Diabetes amongst women has a marked influence upon the functions of the sexual organs. Thus, for example, the menses cease, a condition which, according to gynæcologists, is occasioned by an abnormal condition of the womb and of the ovaries which become atrophied. (Schauta.) On the other hand, diabetes may also result from diseases of the reproductive organs. (Imlach.) When the cause of the complaint is removed from the female genitals the sugar also disappears from the urine.
From both of these facts, which rest upon medical observation, it follows that the excretion of sugar has some definite connection with the processes at work in the female generative organs. In the cases when the excretion of sugar continues for a considerable time, it is of greater significance, and indicates chronic derangement of the metabolism, in connection with which a serious change comes over the internal organs of generation.
Now, if there is a possibility that disturbances so extensive can be set up in the female genital tract when there is an excretion of sugar, it is also very possible that certain modifications may be produced by a small constant excretion of sugar. These changes can show themselves in the ovum to this extent, that they may be of considerable significance and not without influence upon the development of sex.
Women who suffer from pronounced diabetes frequently miscarry. In what way the disease influences ovulation I cannot here discuss.
The connection of the development of sex with an imperfect physiological combustion of the food can only be considered as demonstrated, if it is possible, by means of certain exact experiments in this direction to reach results which incontestably make for the possibility of influencing sex. Cases of this kind, in which the work of observation was conducted by myself alone, and in families closely connected with me, where there were exceptional wishes in this direction, I shall mention presently.
Most striking of all are the cases where a number of daughters have come into the world one after another as the results of a marriage.
The condition of a woman in a well-regulated married state, when, as we will suppose, five or six girls are born, one after another, must be considered to be of a kind that departs more or less from the normal. The human female, if we regard the general statistical data, ought to bring forth approximately the same number of male and female individuals. If we find so remarkable an excess in the direction either of males or females, that six or seven of the same sex follow one another, there must be a reason for this. In my opinion that cause is now to be ascertained only from the results of analysis of the urine for sugar, mentioned above.
In the cases where we have to deal with an excessive predominance of female offspring, Trommer’s test will show us the presence of sugar. But it is safest, as I have already said, to use the phenylhydrazin test in the manner described. If it be demonstrated that in any such case sugar practically exists in the urine, in never so small a quantity, dietetic treatment is to be resorted to, until even the minutest trace of sugar has been made to disappear.