The Fertility of the UnfitChapple, W. A. (William Allan)
History
The Fertility of the Unfit
Chapple, W. A. (William Allan)
Eugenics; Involuntary sterilization; Population
In his report for 1897, the same writer says:--"I know of a 'defective'
half-imbecile girl, who has had already five illegitimate children by
different fathers, all of whom are now being supported by the Charitable
Aid Board, while, of course, the mother is maintained, and encouraged to
propagate more;" while in an appendix to a pamphlet on "Some Aspects of
the Charitable Aid question," he gives the following history of two
defective cases:--
J.A. admitted to Lunatic Asylum, May, 1897.
Three medical men report on her as follows:--"She appears imbecile, but
without delusions: natural imbecility, stupid, idiotic expression; baby
one month old; age between 30 and 40. Suffering from dementia;
lactational."
J.A., husband aged 69; labourer, average earnings 15s. week. He wishes
to get admission into some Old Man's Home.
This couple have six children--four girls and one boy. A. aged 12; B.
10; C. 9; D. (boy) 5; and E. 3 years. These children are all in the
Industrial School. There is also one baby, born April, 1897; has been
put out to nurse by the County Council.
The sister of Mrs. J.A. in Salvation Army Home. There are two brothers,
whereabouts not known. The police report on this case that the whole of
the relatives of Mrs. J.A. were partly imbecile, always in a helpless
condition and state of destitution, and have been for years supported
partly by charity of neighbours and help from the Charitable Aid Boards.
J.J., the father, now dead, reported as a "lazy, drunken fellow."
A.J., the mother, "a drunken prostitute" (police report 1886). "Makes a
precarious living at nursing" (police report 1897); in destitute
circumstances, living with a man known as a thief.
This couple had seven children--six boys and one girl:--
A., committed to Industrial School, 1877; discharged from there 1890;
aged 18. Sentenced in 1896 to three years for burglary.
B., committed to Industrial school for larceny in 1883; discharged from
there, 1887; aged 17.
C., committed to Industrial School for breaking into and stealing, 1886;
aged 16; discharged, 1890.
D., aged 14; E. 9½; and F., 7 years; were sent to Industrial School
in 1891 by the Charitable Aid Board, the father being dead and the
mother in gaol.
D. was discharged last year, aged 18. F. is in hospital for removal of
nasal growth, and defective eyesight. E. was admitted to a lunatic
Asylum, September, 1897. Four medical men report on him as follows:--"A
case of satyriasis from congenital defect." "His depraved habits result
of bad bringing up by his mother." "Probably hereditary." "A case of
moral depravity associated with mental deficiency, and cretinism." The
youngest of the family, a girl aged 11, is said to be dependent on her
mother.
With regard to the hereditary nature of Insanity, John Charles Bucknill
and Daniel Hack Tuke, M.D.'s, in "A Manual of Psychological Medicine,"
4th Ed., p. 65, says:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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