THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 159 



we pay more attention to the principles of breeding in cattle 

 than we do to those applicable also to their lord and master. 

 Hence the faults and defects alluded to, are not the result of 

 close affinities, but result from our indifference, or ignorance, 

 of the laws of life. 



OBJECTIONS TO IN-AND-IN BREEDING ANSWERED. 



The two preceding paragraphs are brief answers to the ob- 

 jections against the sexual congress of blood-relations ; yet as 

 other evidence than my own, and of a more general character 

 may be demanded by the reader, I have thought it best to in- 

 troduce other testimony. The following quotations are from 

 the pen of P. S. Humbrickson, of Ohio, published as a " prize 

 essay : " — 



" Many object to what has been termed in-and-in breeding. 

 Indeed, with most of those who do so, their objections assume 

 the form of a very strong prejudice. This is attributable to a 

 certain confusion in their minds, by which reasons, wherein 

 there is no proper connection, are made with the aid of imag- 

 ination to assume a form of mutual dependence and coherence 

 in support of their theory. In the human family, marriages 

 within the Levitical degree, or, as they are also called, incestuous 

 marriages, are forbidden. But the prohibition rests exclusively 

 upon rnoraf, and not at all upon natural or physical reasons. 

 Yet the direct physical calamities are imagined to pursue the 

 infringement of that law. Now, it would seem, that where the 

 moral reasons in favor of an enactment are sufficient not only 

 to justify, but to demand it, no more should be required. And 

 this is in accordance with the soundest rules of philosophizing. 

 Moreover, if no such moral reason existed, the authority of 

 the Lawgiver, in the case of the divine law, is a sufficient foun- 

 dation and warrant for it ; and the human law is bound by, and 

 but follows, the divine. Shall we then take the step beyond, and 

 apply to the inferior animal the rule that was intended for ra- 

 tional, accountable man ? We know that, if left to his own 

 observation and experience, and being himself the judge, the 



