CHAPTER VIII.

HEREDITY.

Its importance as a factor in causing physical and mental characteristics in families and nations--Illustrations-- Tendencies to morbid action, both mental and physical, may also be transmitted--Insanity--Dipsomania--How may unfavorable tendencies be avoided?--The influence of heredity acts toward elimination of unfavorable tendencies when existing on one side of the family--Importance of understanding this in relation to marriage--Education may do much toward aiding in the removal of unfavorable tendencies--Weak-minded children--Those born with peculiarities of physical and mental constitutions 125