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. 91/2; 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:—­

“Certainly, if in ever so small degree there is to be a stamping out of insanity, we must act on the principle, better let the individual suffer than run the risk of bequeathing a legacy of insanity to the next generation....  With regard to males, marriage would no doubt be highly beneficial in many instances, and if the risk of progeny is not run, may well be encouraged.”