Searchlights on Health: The Science of EugenicsJefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Philosophy
Searchlights on Health: The Science of Eugenics
Jefferis, B. G. (Benjamin Grant)
Eugenics; Hygiene; Marriage; Medicine, Popular; Sexual ethics
WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT.
1. MAGNETISM EXISTING BETWEEN THE BODIES OF MANKIND.--It is rational
to believe that there is a magnetism existing between the bodies of
mankind, which may have either a beneficial or a damaging effect upon
our health, according to the conditions which are produced, or the
nature of the individuals who are brought in contact with each other.
As an illustration of this point we might consider that, all nature is
governed by the laws of attraction and repulsion, or in other words,
by positive and negative forces. These subtle forces or laws in
nature which we call attraction or repulsion, are governed by the
affinity--or sameness--or the lack of affinity--or sameness--which
exists between what may be termed the combination of atoms or
molecules which goes to make up organic structure.
2. LAW OF ATTRACTION.--Where this affinity--or sameness--exists
between the different things, there is what we term the law of
attraction, or what may be termed the disposition to unite together.
Where there is no affinity existing between the nature of the
different particles of matter, there is what may be termed the law
of repulsion, which has a tendency to destroy the harmony which would
otherwise take place.
3. MAGNETISM OF THE MIND.--Now, what is true of the magnet and steel,
is also true--from the sameness of their nature--of two bodies. And
what is true of the body in this sense, is also true of the sameness
or magnetism of the mind. Hence, _by the laying on of hands_, or by
the association of the minds of individuals, we reach the same result
as when a combination is produced in any department of nature. Where
this sameness of affinity exists, there will be a blending of forces,
which has a tendency to build up vitality.
4. A PROOF.--As a proof of this position, how often have you found
the society of strangers to be so repulsive to your feelings, that
you have no disposition to associate. Others seem to bring with them
a soothing influence that draws you closer to them. All these
involuntary likes and dislikes are but the results of the
_animal magnetism_ that we are constantly throwing off from our
bodies,--although seemingly imperceptible to our internal senses.--The
dog can scent his master, and determine the course which he pursues,
no doubt from similar influences.
5. HOME HARMONY.--Many of the infirmities that afflict humanity are
largely due to a want of an understanding of its principles, and
the right applications of the same. I believe that if this law of
magnetism was more fully understood and acted upon, there would be a
far greater harmony in the domestic circle; the health of parents and
children might often be preserved where now sickness and discord so
frequently prevail.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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