Newspaper Page Text
Heredity And Inrironment.
ADDRESS OF DR- T. 0. POWELL,
PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL
ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
And Superintendent of the State
Lunatic Asylum, at the Annual
Meeting of the Association in
Atlanta in April 1887.
Gentlemen of the Medical Associa
tion of Georgia; Ladies and Gentle
men: You will doubtless think that
1 have selected a rather singular sub
ject for your attention when 1 an
nounce Heredity and Environment as
the theme of the annual address. My
apology for going outside of the class
or subjects usual on similar occasions
must be that, in my judgment, there
is no question of such vital import to
the human race, and none so much
neglected as heredity and environ
ment, so far as they relate to this race.
In this address I must be content to
speak only of some of the most form
idable inherited tendencies to disease,
and the induced or acquired morbid
habits that are readily transmitted,
and which do not appear in the de
scendants in a stereotyped form, but
are manifested in an‘endless variety
of morbid forms. Every tendency or
quality of the physical uml mental
condition of man, such as will, intelli
gence, sentiment, passion, etc., of the
healthy and morbid alike, is capable of
more or less direct transmission.
Hence heredity and environment are
very important factors in the forma
tion of the character of a people, men
ially, physically and morally. These
features are fixed in a people as in a
family. Heredity can he traced di
rectly through some of the most form
idable diseases to which we are sub
ject; and when both parents have de
fective organisms, it is a physical cer-
tainty that their peculiarities will be
manifested in their offspring in some
form. Ribot says, ‘Heredity is that
biological law by which all beings en
dowed with life tend to repeat them
selves in their descendants.” The
masses look to the medical profession
for the enunciation of the laws of life
and health, and it is certainly incum
bent upon us to inculcate hygienic
truths, and, as far as possible, impress
upon the minds of the masses the dan
ger of disregarding that biological
law of heredity and environment.
Moreover, it behooves the profession
not only to give their hearty sympa
thy, but to be co-workers also in eve
ry effort that tends to promote the
health and improvement of the hu
man race. Hut this duty does not de
volve upon the medical profession
alone, and the neglect of heredity and
environment cannot be laid solely at
their door. The responsibility rests
upon all professions alike, inasmuch
as a violation of the inexorable law
of nature, and the legitimate results
its violation, are destructive to so
ciety, to the powers of a government,
and to the physical and psychological
powers alike of the human raw. It
is evident to all who have given any
attention to heredity that the out
come of violating natural laws is to
increase the mental anxiety, the bur
dens, the disease, the suffering, the
depravity and crime of a people. Our
civilized and Christian communities
and governments foster nurseries for
breeding, developing and perpetua
ting these morbid tendencies. It is a
blot upon our civilization; and, alas,
be it said upon our Christian intelli
gence. The laws of health, religion,
obedience and civilization ure insepar
able. They go “hand in hand.” Our
civilization is due to religious influ
ences. If we could get the true etiol
ogy of much of our depravity and
crime, it would point directly to he
redity and bad environments as the
predisposing and exciting factors. In
my judgment we will not be justified
in hoping for an elimination, or even
an abatement of these inherited mor
bid tendencies so long as they are fos
tered by society and a mistaken be
nevolence.
But our susceptibilities to them
will continue to increase, in e/ieh sue-
••eeding generation, in the same ratio
that we disregard the functions that
resist disease and neglect the proper
means for neutralizing and eliminat
ing the poison that lurks within our
constitution, whether there by trans
mission, or induced, or acquired by
our own acts through the influence
of our surroundings. The sooner we
recognize the fact that the native,
mental, physical and moral endow
ments are inherited, just as readily as
the general appearance in form and
ieatures, the better tor our race; and
better still, when we recognize the
truth that maladies and abnormal
conditions are, to a large extent, pre
ventable. Hence the necessitv of know
ing our antecedent history, and our in
'ural tendencies to disease should 1
held in check by avoiding all extern
surroundings that would be likely i
damage the physical and mental i
tegrity, considering at all times ai
under all circumstances the fami
defects. No family should hesitate <
fail to give to their family physicie
as far as possible, a full and comple
history of their antecedents, dire
and remote; their tendencies to heah
and disease, their tastes, habits, ar
idiosyncrasies; but. should confer wit
the physician freely as to the natur
tendencies of their children, and ius i
what sort of mental training and e
rironments they should have, and eve
in regard to the business callings of lif
The transmission of physiologic
morbid processes is seen every dnv, c
every side, and-in every communifc
And it should be remembered th:
this law is operative alike upon bol
the mental and physical powers
has been my duty 'for years to ea
for many of this unfortunate das
and my observation, and the recon
of the institution over which
preside, will show to our shan
that a majority of these me
adies point back to heredity. :
InrtK 0S *J )< l te . nt , cause; they sho
lurther that it is not necessary l
any means, that the defects of tl
parent should be fully developed
order to transmit to the children ten
dencies to morbid conditions. 1 dare
say that all alienist, and the histories
of all cases in similar institutions, if
they could be correctly obtained,
would bear me out in these state
ments. It would bo not difficult to pro
duce instances of families once pos-
Besesd of great mental and physical
powers, and good morals, who have
married into defective families, and
continued to do so, for pecuniary and
other considerations, until they have
degenerated, physically, mentally and
morally, becoming a burden to them
selves and to society; and in some
cases those families have faded out en
tirely, without giving a thought to
heredity, or to tno inevitable conse
quences of the violation of that bio
logical law. The strong stand by al
most without an effort to correct or
check these great evils, or to prevent
the perpetuation of such deplorable
conditions, when so much might be
accompliHbed by proper training and
education—the only forces through
which help can be had. Is not this a
sad commentary on our civilization
Rnd Christian intelligence? There was
a bill introduced in trio last legislature
looking to the education of our youth
in the laws of life, and the functions
of living beings. What became of it?
It died for the want of sufficient sup
port. I cannot say wl» it was not
supported; but the probabilities are
11 wit the vital importance of this
measure to the human race was not
fully appreciated, if we neglect to
educate tiie masses so that they will
understand and appreciate the laws
of health and the natural principles
which underlie human development,
degeneration will follow. It is not
presumed that mankind in general,
and especially the young, when they
are so susceptible to all sorts of bad
influences, will guard against danger
unless they apprehend that danger
exists. But when the danger is
known, to avoid it is natural. Why
is it that we see the people who dwell
near the track of the cyclone insur
ing their property, and digging pits?
The answer is easy. They understand
and appreciate the danger to lift* and
property from these storms; and they
doall in their power to guard their
lives and property against future in
jury. is it not reasonable to suppose
that we would have the same fore
thought and observe the Hume cau
tion, if we knew that we were sucepti-
hle to any particular disease; if we
know that there was a sleeping maga
zine deeply and securely fixed within
our constitution simply needing a
match, the slightest exciting
cause, to produce a fearful and
destructive explosion? With such
acknowledge would wo not culti
vate the healthy tendencies, and
develop stronger and more vigor
ous constitutions, so as to bo better
qualified to resist the attacks of des
tructive iniluences; and if the morbid
tendencies are not cultivated, they
will gradually, in many cases, become
atrophied, and, with proper marriages
and healthy surroundings, will ul
timately fade out. Many of us are
living to-day by accident. Some of
our ancestors had perhaps consump
tive diathesis, and by fortuitious, cir
cumstances married into vigorous and
healthy families, free from all un
healthy taint, and hence we are liv
ing. Levy says: ‘“To be born of
healthy niul strong parents is to have
a good chance of longevity.” If the
laws of biology and the effects of the
violation of the physiological laws
were properly understood, is it not
reasonable that they would be regard
ed more than they are now? The only
hope is in the proper mental training
ami education at home and in our
schools. If this should fail would it
not be just, wise and humane, anil
would not the dictates of humanity,
demand that there should be a board
of health in every county composed
of the best, the most cultured and
conscientious physicians, whose duty
it should be to give a certificate, so
far as relates to the mental and physi
cal condition of parties before they
could obtain marriagelicense? I fully
appreciate the difficulties and the
apparent impracticability of such a
law, and allude to it simply for the
sake of humanity. I know that the
hue anil cry would be that the liber
ties and the rights of the people were
being taken from them; but so far as
their rights are concerned, do not
such marriages not only take away
the liberty of their posterity, but do
they not surely entail upon them de
formity, suffering, disease, depravi
ty, crime and death? Is it not true
that r large number that spring from
such marriages, ultimately drift into
the penitentiaries; that many die in
early life from consumption, alcohol
ism ami that others die on the gallows
and by suicide? Many get into alms
houses—others drift into various hu
mane and charitable institutions. If
this class can be deprived of liberty
by a jury of twelve men, why could 1
not the defectives, with equal justice
and humanity, be deprived of the
right to intermarry, and leave such a
legaev to their posterity and to socie
ty? Is it surprising that like should
generate or produce like? If not, then
the nature of heredity for the good of
the human race should engage our
most earnest and active attention.
We have wholesome laws in regard to
some diseases, by which the liberties
of the people are restricted to prevent
their spread, because it would be
hurtful to the public health. For in
stance, yellow fever, smallpox, etc.
Individuals and communities are quar
antined, and in the case of smallpox,
they are required or forced if necess
ary to submit to vaccination. These
diseases are not half so formidable
and destructive, or hurtful to the
public health, or the productive pow
ers of a government, or the harmony
of society, as some hereditary diseases
or acquired morbid conditions which
are readily transmitted in various
morbid forms, such as alcoholism,
syphiletie taint and the like; nor does
it cost millions to care for them. It
is evident that the masses do not con
sider or appreciate predisposing caus
es of disease, or the potentialities of
the future iu regard to them. Wo are
frequently asked if we would advise
against the marriage of children
whose parents were the. subjects of
hereditary taint, or acquired morbid
iiabitsthat are transmitted. Only un
der certain circumstances would we
advise against it. Investigation, be
fore advising, should relate to the na
ture and cause of the morbid tenden
cies, and the amount of predisposition
to a diseased diathesis, and whether
inherited or acquired anil if manifest
ed in the parents in any way prior to
the conception or birth of the chil
dren. And in this connection it should
be remembered that the normal and
morbid, In their physielal anil mental
natures, are governed by the same
law. All of the indications of each
case should bo thoroughly considered.
Accidental causes that occur after the
birth of children should not be regard
ed as predisposing causes, nor should
senile imbecility. No one having a
remote or direct tendency to a con
sumptive diathesis, should marry into
a family with the same diathesis or a
neurotic or insane diathesis, for in
sanity is frequently a symptom of con
sumption. They keep pace one with
tho other, and there is a close relation
between the two. Nor should they
marry Into families of alcoholic dia
thesis, or families of syphalitic taint.
In other words, defective organisms
should not intermarry; but they and
their decenilants should marry into
families of vigorous, healthy constitu
tions, free from all defects, at the same
time cultivating the normal niul hold
ing in check the morbid, by good en
vironments.
In my judgment, if all the endow
ments were well considered In marri
age and pursued methodically, the
general results would be for the im
provement of tho human race. The
phenomena of reversional heredity
or ativism, occasionally occurs in the
human race in apparently healthy
families, having children of defective
organisms. We some times see this
illustrated in color alone. 1 know a
tall, bright mulatto man who married
a bright mulatto, and they have nine
children, all mulattoes, save two.
One of these is a blended color while
the other is as black as black can be;
but ho is the image of his father in
every particular; shape, form, height,
feet,' limbs, carriage and voice, hav
ing all of the characteristics of his
father, and to see them together,
would be to know that the tall, black
man was tho son of the mulatto.
His grandmother was also a very
bright mulatto, but his grandfather
was a short, stout, very bluck negro,
and this man simply inherited the
color of his grandfather. In regard to
ativism, or reversional heredity in
the lower order of animals the stock
raisers appreciate it and understand
it. They generally call it “breeding
back,” a very good name. In the
human race, when this law is indi
cated in a tendency to be disobedi
ent, cruel or depraved on the part of
one of the children of a good moral
family, the child manifesting these ten
dencies generally receives the same
routine training and is influenced by
the same surroundings at homeland at
school as the other children of differ
ent tendencies; hence this condition
grows with his growth, and the fami
ly is frequently very much surprised
at liis conduct. , As" soon as he gets
from under tho family influence, he
conies in contact with bad environ
ments that are fostered by society,
anil he goes rapidly to ruin, leaving
perhaps, a blotnipon the otherwise
bright pages of the family record. If
the natural tendencies of this child
lmd been properly considered, and his
mental training and surroundings
made favoiable, it is probable that
the trouble would have been over
come. Such children are usually
dubbed “the black sheep” of the fam
ily. It is through the influence of this
law and bad environment that many
strange, sad and unexpected things
occur in some of the very best fami
lies. Many other illustrations might
be given in various forms of morbid
conditions and tendencies but the law
or reversional heredity is so well es
tablished by endless instances that it
is not necessary to name them.
The laws of heredity are fully ap
preciated in their influence upon the
lower order of animals in determining
strength, speed, symmetry, endur
ance, docility, etc., and those engag
ed in breeding fine stock carefully
scan the animal from head to foot,
and make the most diligent inquiry
as to the antecedent history, pedi
gree and indeed all the qualities, be
fore they will select it for breeding
purposes. If it is so important to re
cognize this law, in obtaining such
qualities as we may desire in the low
er order of animals, why is it not of
equal importance in the human race,
when we know the same law is oper
ative alike in this race? 1 was force-
ably impressed with the attention
given to the law of heredity in rear
ing fine horses, while in Kentucky.
On one occasion I hail the pleasure of
visiting a noteil stock farm. There 1
found a highly intelligent gentleman,
a scientific man, engaged in rearing
fine horses. They were noted for
their beauty, speed and endurance,
anil when 1 went into his barn 1 saw
there the pictures of the original
horse anil some of his descendants.
The first was one of the most illshap-
rd, abnormal looking things 1 ever
beheld. He had one quality which
was desired to be retained and im
proved, namely, speed. He was re
garded as fast in his day, and with
proper surroundings, and judicious
crossing, it was hoped that the de
fects in symmetry might be eradica
ted. As the pictures went around on
the wall, from one generation to an
other, the improvement was marked,
step by step, until the defects in sym
metry had been entirely eliminated,
anil the speed of the family had been
wonderfully improved. It "is a matter
of unspeakable shame that we have
not yet learned to value the human
animal as men value the horse or the
cow or even the pig. Children are
bred, taught and developed without
reference to natural tendencies or the
grand result which should be the aim
of all training. Of many of our race
it may be said, ‘They were not brought
up; they just growed.’ 1 might say
here that the manner in which our
children are taught at home, and in
our schools is frequently productive
of much physical and mental suffer-
I mg. Barents and teachers over anx
ious to push their children forward,
stimulate them to longer hours, and
crowd them with far more studies,
than is conducive to their psychical
and physical health. These should
be developed in harmony, one with
the other ; and it shotdd be remem
bered that? no two children are any
nioro ulike mentally and physically,
than they are in appearance, features,
etc. Their natural tendencies should
be well considered, and each child’s
mental training and surroundings
should be determined with an eye to
their ileficiences and their needs. I
apprehend that this is one of the prin
cipal troubles. Teachers should not
be overcrowded with pupils, so that
they may have opportunities of study
ing the peculiarities, or natural ten
dencies of each child. No educator
can do justice to a child without such
a knowledge. I could illustrate by
pointing to many cases that have
come under my observation, minds
and bodies broken down by these
hurtful processes. Parents and teach
ers were so blinded by their anxiety
to see the pupils progress rapidly,
that they could not see that such great
and continuous mental effort, in the
formative stage of life, was more than
even an adult brain with the.same
tendencies could stand. All educa
tional systems should be viewed from
a physiological and sanitary stand
point. Moral education should be an
important feature of home and school
training. A failure to educate child
ren to obey is fraught with much suf
fering to both children and parents;
and this particular element of success
ful training should claim our most
earnest attention. Defective educa
tion increases the depravity and dis
ease of a people; all educational sys
tems that disregard the natural ten
dencies and moral training are defec
tive. From what germ came our de
pravity, suffering and death? From
disobedience on the part of Adam and
EveT - The same law is still in force; it
is the inexorable law of God. If chil
dren learn to obey from their youth,
it wiil be a fixed principle of their ma
ture life, and their will power will be
sufficiently strong to come in contact
with the business callings of life. Such
an education enables them the better
to conform to all the laws of health.
Self-control is elevating, socially and
morally; and it is absolutely necessa
ry to health and happiness. The ac
tion of the brain is more or less under
control of will power. It controls the
depraved tendencies, keeping them
under subjection, and leads the mind
constantly into normal channels,
which give healthy mental action.—
If obedience to law is not observed in
youth the volition will be too weak to
resist the depraved tendencies, pas
sions and appetites; and utter ruin
will, in all probability, be the result,
when the untrained come in contact
with the world. It is of profound im
portance to parents and educators
that the will power of children be
strictly observed. There is a com
mendable interest being manifested
in the humane care, treatment and
reformation of the criminal. Some of
the most philanthropic people have
organized a national prison congress,
anil are giving much time and thought
to the best means of caring for and re
forming this unfortunate class. While
I know and appreciate the fact that
this congress originated intheheartof
a noble, philanthropic, Christian gen
tleman, and that it has accomplished
good, and will accomplish more, yet I
believe that if half of the commenda
ble zeal manifested for the welfare
and reformation of these unfortu
nates, after they get into trouble,
was manifested in the correction of
their hereditary tendencies, and in se
curing proper attention to hygienic
surroundings in youth and healthy
marriages, there would be much less
depravity and crime and far less use
for Sing-Sing prisons or convict camps,
nor would there be so great a demand
for almshouses, inebriate asylums and
other charitable and humane institu
tions.
And would not this be the course of
true benevolence? I am satisfied if
this congress could get at the true et
iology of the crime of every oriminal,
muon of it. would be due to heredity
and bad environment. Much of this
trouble is susceptible of mitigation or
even entire elimination; but we will
not be justified in looking for such
reformation in adult life, it must be
done in youth.
Proper education of the masses is
the only force by which we can hope
to attain such an end. The science
of health must be taught at home, and
in our schools. Maudsley says, Knowl
edge of ourselves, of our body and
the various functions of its organs,
and the effects of external objects,
would be a most effective antidote,
for most of the evils which afflict
mankind.” It is not only the duty of
the profession, but of society, to as
certain the most important factors in
the causation of our evils, predispo
sing and exciting, and enforce such
wholesome laws anil hygienic sur
roundings as will check them. Par
don me for saying just here, that in
my judgment Atlanta, the largest
city in the state, and one of the most
enterprising and public spirited in the
United States, has made a noble and
manly effort to remove from her midst
one of the most potent factors in the
causation of all of our evils. There
is a problem not far in the future that
will greatly concern the Southern
states; and it will not be a matter of
little moment. I refer to the care of
the criminal Rnil afflicted of the col
ored race.
Unless there is a radical change in
their habits and surroundings we
may expect great trouble in the fu
ture. The habits and environments
of the women are very much like
those of the men; and when both par
ents have bad habits, or defective or
ganisms, it is almost a certainty
that the children of such parents will
be depraved or defective. lake will
beget like. “Whatsoever a man sow-
eth that shall he also reap.” I confi
dently expect the race to be to us
what tho defective foreign immigra
tion is to many of the northern, west
ern and eastern states. Up to 1867,
there was no class of people that en
joyed better physical and mental
health than the negroes of Georgia.
They were then almost entirely exempt
from insanity and consumption. They
[are now very susceptible to both,
and the rapid increase of these dis
eases is alarming, when we know that
the genuine negro in slavery lmd no
inherited predisposition to such a
diathesis. Consumption and insanity
keep paco one with the other. This
fact is well illustrated in the negro.
His race had one tendency that was
perhaps inherited, and that was a dis
position to steal, anil I do not know
that they were much to blame for it
in that day, as they felt that what
their masters had was made by slave
labor, and if the laborer could take It
without being detected, it was all
right and no wrong was done. The
successful thief wag regarded by his
associates a« bright and shrewd. The
crime had no tendency to lower the
thief in the estimation of his race, but
rather to elevate. Their condition
now, in that particular, reminds mo
of an anecdote I once heard of a poli
tician seeking an office at the hands of
the legislature. 1 will not say wheth
er this occurred in Milledgevil'le or At
lanta. The politician was, of course,
passing around, shaking, hands with
all the members anil expressing his
pleasure on seeing them. While mak
ing his rounds ho meets ayoungmem-
ber, and immediately exclaims: “Why,
J am so glad to see you; how are you.
Your father is a warm friend of mine,
and 1 am so much attached to him.
IIow is your father? “He is dead.”
“Why, 1 am so sorry to hear it. When
did he die?” “Some time ago."
After this conversation the office
seeker proceeded to tell what he
wanted to do in the service of the
dear people, and passed on. Later in
the canvass he came around again
to this same young member and was
very glad to sue him. “Your father
is my special friend,” says he. “How
is he? “He is still dead, sir,” was the
reply. Judging from the convict
camps, I apprehend the negroes still
have that tendency. As I have said,
there is danger that the colored
race will be to us, without a radical
change, what the defective immigra
tion is to many of the northern, west
ern and eastern states. While we
have been comparatively exempt from
this class, wc cannot say bow long we
will be so. It is well known that the
United States is the asylum for the
defective classes of Europe. They
have immigrated to the United States,
ami here they have intermarried,
and continued to generate that defec
tive and depraved class, until the
situation in many of these States
has become alarming. It takes mill
ions upon millions to care for them;
and those states are endeavoring,
through their state medical associa
tions, to get congress to prevent
their being made a garbage box
for Europe. “While it is said that
this foreign born immigration only con
stitutes one-eiglith of the population,
they furnish one-third of the pau
pers, one third of the criminals
and one-thiril of the insane.” At
the last meeting of the State medi
cal society of Wisconsin, held in
Madison in June last the following
resolutions with reference to the
immigration of the defective classes
were adopted: “Whereas, it is known
that a large number of foreigners be
longing to the defective classes, such
as paupers, criminals, the insane, deaf
mutes, blind, idiots, and lepers,^aro
annually shipped to this country from
other nations; that insanity, pauper
ism and crime are increasing rapidly
in this country; that the chief cause
of this increase is due to the large
number of defectives found among
the foreign born;
“Whereas, The present national law
is not sufficiently potent to guard
against this indiscriminate immigra
tion; and, whereas, the individual
states anil territories cannot act in
dependently; therefore be it
“Resolved, That the president of
this society be, and is hereby empow
ered to appoint at this session a com
mittee of three of its members, to act
in the name of the Wisconsin State
Medical society, in presenting a me
morial to the next legislature, with
urgent request that our legislature
take immediate steps to place the
matter properly before Congress,
which body must take final action;
and, Resolved, that a copy of these
resolutions be presented to each of our
United States Senators, to each of
our Congressmen and to the president
of each state medical society in the
United States.”
I feel that we ought to give to our
Wisconsin Medical society our hearty
co-operation, and I hope this associa
tion will take such action as may be
deemed advisable in the matter, inas
much as they have called upon the
medical association of Georgia to
aid them.
To give you some idea of the ground
for apprehension so far as it relates to
the insane, I will name the total pop
ulation, the total insane, anil the ra
tio of insane to total population; the
native population, native insane, and
the ratio of native insane; the foreign
population, foreign insane and ratio
of foreign insane to foreign popula
tion, in several of the states; and I
doubt not, the same ratio will hold
good in the pauper and criminal
classes.
New York has a total population of
flyo millions, eiglity-two thousand,
eight hundred and seventy-one. To
tal insane fourteen thousand, one
hundred and eleven, or one to every
three hundred and sixty-two. The
native population is three millions,
eight hundred and seventy-one thous
and, four hundred anil ninety-two,
and tho native insane is seven thous
and, seven hundred and ninety—
or one to every four hundred; and
ninety-eight. The foreign population
is one million, two hundred and elev
en thousand anil three hundred and
seventy-nine; the foreign insane is six
thousand three hundred and twenty-
one, or one to every one hundred and
ninety-one. California has a total
population of eight hundred anil six
ty-four thousand, six hundred and
ninety-four. Total insane, two thous
and five hundred and throe, or one to
every three hundred and forty-five.
The native population is five hundred
and seventy-one thousand eight hun
dred and twenty, the nun
eight hundred and eighth!,* 1 ®
ll »n«lre»f &
The foreign population
dred and ninety-two thou
hundred anil seventy.f ou ,. q“
m i
mends
H, 'd foi
tw
Ran
insane is one thousan
and eighteen, or one to
hundred and nineteen
Wisconsin has a total „„„ ,
1-816,407. Total insane
to every 621. The native
is 910,072. The native to*
or one to every 866. The ?
illation is 405,425. The fo«»f ei S
is 1,476 or one to every#
figures were obtained fro,n'm
of the United States 'j
view of facts like these
wonder at the great concern a
ter « giving the people of th,
and at the action of their «t,o
eal associations In regard
deed, it is not very extFavag atld
that there is ground for fear
time may come when there win
a sufficient number of health,
isms in this country to « j
control the defective. Witli
groes in the south, more anJ
tending to disease and deprav
the defective foreign born „ 0I j
in the north anil west the r
anything but bright. ’ 1
Now, gentlemen, in cone],,
will simply refer to some 0 f a ,
of the state without goin.,
tail, inasmuch as- every thine |
to the care of suffering human
legitimate subject for tlm con
tion of this association.
NKKDS OF THK STATU
1. There is no enterprise tha
itself more to our n r(
sympathies, than a school fort
hie minded or idiotic children
state. Its great utility and
would soon be seen under w
patient training. There are
cases that are susceptible o(
improvement and some caw
might bo qualified to sustain
selves. It is wrong to assoeiat
with the insane, for it is hm
them and to the insane, and ,
the state in an economical a
view.
2. There should also be esta 1
in connection with one of the
camps a hospital for the ci
treatment of the insane ©.
The wards of ordinary asylums
insane are not proper places,
custody and treatment of the
convict. It is impossible toaffa
necessary protection against th
cape, and it is a crying sliarm
sociate tho insane with them; th
al effect is very detrimental to
patients. With such a hospiti
nected with some one of the
camps, and with proper prot
against their escape, there v
much less feigning insanity
them.
3. In this connection I migl
here that one of the great nece
of tho state is a house of corr
for the depraved children,
young with depraved tendenci.
are, perhaps, inherited, should
placed in the penitentiaries wifi
roundings that foster and J
these tendencies, when with
care and environments, such as
education and training, they mil
reformed and made self-sustn/mn
useful citizen
This class of children are ‘.a.-y
sent to the insane asylum, av
proper place for them, for tl]*
in contact with the delusions
nations the perverted ideas
tions of the insane, which is dir
to them, and it is impossible
them the necessary moral eilu
and employment that are absi
necessary for their reformation.
Dr. Felton, as you know, «
noble and manly effort to estal
house of correction in our sta
this class. He was true to all tl
tates of humanity anil still hi
failed to become a law.
4. While under the law of 6:
the demented inebriate can b
witted to an insane asylum,
are obvious reasons why there i
be a separate institution for tbs
After the reading of the Pmi
address Dr. Foster introduced t
lowing resolution:
Resolved, That in view of the
value of the President’s addrea
public as well as to the media
fession that copies thereof be n
ed to the press, with requests fo
lication. The resolution west
ed. .
Dr. William Perrin Nicolson
a resolution providing that a c
tee of one from each congr«
district bo appointed to consw
report on the recommendation
in the President’s address. 1“
lution was adopted.
“Coffee is one of the “drv
of the Brunswick circuit. * n
Oconee and Brunswick circo
almost completely under tl)
option law. There are nine;
in each circuit, and the Side o
is prohibited by law in ever;
of the Brunswick circuitexcep
and in every county of Ocone
except Laurens, where
allowed in Dublin under a h
two thousand dollars forea
We noticed the good eaee ,
hibition in Coffee. We don
ber having heard an oath
drunken man in that count) •
such a beneficent law tn
will surely prosper. *- e! *1
leads to industry, industry
ity, frugality to comfort aw
ness. With happy wives an
children, morality and l ,
will rule the land. It -
Lanier, we believe, wlio tn
famous by his poem, tn
in the man than there is in
—Hawkinsville Dispatch.
An End to gone Scrap
Edward Shepherd, of
Bays: ‘‘Having receivedI . .
from Electric Hitters, 1 te• u j,
lot suffering humanity know ^
a running sore oil myl if 1 ! tulV e :
my doctors told mo I wouW
the bone scraped or JW . fleet
used, instead, threo bottl,> aC j i i e nS
ters and seven boxes hu ^,
Salve, and my log Is no* sou
Electric Bitters are sold at )ve
bottle, and ®uoklen s Armo* 3
Dor box by John M. Liars*