Browne — Ethnography of Ballycroy, Co. Mayo. 93 



were in that period 147 marriages altogether, and of these 50, or 34 

 per cent., were consanguineous,^ This long-continued intermarriage 

 does not appear to have produced any of the degenerative effects 

 ascribed to it by M. Devay and others. As before stated, the people 

 are well grown and healthy as a rule, and the proportion of serious 

 disease, especially congenital, is but small. The people themselves do 

 not appear to attribute any evil effects to this purity of strain. Its 

 only effect seems to be, as noted in other districts, the strong personal 

 resemblance among many of the people of the district which must at 

 once be noticeable to a stranger arriving among them. 



Diseases, — The following, as far as could be ascertained, is the 

 state of the population as regards disease. Figures are given where- 

 €ver they can be accurately known. The principal diseases may be 

 classed as follows : — 



Insanity is said to be very rare in the district, but the actual 

 number of cases could not be obtained. 



Idiocy and Imhecility. — There are no idiots properly so-called, but 

 there are two, or at most three,^ individuals who are said to be " weak 

 minded," though shrewd enough in most things where their own 

 interest is concerned. 



Epilepsy. — Several cases are known to exist, but as these do not 

 usually seek professional aid, the actual number is not ascertainable. 



Deaf-mutism and Deafness. — There is one deaf mute (a female): 

 parents so far as could be learned not relatives. There are also two 

 •cases of deafness consequent on acute diseases. 



Blindness.— ThQXQ is no congenital blindness, but several old 

 people are blind either from cataract or as the result of injuries. 



Malformations. — Congenital malformations are very rare. There 

 is a case of hare-lip in one family, parents not relatives. 



Serni(B. — Three cases have been noted within recent years. 



Albinism. — There are four albinoes in one family ; the father is 

 dark-haired, the mother red-haired, they are not in any way related 

 so far as they know. 



Fevers. — No information obtained. 



" Constitutional " Diseases. — Phthisis and struma are not at all 

 imcommon. It is also noticeable that many of the young girls are 



1 The total number of marriages for the -whole harony of Erris in the same time 

 was 1210, and of these 265 were between relatives of a degree requiring dispensa- 

 tions, a percentage of 21*9. 



2 Here my informants differ. 



