Darwin,
Lacassagne, Ballet and others. should
view the question from both sides, and
affirm that these marriages are produo-
tive of both good and evil results, ac-
cording 20 whether the contracting par
ties are exempt from or affected by con-
stitutional diseases. With such di-
versity of opinions, continues the writ
er. it is difficult for physicians to decide
when they are consulted by patients in
regard TO the subject. VI. Perrin re-
Gently made a study OF the question
under consideration and gives his con
customs as follows: First of all, among
the numerous affections attributed
marriages of consanguinity. idiocy, in
sanity and epilepsy are due generally
TO heredity. but in few cases con-
saDguinity OF the parents may certain.
" be the cause. As to convulsions in
the young. the cases are so numerous
that IL Is impossible TO attribute this
affection TO the influence of con
sanguinity. II may have a share in the
production Of deat-mUtes, but X is not
an invarisble factor With regard TO
affections OF the sight, the influence
exercised BY consequently has been as
cerfaiDed, and in aibinisrn has beer dis
tinctly proved. Concerning sterilifv,
NJ Perrin thinks this cannot be at
tributed 20 consarguinity alone tie
has further shown that certain con-
genital deforrities have been 80 fre-
quenfly observed IN children whose
parents were perfectly healthy that.
in these czses, we arr forced 70 admit
the theory of consanguinity alone
On the whole. ssys the writer. We nav
conclude that IL uHder certain circun-
stances consarTuinity and hsredity ere
two Geological factors which combine
IN the sa-oe family TO bring about The
sane morbid results. II Is nore tie iczx
true that IN sore cases corassEg1inrous
marriages among bezlth- persons rnsy
exercise an unsarorabie iazo~nc- ~
the children, u Perrin. seys the xrit-
er. advises physicians 10; 20 diszzase
their patients from marriage Il there -
no dlzthessk. 10 hereditary 6ssesse. snf
IL ibey are IL good health a5d E2ye