The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-06
NJ scHENCk.s pIscovERY.
Tbc Possibilities and Probabilities
in Case 1t Proves Practical.


in Case 1t Proves Practical.
ivory few days, or at least every few
-,.oalxs new scientific discoveries, or sup
,osad discoveries, start some trend of dis
,.,ssion and lead invariably to the inter
,.,gation. What is going to happen next?
within a week or two the answer to the
question comes in the shape of some 9TH
- renorted discovery. Probably none Of
the recently discovered discoveries will
excite more universal interest or discus
sion. Judging by the talk that has been
hoard casually than that Of DR.. Schenck
Of the University of Vienna, an account
of which was given in yesterdays asso-
cifted press dispatches.
Dr Schenck claims, as was stated In
q London dispatch, "that he has discov-
cred the secret of exercising an influence
.,,.er animals and men so as to fix the sex
of their offspring" This discovery, 1t
was stated, had been arrived at after
experiments which have been in progress
for the last twenty years, ana though
,be discoverer declined to reveal his Sc
cret until he had placed it before me
Academy of Sciences. he said the lnnu-
enc, depends upon the nature OF the 1ood
consumed by the female.
The subject naturally led to discussion
among The medical fraternity, as to the
probability, as well as 10 the practicabiiity
of such discovery, and though 1T is
matter which has given much consldera-
ron by scientists, physicians general
" look 1pon It as sort of ignis fatuuS
civ, i1ar tn
the Keely motor, in other branches OF
ecien7tfic research. Be that as it may, the
verv suggestion of such discovery as
an accomplished fact, is enough TO resur-
rect Napoleon and make Henry VIII turn
over uneasily in his grave
There have been all sorts of theories
on that subject" said well known physi-
,eian IN speaking of the matter yesterday.
.,.,ut none of them have ever proven prac-
ticab,e at least up to this time, and we are
not in a position to criticise DR.. Schencks
discovery in advance of knowing what 1t is
and what have been the results OF ms
experiments
TER that has been experimental on for
wears, and many theories have arisen only
10 be disproven by facts. Volumes have
been written on it without any definite
conclusion having been reached. 1t is
subject that has been given especial at
believe that much depends on the condi-
tion Of the parent animals. For instance,
81 has been noted by observation that in
the time of a famine of one sex 1 think
the male predominates over the other 1t
IS also a matter of observation that in
many instances the weaker animal estao-
fishes the sex. But all these matters have
been discussed over and over again, only
to leave the problem practically where 1t
first stood, q seemingly insoluble one.
Medical men who are accustomed to
scientific study, and who watch the de-
velopment of these problems, are inclined
as a rule to treat the matter lightly,
though they are aware that it is one to
which much of the deepest thought has
been given. They hesitate TO say that
such thing is an impossibility, because
of the many wonders that have been ac-
Complshed through scientific research, yet
this case is an instance where they do not
want to believe, and will not until they
see.
There is nothing whatever in 1t" one
physician did not hesitate to say. II have
read articles on that subject on several
occasions, and so far | have not been able
TO avoid the conclusion that such thing
is an impossibility. DR.. Schenck may
have had a number of condolences in his
experiments, but such could not establish
the principle, and 1 do not believe it will
ever be established. 1 should like to know
what he has to say on the subject, but it
will take very plain demonstration to
convince me that there is anything in it."
Another physician, who was asked for
an expression about the matter, said that
there is absolutely no reason in it. The
determination of the sex, he said, is left
with that great power that bestows life.
That no one can understand, and it is folly
for anyone to assert that it can be accom-
plished. Some of the scientists and physi-
clans abroad are always making reputed
discoveries he said, but a season af wait
ing shows that nothing follows the report
of the wonders they have told of.
The possibilities of DR.. Sehencks dis
covery, should it prove practicable, are re-
markable to contemplate. For instance,
Massachusetts has, according to reliable
statistics, some 1900 more marriageable
women than men. Massachusetts should
make every effort to secure the patent