Note 252 — OF MARRIAGE.

To those who are anxious to pursue the subtleties of this curious question, the following references may be acceptable—Mercatus De Morbis Hereditariis, a treatise published in the beginning of the 17th century; Stahl’s Theoria Medica Vera, published at Halle, in 1737, p. 377. There are besides in the collection of Dissertations published by Stahl in 1707, several passages which refer to the subject of Hereditary Diseases, and an Inaugural Dissertation, “De Hereditaria Dispositione ad varios Affectus,” by Burchart; Haller’s Elementa, vol. 7, article Similitudo Parentum; M. Portal, “Sur la nature et traitement de quelques maladies hereditaires ou de famille,” published in the Memoirs of the French National Institute, and a translation of which may be found in the 21st volume of the London Medical & Physical Journal; it is principally valuable on account of the number of facts and references which it contains; M. Forester, De Morbis aut Noxis puerorum in vitiatis depravatis que parentibus. M. Portal mentions this work as one of great merit—certain opinions of Mr. John Hunter, upon the subject are contained in the report of Donellan’s trial, See Appendix.—The most important work which has been produced in our own times, is that by Dr. Adams; entitled “A Treatise on the supposed Hereditary Properties of Diseases, containing Remarks on the unfounded Terrors and ill-judged Cautions consequent on such Opinions.”