268 The Reproductive Poicers of Domesticated Animals. 



they are so fond of chewing ; there is also reason to believe that 

 the negroes have become relatively more productive with the 

 diminished growth of sugar. It is also probable that the French 

 and Turks, by their excessive use of sugar and sweetmeats, 

 render themselves far less prolific than they otherwise Avould be. 

 I have also reason to believe that some of those who have adopted 

 the Banting system will find that the decreased use of sugar, 

 whilst it will lessen their personal weight, will at the same time 

 have a tendency to increase their parental responsibilities. Until 

 my attention had been drawn to this action of sugar upon the 

 reproductive powers, I was not aware that its influence had been 

 previously acknowledged ; but I find that this has been observed 

 by Continental physiologists, of whom it will be sufficient for 

 me to mention Moleschott and Provencal. 



It would be premature for me to attempt any explanation of 

 the manner in which sugar exerts this powerful influence upon 

 the animal system. We shall probably find that it has a twofold 

 action, it may not only produce a fatty degeneration of the ovaries 

 in the female ; but by the glandular excitement it causes, it may 

 also favour a re-absorption, of the seminal fluid of the male, and 

 thereby the desire for breeding be diminished, if not finally de- 

 stroyed. That sugar has a powerful influence upon the repro- 

 ductive powers scarcely admits of a doubt ; but it is most important 

 that we should bo more fully acquainted with its action. We shall, 

 however, find that other agencies produce a somewhat similar 

 tendency to fatty degeneration, if not in the ovaries, at least in 

 the surrounding parts, whereby the healthy ova of females fail to 

 be fertilised in a natural manner ; or when they have been ferti- 

 lised they are, from the same cause, subsequently aborted. It is 

 also probable that in some cases in which the female possesses 

 healthy ovaries, and yet in consequence of the defective powers 

 of the male fails to breed, a very unnatural excitement takes 

 place in her that induces an irritability which is fatal to im- 

 pregnation. In these, and similar cases, the removal of the 

 clitoris of the vulva (as spoken of by Air. E, Bowly, of Sid- 

 dington, in vol. xix. of this Society's Journal, page 151) would 

 allay this excitement, and thereby favour successful bleeding. 

 This is, however, a practice which few Avould be disposed to re- 

 commend ; and Mr. Bowly rather mentions the fact of the opera- 

 tion than advises its adoption. 



The moderate use of salt is also stated to have a powerful effect 

 upon the breeding powers of animals. Moleschott states that 

 the favourable effect of common salt upon the formation of blood 

 and upon nutrition, also produces an influence upon sexual life. 

 Boussingault found that bulls which in their food receive a large 

 addition of common salt show a greater inclination to cover : and 



