for the
neurosis. The actual proportion of cases revealing strongly-marked
hereditary features (often involving several members of the subject's
ancestry), amounts to 36 per cent;" while Mr. Briscoe declares (Journal
of Mental Science, Oct. 1896) that 90% of the insane have a heredity of
insanity.

The following table from Dr. MacGregor's reports gives an account of two
families in New Zealand and their Asylum history.

Cost per head.
Number. Name. Rate L1 Total
Per week. Cost.
Family of B (Brothers). L s. d. L s. d.

I. A.B. 80 0 0
II. C.B. 274 4 0
III. D.B. 230 2 0
IV. E.B. 8 2 0
V. F.B. 8 2 0
--------- 600 12 0

Family of C.

I. A.C. (wife) 472 2 0
II. B.C. (husband of A.C.) 418 0 0
III. D.C. (daughter of A.C.) 834 2 0
IV. E.C. (ditto) 1,318 2 0
V. F.C. (illegitimate
daughter of E.C.) 169 8 0
VI. G.C. (husband of F.C.
but no blood relation) 5 2 0
------------ 3,216 16 0
------------
L3,817 8 0

In his report for 1897, the same writer says:--"I know of a 'defective'
half-imbecile girl, who has had already five illegitimate children by
different fathers, all of whom are now being supported by the Charitable
Aid Board, while, of course, the mother is maintained, and encouraged to
propagate more;" while in an appendix to a pamphlet on "Some Aspects of
the Charitable Aid question," he gives the following history of two
defective cases:--

J.A. admitted to Lunatic Asylum, May, 1897.

Three medical men report on her as follows:--"She appears imbecile, but
without delusions: natural imbecility, stupid, idiotic expression; baby
one month old; age between 30 and 40. Suffering from dementia;
lactational."

J.A., husband aged 69; labourer, average earnings 15s. week. He wishes
to get admission into some Old Man's Home.

This couple have six children--four girls and one boy. A. aged 12; B.
10; C. 9; D. (b