WHY IS THIS? 



A common expression when a child shows a marked resemblance to some near 

 relation is to describe him as a chip of the old block. 



Now, if a block of marble be subjected to close examination it will be found to 

 consist of countless myriads of particles, welded together into a compact mass. 

 Similarly, a human body is composed of millions of microscopic particles, called 

 cells, from which are built up bone and muscle, nerves, and all its other parts. 



At first glance, all blocks of marble and all human bodies seem to resemble each 

 other so closely that it is hard to distinguish between them when we see them for 

 the first time. But a more careful examination will in each case reveal peculiarities 

 possessed by each individual, whether block of marble or human body. No two 

 chips off a block are identical, much less are two human beings ever exactly alike. 

 Infinitely minute as are the "cells" which build up our bodies, nevertheless their 

 characteristics and combinations are influenced in some mysterious way by our 

 ancestors. 



If we count the 



NUMBER OF THESE ANCESTORS 



even to the tenth generation only (two parents, four grandparents, eight great- 

 grandparents, and so on), we shall find to our surprise that more than a thousand 

 forbears have been transmitting more or less of their personality to us in the course 

 of about 250 years. Pursue the calculation for a further period of 250 years and 

 our brains will reel at the formidable number of those who have contributed to our 

 "make-up," moral, mental, or physical. (See Fig. 1.) Thus, each child, while a 

 veritable chip of the old family block, is also a distinct individual, in whom the 

 admixture of family features and characteristics results in a new blend. Sir Francis 

 Galton has foretold that at no distant date a careful record will be kept in every 

 home of the life-history of its inmates, so that among the most cherished possessions 

 of the Empire will be its 



GOLDEN BOOK OF THRIVING FAMILIES, 



containing the unblemished chronicles of a healthful, moral people, proud of their 

 distinguished ancestry (distinguished by freedom from disease and vice), proud of 

 their capacity to furnish their country with a sane and sound population. 



But, though every child has certain definite characteristics inherited from his 

 parents, he has others which are acquired through his own experience in life; that 

 is to say, every individual is the result of two forces 



NATURE AND NURTURE; 



and it is extremely difficult to determine which of these two plays the more important 

 part in the production of those characteristics which, when found in combination, 

 we call health. Speaking broadly, we may say that 



HEREDITY OR RACE 



has much influence in such particulars as the build of a child, the colour of hair 

 and eyes, the type of feature, etc. On the other hand, diseases are not usually 

 inherited, though it must be clearly understood that predisposition to disease IS 

 commonly transmitted from parent to offspring. Take, for example, 



THE CASE OF CONSUMPTION. 



There are certain families whose children are predisposed to this disease; that 

 is to say, the constitution of the children is such that it provides a better soil for the 

 seeds of consumption to grow in than do the bodies of children not so predisposed. 



Again, there are families naturally resistant to certain forms of disease, who, 

 owing to 



BAD HOME CONDITIONS OR TO BAD PERSONAL HABITS, 



have had their powers of resistance so much weakened that they become susceptible 

 to infection. Evidence has been collected By medical men all over the world which 



