The philosophy of marriage, in its social, moral, and physical relations : with an account of the diseases of the genito-urinary organs, which impair or destroy the reproductive function and induce a variety of complaints : with the physiology of generation in the vegetable and animal kingdoms : being part of a course of obstetric lectures delivered at the North London School of Medicine, Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury, Bedford Square / by Michael Ryan.

  • Ryan, Michael, 1800-1840.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The philosophy of marriage, in its social, moral, and physical relations : with an account of the diseases of the genito-urinary organs, which impair or destroy the reproductive function and induce a variety of complaints : with the physiology of generation in the vegetable and animal kingdoms : being part of a course of obstetric lectures delivered at the North London School of Medicine, Charlotte Street, Bloomsbury, Bedford Square / by Michael Ryan. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

    22/290
    sequences, the great majority of them, unless the compara- tively few who' are strictly moral and highly educated, would rarely preserve their chastity from the depravity of licentious men ; illicit amours would be common and sel- dom detected—seduction would be facilitated, and degrada- tion become almost universal, unless among the virtuous and small class already excepted. It was partly this view, and partly the erroneous determination to render the conse- quences of illegitimate connexions more rigid as regards the protection of female virtue, that the Grey administration passed the bastardy clause, in the present poor law act, in 1834, which compels the woman who becomes illicitly preg- nant, and also her relations, to support her offspring, while it exempts the male seducer from all liabilities—a truly un- christian and unnatural piece of legislation. This vile and unjust law was designated by its liberal framers, a boon to the female population; it is now. however (1839), univer- sally detested by the public, as it exonerates the heartless seducer, in most cases, from all the duties and responsibi- lities of paternity. He returns to society almost applauded for his crime of deserting his offspring, while the deluded woman is ruined and disgraced, and is often driven to com- mit suicide or prolicide, of which crimes the public press gives us daily examples. The heartless conduct of a seducer has been condemned in all ages, though sanctioned by our poor law legislation. No one will deny, that the seducer who, for a momentary and selfish gratification, will deliberately entail misery, shame,' and infamy on a young and hitherto virtuous woman, whose offence was a weakness of judgment, or misplaced confidence or affection, is an unprincipled villain, and the author of the blackest of crimes. The present poor law act, which sanctions this depravity, is subversive of the dictates of religion and nature, and is based on error. It must be admitted by every man who is well acquainted with the natural inclinations of the softer sex, that for one who is seduced or dishonoured by inclination, there are a hundred who have been duped or imposed on, or actuated by necessity. This fact has been well observed by many of the most eminent physiologists and writers on medical juris- prudence ; and the most ample proof of the sad truth of this position is daily afforded by our public press. Look at our police and criminal reports, and you will see it daily at-