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
3. In Christian countries the laws of marriage have greatly added to
the health of man. Marriage in barbarous countries, where little or no
marriage ceremonies are required, benefits man but little. There
can be no true domestic blessedness without loyalty and love for the
select and married companion. All the licentiousness and lust of a
libertine, whether civilized or uncivilized, bring him only unrest and
premature decay.
4. A man, however, may be married and not mated, and consequently reap
trouble and unhappiness. A young couple should first carefully
learn each other by making the courtship a matter of business, and
sufficiently long that the disposition and temper of each may be
thoroughly exposed and understood.
5. First see that there is love; secondly, that there is adaptation;
thirdly, see that there are no physical defects, and if these
conditions are properly considered, cupid will go with you.
6. The happiest place on all earth is home. A loving wife and lovely
children are jewels without price, as Payne says:
"'Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam.
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
7. Reciprocated love produces a general exhilaration of the system.
The elasticity of the muscles is increased, the circulation is
quickened, and every bodily function is stimulated to renewed activity
by a happy marriage.
8. The consummation desired by all who experience this affection, is
the union of souls in a true marriage. Whatever of beauty or
romance there may have been in the lover's dream, is enhanced and
spiritualized in the intimate communion of married life. The crown of
wifehood and maternity is purer, more divine than that of the maiden.
Passion is lost--emotions predominate.
9. TOO EARLY MARRIAGES.--Too early marriage is always bad for the
female. If a young girl marries, her system is weakened and a full
development of her body is prevented, and the dangers of confinement
are considerably increased.
10. Boys who marry young derive but little enjoyment from the
connubial state. They are liable to excesses and thereby lose much of
the vitality and power of strength and physical endurance.
11. LONG LIFE.--Statistics show that married men live longer than
bachelors. Child-bearing for women is conducive to longevity.
12. COMPLEXION.--Marriage purifies the complexion, removes blotches
from the skin, invigorates the body, fills up the tones of the voice,
gives elasticity and firmness to the step, and brings health and
contentment to old age.
13. TEMPTATIONS REMOVED.--Marriage sanctifies a home, while adultery
and libertinism produce unrest, distrust and misery. It must
be remembered that a married man can practice the most absolute
continence and enjoy a far better state of health than the licentious
man. The comforts of companionship develop purity and give rest to the
soul.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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