Amory John K
Department of Medicine and the Population Center for Research in Human Reproduction, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
Fertil Steril. 2004 Mar;81(3):495-9. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2003.08.035.
George Washington was the single most important figure in the founding of the United States of America. Numerous biographies of Washington have been written and his name is honored in countless ways, including as the name of the United States' capital. Washington has become so idealized in U.S. consciousness that it is easy to lose sight of his failings and disappointments. Undoubtedly, one of his most personal sorrows was his inability to have a child with his wife Martha. As the historian W.S. Randall puts it, "He was content with Martha, but mystified why, year after year, he and Martha could produce no Washington heir." In this article, George and Martha Washington's inability to have children is discussed, and it is suggested that George was the likely source of the couple's infertility. The author also speculates as to the cause of Washington's infertility and its effect on the course of American history. Frank discussion of Washington's infertility might provide some comfort to men struggling with infertility today.
乔治·华盛顿是美利坚合众国建国过程中最为重要的人物。关于华盛顿的传记数不胜数，他的名字在无数方面受到尊崇，包括美国首都就以他的名字命名。在美国人的意识中，华盛顿已变得如此理想化，以至于人们很容易忽视他的缺点和失意之事。毫无疑问，他个人最大的悲痛之一就是无法与妻子玛莎育有子女。正如历史学家W.S. 兰德尔所说：“他与玛莎相处融洽，但年复一年，他和玛莎为何没能诞下华盛顿家族的继承人，这让他感到困惑不解。” 本文探讨了乔治和玛莎·华盛顿无法生育子女的问题，并指出乔治很可能是这对夫妇不育的根源。作者还推测了华盛顿不育的原因及其对美国历史进程的影响。坦率地讨论华盛顿的不育问题或许能给如今正在与不育问题作斗争的男性带来一些慰藉。
