Crowing Hen

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 669, 22 May 1929, Page 11

Crowing Hen

Sex. Abnormalities Discussed THEORIES EXPLAINED That the cases of Amy Bock, Captain Barker and other similar sexual abnormalities belong to the same category as that of a crowing hen, and that similar causes are responsible for the tendencies manifested in those instances, is the opinion of Mr. R. J. Terry, the well-known local dietitian. IyTR. TERRY delivered a lecture on “Diet and Health” in the Town Hall concert chamber last evening. He deplored the attitude of those who looked on such unfortunate cases with indignant scorn, regarding the individuals concerned as wilful sexual perverts. “I have studied poultry,” he said, “and in poultry I have found analogous examples.” APING MEN Everyone was familiar with the crowing hen, which was “no good to God or man.” It makes attempts to crow like a rooster, displays fighting propensities and grows male plumage. Yet it frequently lays eggs. Investigation had revealed that certain glands in the hen’s body were either overfunctioning, under-functioning, or not functioning in harmony with each other. This was often due to cysts or growths. The blood stream and system were affected accordingly, and the bird exhibited changed tendencies and appearance. It aped the rooster. Similarly, Captain Barker aped the man. “I consider there is no difference between the case of the crowing hen, and that of Captain Barker,” declared the lecturer. “She had been married and had two children, but later displayed male inclinations.” The hen was generally normal for a start, and changed later. The cases were parallel. Similar causes were responsible- Wrong foods were often the reason. JOAN OF ARC Joan of Arc, who had displayed virile tendencies as a leader of men, was burned at the stake as a witch. It w r as later proved that she was no witch, but a physically and sexually abnormal woman. Glands secreted in an abnormal manner, gave us women like Florence Nightingale, who wanted to “mother the world,” or, again, women like Kathryn 11. of Russia. Mr. Terry averred that the process which leads to unnatural sexuality can be checked if dealt with early.