Eugenics in the Irish Free State 1922-1939

Population decreased by 3.8 Million: 1841-1911 92.6% Catholic population: 1926 1,563,710 emigrated: 1876-1921 70 per 1,000 infant mortality rate: 1930-32 ● 1916 Proclamation of Independence ‘guarantees equal rights and equal opportunities to all its citizens’, however this was removed from the constitution. ● Special Position of the Catholic Church recognised in the 1937 Constitution (Bunreacht na hEireann) ● The 1937 Constitution enshrined women's place in the home as a mother, highlighting a pronatalist stance. ● The Casti Connubii (1930) determined the stance of the Catholic Church on abortion and contraception; emphasising that marriage was for reproduction. ● The Congested Districts Board under Lady Aberdeen sought to improve rural housing on the West coast. This scheme also provided healthcare and improved sanitation. ● This type of eugenics was about building a strong nation (rather than race or class) and was a response to modernisation and the threat to rural living

Theories of Mental Degeneration in Ireland

This paper will explore theories of mental degeneration in Ireland, and the practical influence of these theories on medical discussion and social policy. The term ‘degeneration’ will be used in this article to define the perceived process of decline, whil e ‘degeneracy’ defines the more general theory of societal, mental, moral, and physical decline. This article will address these ideas, but will not address general eugenic theories, or the relationship between eugenics and the church and state in this era , as these are outside the parameters of this research. The work of British theorists, such as A. F. Tredgold, will be used as a benchmark to define what is meant by the contemporary terms degeneration and amentia . Tredgold notes that ‘amentia’ can be cons idered a lack of mental development, but encompasses numerous levels of mental degeneration ; therefore, amentia was used as an overarching term for idiocy, feeble mindedness, and imbecility (Tredgold, 1920). This paper will also examine contemporary Irish journals to illustrate how these theories were implemented and how medical professionals and politicians perceived mental degeneration to have an effect on the Irish population. Finally, this paper will address the term degeneracy and what this problematic term implied for legislation in the Irish Free State (1921 – 1937)

Theories of Mental Degeneration in Ireland

This paper will explore theories of mental degeneration in Ireland, and the practical influence of these theories on medical discussion and social policy. The term ‘degeneration’ will be used in this article to define the perceived process of decline, whil e ‘degeneracy’ defines the more general theory of societal, mental, moral, and physical decline. This article will address these ideas, but will not address general eugenic theories, or the relationship between eugenics and the church and state in this era , as these are outside the parameters of this research. The work of British theorists, such as A. F. Tredgold, will be used as a benchmark to define what is meant by the contemporary terms degeneration and amentia . Tredgold notes that ‘amentia’ can be cons idered a lack of mental development, but encompasses numerous levels of mental degeneration ; therefore, amentia was used as an overarching term for idiocy, feeble mindedness, and imbecility (Tredgold, 1920). This paper will also examine contemporary Irish journals to illustrate how these theories were implemented and how medical professionals and politicians perceived mental degeneration to have an effect on the Irish population. Finally, this paper will address the term degeneracy and what this problematic term implied for legislation in the Irish Free State (1921 – 1937)

Histoire du traitement pédiatrique á la Reichsuniversität Straßburg (1941-1944)

This thesis will focus on the treatment of children as patients at the Reichsuniversität Straßburg Hospital. It will include case studies and data from the paediatric clinic, the psychiatric clinic, student research, the department of pathology, and will also examine other specimens of this research on children. The training of doctors and nurses was a central part of the children's clinic, and these trainees often treat patients, so this thesis will examine what they were taught. This thesis will examine the evacuation process and the medical treatment of children. There has not yet been a study on "everyday research" in which the Reichsuniversität Straßburg has participated. This study will identify new samples that have been discovered by comparing the available information attached to the samples to recreate a more complete picture of the hospital's paediatric patients.Cette thèse portera sur le traitement des enfants en tant que patients à l'hôpital de la Reichsuniversität Straßburg. Elle comprendra des études de cas et des données provenant de la clinique pédiatrique, de la clinique psychiatrique, de la recherche des étudiants, du département de pathologie, et examinera également les autres spécimens de cette recherche sur les enfants. La formation des médecins et des infirmières était un élément central de la clinique pour enfants, et ces stagiaires traitent souvent des patients, aussi cette thèse examinera-t-elle ce qui leur a été enseigné. Cette thèse examinera le processus d'évacuation et le traitement médical des enfants. Il n'y a pas encore eu d'étude sur la "recherche quotidienne" à laquelle a participé la Reichsuniversität Straßburg. Cette étude permettra d'identifier de nouveaux échantillons qui ont été découverts en comparant les informations disponibles attachées aux échantillons de recréer une vue plus complète des patients pédiatriques de l'hôpital

Theories of Mental Degeneration in Ireland

This paper will explore theories of mental degeneration in Ireland, and the practical influence of these theories on medical discussion and social policy. The term ‘degeneration’ will be used in this article to define the perceived process of decline, whil e ‘degeneracy’ defines the more general theory of societal, mental, moral, and physical decline. This article will address these ideas, but will not address general eugenic theories, or the relationship between eugenics and the church and state in this era , as these are outside the parameters of this research. The work of British theorists, such as A. F. Tredgold, will be used as a benchmark to define what is meant by the contemporary terms degeneration and amentia . Tredgold notes that ‘amentia’ can be cons idered a lack of mental development, but encompasses numerous levels of mental degeneration ; therefore, amentia was used as an overarching term for idiocy, feeble mindedness, and imbecility (Tredgold, 1920). This paper will also examine contemporary Irish journals to illustrate how these theories were implemented and how medical professionals and politicians perceived mental degeneration to have an effect on the Irish population. Finally, this paper will address the term degeneracy and what this problematic term implied for legislation in the Irish Free State (1921 – 1937)

Theories of Mental Degeneration in Ireland

This paper will explore theories of mental degeneration in Ireland, and the practical influence of these theories on medical discussion and social policy. The term ‘degeneration’ will be used in this article to define the perceived process of decline, whil e ‘degeneracy’ defines the more general theory of societal, mental, moral, and physical decline. This article will address these ideas, but will not address general eugenic theories, or the relationship between eugenics and the church and state in this era , as these are outside the parameters of this research. The work of British theorists, such as A. F. Tredgold, will be used as a benchmark to define what is meant by the contemporary terms degeneration and amentia . Tredgold notes that ‘amentia’ can be cons idered a lack of mental development, but encompasses numerous levels of mental degeneration ; therefore, amentia was used as an overarching term for idiocy, feeble mindedness, and imbecility (Tredgold, 1920). This paper will also examine contemporary Irish journals to illustrate how these theories were implemented and how medical professionals and politicians perceived mental degeneration to have an effect on the Irish population. Finally, this paper will address the term degeneracy and what this problematic term implied for legislation in the Irish Free State (1921 – 1937)