MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 6

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

Dear Miss Rut ledge, — Do you believe that couples contemplating marriage, should both be? physically examined before they secure a marriage licence? My father is very much in favour of such an idea, but my fianc6 does not agree. I slioulu deeply appreciate your help. ENGAGED. ANSWER

It would be very difficult to “lay the axe at the root of the tree” of physical deficiency, even though an examination did take place, without rousing different forms >f opposition. Yet, one cannot dispute the fact that most young couples, • "iitem plating matrimony, know far too little about each other. Many parents hold the same opinion as your father. It is, in truth, a very sane and worthwhile Idea, and if brought into force, might prevent untold misery and suffering. One of the greatest tragedies of life is that thousands of people are at large mingling and mixing, and, yes, breeding, who are diseased in body and tainted with the scourge of insanity. Only by the preservation of the health and morals of the community can w«; hope to hold our own in the matter of national importance, and, as the children are our greatest assets, strictly speaking, many men and women are unfit to become the parents of a future generation. Yet, the ignorance on this point is amazing, and the time is now ripe to raise an eloquent appeal to all thinkers as to the significance of continued “back-sliding.” ANNE RUTLEDCE.