Schuyler Brossman

Schuyler Brossman

MARRIAGE OF COUSINS

A bill entitled an “Act making it unlawful for first cousins to be joined in

marriage and making all marriages hereafter contracted in violation of this

act void,” was passed by the House of Representatives at Harrisburg by a vote

of 114 to 9.

A representative in urging the passage of this bill, made a very

logical and comprehensive exposition of the mental and physical misfortunes

which have resulted in the marriage of those so closely connected by ties of

consanguinity.

Quoting the eminent specialist, Dr. S. Weir MITCHELL, of

Philadelphia, he said the doctor had examined many cases of idiocy in nine

counties of Scotland with the following result:

Total number whose marriage

was known, 519.

Of these parents were related in cases numbering 98, and

parents not related in cases numbering 421.

Of the 98 idiots, whose parents

were related, the parents were first cousins in 42 cases, second cousins in

35 and third cousins in 21.

There were 146 children from 37 consanguinous

marriages, of whom eight, or 5 1/2 per cent were idiots; five, or 3 1/2 per

cent, were imbecile; 11 or 7 1/2 per cent, were insane, two were epileptic;

four were paralytic; two were deaf mutes; three were blind; two had defective

sight; three were deformed; six were lame; one was rachitic; and 21 were

consumptive.

It was then explained that a similar law was now in force in

many of the states and he urged the adoption of the bill.