Claudius F. Mayer: From Plato to Pope Paul / Orvostörténeti Közlemények – Supplementum 17. (Budapest, 1989)
VI. NEW WORLDS, NEW POWERS STATE PLANNERS, AND REVOLUTIONARIES New discoveries and inventions, especially the printing press, opened new areas for increasing populations, and new methods of mass communication. The XVI-XVIII centuries are characterized by rebirth of science, fierce fight of religious sects, advance of world powers, and political revolutions. The discovery of America gave opportunity to Europeans to study the genetic customs of newly contacted peoples, the population policies of the Aztecs in Mexico, the Incas in Peru. 26 8 Polygamy was practiced in both countries, chiefly among the wealthy. 26 7 The Inca's wife was one of his sisters in order to secure a "pure heaven-born race " uncontaminated by earthly mould. 26 8 In both countries chastity was the rule, and adultery was punished with death. 26 9 The Inca law provided that every Peruvian should marry at a certain age. 27 0 Each newborn child was granted land. The Incas prevented racial troubles by transfer of people. 27 1 The New World offered also means for growing European states for expansion and colonization. 27 2 It was suggested to send out first only men, and then women, and that colonization should not be made with convicts. 27 3 During the renaissance and afterwards, induced abortions, 27 4 abandonment, infanticides and the use of preservatives increased in frequency. 27 5 In the XVIII. ct. abortion prevailed in the highest circles of France. 27 6 The increasing number of foundling asylums was thought to reduce such activities, and to supply more subject for the State. 27 7 The prepared linen sheath appeared the first time in 1564 as ak "post- actum " protective against syphilis. 27 8 For the prevention of conception its use became general in England in the late XVII. ct. 27 9 Civilian laws prescribed various (usually capital) punishments in induced abortios according to fetal viability, 28 0 although some philosophers thought that the killing of illegitimate babies could be ignored, since they are just smuggled goods, without any legal right of existence. 28 1 The Church's attitude toward contraception, and induced abortion remained unchanged: —the use of any artificial means, or drug was a mortal sin and homicide. 28 2 Castration as a penalty has been customary for centuries in Europe, 28 3 and was performed by the executioner. It was also used as a genocidal measure. 28 4 Superstition held castration a preventive against varice, gout, leprosy. 28 5 The Skoptzi castrated themselves, considering sexual union the original sin. 28 6 With the rise of state power, the private life, and its propagative and genetic aspects became public concern. According to the new political philosophy, the State was the supreme end, and the individuals only breeders and workers for it. 287 There was hardly a government without making efforts at /. placing disabilities on celibates, 2. encouraging marriage directly, 3. encouraging fecundity, 4. providing asylums for foundlings. 28 8 Generation of children and population growth was a concern of statesmen, a matter which could and should be stimulated. 28 3 J. B. COLBERT elaborated a policy for France, 29 0 and sent boatloads of French girls to colonial soldiers. 291 In general, mates were selected from the same rank or caste. 29 2 Chastity was protected, 17
