Rights in the Family
Appendix 4. (1141).
In dealing with consanguinity, we went no further than examining the intrinsic, moral reason that persuaded us to see it as an impediment. But its effects also show its usefulness. Such utility, a consequence of this and all other impediments established by the Church, could give rise to a treatise on the subject. Our argument, however, is confined to seeking right and uprightness, not what is useful, although utility does indeed follow of its nature in the wake of what is upright and just. Even so, we shall glance briefly at the physical advantages accruing from the prohibition of marriage between siblings and blood-relations.
Doctors show how such unions cause the human species to deteriorate.
| The truth of this is proved by the marriages permitted in ancient Egypt between brothers and sisters, which brought so much harm to the physical prosperity of that nation; by the incestuous marriages permitted by Zoroaster amongst Persians and Parthians, which produced weak, infirm offspring, and above all increased sterility; finally, by the experiments done some time ago in Bohemia when the best breeds of horse, joined always in the direct line, gradually degenerated. Love between siblings must necessarily decrease or temper physical love, which is more ardent in so far as individuals are new to one another. - There is no more efficacious means of destroying the germs of family illness, especially tuberculosis, gout and glandular trouble than uniting different families or even different races in marriage where the weakness on one side is compensated by vigour on the other. - It was already known that the mixture of Mongolian Tartars with Russians produced fine, robust individuals. The mulattos coming from unions between Blacks and Europeans are much more vigorous and active than the offspring of Whites with Americans (cf. Vandermonde, Essai sur le perfectionnement de l'espèce humaine, Paris, 1757; Humboldt, Essai politique sur la nouvelle Espagne; Virey, Histoire nat. du genre humain, etc.) On the other hand, the Hebrews, who have consistently refused to mix with other populations at all times, have become or are becoming ever weaker and smaller as they degenerate from the physical well-being of their ancestors. Moreover, they have transmitted or are transmitting with their typical Jewish features, the initial stages of and the disposition to many skin diseases. They have not been able to change their custom even when benefiting, in the latest revolutions, from the enjoyment of all rights in society. |
| (Domenico Meli, Sulla Monogamia, etc.,
a little |