Schenk's Theory: The Determination of SexSchenk, Samuel Leopold
Science
Schenk's Theory: The Determination of Sex
Schenk, Samuel Leopold
Sex determination, Genetic; Sex preselection
From both of these facts, which rest upon medical observation, it
follows that the excretion of sugar has some definite connection with
the processes at work in the female generative organs. In the cases
when the excretion of sugar continues for a considerable time, it is
of greater significance, and indicates chronic derangement of the
metabolism, in connection with which a serious change comes over the
internal organs of generation.
* * * * *
Now, if there is a possibility that disturbances so extensive can be
set up in the female genital tract when there is an excretion of sugar,
it is also very possible that certain modifications may be produced
by a small _constant_ excretion of sugar. These changes can show
themselves in the ovum to this extent, that they may be of considerable
significance and not without influence upon the development of sex.
Women who suffer from pronounced diabetes frequently miscarry. In what
way the disease influences ovulation I cannot here discuss.
* * * * *
The connection of the development of sex with an imperfect physiological
combustion of the food can only be considered as demonstrated, if it is
possible, by means of certain exact experiments in this direction to
reach results which incontestably make for the possibility of influencing
sex. Cases of this kind, in which the work of observation was conducted
by myself alone, and in families closely connected with me, where there
were exceptional wishes in this direction, I shall mention presently.
Most striking of all are the cases where a number of daughters have
come into the world one after another as the results of a marriage.
The condition of a woman in a well-regulated married state, _when,
as we will suppose, five or six girls are born, one after another,
must be considered to be of a kind that departs more or less from the
normal_. The human female, if we regard the general statistical data,
ought to bring forth approximately the same number of male and female
individuals. If we find so remarkable an excess in the direction either
of males or females, that six or seven of the same sex follow one
another, there must be a reason for this. In my opinion that cause is
now to be ascertained only from the results of analysis of the urine
for sugar, mentioned above.
In the cases where we have to deal with an excessive predominance of
female offspring, Trommer’s test will show us the presence of sugar.
But it is safest, as I have already said, to use the phenylhydrazin
test in the manner described. If it be demonstrated that in any such
case sugar practically exists in the urine, in never so small a
quantity, dietetic treatment is to be resorted to, until even the
minutest trace of sugar has been made to disappear.
The treatment consists in giving the mother a highly nitrogenous diet
with fat, and adding only so much carbo-hydrate as is absolutely
necessary to prevent its want being felt.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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