several generations, we might come to more definite conclusions
with regard to the specific proximity of races; but this we are unable
to control; nor has sufficient use been made even of the materials
we have at command. Only a few years ago, the origin of f the
domestic dog was a subject of dispute, and many naturalists supposed
it to be derived from the wolf; but M. Flourens has heen
making a series of experiments, in the Garden of Plants, at Paris,
which settles this part of the discussion. He ascertained that the
progeny becomes sterile after the third generation; while that of the
dog and jackal run as far as the fourth generation, and then in like
manner become sterile. These are important discoveries in the
history of hybridity, and show how erroneous have been conclusions
as to identity of species, based upon prolificacy of offspring.
There is reason, as above stated, to believe that this law of hy-
bridity applies to the species of man; and that there are degrees of
fertility in the offspring of different types, in proportion as they are
similar or dissimilar.13
Our limits, if we desired to do so, would not permit a more
extended examination of races, in connection with non-malarial
climates; and we shall therefore pass on to another division of the
subject. The whites and blacks have sufficiently served to illustrate
the point; and the other races would show similar effects, in various
degrees. Many facts bearing on other races will be brought out as
we progress.
Malarial Climates.— Under this head, we shall introduce facts to
prove that races are influenced differently, not only by the temperature
of various latitudes, but by morbific agents, which, to a certain
extent, are independent of mere temperature—viz., the causes of
marsh or yellow fevers, typhoid fever, cholera, plague, &c. Our
illustrations will be again taken mostly from the white' and black
races, because they,afford the fullest statistics, and because the
writer has been professionally engaged with these races for more
than thirty years, and is familiar with the peculiarities of both.
We should here call attention to a striking physiological difference
between the two races. It was a remark annually made by the
distinguished Dr. Chapman, Professor of Practice in the Pennsylvania
University: “ That the negro is much less subject to inflammatory
diseases, with high vascular action, than the whites, and rarely bears
blood-letting, or depletion in any form; and even in pleurisy, pneumonia,
&c., he often requires stimulants instead of depletants.”
13 For a full discussion of the question of hybridity, see N o tt & G l id d o n ’s “ Types of
Mankind” pp.-372-410: — and also the Appendix, by J. C. N o tt , to H otz’s Oobineau, pp
The - remark is unquestionably true ;' and will be vouched for by
every experienced physician Horth and South. I have bad under
my charge, for some years, a private infirmary, devoted to negroes •
in which are annually received a large number of negro laborers!
and most of them from our city cotton-presses and steamboats
where none but the most athletic are employed. When seized with
pneumonia, pleurisy, and other acute diseases of winter (to say
nothing of summer affections), they almost invariably come in with
feeble pulse, cool skm, unstrung muscles, and all the symptoms of
prostration; and require to be treated mainly with revuSves quinine
and stimulants. This I remarked also in Philadelphia, X
M M student at tbe Almshouse; and all the medical writers of
M B S 8Uf aim me‘ The negro, too, always suffers more than
d 2 T’ typll°id feVer’U Pla£aG> small-pox, and all those
diseases arising from morbid poisons, that have a tendency to def
e r s t PT el8 B With the exception of marsh and yellow
fevers-to which, we shall see, he is infinitely less liable The
■ ■ H l0Ok or typhoid diseases amonHg thetierr rn0erg tr0o e■s; aanPdP ewarhaentehee ro ft hcehsoel erbae
LnTd mmoorree ssaiileubberXioturesm ree gMions ? Ff M aryland 'hatnoda ^Vir gfirnoima, tiht em caotltderesr
2 Me b - r tiMity belongs to I - and is H
tu a tv e ln f 7 M. H i reach ^ .h ig h e s t physical and intellec-
t t W M l l as we 11 “ ost P^fect health and greatest average
duration of life, above latitude 40° in the Western, and 45° in the
bhlo fL Hemisphere; and whenever they migrate many degrees
ture t h e r a ] 1168’ * 67 1 9 ! X deteriorate from increased tempera-
W e ‘ o0n Ttbe’ eM°n tment odf WEuitrho pmeO, Ttbhiefirce ihnaisW beeens, ‘ifnocri dseenvte rtaol
thousand years; such a constant flux and reflux of peoples from
rs an migrations, that races have become so mingled, from the
B B r r the ± i i i “ indlo-o human maze, and to give its proper value to each
thP g/ ° US faC6’ Wbleh we believe there were many. We must
races l l f f M 1 maSS6S °r grouPs; and- in speaking of white
H — I drW ^ illustrations mostly from Angfo-SaxoXs
mU mH Ge manS’ Wblcb are 80 nearij allied, and so like in tem’ aS t0 ans7 er sufficiently well our present wants. They
J b W been widely scattered through foreign climates; and,’
W B B m C° Z ari: ’’ 1 the liability of
24 ’ SUmptl0n’ aad cll0lera. in the Tropics and in the Old World.