Physical degeneracy / by Nathan Allen.

  • Allen, Nathan, 1813-1889.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physical degeneracy / by Nathan Allen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    be a medical man, so much the better—cast his eye over the circle of his acquaintances among young mothers, and count up the number who nurse their offspring, then those who unite nursing with feeding, aud then those w;ho do not nurse at all, and he will be surprised to find how many will fall into the last two classes. Ifj as we maintain, this be owing to a decline in physical organization, what stronger proof can we have of the nature or extent of the evil ? It is doubtful whether any such change of organization can be found in the histoiy of any other people. But the defects of the system here described do not all arise from a mere negative source; there are posi- tive evils which cannot be remedied by any artificial means. In consequence of the great neglect of physical exercise, and the continuous application to study, together witli various other influences, large numbers of our American women have altogether an undue pre- dominance of the nervous temperament. If only here and there an individual were found with such an organ- ization, not much harm comparatively would result, but, when a majority or nearly all have it, the evil be- comes one of no small magnitude. While, in the es- timation of some, it affords the most favorable con- ditions for the highest degree of intelligence, refine- ment, morality, and happiness of the individual, it does not harmonize so well with the great laAvs of maternity and the interests of humanity. Besides the -inherent -defects in such an organiza- tion, in not making the necessary provisions for gesta- tion and lactation, the natural instincts of woman in a pure love of offspring and domestic life become changed : the care and trouble of children are a burden; society, books, fashion, and excitement generally, are