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diff --git a/40623-h.zip b/40623-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb9bca4 --- /dev/null +++ b/40623-h.zip diff --git a/40623-h/40623-h.htm b/40623-h/40623-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f5663b --- /dev/null +++ b/40623-h/40623-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,8967 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + Private Sex Advice to Women, by R. B. Armitage, M. D. (a Project Gutenberg eBook) + </title> + +<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> + + <style type="text/css"> + +body { +margin-left:10%; +margin-right:10%; +} + +h1,h2,h3 { +clear:both; +text-align:center; +} + +h2,h3 {page-break-before: always;} + +h2 { +font-size:125%; +padding-top:1.5em; +} + +h3 { +font-size:110%; +} + +p { +margin-bottom:.75em; +margin-top:.75em; +text-align:justify; +} + +table { +margin-left:auto; +margin-right:auto; +max-width:40em; +} + +p.begin { +font-size:175%; +padding-top:1.5em; +text-align:center; +} + +p.pad-tb { +padding:1.5em 0; +} + +td.pad-r { +padding-right:3em; +} + +td.pad-l { +padding-left:3em; +} + +div#title { +margin:auto; +max-width:18em; +padding:2em; +} + +div#toc { +margin:auto; +max-width:40em; +} + +div#tn { +background-color:#CFC; +border:solid #38610B 1px; +color:#000; +font-size:80%; +margin:2em; +padding:1em; +} + +span.lght { +font-weight:400; +} + +span.pagenum { +color:gray; +font-size:small; +font-style:normal; +font-weight:400; +left:92%; +position:absolute; +text-align:right; +} + +.center { +text-align:center; +} + +.sm { +font-size:85%; +} + +.med { +font-size:120%; +} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Private Sex Advice to Women, by R. B. Armitage + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Private Sex Advice to Women + For Young Wives and those who Expect to be Married + +Author: R. B. Armitage + +Release Date: August 30, 2012 [EBook #40623] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIVATE SEX ADVICE TO WOMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Bruce Albrecht, S.D., and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<div id="title"> +<h1><span class="sm">PRIVATE</span><br /> +Sex Advice to<br /> +Women</h1> + +<p class="center"><b>By R. B. Armitage, M. D.</b></p> + +<p class="center med"><b>For Young Wives and those +who Expect to be Married.</b></p> + +<p class="sm pad-tb">This book was written so as to give enlightenment +to those entering into wedlock so their +married life will be one of happiness and +pleasure.</p> + +<p class="center"><b>DEFIANCE PUBLISHING CO.<br /> +110 W. 40th ST.<br /> +New York, N. Y.</b></p> +</div> + +<p class="center">COPYRIGHT, 1917<br /> +<br /> +CHICAGO, ILL.</p> + +<p class="begin">Sex Advice to Women</p> + +<div id="toc"> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_I">LESSON I—FOREWORD</a></p> + +<p>Important information which all women should possess, but which +few are given the opportunity of acquiring. The necessity of rational +instruction on Sex Physiology, Sex Anatomy, and Sex Hygiene. The +danger of false information from polluted sources. The conventional +taboo against Sex Knowledge, which is inherited by the race from the +Middle Ages. The Reign of Prurient Prudery. Ignorance of Sex Science +is a frequent cause of immorality, and the real reason of marital +inharmony and unhappiness. The special need of Sex Instruction on +the part of women. The sex-life of the woman is fuller and more complex +than that of the man, hence her special need of sane information +on the subject. Nature's handicap on woman <span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_II">LESSON II—ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM</a></p> + +<p>A scientific but plain lesson on the Female Sex Anatomy. The External +Sex Organism of Woman fully described and explained. What +every woman should know about herself, but which but few intelligently +understand. Plain facts cleanly stated in simple terms. The +Internal Sex Organism of Woman fully described and explained. The +Vagina. The Uterus or Womb. Displacements of the Uterus described. +Prolapsus. Antroversion. Anteflexion. Retroversion. Retroflexion. The +Fallopian Tubes. The Ovaries. General Summary of the Female Reproductive +Organism <span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_13">13</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_III">LESSON III—PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM</a></p> + +<p>The Ovaries and their functions. Primary and secondary Functions +of the Ovaries. The Ova, or human eggs, and their natural history. +The Process of Ovulation. Menstruation and its incidents. The phenomena +of Puberty. The incidents of the Menopause or Change of +Life. The Dangerous Age of Woman. The Life History of the Ovum. +The Birth of the Ovum. The Journey of the Ovum. The Process of +Fecundation. The Spermatozoa and their offices. The Segmentation-Nucleus. +The Division and Sub-division of the Ovum. The Primitive +Trace. The Beginning of the life of the embryo +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_IV">LESSON IV—GESTATION OR PREGNANCY</a></p> + +<p>The Period of Pregnancy. How to calculate the Date of Delivery. +Development of the Fertilized Ovum. The Embryo. The Fetus. How +Nature builds up the child from the simple cell. The yolk-sack or umbilical +vesicle. The Allantois. The Placenta and its offices. The Umbillical +Cord. Osmosis. The Amnion. Sex in Embryo and Fetus. Position +of the Fetus. The Table of the Development of the Unborn Child. +Stage of Development of each month described fully. The Physical +Signs of Pregnancy. The Disorders of Pregnancy. Practical Suggestions +for Pregnant Women. Childbirth and its incidents +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_33">33</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_V">LESSON V—GENERAL ADVICE TO WOMEN ON SEX SUBJECTS</a></p> + +<p>Much needed, though seldom obtainable, information on important +subjects. The Truth about the Sexual Emotions plainly stated. Alcohol +and Sexuality. A Startling Statement. A Warning to Women. The +Menstrual Period and its Disorders. Simple methods of treatment fully +described. Dysmenorrhea. Amenorrhea. Menorrhagia. The Hygiene +of Menstruation. Plain Talk on a Delicate Subject. Leucorrhea: what +it is, and how it may be treated by simple methods. General Treatment +and Special Methods. Uterine Displacements, and simple treatments +therefor. Marital Relations and Menstruation. Marital Relations +and Pregnancy. Sterility in Woman. Practical Advice to Sterile +Women. Miscarriage and Abortion. Sensible Advice to Women +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_49">49</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_VI">LESSON VI—THE SCIENCE OF EUGENICS</a></p> + +<p>The New Science. The Science of Parenthood. Biological Ethics. +Race Culture. Scientific Parenthood. Preventive Eugenics. Constructive +Eugenics. Race Suicide, real and false. Conservation and Preservation +of the Race. Prevention of Criminal Offspring. The Causes of +Degeneracy. Prevention of the Transmission of Disease and Insanity +in Offspring. Protection for Mothers. Education for Parenthood. Terrible +Effects of Ignorance of Eugenic Science. Desired and Prepared-for +Children versus "Accidents" and Undesired Children. Not more +children, but better ones; not more births, but fewer deaths among +children. Survival Values versus Production Values +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_65">65</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_VII">LESSON VII—PRENATAL INFLUENCES</a></p> + +<p>Influencing the Child before birth. Family Characteristics. Transmission +of Parental Traits. Influence of Maternal Impression. Heredity +in General. Opinion of the Best Authorities. Transmission of Acquired +Characteristics. Heredity versus Environment. The Eugenic +Rule regarding Heredity. Fitness for Parenthood. Preparation for +Parenthood, physical, mental, and spiritual. Maternal Impressions. +The Several Theories. Both Sides of the Question. A Highly Important +Subject. Proofs and Illustrations of Maternal Impressions. +Valuable Information for Prospective Parents. How the Pregnant +Mother may influence and shape the physical, mental, and moral +character of her unborn child +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_80">80</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_VIII">LESSON VIII—EUGENICS AND CHARACTER</a></p> + +<p>Influence of Parental Factors upon the Character of their Offspring. +What Parental Conditions produce the Best Quality of Children. +The Most Favorable Age for Parenthood. What statistics show. +The Vaerting Tables. The Influence of Fathers. The Influence of +Mothers. The Havelock Ellis Studies and Reports. The Production of +Men of Genius. The Investigations of Marro the Italian Scientist. The +Redfield Investigation and Theories. The Influence of Parental Age on +Genius. How Ability is Transmitted. Why Delayed Parentage produces +Better Offspring than Premature Parentage. Latest Discoveries of +Sexual Science concerning an important subject +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_103">103</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_IX">LESSON IX—THE DETERMINATION OF SEX</a></p> + +<p>How the Sex of Offspring is Determined, and how Controlled or +Produced at Will. The Biological Viewpoint. The Practical Viewpoint. +The Chromosome Theory. Artificial Influencing of Sex in Offspring. +Professor Doncaster's Reports. Dawson's Theory. Are there alternate +male and female ova? The Effect of Nutrition in Sex-Determination. +Schenk's Theory and Methods. Influencing the Ovum. Male and Female +Elements. Yung's Experiments in Sex-Determination, and their +Startling Results. Changing Sex in Tadpoles at will. How the Bees +determine the sex of their larva. Experiments upon Butterflies. Why +more Boys than Girls are born after Great Wars. Other Theories of +Sex Determination, and the Methods of Application. The Consensus of +the best scientific thought on the subject +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_115">115</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_X">LESSON X—WHAT BIRTH CONTROL IS, AND IS NOT</a></p> + +<p>"Control" not identical with "Prohibition" or "Prevention". Control +means "governing, regulating, or managing influences." True Birth +Control would not reduce the population of civilized countries, but +would increase the same and improve the quality thereof. Not only a +normal Birth Rate but also a normal Death Rate. Birth Control not +anti-social or immoral, but highly social and highly moral. Misconception +due to Ignorance and Prejudice. Unbalanced Idealism and Fanatical +Extremists responsible for the mistaken ideas upon the subject of +Birth Control. Birth Control Versus Abortion. Higher Phases of +Birth Control. The History of Birth Control. The Causes of the +present interest in the subject. Nature's tendencies toward Birth Control. +How Nature exerts Birth Control in the World. Natural Law +and Biological Principles. The High Ideals of true Birth Control +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_127">127</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_XI">LESSON XI—THE FETICH OF THE BIRTH RATE</a></p> + +<p>The Evolution of Public Opinion concerning the Birth Rate. The +old ideal of Quantity at the expense of Quality. The Swing of the +Pendulum in the Opposite Direction. The Rational Reaction. The Decline +in the Birth Rate. The New Ideal. Quality rather than Quantity. +Decreased Death Rate accompanies Decreased Birth Rate. Survival +Values rather than Production Values. How Increased Death Rate accompanies +an Increased Birth Rate. No High Birth Rate without a +High Death Rate. The new Birth Control Policy in Europe. The Result +in Holland. The Progress of the New Ideals. The Struggle against +Ignorance, Prejudice, and Hypocrisy. The Higher Morality. The Rational +View. The Policy of Wisdom. Plain Facts on an Important +Subject <span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_145">145</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_XII">LESSON XII—THE ARGUMENT FOR BIRTH CONTROL</a></p> + +<p>General Argument in Favor of Birth Control. Honesty versus +Hypocrisy. Birth Control decreases Abortion. Birth Control produces +Better Offspring, under Better Environment. Birth Control produces +a lower Death Rate. Birth Control provides Better Conditions for +Children. Birth Control promotes Marriage. Birth Control curbs Prostitution. +Birth Control promotes Health among Wives. Birth Control +tends toward Morality among Married Men. Birth Control makes for +Justice to Children. Birth Control, if universally practiced, would work +great reforms, and would metamorphose undesirable conditions of modern +society. Birth Control is advisable because along the lines of the +highest evolution of the race, and opposed to the conditions which have +held the race back in the past +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_158">158</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_XIII">LESSON XIII—THE ARGUMENT AGAINST BIRTH CONTROL</a></p> + +<p>Popular objections advanced against Birth Control, and the rational +answer to each. Is Birth Control opposed to Religion? The relation +of Religion to Morality discussed. The Position of the Churches +on the subject of Birth Control. No prohibition of Birth Control in the +Scriptures. Objections to Birth Control on the part of certain religious +bodies seen to be based upon arbitrary ruling rather than upon the +true teaching of Religion, or the dictates of Morality. The Silence of +most of the Churches on the subject. In the future, Birth Control will +be sanctioned and encouraged by the best religious thought. Birth +Control is not Immoral; it is essentially Moral and in the best interests +of morality in our civilization. Birth Control not injurious to Health, +but is in accordance with the Health of the Race. Birth Control not +Unnatural, and the reason why this is so +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_172">172</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_XIV">LESSON XIV—RACE SUICIDE</a></p> + +<p>The argument that Birth Control favors Race Suicide, and the +refutation thereof. Birth Control keeps up the population to a normal +stand by reducing the Death Rate. Birth Control eliminates the waste +caused by excessive infant mortality. Birth Control does not discourage +children in families, but places children upon a better basis. The +"old time family" and its cost in child-lives. Wherever the Birth Rate +goes down, the Death Rate goes down to even a greater degree. Proofs +from Modern History. Tables of Mortality tell the true tale. The Story +of Statistics. The eight countries in Europe with the highest Birth +Rate have the highest Death Rate and the lowest average culture. +Birth Control does not tend to Race Suicide, but toward Race Progress +and Race Betterment. The Balance between Quantity and Quality +struck rationally by Birth Control. No real danger of Race Suicide in +the World <span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_190">190</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><a href="#LESSON_XV">LESSON XV—BIRTH CONTROL METHODS</a></p> + +<p>The Three Classes of Birth Control Methods. The Method of Continence, +with the argument for and against the same. The opinion of +Eminent Authorities. Illustrations from History. The Physiology of +Continence. The Methods of Temporary Continence. The Methods of +Semi-Continence, with the argument for and against it. Noyes' "Male +Continence." "Karezza." "Dianism." The Parkhurst Theory and +Method. The Psychology of these methods. Opinions of Eminent Authorities. +Tolstoi's views. The Methods of Contraception. Distinction +between Contraception and Abortion. Prevention versus Destruction. +The Law on the subject of Contraception. Need of education on the +subject, followed by change in the laws. Education, not Anarchy. +Cautionary Advice. A Sane, Clean, presentation of the Subject +<span style="float:right;"><a href="#Page_203">203</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">{7}</a></span></p> + +<p class="begin">Sex Advice to Women</p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_I" id="LESSON_I"></a><span class="lght">LESSON I</span><br /> +FOREWORD</h2> + +<p>In this book the writer thereof seeks to convey to +women—particularly to young wives and women expecting +to be married—certain important facts of knowledge, +certain necessary information, which all such women +should possess, but which few are given the opportunity +to acquire.</p> + +<p>It would seem to require no argument to convince a +rational individual that before a woman is capable of intelligent +motherhood she should be made acquainted with +the physiological processes which are involved in the sexual +functions leading to the state of motherhood; but we +are confronted by the fact that few young women are +given such instruction.</p> + +<p>It is a strange thing that while even the ordinary +school child is made acquainted with the physiological +processes concerned with the processes of digestion, respiration, +circulation, elimination, etc., and while such +education is highly commended, yet at the same time not +only are the young of both sexes reared as if there was +no such thing as sexual functions in existence, but even +full-grown adults are left to pick up their instruction on +sexual subjects from chance sources—often polluted +sources.</p> + +<p>Even those about to enter into the important offices of +matrimony and parenthood are permitted to assume those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">{8}</a></span> +duties and responsibilities without intelligent and scientific +information or knowledge being given them. What +would we think of expecting a woman to cook, without +previous experience and without even the most elementary +instruction on the subject? What would we think of +expecting any person to undertake any important task or +duty without experience or instruction regarding the +same? And yet we seem content to allow young women +to enter into the important relationship of marriage, and +to undertake the important office of motherhood, often +in absolute ignorance of the physiological processes involved, +and the physical laws governing the same.</p> + +<p>All this absurd practice and custom results simply +from the antiquated notion that it is "not nice" to speak +or think of the subject of the sex functions. The subject +has been considered "taboo" by our particular section of +the human race since the Middle Ages, because the ascetic +ideals of that dark period of human history brought forward +a totally false and unnatural conception of sex as +fundamentally impure. If the results were not so deplorable +and often tragic, this condition of affairs would +be a fit subject for laughter and scornful ridicule. But, +alas! on the part of the thoughtful observer of this state +of things there is rather great wonder and amazement +accompanied by the feeling of deep sorrow.</p> + +<p>It cannot be honestly denied that in our present age, +and period of modern civilization, and particularly among +the Anglo-Saxon branch of the race, the question of the +sex functions is associated with impurity, at least so far +as the popular mind is concerned. In previous civilizations +the subject was accorded its proper place, and was +discussed sanely and thoughtfully, without any sense of +shame or impurity. The Middle Age ideals of celibacy and +asceticism brought about the public conception of the +human body as a thing impure—something to be modified, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">{9}</a></span>tortured, subdued and reviled; and a corresponding +conception of sex as a vile, impure thing above which the +pure in heart rose entirely and completely, and which +those of a lesser spiritual ideal were permitted to indulge +with a due sense of their degradation and weakness. It +was considered a most worthy thing to lead an ascetic +life with its accompaniment of disdain and punishment +of the body. It was considered most pious and spiritual +to forego the ordinary human relations of sex, marriage +and parenthood. From these distorted conceptions naturally +evolved the idea that sex, and all connected with it, +was a subject unclean and impure in itself, and to be +avoided in thought, conversation and writing. Not only +the ordinary sex relations of human life were placed +under this taboo, but also the phenomena of birth and +parenthood. Not only did these incidents of life grow to +be considered impure, but they became that which to +many was still worse, that is to say, they became to be +regarded as "not respectable."</p> + +<p>Ignorance regarding the plain elementary facts of +sexual physiology is undoubtedly the cause not only of +much immorality among young people of both sexes, but +also of many unhappy and inharmonious marriages. The +intelligent portion of our race is now beginning to realize +very keenly the fact that the first requisite of sane marital +relations and intelligent parenthood is a practical and +clear knowledge of the physiology of sex; education concerning +the sexual organism, its laws, its functions, its +normal and healthy conditions, its anatomy, its physiology +and hygiene.</p> + +<p>The average physician of experience in general or +special practice can tell tales of almost incredible ignorance +on the part of young women who have recently entered +into the relationship of marriage. In some cases +the ignorance is more than a mere absence of knowledge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">{10}</a></span>—it +consists too often of false-knowledge, untruthful +ideas concerning matters of the most serious import. It +is sad enough to think how such persons may work results +harmful to themselves, but it is even sadder still to +realize that these same ignorant young women must +eventually gain their real knowledge through sad experience—experience +paid for not only by themselves but +also by their children. It is a hard saying, but a true one, +that the knowledge of many young wives and mothers is +to be gained by experience paid for by their (as yet) +unborn children.</p> + +<p>The writer of the present work is one of the rapidly +growing number of thinking persons who believe that +the time has come to educate the race concerning the +importance of sane instruction concerning the functions +of sex. He, and those who think as he does, believe that +the time has come to "Turn on the Light!" They believe +that the importance of the subject will be realized by all +intelligent persons, once that their attention is directed +to the subject, and once they have considered it apart +from the old prejudices and distorted customs. When +public opinion on this subject is reformed, then will the +taboo fall away from the body of truth; then will the +subject take its place among the "respectable" topics +which may be considered, discussed, and taught, without +loss of caste or prestige.</p> + +<p>In a few decades, perhaps even much sooner, it will +be regarded as quite reprehensible to permit young persons +to enter into the relationship of marriage without a +sane, practical knowledge of their own reproductive +organism and the functions thereof, and of their physiological +duties to themselves, to their companions in marriage, +and to their children born or to be born. We may +even see the practical application of the somewhat startling +prophecy of Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., who said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">{11}</a></span> +"The State that makes a man study two years before a +license as druggist is given; that makes a young lawyer +or doctor study three years before being permitted to +practice; ought to ask the young man or young woman +to pass an equally rigid examination before license is +given to found an American home, and set up an American +family."</p> + +<p>While the information above alluded to should be +given alike to the young husband and the young wife, it +cannot be doubted that the latter is the one of the pair +who is most in need of this kind of instruction. While +both the young man and the young woman require this +instruction, the need is the greater in the case of the +young woman, by the very nature of the case. The sex +functions and processes play a much more important part +in the life of the woman than in that of the man, the +protests of some of the modern feminists to the contrary +notwithstanding. The careful student of the sex +life of men and women frankly confesses that in both the +physical and the psychical realm the sex offices make a +greater demand upon the time and attention of the +woman than of the man.</p> + +<p>The love-life of the woman is far fuller and more +absorbing than is that of the man. Unhappiness concerning +her love-life renders the remainder of the life of the +average woman of comparatively little account; while, +with a happy love-life she will put up cheerfully with the +absence of many other things which are usually regarded +as necessities for happiness. As a writer has said: +"Essentially, a woman is made for love—not exclusively, +but essentially; and a woman who has had no love in her +life has been a failure."</p> + +<p>The same rule operates on the physical plane. As the +same writer has said: "Physically, the woman is also +much more cognizant of her sex and much more hampered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">{12}</a></span> +by the manifestation of her sex nature than man is." The +manifestation of the incidents of menstruation is a constant +reminder to the woman that she is a creature of sex. +The phenomenon of pregnancy is, likewise, something from +which the man is free. And, finally, the menopause, or +"change of life," with its incidents greatly influencing +the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the +woman, is Nature's final word to the woman that she is +the active pole of sex-life. As the above-quoted writer +has said: "Altogether it cannot be denied that woman is +much more a slave of her sex-nature than man is of his. +Nature has handicapped woman much more heavily than +she has man."</p> + +<p>And so, in this book, the young woman—the young +wife—is directly addressed, her companion and mate +being referred to only indirectly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">{13}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_II" id="LESSON_II"></a><span class="lght">LESSON II</span><br /> +ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM</h2> + +<p>Every woman should be given plain, practical, sane, +sensible instruction concerning the sex organism of +woman, its functions, its laws, its use, and its abuse. This +important feature of the physical organism plays an all +powerful part in the life of every woman, and particularly +in the life of the married woman. It is nature's +mechanism for the reproduction of the race. Every child +that is born into the world is conceived, gestated, and +finally delivered as a result of the functioning of this +organism. Therefore, such instruction and knowledge is +vitally necessary, not only for the intelligent performance +of the duties of parenthood, but also for the best +interests of race-preservation, race-culture, and the +physical well-being and health of the individual woman.</p> + +<p>And yet, custom and ancient prejudice have drawn +the veil over this most important subject, so that it is difficult +for the average woman to find practical, clean information +concerning her own anatomy and physiological +functions concerned with her sex-life. To many it has +appeared that the particular organs and parts of the body +concerned with the reproductive functions of the woman +are base, unclean, and impure, and that any woman discussing +them, or seeking information regarding them, +must be immoral or at least not "respectable." Anatomical +charts and physiological treatises on the subject +are tabooed outside of the doctor's office. Women are considered +immodest if they seek to acquaint themselves with +the facts of life concerning one of their most important +classes of physical functions. It is considered "not nice" +for a young woman to know anything about her physical +being in those phases which play the most important part +in her life. Can there be anything more ridiculous and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">{14}</a></span> +insane? This is a matter which excites the most intense +surprise, disgust, and despair in the average person possessing +a scientific tendency. But the dawn is breaking, +and a better day is ahead of the race concerning these +things.</p> + +<p>The sex organs of the woman are divided into two +classes, as follows: (1) The external organs; and (2) +the internal organs. Let us consider each of these classes +in turn.</p> + +<h3>THE EXTERNAL SEX ORGANS OF THE WOMAN.</h3> + +<p>The external sex organs of the woman are as follows: +The Mons Veneris; the Labia Majora; the Labia Minora; +the Clitoris; the Meatus Urinarius; and the Vaginal +Orifice. The term "the Vulva" is applied to the external +sex organs of the woman in general, but more particularly +to the Labia Majora and the Labia Minora (the +larger and smaller "lips," respectively). The term +"Vulva" is the Latin term meaning "folding doors."</p> + +<p><b>The Mons Veneris</b> is the fatty eminence or elevation +just above the other external organs, which forms a +mount from which its name (literally, "The Mount of +Venus") is derived. At puberty it becomes covered with +hair.</p> + +<p><b>The Labia Majora</b> are the large "outer lips" or folds +of skin which enclose the Vaginal Orifice, and which are +situated just below the Mons Veneris.</p> + +<p><b>The Labia Minora</b> are the small "inner lips" of folds +of membrane, which are concealed within the Labia +Majora, or "outer lips," and are seen only when the latter +are parted.</p> + +<p><b>The Clitoris</b> is a small organ, about an inch in length, +situated at the upper part of the Labia Minora or "inner +lips," and usually being partly or wholly covered by the +upper borders thereof. At its extremity it has a small +rounded enlargement which is extremely sensitive and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">{15}</a></span> +excitable, and which is the principal seat of sensation in +the woman's sexual organism.</p> + +<p><b>The Meatus Urinarius</b> is the orifice of the urethra of +the woman, the purpose of which is to afford an exit for +the urine. It is located about an inch below the Clitoris +and is just above the Vaginal Orifice. It is a common +error among uninformed women that the urine passes +out through the Vagina; but this, of course, is incorrect, +as the two canals and their respective orifices are entirely +separate from each other, though situated closely together.</p> + +<p><b>The Vaginal Orifice</b> is the outer entrance to the +Vagina, or Vaginal Canal or Channel. This orifice is +located just below the Meatus Urinarius. In the virgin it +is usually partly closed by what is known as "<b>The +Hymen</b>," (vulgarly known as the "maiden head"), although +in many cases the latter is absent even in the case +of young girl infants. It was formerly regarded as an +infallible sign of virginity, and its absence was regarded +as a proof that virginity was lacking. But this old superstition +is passing away, for science has shown that the +Hymen is often absent even in the case of young children +and infants, and, on the other hand, is sometimes present +after several years of married life, and even during pregnancy. +Much unhappiness has been caused in some cases +where the husband has doubted the virginity of his wife +because of the absence of the Hymen, but consultation +with a capable physician usually removes this misunderstanding.</p> + +<p>The Hymen is a membranous fold, sometimes circular +in shape, with an opening in the center, though in other +cases it extends only across the lower part of the orifice. +The opening in the center is for the purpose of allowing +the menstrual blood and the other secretions of Uterus +and Vagina to flow through. In a few cases this opening +is absent, the Hymen being what is called "imperforate"; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">{16}</a></span>in which case the girl experiences difficulty when +menstruation begins, and a physician is required to make +a slit or opening in it. In some girls and women the +Hymen is quite tough, while in others it is very thin and +is easily broken. In the latter cases the young girl frequently +breaks the membrane during vigorous exercise, +such as jumping rope, etc. And, as has before been said, +in some cases infant girls are born without even a trace of +the Hymen. Under the circumstances, it is seen that the +presence or absence of the Hymen is far from being an +infallible proof of the presence or absence of virginity, +and the belief in the same is now regarded as almost a +superstition of the past.</p> + +<h3>THE INTERNAL SEX ORGANS OF THE WOMAN.</h3> + +<p>The internal sex organs of the woman are as follows: +The Vagina; the Uterus and its appendages; the Fallopian +Tubes; the Ovaries, and their ligaments, and the round +ligaments.</p> + +<p><b>The Vagina</b> is the canal or channel leading from the +Vaginal Orifice to the Uterus or womb. It is situated in +front of the rectum, and behind the bladder. In length, it +averages from three to five inches; and it curves upward +and backward, reaching to the lower part of the neck of +the womb, or Uterus, which part of the neck is enclosed +by it. It is a strong fibro-muscular structure, lined with +mucous membrane; and is not smooth inside, but is +arranged in inner folds or rings which are capable of +great extension.</p> + +<p>On either side of the Vagina, near the outer orifice, are +two small glands, about the size of a pea, which secrete a +peculiar fluid, and which are known as the Glands of +Bartholine. The office of the Vagina is that of a complementary +to the male organ during the copulative process; +to also sustain the weight of the Uterus; to also afford a +passage for the infant at the time of its birth; and also +to serve as a passage for the menstrual fluid.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">{17}</a></span></p> +<p><b>The Uterus</b>, or Womb, is the internal sex organ of the +woman which serves to hold the fertilized ovum, or egg, +from the time of impregnation, during the period of pregnancy +during which the ovum develops into the young +child, and until the time of the delivery of the child.</p> + +<p>The Uterus is a hollow pear-shaped muscular organ, +about three inches in length, nearly an inch thick, and +about two inches broad across its upper part, or <b>fundus</b>; +the lower part, or <b>cervix</b>, being much narrower. The +<b>cervix</b>, or "neck" of the womb, projects into the Vagina, +forming the "os uteri," or "mouth of the womb," at that +point. The Uterus is composed chiefly of a muscular coat, +its walls consisting of strong muscular fibres which contract +independently of the will, as do similar muscles in +the stomach and bladder. These muscular walls are capable +of enormous distention during pregnancy. The +muscles of the healthy womb are capable of a tremendous +pressure and resistance, and are capable of expelling the +child with but slight labor at the time of delivery.</p> + +<p>The Uterus is located just behind and slightly above +the bladder, and is supported by eight ligaments which, +in a healthy condition, hold it firmly and easily in place. +Displacements of the Uterus are due to the weakening or +relaxing of some or all of these ligaments, generally +caused by general weakness or else by excessive physical +exercise or labor. The principal <b>Displacements of the +Uterus</b> are as follows: Prolapsus, or lowering of the womb +in the vagina; Antroversion, or the bending forward of +the womb; Anteflexion, or the "doubling up" of the +womb <b>forward</b> on itself; Retroversion, or the bending +backward of the womb; and Retroflexion, or the "doubling +up" of the womb <b>backward</b> on itself. Extreme +degrees of the last four mentioned forms of displacement +often interfere with impregnation.</p> + +<p>The internal surface of the Uterus is lined with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">{18}</a></span> +mucous membrane thickly studded with minute hairlike +cells which manifest continuous motion. This motion, in +the lower part of the womb, is in the direction of the +fundus or upper part of the womb; in the upper part of +the womb, the motion is in the opposite direction; the +purpose of these opposing movements being to carry the +male elements toward that portion of the womb into +which the Fallopian Tubes discharge the products of the +Ovaries, as we shall see presently.</p> + +<p>The Uterus is supplied with follicles around its neck +which secrete a very firm, adhesive mucus substance, +which serves as a gate or door across the mouth of the +womb during the period of pregnancy, and which also +serves to prevent the accidental displacement of the ovum +or egg. During and just after menstruation, the Uterus +becomes enlarged and more vascular. During pregnancy, +it largely increases in weight. After delivery, it resumes +its normal size, but the cavity is larger than before conception. +In old age, it becomes atrophied and denser in +structure.</p> + +<p><b>The Fallopian Tubes</b> are the ducts of the Ovaries, and +serve to convey the ova, or eggs, from the Ovaries to the +cavity in the Uterus. They are two in number, one on +each side, each tube being about four inches in length. +They extend from either side of the fundus of the womb, +through the broad ligaments which hold them and the +Ovaries in position until they communicate with the +Ovaries. They are lined with a membrane composed of +the same kind of peculiar hair-like cells which are found +in the lining of the womb, the purpose in this case being +to urge forward the ova or eggs toward the Uterus.</p> + +<p>At the ovarian end of the tubes the latter expand into +a fringed, trumpet-shaped extremity, the fringe being +known as "the fimbria." The tubes are only about one-sixteenth +of an inch in diameter, and their small caliber<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">{19}</a></span> +makes it easy for them to clog up as the result of slight +inflammation, or to become clogged up or sealed at their +mouths or openings, thus causing sterility or inability of +the woman to conceive. If the tubes are clogged, or sealed +up, it of course is impossible for the ova or eggs to reach +the uterus.</p> + +<p><b>The Ovaries</b> are the two oval-shaped bodies lying one +on either side of the Uterus. In them the ova, or eggs, are +formed. They are each about one and one-half inches long, +about one inch wide, and about one-half an inch thick. +In addition to their attachment to the broad ligament, +they are held in position by folds or ligaments running to +the fundus of the Uterus and to the fimbriated extremities +of the Fallopian Tubes. The Ovaries are covered by a +dense, firm coating which encloses a soft fibrous tissue, +abundantly supplied with blood-vessels, which is called +the stroma. Imbedded in the mesh-like tissue of the stroma +are found numerous small, round, transparent vesicles, +in various stages of development, known as the Graafian +follicles, which are lined with a layer of peculiar granular +cells. These Graafian follicles are the receptacles or +sacs which contain the ova, or eggs, which constitute the +female reproductive germ. Each vesicle contains a single +ovum or egg.</p> + +<h3>Summary.</h3> + +<p>From the foregoing, it is seen that we may enumerate +the sex organs of the woman as follows, proceeding from +the external to the internal organism: First, the Mons +Veneris, or prominent eminence above the more important +external sex organs; then the Labia Majora, or large +outer "lips" or folds, which are plainly discernable to +the ordinary view; then the Labia Minora, or smaller +inner "lips" or folds, and the Clitoris or small sensitive +organ, and the Meatus Urinarius or urinary orifice, all of +which are discernable only when the folds of the Labia +Majora are parted or opened. Then, proceeding upward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">{20}</a></span> +and backward from the Vaginal Orifice, we find the +Vagina, or channel or canal leading to the Uterus or +Womb; then we find the Uterus or Womb at the upper +end of the canal or channel of the Vagina. Then extending +from either side of the Uterus or Womb we +find those two important sets of organs known as the +Fallopian Tubes, and the Ovaries, respectively. The +Ovaries discharge their ova, or eggs, into the Fallopian +Tubes, from whence they are conveyed to the Uterus or +Womb, with which the tubes are connected and into +which they open at its upper and large end.</p> + +<p><b>The Pelvis</b> is that bony arch in the cavity of which +are contained the internal sex organs of the woman. The +Pelvis is a bony basin which holds and supports the pelvic +organs, and is composed of three important parts, as follows: +(1) The Sacrum, consisting of five sections of the +vertebral column, or spine, fused together so as to constitute +the solid part of the lower spine and the back of +the Pelvis; (2) the two Hip-Bones, one on each side of the +Pelvis; (3) the Pubic Arch, or the front part of the Pelvis, +formed by the junction of the two Hip-Bones in front. +Attached to the Hip-Bones are the thighs, and also the +large Gluteal Muscles which constitute the buttocks, or +"seat."</p> + +<p>The Pelvis of the woman is quite different from that of +the man. It is shallower and wider, and lighter in structure +than that of the male, and the margins of the Hip-Bones +are more widely separated, thus making the hips +of the woman far more prominent than those of the man. +Also, the Sacrum is shorter than that of the man, and the +Pubic Arch wider and more rounded than his. This difference +in the bony structure is made necessary by the +demand for larger space in the female Pelvis required for +the purposes of childbirth. These differences are not so +perceptible in childhood, but become marked and pronounced +at puberty.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">{21}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_III" id="LESSON_III"></a><span class="lght">LESSON III</span><br /> +PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM</h2> + +<p>In the preceding lesson you have been shown "just +what" each one of the sex organs of the woman <b>is</b>. In the +present lesson you will be shown "just what" each of +these organs <b>does</b>—what its functions and offices are. +The preceding lesson dealt with the <b>anatomy</b> of these +organs; the present lesson will deal with the <b>physiology</b> +thereof.</p> + +<p>Beginning with the Ovaries, the fundamental and +basic sex organs of the woman, you will have explained +to you the wonderful processes performed by each of +these organs in turn.</p> + +<p><b>The Ovaries.</b> The Ovaries in the woman are akin to +the testicles in the man. Without the Ovaries there would +be no ova or eggs, and without the ova there would be +possible no reproductive purposes, and therefore no office +for the sex organs at all, for reproduction is the fundamental +office, function, and purpose of the entire sexual +organism.</p> + +<p>In our consideration of the office, purposes, and functions +of the Ovaries, however, we must not overlook a +certain secondary phase of such functioning. While it +is true that the primary purpose of both the testicles of +the male, and the Ovaries of the female, is that of providing +<b>seed</b> from which the offspring of the individual +may be produced, it is likewise true that there exists a +secondary purpose which may be called the "individual" +purpose as contrasted with the "racial" and primary +one.</p> + +<p>This secondary or "individual" purpose of the Ovaries +is that of manufacturing certain secretions which are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">{22}</a></span> +absorbed by the blood of the woman, and which play an +important part in her physical and mental well-being and +activities. These secretions begin before puberty in the +woman, and continue after her menopause; whereas the +manufacture of the ova begins only at puberty, and ceases +with the menopause, keeping pace with the manifestation +of menstruation in its beginning and its ending.</p> + +<p>Nature provides these chemical secretions from the +Ovaries for the purpose of giving the woman her characteristic +physical form and contour, her form, her breasts, +her long hair, her broad pelvis, her soft voice, and other +secondary sex characteristics; and also of providing for +the normal development of the other sex organs. As a +proof of this statement, science shows us that if a woman's +ovaries are completely removed there is usually a consequent +atrophy or "drying up" of the Uterus and the +Vagina, and often even of the Vulva. Moreover, the +presence of this internal secretion manifests in arousing +and maintaining in the woman her normal sexual desire, +and her normal pleasure in the company of her mate; it +being noted that if the ovaries are removed, particularly +in early life, the woman is apt to lose all sexual desire +and normal womanly feeling toward the other sex. And, +finally, these secretions make for general physical and +mental health and well-being in the woman, and contribute +to her vivacity, energy, and activity in all directions. +As writers on the subject have well pointed out, +this is the reason that capable surgeons usually try to +leave at least a portion of the Ovaries when performing +an operation for the removal of those organs on account +of diseased condition.</p> + +<p><b>The Ovum.</b> The Ovum, or human egg, is a small +spherical body, measuring from one two-hundred-and-fortieth +to one one-hundred-and-twentieth of an inch in +diameter. It has a colorless transparent envelope, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">{23}</a></span> +latter enclosing the yolk which consists of granules or +globules of various sizes embedded in a viscid fluid. In +the center of the yolk is found a very small vesicular body +consisting of a tenuous transparent membrane, which is +known as "the germinal vesicle;" this, in turn, contains +a very tiny granular structure, opaque, of yellow color, +known as "the germinal spot."</p> + +<p>When the time is reached in which the ovum or egg +is to be discharged, the Graafian follicle becomes enlarged +by reason of the accumulation of the fluids in its interior, +and exerts such a steady and increasing pressure from +within, outward, that the surrounding tissue yields to it, +and it finally protrudes from the Ovary, from whence it is +then expelled with a gush, owing to the elasticity and +reaction of the neighboring tissues.</p> + +<p>Following this rupture there occurs an abundant +hemorrhage from the vesicles of the follicle, the cavity +being filled with blood, which then coagulates and is +retained in the Graafian follicle. The formation and development +of the Graafian follicle begins at puberty and +continues until the menopause or "change of life" of the +woman. Many follicles are produced, but many do not +produce ova, and so gradually atrophy. The ripening and +discharge of the eggs produce a peculiar condition of +congestion of the entire female sexual organism, including +the Fallopian Tubes, the Uterus, the Vagina, and even +of the Vulva, which results in a condition of Sexual Excitement. +Among the lower animals the female will allow +the male to approach her for copulation only at this +period, this being the time when the egg is ready for +fertilization.</p> + +<p>When the female infant is born, her Ovaries contain +the germs of about 100,000 ova. The greater portion of +these, however, disappear, until at the time of her puberty +the number of germs of ova contains only about 30,000<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">{24}</a></span> +ova. This number is far more than the woman will ever +need, and is Nature's provision against diseased portions +of the Ovaries, accidents, etc. Only one ovum ripens and +matures each month from puberty until menopause, so +that the woman really requires only about 300 to 350 ova +on the average. This liberality on the part of Nature, +however, does not begin to approach her lavishness in the +case of seed of the male, for in his case while only one +spermatozoon is required to fertilize an ovum (and in +fact only one is permitted to do so), we find that in each +normal act of ejaculation of semen by the male over +250,000 spermatozoa are projected.</p> + +<p>The ripening and discharge of the egg from the +Ovaries, and the consequent congestion above referred to, +accompanied by what is called Menstruation, occurs regularly +each lunar month (28 days). What is called Ovulation +consists of the monthly maturing and expulsion of +the ripe ovum or egg, while Menstruation (as we shall +see later on) consists of the monthly discharge of blood +and mucus from the inner surface of the Uterus; the two +processes occur in connection with each other, yet neither +can be considered as the cause of the other.</p> + +<p><b>Menstruation.</b> It may be well to call your attention at +this point to the process known as Menstruation, or "the +monthly flow," or "the courses" of women. Menstruation +is the monthly flow of bloody fluid which occurs in all +healthy (non-pregnant) women from puberty to the +menopause or "change of life."</p> + +<p>By "<b>Puberty</b>" is meant the age at which a woman +begins her period of possible child-bearing experience. In +temperate climates the average age of puberty is about +fourteen years, while in tropical countries it is often a +year or so earlier, and in arctic countries a year or so +later. The time, however, depends materially upon the +temperament, race, hygiene, and general environment of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">{25}</a></span> +the individual girl. At this period the girl gradually +changes into the young woman. Her figure changes, her +bust develops, her hips broaden, and her mental and emotional +nature undergoes a change. Also the menstrual +flow begins to manifest at this time; at first scanty and +irregular, but gradually changing into the characteristic +flow each month.</p> + +<p>At the period of puberty, the girl undergoes marked +emotional changes. She becomes very "emotional" as a +rule, and quite "sensitive." She becomes filled with +strange, unaccountable longings, ideas, and "notions." +She usually manifests a great emotional interest in her girl +friends, and often manifests marked jealousy in connection +with these friendships. The girl is apt to indulge in +day-dreaming at this period, and becomes quite romantic +and "flighty." She devours love stories, and delights in +imagining herself as the heroine of similar adventures. +The period from the beginning of puberty to that of the +attainment of full sexual maturity is known as the period +of "adolescence," and generally extends to about the age +of eighteen in the case of girls.</p> + +<p>By the <b>Menopause</b> is meant that period of the woman's +"change of life," the average time of which is about the +age of forty-five years, although this varies greatly in +different individuals. As a rule, it is held that the period +of the woman's child-bearing possibility extends over an +average period of thirty years. At the Menopause the +woman's reproductive activity declines and finally ends. +The Ovaries diminish in size, the Graafian follicles cease +to form and develop; the Fallopian Tubes atrophy; and +there occur other physical, mental, and emotional changes +in the woman. While the age of forty-five is held to be +the average age at which the Menopause occurs in women, +still it is not at all uncommon to find women who menstruate +regularly up to the age of fifty, or fifty-two, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">{26}</a></span> +even fifty-five, while a large number of women menstruate +regularly at the age of forty-eight.</p> + +<p>Some women undergo little or no physical or emotional +disturbance at the time of the Menopause. In such +cases their periods become more or less irregular, with +extending intervals between periods; the flow becomes +more and more scanty; then several periods are skipped +altogether; and finally the periods cease entirely. Other +women, however, experience more or less physical disturbance +during the years of the "change." They sometimes +experience loss of appetite, or a capricious appetite, +headaches, loss of weight, or else a sudden taking on of +fatty tissue. They often become quite irritable and +"notiony," and often become quarrelsome and pugnacious, +and in some cases manifest unreasonable jealousy. +But, in the opinion of many of the best authorities, much +of this trouble comes from the mental expectancy of them +by the woman, resulting from the notion that a woman +must have these things happen to her. The power of the +mind over the body is now well known, and we have here +another instance of its effect. The remedy is obvious.</p> + +<p>Another matter which disturbs the woman at this +time, in many cases, is the common belief that after "the +change" she will lose all of her sex attractiveness, and +her sexual feelings, etc. This is a grave error, for the +experience of all observing physicians is that no such +results follow this period of the woman's life. Many +women become even more attractive to the other sex +after this time, by reason of acquiring a certain maturity +and "ripeness" which proves very attractive to many +men—often to young men as well as older ones. Moreover, +the sexual desires do not cease with the cessation of the +reproductive functions. On the contrary, it often happens +that such emotions and desires are increased in the woman +at, and after, this time of her life. So true is this that this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">{27}</a></span> +period has been called "The Dangerous Age" for women, +and the experience of many a woman of forty-five to fifty +will corroborate this statement. The woman at this time +should beware of contracting unwise love affairs and +entanglements, and of yielding to impulses toward men +other than her mate. A word to the wise should be sufficient +in this case.</p> + +<p>To return to the main subject of Menstruation, it may +be said that the monthly flow, when once established, +occurs at intervals of every twenty-eight days, on the +average, although in some individual cases it occurs as +often as every twenty-one days, while in others it occurs +as seldom as once in every six weeks, all without exceeding +the bounds of normal functioning. Menstruation ceases +temporarily during pregnancy, in normal cases, and often +also ceases during the period of lactation or nursing. +The menstrual period lasts on an average for four or five +days, the flow increasing for the first half of the period, +and decreasing during the last half. At the beginning of +the period there is often manifested a general congestion +of all of the sexual organs of the woman, and often of the +breasts as well. There is also usually found a sense of +physical discomfort, from which more or less irritable +feeling arises. In rare cases there are found severe cramps +and pains, and in some cases the woman finds it necessary +to call in medical aid, or to go to bed, or both. In such +cases a cure is often worked by improving the general +health, and by observing common sense hygienic rules.</p> + +<p>Menstruation is caused by a hypertrophy of the mucus +membrane of inner surface of the Uterus, which is followed +by a shedding of the hypertrophied membrane. +This leaves exposed the underlying vessels, which bleed. +New mucus membrane is formed after the period. The +menstrual flow consists of a thin, bloody fluid, having +peculiar odor, in which is combined blood, thin skin, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">{28}</a></span> +mucus membrane, and also mucus from the Uterus and +the Vagina, the blood being light in consistency and not +clotted.</p> + +<p>During the menstrual period the ovum, or egg, is discharged, +and enters the Uterus, as we shall see presently.</p> + +<p><b>The Life-History of the Ovum.</b> The physiology of the +remaining sexual organs of the woman may perhaps best +be studied by considering the story of the Life-History of +the Ovum, or human egg, for the functions of such organs +are concerned with such life-history of the egg, and really +exist merely to create such a history, or rather, to produce +the process which constitutes the basis of such history.</p> + +<p>The ovum, or egg, when discharged from the ovary, is +at first surrounded by a few cells which serve as nourishment, +but which soon disappear. It enters the Fallopian +Tube and begins its journey toward the Uterus, being +urged on its way by the constant movement of the lining-cells +of the interior of the tube, in the direction of the +Uterus. Certain changes in structure occur. Its passage +to the Uterus may be interrupted, and the ovum lost and +finally cast off. But the ovum that is successful finally +arrives at the Uterus where it awaits impregnation or +fertilization by the spermatozoon of the male.</p> + +<p>If copulation occurs within a reasonable time after +the arrival of the ovum, it is impregnated or fertilized. +Fecundation results and conception ensues, the ovum then +remaining attached to the walls of the Uterus, and in time +develops into the foetus. If, however, the ovum is not +impregnated, because of absence of copulation or from +other causes, it gradually loses its vitality, and is finally +cast off with the several uterine secretions.</p> + +<p>It should be explained here that the "spermatozoon" +of the male (the plural of the term is "spermatozoa") is +the male generative "seed." The sperum, semen, or +seminal fluid of the male is filled with hundreds of thousands +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">{29}</a></span>of spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon is a minute +living, moving creature, resembling a microscopic tadpole. +It has a head, a rod-like body, and a thin hair-like tail, the +latter being kept in constant motion from side to side, by +means of which the tiny creature is enabled to travel +rapidly from one point to another. The human +spermatozoon measures about one six-hundredth of an inch +in length. It is composed of protoplasm, the substance of +which all living creatures are composed. The spermatozoa +are believed to be developed from a parent sperm-cell, by +the process of segmentation or subdivision, which process +is common to all cell-life. The numerous spermatozoa +dwell in a gelatinous substance, which, mingling with the +other fluidic secretions of the glands of the male, constitutes +the male seminal fluid, sperm, or semen, which is +ejaculated by the male during the process of copulation.</p> + +<p>Fecundation (i. e. fertilization, impregnation; the +process by which the male reproductive element is +brought in contact with the female ovum or egg) is +brought about by the blending of the male reproductive +element (or spermatozoon) with the female reproductive +element (or ovum, or egg). This blending is of course +accomplished by the bringing together in mutual contact +the two reproductive elements just mentioned. The sexual +act which results in this "bringing together" of the two +elements is known as "copulation," or "coition." In +copulation or coition the seminal fluid of the male, containing +an enormous number of spermatozoa, is ejaculated +from the male intromittent organ into the receptive canal +or channel of the female (the Vagina), and in this way +finally comes into actual contact with the female ovum or +egg which is awaiting it in the Uterus of the female.</p> + +<p>The spermatozoa (in the process of copulation) are +deposited in the Vagina of the female, usually at its upper +end, but sometimes in the lower portion; and in rare and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">{30}</a></span> +peculiar cases even at or about the Vaginal Orifice or +outer vaginal opening. In either case they travel up the +remaining portion of the Vagina and finally enter the +Uterus or womb. The spermatozoa possess wonderful +vitality and power of locomotion. There are cases recorded +in which the spermatozoa deposited on or about the outer +female genitals have managed to travel inward and upward +until they have finally reached the Uterus, where +conception has resulted. Such cases, of course, are rare, +but they exist, well authenticated and accepted by medical +science as facts.</p> + +<p>It must not be supposed, however, that the impregnation +of the ovum occurs only in the womb proper. Cases +are known in which the spermatozoa have traveled along +the Fallopian Tubes and impregnated the ovum there; and +in very rare cases the spermatozoon seems to have penetrated +even to the Ovary itself, and there impregnated +the ovum on the surface of the Ovary. Some excellent +authorities, in fact, insist that all normal impregnation +occurs at the end of the Fallopian Tube—the point of its +entrance into the upper part of the womb, rather than in +the body of the womb, or at its mouth, as the older +authorities taught. But wherever the actual contact of +spermatozoon and ovum occurs, the blending of the elements +is performed and fertilization, impregnation, or +fecundation is accomplished.</p> + +<p>As a result of copulation, then, the spermatozoon (or +a number of spermatozoa) comes in contact with the +female ovum or egg. Then one or more of them, by means +of a furious lashing of the tiny tail, manages to penetrate +the outer covering of the ovum, and enters the space +between the outer covering and the real body of the egg. +Several spermatozoa may effect an entrance into this +outer space, <b>but only one is permitted to enter the real +body of the egg</b>. [Twins are produced by the impregnation +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">{31}</a></span>of two ova by two spermatozoa, at the same time. The +presence of the two ova at the same time is unusual]. The +moment that the real body of the ovum is penetrated by +the successful spermatozoon, a tough covering or thick +membrane forms around the ovum and thus prevents the +entrance of other spermatozoa. The successful spermatozoon +then loses its tail, and the remaining head and +body become what is known as "the male pronucleus."</p> + +<p>The authorities are uncertain as to the exact nature +of the change which occurs when the ovum is penetrated +by the spermatozoon. The outward manifestations of the +change and transformation arising from the blending of +the male and female elements are of course well known, +but the "life process" eludes the power of the microscope. +When Nature forms the thick membranous coating over +the impregnated ovum, she draws the veil over one of +her most important secrets. The first segmentation-nucleus +having been formed by the blending and forging +together of the male and female pronuclei, the process of +segmentation begins.</p> + +<p>Segmentation proceeds as follows: the impregnated +egg splits into halves, forming two joined cells; then into +quarters, forming four joined cells; then into sixteenths, +then into thirty-seconds, sixty-fourths, and so on, until +the ovum consists of a combined mass of very minute +granular-like cells, the whole resembling a mulberry. +The segmentation of the nucleus precedes and then continues +with the segmentation of the yolk. After the egg +has been divided into a great number of these cells, the +latter begin a centrifugal action resulting in the formation +of a complete inner lining of closely packed cells, +with a central cavity filled with the yolk liquid.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, the Uterus has been prepared for the +reception of the impregnated and transformed ovum. A +thick, spongy, juicy, mucus membrane forms, into which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">{32}</a></span> +the changing ovum passes and attaches itself; the mucus +membrane soon enveloping it and shutting it off from the +rest of the Uterus. There now appears at one point on +the ovum an opaque streak, which is called "the primitive +trace" of the embryo—the first beginning of the young +living creature. The "primitive trace" then grows in +length and breadth. At this point we must leave the history +of the ovum, or human egg, for the present; its +further development will be related in the succeeding +lesson, the subject of which is "Gestation."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">{33}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_IV" id="LESSON_IV"></a><span class="lght">LESSON IV</span><br /> +GESTATION OR PREGNANCY</h2> + +<p>Gestation is "the act of carrying young in the Uterus, +from the time of conception to that of parturition." Conception +occurs at the moment of the impregnation of the +ovum; parturition is the act of delivery, or childbirth. +Pregnancy is "the state of being with child." The terms +"period of gestation," and "period of pregnancy," +respectively, are employed by medical authorities to +designate the time during which the mother carries the +young within her own body—from the moment of the +impregnation of the ovum until the moment of the final +delivery of the child into the outer world.</p> + +<p>The term of pregnancy in woman continues for over +nine calendar months (or ten lunar months)—from about +275 to 280 days, though in exceptional cases it may be +terminated in seven calendar months, or on the other hand +may continue for ten calendar months. The usual method +is to figure 280 days from the <b>first day</b> of the <b>last menstruation</b>. +A simple method of calculating the probable +date of delivery is as follows: <b>Count back three months, +and then add seven days, and you will have the date of +probable delivery.</b> Example: A woman's <b>first day of last +menstruation</b> is March 28. Counting back three months +gives us December 28; and adding seven days to this +gives us January 4, as the date of probable delivery. There +will always be a possible margin of a few days before or +after the ascertained probable date—but the delivery will +very closely approximate said date. Ignore the shortage +of days of February in this calculation, the same being +covered by the general margin allowed.</p> + +<p><b>Development of the Impregnated Ovum.</b> In the preceding +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">{34}</a></span>lesson we terminated our consideration of the impregnated +ovum at the point at which, after the process of +segmentation, the "primitive trace" had appeared. This +primitive trace appears as an opaque streak, or straight +line, formed of an aggregation of cells of a distinctive +quality. This delicate "trace" or "streak" is the first +indication of the form of the coming child. It is the basis, +pattern, or mould, in or around which the spinal column +is to be formed, and around which the entire young body +is to be developed by the wonderful and intricate processes +of dividing and reduplication, and the folding and +combination of cells. From one end of this "trace" +develops the head; from the other end develops the lower +end of the spine. At a later stage there appear tiny +"buds" in the positions at which the arms and legs should +be; these gradually develop, and their ends split into +tiny fingers and toes, and finally are transformed into +perfect little arms and legs, miniatures of those of the +adult human being.</p> + +<p>The term "the embryo" is employed to designate the +developing young creature in the earlier stages of its +development, particularly before the end of the third +month of its existence. After the end of the third month +the embryo is called "the fetus." In the short space of +280 days the young creature evolves and develops from a +single simple cell into a complex organism—a perfect +miniature human being. Nature works a wonderful +miracle here, and yet so common is it that we take it all as +a matter of course, and lose sight of the miracle. From +the most simple forms are formed in the developing +creature the most complex organs and parts. The heart +is formed from a tiny straight line of cells, by enlargement +and partition. The stomach and intestines, likewise, +develop from a tiny straight line of cells arranged as a +tiny tube—the stomach is formed by dilation of one part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">{35}</a></span> +of the tube, while the large intestine experiences a similar +though lesser distention and a greater growth in length; +the smaller intestines being formed by growth in length +and circumference. The other organs evolve from similar +simple beginnings.</p> + +<p>The embryo is nourished during its earlier stages by +means of the "yolk sack," or "umbilical vesicle," which +is outside the body of the embryo, being joined to it by +means of the umbilical duct. This yolk sack (originally +formed by a "drawing together" in the ovum, which thus +separates itself into two portions or areas) is an important +feature of the life of the embryo, as it nourishes and +sustains it in its earlier stages. Blood vessels form in this +yolk sack, and after a time its fluid is absorbed, and after +the third month the sack gradually disappears.</p> + +<p>After the passing away of the yolk sack, the embryo +is nourished and sustained by the "allantois," another +peculiar sack which is formed. This sack readily becomes +filled with blood-vessels, and serves to nourish the embryo +by sustenance obtained from the body of the mother +through the walls of the Uterus, a direct communication +with the blood-vessels of the mother thus being secured. +The blood in the embryo, and that in the mother, come +into close contact, thus allowing the embryo to be nourished +by the blood of the mother. After a time, in turn, +the allantois diminishes and dwindles away, its offices +being taken up and performed by the "placenta" or +"afterbirth."</p> + +<p><b>The Placenta or Afterbirth.</b> The Placenta, or afterbirth, +is a round, flat substance or organ, contained within +the Uterus, by which communication and connection is +established and maintained between the fetus and the +mother, by means of the umbillical cord. It is a flat, circular +mass, about seven inches in diameter, and weighing +about sixteen ounces. It is attached to the sides of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">{36}</a></span> +Uterus of the mother during the period of gestation, and is +expelled from the body of the mother, as "the afterbirth," +after the birth of the child.</p> + +<p>Let us pause a moment, and reconsider the several +steps in Nature's plan for nourishing the embryo and +fetus. In the first place, as we have seen, there is the yolk +sack or umbillical vesicle, filled with a fluid which nourishes +the embryo. This gradually disappears in time, and +is replaced by the "allantois" which by connection with +the walls of the Uterus is enabled to nourish the fetus +from and by the blood of the mother. For a short time, +however, the embryo is nourished by both the yolk sack +and the allantois. Then the allantois assumes the entire +task, and the yolk sack passes away. Then, later, the +placenta replaces the allantois, and the latter passes away +as did its predecessor. The placenta works along the same +general lines as the allantois, but is a far more complex +way and with a much higher degree of efficiency, as we +shall see presently.</p> + +<p>The placenta is connected with the body of the fetus +by what is known as "the umbillical cord." The +"umbillicus" or "navel" in the human being marks the +place at which the umbillical cord entered the body of +the fetus, from which it was severed after the birth of +the child. The purpose of the umbillical cord is to contain +and support the umbillical arteries and veins through +which the fetus obtains nourishment from the placental +substance, and through which the return blood flows. The +rich red arterial blood is carried from the placenta to the +fetus, and is then distributed over the body of the fetus, +nourishing and building it up; the dark venous blood, +laden with the waste products of the body of the fetus, is +carried back to the placenta, there to be repurified and +rendered again rich and nourishing.</p> + +<p>The story of the circulation of the blood of the fetus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">{37}</a></span> +is most interesting. Although the fetal blood is derived +from that of the mother, as we have said, yet the maternal +blood does not pass directly from the circulatory system +of the mother into that of the fetus; nor does the blood +of the fetus return directly into the circulatory system of +the mother. In fact, the fetal blood never comes in direct +contact with that of the mother, or vice versa. The fetus +has an independent circulatory system of its own, and +yet, at the same time, from the moment of the placental +connection until the moment of childbirth, all its nourishment +is derived from its mother.</p> + +<p>The secret of the above paradoxical statement is made +apparent when we understand the meaning of the scientific +term "osmosis." Osmosis is "the passage of a fluid +through a membrane"; it is a chemical process, caused by +the chemical affinity between two liquids or gases +separated one from the other by a porous diaphragm or +substance. In the process of osmosis in the case before +us, the fetal blood takes up nourishing substances and +oxygen from the blood of the mother, and passes on to +the latter the waste products of the fetal system, by +means of passing these substances through the thin porous +membranes which separate the two independent systems +of blood vessels, i. e., the system of the fetus, and that of +the mother. Before birth, in fact, the fetus has its blood +nourished and oxygenated by means of the food partaken +of by its mother, and the oxygen taken in by the mother +in her breathing. After its birth, the infant eats and +breathes for itself, and thus nourishes its blood supply +directly, instead of receiving it indirectly from the +mother.</p> + +<p>The Placenta begins to be formed about the third +month of gestation, and continues to develop steadily +from that time. At the time of the delivery of the child +the Placenta covers nearly or quite one-third of the inner<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">{38}</a></span> +space of the distended Uterus of the mother. The total +"afterbirth" consists of the Placenta, the umbillical cord, +and the remaining membranes of the ovum, all of which +are expelled after the birth of the child.</p> + +<p><b>The Amnion.</b> An important appendage contained in +the Uterus in connection with the developing fetus is that +known as "The Amnion." This is an inner sack which +forms within the womb, and which serves to enclose the +fetus, and also to sheath the umbillical cord. The Amnion +encloses the embryo very snugly during the early stages +of its development, but it gradually becomes distended +with a pale watery fluid, known as "the amniotic fluid," +the purpose of which is to "float" the fetus and to give +it mechanical support on all sides. This fluid is composed +of water carrying in solution small quantities of albumin, +urea, and salt.</p> + +<p><b>Sex in the Embryo and Fetus.</b> It is impossible to determine +the sex of the embryo during its early stages. During +the fourth week the first traces of the sexual glands +appear, but not until the fifth week can the sex be determined +even by the microscope. If the embryo is to become +a male, certain ducts are transformed into convoluted +tubules, and each is attached to the testes which have +been formed from the genital nucleus. If the embryo is +to become a female, the ducts join to form the uterus and +vagina, other portions being transformed into the +fallopian tubes and connecting with the ovaries which +have been formed otherwise. The outer genitals appear in +the early stages of the embryo, but there is no apparent +distinction between the sexes, the external organs being +the same in all cases, and consisting of a small tubular +organ with a small lateral fold of skin on either side. +Later, in the male, a groove appears on the under side of +this primitive organ, thus forming the urethra, the +scrotum being formed from the folded skin at the side. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">{39}</a></span> +the female, the primitive organ ceases to develop as in +the male, and thus becomes proportionately smaller, and +evolves into the clitoris of the female; the two lateral +folds, on each side, being transformed into the labia +majora, or "outer lips" of the female external genitals.</p> + +<p><b>Position of the Fetus.</b> During the period of gestation +the fetus lies "curled up" in the bag of the amnion. The +head is usually relaxed and inclined forward, the chin +resting on the breast; the feet are bent up in front of the +legs, the legs bent up on the thighs, the knees separated +from each other, but the heels almost touching on the +back of the thighs; the arms bent forward and the hands +placed between them as though to receive the chin between +them. The folded-up fetus forms an oval, the longest +diameter of which is about eleven inches at its greatest +stage of growth. Nature here shows a wonderful ability +to pack the fetus into as little space as possible, and in +such a position as to protect it from injury, and to discommode +the mother as little as possible.</p> + +<p>The following interesting statement made by Helen +Idleson, M. D., in a European medical journal several +years ago, gives a very clear idea, expressed in popular +terms, of the appearance and characteristics of the +embryo or fetus in the various stages of its development:</p> + +<p>"The growth of the embryo after fecundation is very +rapid. On the <b>tenth day</b> it has the appearance of a semi-transparent +grayish flake. On the <b>twelfth day</b> it is nearly +the size of a pea, filled with fluid, in the middle of which +is an opaque spot, presenting the first appearance of an +embryo, which may be clearly seen as an oblong or curved +body, and is plainly visible to the naked eye on the fourteenth +day. The <b>twenty-first day</b> the embryo resembles +an ant or a lettuce seed. Many of its parts now begin to +show themselves, especially the cartilaginous beginnings +of the spinal column, the heart, etc. The <b>thirtieth day</b> the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">{40}</a></span> +embryo is as large as a horse-fly, and resembles a worm, +bent together. There are as yet no limbs, and the head is +larger than the rest of the body. When stretched out it is +nearly half an inch long. Toward the fifth week the heart +increases greatly in proportion to the remainder of the +body, and the rudimentary eyes are indicated by two +black spots toward the sides, and the heart exhibits its +external form, bearing a close resemblance to that in an +adult. In the <b>seventh week</b>, bone begins to form in the +lower jaw and clavicle. Narrow streaks on each side of +the vertebral column show the beginning of the ribs. The +heart is perfecting its form, the brain enlarging, and the +eyes and ears growing more perfect, and the limbs sprouting +from the body. The lungs are mere sacks, and the +trachea is a delicate thread, but the liver is very large. +In the seventh week are formed the renal capsules and +kidneys.</p> + +<p>"At <b>two months</b>, the forearm and hand can be distinguished, +but not the arm; the hand is larger than the +forearm, but it is not supplied with fingers. The distinction +of sex is yet difficult. The eyes are prominent. The +nose forms an obtuse eminence. The nostrils are rounded +and separated. The mouth is gaping, and the epidermis +can be distinguished from the true skin. The embryo is +from one-half to two inches long, the head forming more +than one-third of the whole. At the end of <b>three months</b>, +the eyelids are distinct but shut; the lips are drawn together; +the forehead and nose are clearly traceable, and +the organs of generation prominent. The heart beats +with force; the larger vessels carry red blood; the fingers +and toes are well defined, and the muscles begin to be +developed.</p> + +<p>"At the <b>fourth month</b>, the embryo takes the +name of 'fetus.' The body is six to eight inches in +length. The skin has a rosy color, and the muscles produce +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">{41}</a></span>a sensible motion. A fetus born at this time might +live several hours. At <b>five months</b> the length of the body +is from eight to ten inches. At <b>six months</b>, the length is +twelve and one-half inches. The hair appears on the head, +the eyes closed, the eyelids somewhat thicker, and their +margins, as well as their eyebrows, are studded with very +delicate hairs. At <b>seven months</b>, every part has been increased +in volume and perfection; the bony system is +nearly complete; length, twelve to fourteen inches. If +born at this period, the fetus is able to breathe, cry and +nurse, and may live if properly cared for.</p> + +<p>"At <b>eight months</b>, the fetus seems to grow rather in +length than in thickness; it is only sixteen to eighteen +inches long, and yet weighs from four to five pounds. +The skin is very red, and covered with down and a considerable +quantity of sebaceous matter. The lower jaw, +which at first was very short, is now as long as the upper +one. Finally, at term, <b>nine months</b>, the fetus is about +nineteen to twenty-three inches long, and weighs from +six to eight pounds. The red blood circulates in the +capillaries, and the skin performs the functions of perspiration; +the nails are fully developed."</p> + +<p>Another writer says: "There is a superstition that a +child born at eight months is not as liable to live as if +born at seven months; indeed, many suppose that an +eight months' child never survives. Facts do not prove +this idea to be correct. Personally, I have known several +eight months' babies to live and do well, and I believe +that their chance of life is much greater than if born at +seven months."</p> + +<p>Children born in the seventh month of gestation are +capable of living, though great care is required to rear +them for the first few months after birth. The "incubators" +now so common in large cities have greatly increased +the chances of the "seven months' child," and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">{42}</a></span> +for that matter, of those born even earlier. There are a +number of cases of record where children have been born +after six months of gestation, and a few even before the +six months, but these cases are rare and unusual, and +such children usually die soon after birth.</p> + +<p>The following table, given by a good authority, shows +the average length and weight of the human embryo and +fetus:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Average length and weight of the embryo or fetus at different gestational ages"> +<tr><th>Age.</th><th>Length in inches.</th><th>Weight.</th></tr> +<tr><td align="left">2 weeks</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">0.1</td><td align="left">Not given</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">3 weeks</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">0.2</td><td align="left">3 grains</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4 weeks</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">0.3</td><td align="left">Not given</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">5 weeks</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">0.5</td><td align="left">Not given</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">6 weeks</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">0.7</td><td align="left">Not given</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">7 weeks</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">0.9</td><td align="left">Not given</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">8 weeks</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">1.5</td><td align="left">4 drachms</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">3 months</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">3.0</td><td align="left">2 ounces</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">4 months</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">6.0</td><td align="left">5 ounces</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">5 months</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">9.0</td><td align="left">10 ounces</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">6 months</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">12.0</td><td align="left">1 pound</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">7 months</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">15.0</td><td align="left">3 pounds</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">8 months</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">17.0</td><td align="left">5 pounds</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">9 months</td><td class="pad-r" align="right">20.0</td><td align="left">6 to 9 pounds</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Professor Clark holds that if at birth the infant weighs +less than 5 pounds, it rarely thrives, though the records +show that many infants weighing much less than this +have lived and thrived. In very rare cases, infants have +been known to weigh no more than one pound at birth, +and to have still survived and thrived. And, on the +other hand, many cases are known where infants were +born, and thrived, who weighed more than twice the +average weight. So, at the last, it is difficult to lay down +hard and fast rules in the case.</p> + +<p><b>Delivery.</b> At the termination of the period of gestation, +the child is born into the world, and, instead of depending +upon the blood of the mother for nourishment +and oxygen, it begins to ingest its own food, to eliminate +its own waste matter through the regular channels of +the body, and to use its own lungs for the purpose of +obtaining oxygen for its blood and to burn up the waste +products in the lungs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">{43}</a></span></p> +<p>The process of bringing a child into the world is called +"parturition." The fetus is expelled from the body of +the mother by the contraction of the muscles of and +around the Uterus, and also by the contraction of the +abdominal walls. In the early stages of labor, the uterine +muscles are brought into play; but when the fetus enters +into the vaginal passage the abdominal muscles manifest +their energy. The uterine and abdominal muscular movements +are purely involuntary, although the mother may +aid in the delivery by voluntary muscular movements. +The involuntary muscular movements are due to the reflex +action originating, probably, in a part of the spinal +cord.</p> + +<p>The uterine contractions are rhythmical, and have +been compared to the contraction of the muscles of the +heart. Each "labor pain" begins with a minimum of +contraction, the activity increasing until a maximum is +reached, when it gradually decreases, only to be followed +a little later by a new contraction. When the fetus is +finally expelled from the Uterus (followed later by the +placenta or "afterbirth") that organ begins a gradual +contraction to its normal size, shape, and condition, the +restorative process usually lasting over several weeks.</p> + +<p><b>The Physical Signs of Pregnancy.</b> The physical signs +of pregnancy in the case of women of normal health are +as follows:</p> + +<p><b>(1) Cessation of the menses, or menstruation.</b> While +it is true that a non-pregnant woman may occasionally +pass over a menstrual period, yet as a general rule the +complete cessation of a period by a married woman, particularly +when the woman has previously been regular in +this respect, may be considered a probable indication of +pregnancy; and when the second period has been passed +the probability merges almost into a certainty. An examination +by a competent physician will set all doubts +at rest.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">{44}</a></span></p> +<p><b>(2) Enlargement of the breasts.</b> This indication +usually manifests itself in about six or eight weeks after +conception. This enlargement is usually preceded by a +sensation of tingling and throbbing. The enlargement is +manifested in the form of a rather hard and knotty increase, +differing from the ordinary fatty increase; the +lobules, arranged regularly around the nipple, are plainly +distinguishable beneath the skin by means of the touch +of the fingers.</p> + +<p><b>(3) Darkening of the areolar tissue surrounding the +nipple.</b> In the unimpregnated condition this tissue is of a +pinkish shade; but after impregnation the shade grows +darker and the circle increases in size. However, when +the woman bears several children in somewhat rapid succession, +this dark color may become permanent and accordingly +ceases to be an indication.</p> + +<p><b>(4) Enlargement of the abdomen.</b> This indication +manifests itself about the second month, at which time +the Uterus begins to elevate the intestines by rising up +from the pelvis. In the fourth month the Uterus has +risen so far out of the pelvis that it assumes the form and +appearance of a hard round tumor. The entire abdomen +then begins to enlarge. The Uterus causes an enlargement +in the region of the navel at the sixth month, and +the region of the diaphragm at the ninth month.</p> + +<p><b>(5) Quickening, or "signs of life."</b> This indication +manifests first from the fourth month to the fifth—at +about the exact half of the entire period of gestation. At +this time, and afterward, the movements of the embryo +are plainly discernable to the mother.</p> + +<p><b>The Disorders of Pregnancy.</b> There are a number of +physical disorders usually accompanying pregnancy, some +of which are trifling, but some of which require the advice +of a competent physician. The best plan is for the woman +to consult a physician shortly after she discovers herself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">{45}</a></span> +to be pregnant, and thereafter to visit him occasionally +for advice during the period of gestation. The too common +plan of postponing the call upon the physician until +the eighth or ninth month is not a wise one, for in many +cases the advice of a competent physician at an earlier +stage of the pregnancy will obviate serious complications. +The call upon the physician should usually be made not +later than the third or fourth month, and positively not +delayed longer than the fifth month. The physician should +make an examination to ascertain whether the child is in +the normal position in the Uterus, and should also examine +the urine each month to ascertain whether the kidneys +are functioning normally.</p> + +<p>What is called "morning sickness" is one of the most +common of the disorders of pregnancy. It is marked by +nausea or vomiting, or both, early in the morning, usually +shortly after arising. Some women have at least faint +symptoms of this disorder from the very beginning of +conception, but usually it does not manifest until the +third, fourth, or fifth week of pregnancy. It usually +ceases at the end of the third or fourth month. Except +in very severe cases, in which the physician should be +consulted, the disorder is not serious, and requires but a +little common-sense treatment, and rational habits of living. +An authority says: "Eat of some fruit that best +agrees with palate or stomach; drink hot water; eat nothing +until a real hunger demands food. Where nausea +occurs after eating, a tart apple or orange is good." +Another authority says: "Let women suffering from +morning sickness try acid fruit—apples, oranges, or even +lemons, if their sourness is not unpleasant. If a single +orange or apple after each meal does not suffice, let them +try two; let them eat ten if that number is necessary to +conquer the distress. The principle is a correct one, and +the relief certain. Let fruit be eaten at all hours of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">{46}</a></span> +day—before meals and after, on going to bed at night +and at getting up in the morning. If berries are in season, +let them be eaten in the natural state—that is, without +sugar. If the sickness still continues, omit a meal now +and then, and substitute fruit in its stead. By persistence +in this course, not only will nausea be conquered, but an +easy confinement guaranteed."</p> + +<p>The pregnant woman often develops a capricious appetite. +This disorder may manifest in one or more of +several forms, as for instance: the woman may lose her +appetite, and take but little food; or she may develop an +abnormally large appetite, and eat much more than is +necessary; or she may take a dislike to certain kinds of +food—many women have an aversion toward meat during +pregnancy; or she may have a "craving" for certain articles +of food, sometimes for kinds of food not liked at +other times, such as sour pickles, sour cabbage, etc. A +little common sense, and the presence of attractive articles +of fruits, etc., will do much to relieve these troubles; +in extreme cases the physician's advice will help.</p> + +<p>The pregnant woman should have her teeth put in +good order as soon as possible, as troubles with teeth +sometimes manifest themselves during pregnancy, and +give much trouble and annoyance. Difficulty in urination, +constipation, piles, irritation or itching of the genital +organs, varicose veins, liver spots, and similar disorders, +which are sometimes manifest during pregnancy, in some +form or degree, should receive the attention and care of +a competent physician.</p> + +<p>The following general advice from a competent authority +is worthy of being followed: "If everything is +satisfactory, if there is no severe vomiting, kidney trouble, +etc., the usual mixed diet may continue. The only +changes I would make are the following: Drink plenty +of hot water during the entire time of pregnancy: a glass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">{47}</a></span> +or two in the morning, two or three glasses in the afternoon, +the same at night. From six to twelve glasses may +be consumed. Also plenty of milk, buttermilk and fermented +milk. Plenty of fruit and vegetables. Meat only +once a day. For the tendency to constipation, whole +wheat bread, rye bread, bread baked of bran, or bran +with cream. As to exercise, either extreme must be +avoided. Some women think that as soon as they become +pregnant, they must not move a muscle; they are to be +put in a glass case, and kept there until the date of +delivery. Other women, on the other hand, of the ultra-modern +type, indulge in strenuous exercise, and go out +on long fatiguing walks up to the last day. Either extreme +is injurious. The right way is moderate exercise, +and short, non-fatiguing walks. Bathing may be kept up +to the day of the delivery. But warm baths, particularly +during the last two or three months, are preferable to +cold baths."</p> + +<p><b>Childbirth.</b> The first indication of approaching delivery +of the child is that of the descent of the child into +the pelvis of the mother, from its former position up near +the diaphragm. When this occurs, the mother usually +experiences a feeling of relief, and a greater ease in +breathing because of the relaxation of the former pressure +on the diaphragm. Sometimes this occurs several days +preceding delivery, while in other cases it occurs only a +few hours before delivery. There usually occurs about +the same time a slight discharge of mucus tinged with +blood. The latter is called "the show," and is caused by +the unsealing of the mouth of the womb, and indicates +that the Uterus is preparing to discharge its contents.</p> + +<p>Labor, in childbirth, consists of three stages. In the +first stage, the Uterus alone contracts, and the mouth of +the womb dilates; in the second stage, the abdominal +muscles assist the Uterus in expelling the child; in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">{48}</a></span> +third stage, the Placenta (afterbirth) and membranes are +expelled.</p> + +<p>After the delivery of the child, and after the pulsation +in the umbillical cord has ceased (usually from ten to +thirty minutes after delivery), the umbillical cord is +severed and tied by the physician. In natural labor, the +expulsion of the afterbirth occurs from within a few minutes +to an hour after the delivery of the child. Nature is +sometimes slow in expelling the afterbirth, but caution +should be exercised in the matter of using force to assist +Nature in this matter, for injury to the Uterus has often +resulted from malpractice in such a case. The afterbirth +is not firmly attached to the womb, but is like the peel of +an orange which Nature sloughs off in due time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">{49}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_V" id="LESSON_V"></a><span class="lght">LESSON V</span><br /> +GENERAL ADVICE TO WOMEN ON SEX SUBJECTS</h2> + +<p>In this lesson the writer seeks to direct the attention +of his women readers to certain subjects upon which the +average woman is not well informed, and upon which she +usually requires sound, sane, clean, frank information. +In many cases women hesitate to ask even their family +physicians for such information, and, although there is +no rational reason for it, they even shrink from consulting +better informed and capable women concerning these +subjects.</p> + +<p><b>Sexual Feeling.</b> Owing to erroneous teachings, and +irrational prejudices arising from ancient distorted and +perverted ideals of sex, many women have grown to maturity +under the erroneous belief that it is a sign of immorality, +or at least low ideals and depraved nature, for +a woman to experience sexual emotions or feelings, wishes +or desires. So true is this that even many married +women seek to withhold from their husbands the knowledge +that any sexual feeling is experienced by the wife.</p> + +<p>Such a belief is of course absurd. It is as natural for +a woman to experience normal sexual feeling as it is for +her to experience any other feeling aroused by natural instincts +and organism. Without such instinct and the feelings +arising therefrom, there would be no mating or +marriage, and no perpetuation of the race. The woman +experiencing such feelings should not allow herself to +imagine that she is depraved or perverted, or immoral in +thought and feeling. Incredible as it may appear to a +normal, healthy-minded man, it is true that thousands of +young women have lost self-respect, and have lapsed into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">{50}</a></span> +a morbid state of mind, because of the occasional manifestation +of their normal sexual feeling.</p> + +<p>This does not, of course, mean that the woman must +necessarily manifest into action the feeling experienced +by her. On the contrary, she must acquire self-mastery +and self-control, just as she must in other phases of her +life. It may help some women of this kind to realize that +the sex feeling and impulses, arising unbidden (and often +unwelcomed) from the depths of their subconscious mentality, +are essentially <b>creative</b> impulses. If the woman be +unmarried, or if married and placed under conditions in +which the marital relation with the husband is impossible +or undesirable, then she can <b>transmute</b> this creative energy +in some form of creative work—in work which leads +to the creation, manufacture, building-up, or composing +something. There is a hint here which will prove a great +blessing to the woman who will understand and apply the +principle suggested—for many other women have found +it so.</p> + +<p>As for the married woman, there is no reason whatsoever +why she should seek to withhold from her husband +the knowledge that she is possessed of normal, natural, +healthy sexual feeling. In fact, the withholding of such +information, and the concealment and deception arising +therefrom, has often done much to bring marital inharmony +between husband and wife. If there is any deception +to be practiced in the marital association of husband +and wife, it should rather be in the opposite direction, i. e., +in the direction of pretending the emotional feeling when +it exists only partially or is absent. The last matter, +however, is one for the exercise of the judgment and conviction +of each individual woman; but the first mentioned +admonition is one which should be observed, as it is based +on honesty, truth, and good judgment as well.</p> + +<p><b>Alcohol and Sexuality.</b> It needs no extended argument +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">{51}</a></span>to convince the average person that an individual +will do things when under the influence of drink that he +or she would not do when perfectly sober. It is an old +saying that "When the wine is in, the wits are out." But +there is a deeper connection and relation between alcoholic +drink and sexual indiscretions than is usually realized +by the average person. Besides the commonly known +weakening of will-power and self-control arising from the +influence of strong drink, there are certain influences concerning +the sexual nature and arising from the presence +of alcohol in the system, which are not known to most +persons. So true is this that the writer has thought it +well to utter a few words of warning to his women readers +concerning these things.</p> + +<p>In the first place, there is an exhilarating effect arising +from certain kinds of liquor, wines, and other forms +of alcoholic drinks, which manifests directly in an excitement +of the sexual centers and organism. In many cases +a strong sexual excitement, absent at other times, is +aroused, and the person is carried away with the force of +passion unknown under other circumstances. Added to +this the weakened will-power arising from too much +drink, and we have an explanation of many cases of "mistakes" +of women. It would appear that women are even +more susceptible than are men to unusual sexual excitement +arising from alcoholic drinks; and that, therefore, +they should be especially cautious in the indulgence in +such drinks, particularly when in the company of strange +men, or men careless in regard to sexual morality and +respect for women in their company.</p> + +<p>But there is still a deeper reason, based upon the +latest discoveries in psychology, why caution in this respect +should be observed by women. We allude to the +discovery that alcohol first affects the mental and emotional +tendencies of more recent racial acquirement, acting +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">{52}</a></span>so as to paralyze and inhibit the activities thereof, and +to thus release the activity of the more primitive emotions +and motive activities. Thus, the woman under the influence +of alcohol finds that the more recent racial traits, +such as sexual control, restraint, sexual morality, conventional +observations, etc., are practically temporarily +paralyzed in inhibitual—or to use the current slang +phrase, are "put out of commission" for the time being; +and, at the same time, the old elemental, savage, barbaric, +"cave man" instincts, habits, and methods of action, are +brought to the surface, and proceed to manifest their +activity if opportunity be granted for the same—and the +opportunity is usually granted. This being seen to be +true, it is seen that the woman so under the influence of +liquor is, for the time being, little more than a "cave +woman," or barbarian, with all the lax sex morality of +the latter, and with all the tendencies to manifest into +activity the primitive impulses arising in her nature and +demanding expression. Added to this the weakening of +will-power always accompanying the alcoholic influence, +it is seen that the woman under the influence of strong +drink is an easy prey to designing men, and a willing +victim to her own lower passions.</p> + +<p>An authority of sex subjects says: "That Bacchus, +the god of wine, is the strongest ally of Venus, the goddess +of love, using the term Love in its physical sense, as +the French use the word 'amour,' has been well known +to the ancient Greeks and Romans, as it is well known +today to every saloon-keeper and every keeper of a disreputable +house. And all measures to combat venereal +diseases and to prevent girls from making a false step +will only be partially successful if we do not at the same +time carry on a strong educational campaign against alcoholic +indulgence. * * * Of what use are warnings to a girl, +when under the influence of a heavy dinner and a bottle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">{53}</a></span> +of champagne, to which she is unaccustomed, her passion +is aroused to a degree she has never experienced before, +her will is paralyzed and she yields, though deep down in +her consciousness something tells her she shouldn't? She +yields, becomes pregnant, and is in the deepest agony for +several months, and has a wound which will probably +never heal for the rest of her life. Of what use have all +the lectures, books, and maternal injunctions been to +her? * * * I believe that the sex instinct can be stimulated +artificially beyond the natural needs, and among the artificial +stimulants of the sex instinct alcohol occupies the +first place. And bear in mind that alcohol produces even +a stronger effect upon women, in exciting the sexual passion, +than it does on men. Women are more easily upset +by stimulants and narcotics, and that is the reason why it +is more dangerous for women to drink than it is for men. +It is impossible to give statistics and exact or even approximate +figures. But there is no question in my mind, +in the mind of any careful investigator, that if alcoholic +beverages could be eliminated, the number of cases of +venereal infection would be diminished by about one-half. +And what is true of venereal disease is also true of the +seduction of young girls. Alcohol is the most efficient +weapon that either the refined Don Juan or the vulgar +pimp has in his possession."</p> + +<p>Our advice to the woman who is asked to drink liquor +when in the company of a man outside of her immediate +family circle is emphatically this: DON'T DO IT!</p> + +<p><b>The Menstrual Period.</b> As strange as it may appear +to those women who have had the advantage of intelligent +maternal advice, it is a fact known to all physicians +that many mothers permit their young daughters to enter +into the stage of puberty, with the accompanying menstrual +flow, without having first instructed the daughter +as to the meaning and character of this phenomenon of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">{54}</a></span> +her nature, and without having given her advice concerning +the proper care of herself during this period.</p> + +<p>Physicians constantly experience cases in which the +young girl to whom the first menstrual flow having come, +without previous knowledge on her part, has supposed it +to be the result of a wound, or of a diseased condition, +and has attempted to stop the flow by the application of +cold water. Even where a partial knowledge has been +attained by the girl, she is found to lack the knowledge +of the proper hygienic care of herself during the period. +The mothers in such cases are criminally negligent, and +have alluded a false modesty or prudery to interfere with +a natural and necessary maternal duty.</p> + +<p>The approach of the first menstruation is often accompanied +by unusual physical, mental and emotional +changes in the young girl. Her nervous system is affected, +and she is apt to become irritable or morbid, or +even somewhat "flighty." Her appetite may become irregular, +and there is often present a craving for indigestible +food. A physical languor is often experienced, and +there may be pains in the back and legs, chilliness and +headaches, and a general upsetting of the usual physical +condition, accompanied by a manifestation of peevishness +and irritability. These unpleasant symptoms usually disappear +when the periodical menstrual flow is permanently +established. In fact, they are frequently superseded +by the awakened energy and heightened spirits of +healthy, normal adolescence.</p> + +<p>The time of the beginning of the menstrual period +varies according to climate, race, condition of health, and +temperament. In the tropical countries, menstruation begins +from the tenth to the fourteenth year; in temperate +countries, from the thirteenth to the sixteenth; in cold +countries, from the fifteenth to the twentieth year. The +Italian, Hebrew, Spanish, or French girl is apt to menstruate +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">{55}</a></span>earlier than the English, German, or Swedish girl. +The Negro girl menstruates early, as a rule. The full-blooded +girl usually menstruates earlier than the anemic +one.</p> + +<p>Normally, menstruation should proceed naturally and +without pain or suffering. When pain or suffering is experienced +in connection with menstruation, it is simply +because of some lack of health in the general system; and +when such general health is restored, the trouble ceases. +Painful menstruation is called "dysmenorrhea," and +arises from several causes, principal among which are the +following: Errors in diet, errors in dress, undue exposure, +constipation, lack of proper exercise, or to a contracted +or congested condition of the Uterus or the Fallopian +Tubes. The pain, however, cannot be considered as +a feature of normal menstruation, for the latter is no +more painful than a normal movement of the bowels—the +painful condition results from abnormal conditions, +the removal of these conditions resulting in the cure of +the complaint.</p> + +<p><b>Dysmenorrhea</b> should be treated by the discarding of +all unhygienic clothing, tight shoes, etc., and their replacement +by rational clothing; the dietary should be +carefully scanned, and improper articles replaced by +nourishing elements of food—discard the pastries, pickles, +confections, and stimulants, and substitute sensible +articles of diet; if constipation is present, remove it by +eating articles of food which promote free movements of +the bowels, and drink more water each day; take a proper +amount of exercise—housework is as good a form of exercise +as any; many authorities advocate the free drinking +of water prior to and during the menstrual period—some +going so far as to say that <b>where there is painful +menstruation there is always a lack of a proper amount +of water taken into the system</b>. In some cases Dysmenorrhea +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">{56}</a></span>is due to disorders of the general nervous system, +and treatment therefore should be sought at the hands of +a capable physician.</p> + +<p><b>Amenorrhea</b>, another disorder arising in connection +with the menstrual process, consists of the retention or +suppression of the menses, or of "scanty" menses, or occasional +"skipping" of the periods. This condition is apt +to be manifest in cases of extreme obesity or "fatness;" +the nervous system being burdened with superfluous flesh, +its menstrual rhythm is often affected. Suppression of +the menses also sometimes results from exposure and disturbing +mental emotions. The most approved treatment +is that of remedying the abnormal general physical condition, +proper diet, and the use of hot drinks, hot sitz +baths, and hot enemas about the time of the beginning +of the normal period.</p> + +<p><b>Menorrhagia</b>, another menstrual-period disorder, consists +of very profuse flowing—it is, in fact, a mild form +of hemorrhage. It usually arises from general debility, +shocks, too violent exercise or labor, and also in many +cases from undue and too frequent sexual intercourse. +Sometimes the excessive flow occurs during the regular +menstrual period, while in other cases it may manifest +itself out of season—sometimes as often as two or three +times a month. The duration of the normal period of +menstrual flow, however, varies greatly among different +women; the normal period may be said to last from two +to six days, so what might be an excessive flow for one +woman would be only normal for another—temperament +plays a large part in determining the quantity of the +menses.</p> + +<p>Some of the accompanying symptoms of Menorrhagia, +or profuse flow, are lassitude, shortness of breath, faintness, +dizziness, headache, irritability and nervousness, +and often also leucorrhea between periods. The general<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">{57}</a></span> +treatment consists in measures calculated to bring the +general health of the woman back to the normal. The +building up of the general system, by means of nourishing +food, proper exercise, etc., will almost always result +in curing this disorder.</p> + +<p>A well-known authority has well said: "The hygiene +of menstruation can be expressed in two words: <b>Cleanliness +and Rest</b>."</p> + +<p>So far as Rest is concerned, the woman need not be +urged to take it at this period—that is, if she is able to do +so. Care should be taken not to exercise unduly at this +time, and under the head of exercise may be included +dancing, horseback riding, and automobiling, as well as +the more common forms of athletic work.</p> + +<p>It would seem that common sense and the general desire +for cleanliness and daintiness would cause all women +to observe the plain hygienic laws of Cleanliness at the +time of the menstrual period. And, indeed, it is probable +that such would be the case were it not for the fact that +some ancient superstitions still exert their power over +the mind of many women, in regard to the use of water +during the menstrual period. While it is true that cold +baths, or cold-water bathing, are not advisable for the +average woman during the menstrual period (although +some especially robust women bathe and swim as usual +during this period), this prohibition does not apply to +the use of <b>warm</b> water during the period. Lukewarm +baths are permissible at this time; and the woman should +wash the external genital parts with warm water, with +soap if desired, every morning and evening of the period. +A vaginal douche of lukewarm water is an excellent adjunct +to the bathing of the parts.</p> + +<p>It is astonishing to meet with the superstitious prejudice +existing in the minds of some women concerning the +use of the vaginal douche; these good creatures seem to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">{58}</a></span> +think that it is either unnatural and unhealthy, or else is +something "not respectable," and fit only for the use of +immoral women. These women should get in touch with +modern hygienic methods, and learn to use the douche +at least during their menstrual periods. At this time, if +the plain rules of cleanliness are not observed, there often +occurs a decomposition of the blood which has gathered +in or about the genitals, and an offensive odor is manifested. +Some women, while feeling distressed about this +odor, are afraid to use lukewarm water in washing themselves, +owing to some old unexplored superstition handed +down from the great-grandmother's time.</p> + +<p>The napkins should be changed at least every morning +and evening. Unclean napkins may lead to infection, +and it is probable that many cases of leucorrhea have +their origin in lack of cleanliness concerning the napkins, +cloths, or rags, used during menstruation. It may seem +almost incredible to the average woman reader, but physicians +know of cases (usually among the poorer and +more ignorant foreign classes) in which the girl is instructed +by her mother, grandmother, or aunts, that she +must wear the original cloth or rag during the entire +period, as she will "catch cold" by a change to a clean, +fresh cloth while the flow continued. Imagine the result +of such a practice! This last is an extreme instance, of +course, but it will serve to show the absurd and harmful +notions prevalent concerning this important natural function, +and its incidents.</p> + +<p><b>Leucorrhea.</b> A very common disorder among women +is that known as Leucorrhea, or "the whites." It consists +of a discharge from the Vagina, or the Uterus +through the Vagina. It is, in fact, of a catarrhal nature, +and results from an over-secretion of the mucus fluids +which, in proper quantity, keep the mucus membrane of +the said organs in good condition. The discharge manifests +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">{59}</a></span>in various shades and degrees of consistency. From +the character of the discharge, physicians are able to determine +whether it comes from the Vagina or the Uterus. +The discharge from the Vagina usually is a light creamy +fluid; that from the neck of the Uterus is a sticky, thick +fluid flowing rather freely; that from the lining of the +Uterus is alkaline, and generally precedes and follows +menstruation; and that accompanying ulceration of the +womb is semi-purulent and offensive in odor.</p> + +<p>Leucorrhea has many causes, among which may be +mentioned the following: getting chilled feet or body, +particularly during the menstrual period; over exertion +and overwork standing on one's feet; chills following +dancing in overheated rooms; excessive worry or emotional +strain, etc. It is a quite common complaint, and +some assert that fully twenty-five per cent (perhaps more) +of all women suffer from it to at least some extent.</p> + +<p>The general treatment of Leucorrhea consists of the +building up of the entire system by the proper hygienic +methods. Constipation should be removed, and the system +is built up by the proper articles of food, exercise, +etc. The use of the proper douches are also advised by +the best practitioners. Physicians also treat inflamed +areas by local treatments consisting of painting the +Vagina or neck of the Uterus with certain medicinal +solutions. Certain suppositories and douches are also +employed in some cases. It is always better to consult a +good physician in these cases, particularly where the +trouble is aggravated or of long standing.</p> + +<p>A popular writer on the subject gives the following +prescription for a vaginal injection: White Fluid Hydrastics, +2 ounces; Borax, 1/2 ounce; Distilled Witch Hazel +Extract, 1 pint. Use of this preparation <b>one ounce, diluted +in a pint of lukewarm water</b>, as a vaginal injection, +taken twice each day.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">{60}</a></span></p> +<p>A well-known authority gives the following advice +concerning treatment of Leucorrhea: "One of the simplest +things is an alum tampon. You take a piece of +absorbent cotton, about the size of a fist, spread it out, +put about a tablespoonful of powdered alum on it, fold it +up, tie a string around the center, insert it in the vagina +as far as it will go, and leave it in twenty-four hours. +Then pull it gently by the string and syringe yourself +with a quart or two of warm water. Such a tampon +may be inserted every other day or every third day, +and I have known where this simple treatment alone produced +a cure. In some cases, however, douches work better, +and the two best things for douching are: tincture +of iodine and lactic acid. Buy, say, four ounces of tincture +of iodine, and use two teaspoonsful in two quarts +of hot water in a douche bag. This injection should be +used twice a day, morning and night. Of the lactic acid +you buy, say, a pint, and use two tablespoonsful +to two quarts of water. The lactic acid has the +advantage over the tincture of iodine that it is +colorless, while the iodine is dark and stains +whatever it comes in contact with. Sometimes I order +the use of the tincture of iodine and the lactic acid alternately: +for one douche the tincture of iodine, for the +next the lactic acid, and so on. When the condition improves, +it is sufficient to use one teaspoonful of the tincture +of iodine and one tablespoonful of the lactic acid to +two quarts of water. These injections are quite efficient +and have the advantage of being perfectly harmless. One +point about the injections: they should be taken not in +the standing or squatting position (in which position the +fluid comes right out), but while laying down, over a +douche pan. The douche bag should be only about a foot +above the bed, so that the irrigating fluid may come out +slowly; the patient, after each injection taken in the daytime, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">{61}</a></span>should remain at least half an hour in bed (in the +nighttime she stays all night in bed.) This gives the injection +a better chance to come in contact with all the +parts of the vagina, and a portion of it comes in contact +with the cervix, where it exerts a healing effect. Avoid +the use of patent medicines."</p> + +<p><b>Uterine Displacement.</b> The woman suffering from +Uterine Displacement should, of course, consult a competent +physician and be governed by his advice. The following +suggestions, however, will be found to be of service +in many cases:</p> + +<p>In the case of <b>Prolapsus</b>, or falling of the womb, many +women have found great relief, and in many cases permanent +improvement, by taking occasional rests in bed +for an hour or so, with the feet and lower part of the legs +raised at least eight inches above the level of the head. +In this plan, the Uterus is replaced by gravitation. Some +authorities advise practicing waist-breathing while lying +in this position, thus exercising the abdominal muscles. +Dr. Taylor says: "Increase the pump-like action of the +chest, and it will be found that the displaced viscera will +return to their normal position." Some have also found +relief from the use of alum-water vaginal injections once +or twice each day. The alum-water is prepared by dissolving +one heaping teaspoonful of powdered alum in a +pint of lukewarm water. This last treatment often +strengthens the vaginal muscles whose yielding has at +least partially been the cause of the falling womb.</p> + +<p>In cases of <b>Retroversion</b>, in which the Uterus is turned +or bent backward, the "knee and chest" position will +often aid in causing the organ to regain its normal position. +In this position the woman kneels, and rests her +chest upon the bed, thus causing the hips to be elevated.</p> + +<p>In cases of <b>Antroversion</b>, in which the Uterus is turned +or bent forward, relief is often obtained by the woman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">{62}</a></span> +resting upon the back, using a pillow to elevate her hips.</p> + +<p><b>Intercourse During Menstruation.</b> It would seem that +the natural esthetic repulsion to the exercise of the marital +relations during the menstrual period should be sufficient +to deter men and women from indulgence at this +time; but many seem to have overcome this instinctive +repulsion, and to these a stronger reason must be given—and +the reason is at hand. The reasons in question are as +follows: first, that congestion of the Uterus and Ovaries +sometimes results from this unnatural practice; second, +that the man may possibly contract an inflammation of +the urethra by infection from the degenerated membrane, +tissue, blood, etc., of the menstrual flow; and third, that +such practices may result in the aggravation of discharges +from the woman, such as leucorrhea, etc.</p> + +<p><b>Intercourse During Pregnancy.</b> The best authorities +advise total abstinence from sexual intercourse during +the period of pregnancy; but in view of the fact that +such abstinence is very difficult for most men, and that +few will persist in it, it is thought well to point out the +fact that at least an extreme moderation is desirable in +such cases. A leading authority says on this point: "During +the first four months of pregnancy, no change need +be made in the usual sex relations; their intensity should +be moderated, their frequency need not. During the fifth, +sixth, and seventh months, intercourse should be indulged +in at rarer intervals—once in two or three weeks—the +act should be performed without any violence or intensity. +During the eighth and ninth months relations had +best be given up altogether. And this abstinence should +last until about six weeks after the birth of the child. +During this period the uterus undergoes what we call +involution; that is, it goes back to the size and shape it +had before pregnancy, and it is best not to disturb this +process by sexual excitement, which causes engorgement +and congestion."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">{63}</a></span></p><p><b>Sterility in Women.</b> Sterility, or barrenness, i. e., the +inability to bear children, is frequently met with among +married people. It is usually blamed upon the woman, +whereas in at least one-half of the cases the fault is with +the man.</p> + +<p>The causes of sterility in women are usually one or +more of the following: Inflammation of the Fallopian +Tubes, which may have been caused by gonorrhea or ordinary +inflammation—in some rare cases childbirth has been +known to set up an inflammation in this region, which has +prevented the woman from future childbearing—the inflammation +causes the tubes to clog up or become closed, +so that no more ova can pass through them from the ovaries +to the womb; in some cases, also, severe cases of +leucorrhea have caused sterility, as the discharge is sometimes +fatal to the life of the spermatozoa and destroys +them; in other cases misplacement of the womb causes +sterility; also severe inflammation of the neck or mouth of +the womb operates in the same way, in some cases. In +cases of sterility, the woman should have an examination +made by a competent physician, and it often will be found +that the cure of the disorders above noted will work a +cure of the sterility.</p> + +<p>But, in all cases of sterility, it will be found that the +husband should be examined as well as the wife—in fact, +many authorities insist that the husband should be examined +first. Venereal diseases frequently produce sterility +in the man, although he is loath to admit this and is +apt to place the blame entirely upon the woman.</p> + +<p><b>Miscarriage and Abortions.</b> The terms "miscarriage," +and "abortion," respectively, mean the expulsion of the +fetus from the womb before its natural time of delivery. +In common usage, the term "miscarriage" is usually employed +to indicate instances in which the premature delivery +has occurred without any voluntary act on the part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">{64}</a></span> +of the woman, or other persons acting with her permission; +the term "abortion" being reserved for instances +in which the miscarriage has been voluntarily produced.</p> + +<p>When the fetus dies within the womb of the mother, +it is usually expelled spontaneously within a few days or +even a few hours. Some women suffer from certain weakness +which result in habitual miscarriage; such women +seem unable to carry the child for the full natural term, +and lose it at some time during the period of gestation. +Like results often arise from certain diseases, principal +among which is syphilis. In some cases the physician produces +what is known as "therapeutic abortion," for the +purpose of saving the life of the woman—this is sanctioned +by medical custom and by law. Other forms of +abortion, performed for the purpose of preventing the +progress of the gestation, and designed for the destruction +of the embryo or fetus, are known as "criminal abortion," +and are punishable by several legal penalties.</p> + +<p>Abortions are frequently followed by severe illness, +invalidism, or even death for the woman. Many women +have had their entire lives ruined by this evil practice. It +is one of the curses of modern civilization, and one which +must be removed by means of rational instruction and +education along the lines of sexual science if the race is +to be prevented from deterioration. The subject will be +further considered in the subsequent lessons in this book.</p> + +<p>The best advice to those who have contemplated the +performance of abortion is simply this: Don't; <b>Don't</b>; +<b>DON'T!</b></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">{65}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_VI" id="LESSON_VI"></a><span class="lght">LESSON VI</span><br /> +THE SCIENCE OF EUGENICS</h2> + +<p>No one who keeps in even only fair touch with the +affairs of the world of today can have failed to notice the +frequent mention of the term "Eugenics" in the newspapers, +magazine, and books of the hour. And yet, many +persons seem to be in doubt as to the meaning and use of +the term; some thinking that it refers to some new "ism" +or "ology," or perhaps to some new and strange doctrine +concerning the relations of the sexes. In view of this +fact, the writer has thought it well to give the readers of +this book a brief, though somewhat comprehensive, view +of the general subject of Eugenics.</p> + +<p>Eugenics, sometimes known as the Science of Parenthood, +has well been styled "the New Science," for it has +forced itself into public notice within the past ten or fifteen +years, whereas before that time it was practically +unknown to the general public. At the present time +some of the world's greatest thinkers have spoken or +written on the subject, and many regard it as one of the +most vital branches of human research, endeavor, and +study, for the future of the race is involved in the solution +of its problems. In its general phase of race-betterment, +Eugenics is receiving the attention of statesmen, +sociologists and patriots; in its particular phases, the +earnest attention, interest and study of men and women +who wish offspring of the best quality obtainable.</p> + +<p>The spirit of Eugenics may be expressed in the words +of Dr. G. Stanley Hall, president of Clark University, who +has said: "Our duty of all duties is to transmit +the sacred torch of life undiminished, and, +if possible, a little brightened, to our children.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">{66}</a></span> +This is the chief end of men and women. All +posterity slumbers in our bodies, as we did in our ancestors. +The basis of the new biological ethics of today, and +of the future, is that everything is right that makes for +the welfare of the yet unborn, and all is wrong that injures +them, and to do so is the unpardonable sin—the +only one nature knows."</p> + +<p>That phase of Eugenics which has brought the new +science more prominently before the public mind, and +which has enrolled on its roster the names of some of the +world's most eminent scientists, sociologists, and writers—the +phase of race-betterment from the standpoint of +sociology—has led many to believe that Eugenics is confined +to that phase, and is but a movement toward "the +successful breeding of the human race" on a universal +scale. To many, such a movement while deemed commendable +and desirable nevertheless lacks the appeal of +the heart and affections—it seems to be of the head alone. +But when such persons are brought to their realization +that Eugenics is also a movement to promote the bearing +of children—to enable each mated couple to bring forth +perfect offspring—then the heart is enlisted as a co-worker +with the head.</p> + +<p>The sociological phase of Eugenics—the phase of Race +Culture in general—is being vigorously advanced by +societies and organizations in various parts of the world, +the parent organization being the Eugenics Education +Society, of London, England. Dr. C. W. Saleeby, one of +those prominent in the work of the said Society, has the +following to say concerning the work of that organization:</p> + +<p>"The Eugenics Education Society exists to uphold +the ideal of Parenthood as the highest and most responsible +of human powers; to proclaim that the racial instinct +is therefore supremely sacred, and its exercise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">{67}</a></span> +through marriage, for the service of the future, the loftiest +of all privileges. It stands for a transfigured sentiment +of parenthood which regards with solicitude not +child and grandchild only, but the generations to come +hereafter—fathers of the future creating and providing +for the remote children. That which too many schools of +thought and practice have derided or defiled, it seeks to +elevate and ennoble. Parenthood on the part of the diseased, +the insane, the alcoholic—where these conditions +promise to be transmitted—must be denounced as a crime +against the future. In these directions the Society stands +for active legislation, and for the formation of that public +opinion which legislation, if it is to be effective, must +express. Parenthood on the part of the worthy must be +buttressed, guided, and extolled. The Society stands for +the education of the young regarding the responsibility +and holiness of the racial function of parenthood."</p> + +<p>The Eugenists hold that in the near future our children, +looking back upon the present and the past state +of indifference and neglect concerning the important subject +of bearing and rearing of children, will experience +the same horror that we now feel when we look back +upon the indifference to the horrors of human slavery, +imprisonment for debt, cruelty toward prisoners, treatment +of the insane, executions for trivial offences, etc., +on the part of our ancestors. Our descendants will deem +it almost inconceivable that we, their ancestors, could +have been so blind and criminally negligent.</p> + +<p>But, as leading Eugenists have pointed out, the new +science does not confine its attention to the subject of +preventive measures, important as they are—it also +directs its attention to the constructive phase of the subject, +i. e., the production of better children. While +Eugenics strives to prevent the unfit from flooding the +race with unfit progeny, it at the same time strives to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">{68}</a></span> +educate the race so that the fit may bear and rear better +offsprings. It is not sufficient merely to eliminate the unfit—we +must also improve, and still further render fit, the +fit members of the race. The fit must not be allowed to +remain merely the fit—we must evolve a fitter—and ever +move onward toward the realization of the ideal of the +fittest. We must not only strive to eliminate the beast in +the race of men—we must also aid the race to unfold in +the direction of the super-man.</p> + +<p>The Eugenists know that much of the talk concerning +Race Suicide is not only futile and uncalled for, but is +also in a sense misleading and actually dangerous. The +real danger of Race Suicide comes not from the decreasing +birth-rate, but from the excessive, ignorant, and unscientific +bearing and rearing of children by unfit parents. +It is not so much a matter of <b>how many</b> children +are born, as of <b>how</b> they are born, what kind of children +they are, and how they are reared physically, mentally +and morally, and how many survive. It is not so much +that the lower death-rate be avoided, says the Eugenist, +as it is that the higher death-rate be overcome. The intelligent +stockbreeder grasps this scientific law of the +Eugenists when he endeavors to produce the best young, +and then to take care of them that they survive and +reach a healthy maturity. To the Eugenist, it is not so +much a question of "more," but of "better"—not so +much a question of quantity as of quality—not so much a +question of production, but of conservation and preservation.</p> + +<p>Dr. Saleeby refers to the death-rate of London, which +is but 16 to the 1000, as compared to that of Bombay, +which is 79 to the 1000. He adds: "It is asserted that in +many large Indian cities the infant mortality approaches +one-half of all the children born. What it amounts to in +such cities as Canton and Pekin we can only surmise with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">{69}</a></span> +horror. * * * * Unless it be supposed by bishops and +others, then, that a peculiar value attaches to the production +of a baby shortly to be buried, the suggestion evidently +is the same as that to which every humanitarian +and social and patriotic impulse guides us, namely, the +reduction of the death-rate, and especially of infant mortality. +* * * * Hence the Eugenists and the Episcopal +Bench may join hands so far as the reduction of the +death-rate is concerned, and the only persons with whom +a practical quarrel remains are those who applaud the +mother who boasts that she has buried twelve."</p> + +<p>The Eugenists urge that if the principles applied to +plant-life by that master of his science, Luther Burbank, +were applied to the production and rearing of young +human life, in a few generations we should have a race +so far advanced beyond the present average as to be +almost god-like by comparison. But this means a far different +thing from the ideal of merely "more children"—it +requires the manifestation of the ideal of "better children," +well born, carefully reared, well nourished, and +scientifically educated. And this rearing, nourishing, and +education must not be confined to the physical part of +the child's nature—it must proceed along the three-fold +line of physical, mental, and moral culture.</p> + +<p>The Eugenists have been actively concerned with the +question of the prevention of the transmission of undesirable +qualities to offspring. They have held that while +crime is more frequently rather the result of evil environment +than of criminal heredity, nevertheless there is a +large class of children who are "born criminals"—that +is, born with such a decided tendency toward criminal +acts that the slightest influence of environment may, and +often does, serve to kindle into a blaze the undesirable +and criminal characteristics.</p> + +<p>Dr. Saleeby says of this: "In the face of the work of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">{70}</a></span> +Lombroso and his school, exaggerated though some of +their conclusions may be, we cannot dispute the existence +of born criminals and the criminal type. There are undoubtedly +many such persons in modern society. There +is an abundance of crime which no education, practiced +or imaginable, would eliminate. Present day psychology +and medicine and, for the matter of that, ordinary common-sense, +can readily distinguish cases at both extremes—the +mattoid or semi-insane criminal at one end, and the +decent citizen who yields to exceptional temptation at +the other end."</p> + +<p>The Eugenists quote as an instance of the above contention +the celebrated case of Max Jukes, a notorious +criminal and drunkard, who as the records show us was +the ancestor of a foul brood of descendants which cost +the State of New York over a million dollars in seventy-five +years. Among these descendants were 200 thieves +and murderers; 285 subject to idiocy, blindness or deafness; +90 prostitutes; and 300 children born prematurely. +It is possible that a portion of this evil result was caused +not alone by bad heredity but, at least in part, by the +suggestion of the environment, and the influence of example +of the parents; but even so, the primal cause was +that Max Jukes, the notoriously unfit ancestor, was allowed +to propagate this evil brood, destined to be born +and reared under the most adverse conditions and environment.</p> + +<p>The Eugenists also place great importance upon the +prevention of insane persons becoming parents. To those +who consider that this is but an exceptional and rare occurrence, +the Eugenists reply that a large percentage of +insane patients in asylums have a family history showing +insanity in one or both parents; that reports show that +there are thousands of feeble-minded women in every +large city allowed to (yes, often actually compelled to) +bear children to their husbands or male companions.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">{71}</a></span></p> +<p>Ribot says: "Every work on insanity is a plea for +heredity." Maudsley says: "More than one-fourth and +less than one-half of all insanity is heredity." Riddell +says: "Of the great causes of insanity, alcoholism is perhaps +the greatest, while morbid heredity ranks next. Insanity +is largely the result of degeneracy. Most persons +who become mentally deranged are the offspring of +neurotic, drunken, insane or feeble-minded parents." +While it by no means follows that one must manifest +traits of insanity or mental disturbance simply because +one of his parents suffered from a like trouble—and we +believe that many a one has frightened himself into those +conditions by pure auto-suggestion inspired by a one-sided +belief in heredity—still it is unquestionably true +that a fair mind must concede that wisdom and a proper +sense of right and justice would require that parents of +unsound mental tendencies should not be permitted to +bring into the world children who might inherit a tendency +toward a like, or worse, condition.</p> + +<p>The Eugenists also have called the attention of the +thinking public to the danger of deaf-and-dumb persons +transmitting their condition to their offspring. Of this +Dr. Saleeby says: "The condition known as deaf-mutism +is congenital or due to innate defect in about one-half of +all the cases in Great Britain." Dr. Love says: "In every +institution, examples may be found of deaf-mute children +who have had one or two deaf parents or grandparents, +and of two or more deaf-mute children belonging to one +family." A case is noted in England where a deaf-and-dumb +man having been killed by an accident, his relatives +could not identify the body, as the wife and sister were +blind, deaf-and-dumb, and the four children were +deaf-and-dumb. The man and his wife were both deaf-and-dumb +when they were married, the wife being also blind.</p> + +<p>Perhaps no subject has aroused the active Eugenists<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">{72}</a></span> +to a greater pitch of indignation than the ascertained results +of the effect upon offspring of parents addicted to +the over-indulgence in alcohol. It is known by the records +that a large number of cases of feeble-mindedness and +actual insanity are due to inebriety of parents, and often +of grandparents, or ancestors for several generations. +Epilepsy, idiocy, and criminality are also traceable in +many cases to drunkenness of parents. Dr. Saleeby, +moved by indignation by the ascertained results of the +investigations of the Eugenists, has said: "Parenthood +must be forbidden to the dipsomaniac, the chronic inebriate, +or the drunkard, whether male or female."</p> + +<p>Professor Grenier, writing on the subject of alcoholic +degeneration, has said: "Alcohol is one of the most active +agents in the degeneracy of the race. The indelible +effects produced by heredity are not to be remedied. Alcoholic +descendants are often inferior beings, a notable proportion +coming under the categories of idiots, imbeciles, +and the debilitated. The morbid influence of parents is +maximum when conception has taken place at the time of +drunkenness of one or both parties. Those with hereditary +alcoholism show a tendency to excess; half of them +become alcoholics; a large number of cases of neurosis +have their principal cause in alcoholic antecedents. The +larger portion of the sons of alcoholics have convulsions +in early infancy. Epilepsy is almost characteristic of the +alcoholism of parents, when it is not an index of a nervous +disposition of the whole family. The alcoholic delirium +is more frequent in the descendants of alcoholics +than in their parents, which indicates their intellectual +degeneration."</p> + +<p>What has been said of alcoholism of course applies to +the use of narcotics and other drugs. Galton cites a case +in which "a man who had had two healthy children +acquired the cocaine habit, and while suffering from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">{73}</a></span> +symptoms of chronic poisoning engendered two idiots." +And yet had anyone publicly instructed the wife of this +man regarding the use of contraceptives, such person +would have been liable to imprisonment!</p> + +<p>Another subject engaging the active attention of the +Eugenists, and which is discussed to considerable extent +in the privacy of their meetings, but which must be +voiced only very carefully in the public prints owing to +the "murderous silence" which society prefers to maintain +on the subject, is of the influence of venereal diseases +as racial poisons transmissible to offspring. Dr. Saleeby +has well said: "No other disease can rival syphilis in +its hideous influence upon parenthood and the future. +But it is no crime for a man to marry, infect his innocent +bride and their children; no crime against the laws +of our lawgivers, but a heinous outrage against nature's +decrees. When at last our laws are based on nature's +laws, criminal marriages of this kind may be put an +end to."</p> + +<p>The above stated facts are not pleasant reading for +most persons, and many pass over them hurriedly, thereby +hoping to escape the mental discomfort which the +hearing and learning of unpleasant truths so often produce. +But the subject will not down—it is forcing itself +to the attention of the thinking members of society today +in a manner which will admit of no escape. These facts +must be faced, and steps must be taken by society to +protect the race from degeneration and actual Race Suicide. +And the Science of Eugenics is pointing the way.</p> + +<p>Dr. Saleeby says of this phase of Eugenics: "Negative +Eugenics will seek to define the diseases and defects +which are really hereditary; to name those the transmission +of which is already known to occur, and to raise +the average of the race by interfering as far as may be +with the parenthood of persons suffering from these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">{74}</a></span> +transmissible disorders. Only thus can certain of the +gravest evils of society, as, for instance, feeble-mindedness, +insanity, and crime due to inherited degeneracy, be +suppressed; and if Race-Culture were absolutely incapable +of effecting anything whatever in the way of increasing +the fertility of the worthiest classes and individuals, +its services in the negative direction here briefly outlined +would be of incalculable value. To this policy we shall +most certainly come; but here, as in other cases, I trust +far more to the influence of an educated public opinion +than in legislation; though there are certain forms of +transmissible disease, interfering in no way with the responsibility +of the individual, the transmission of which +should be visited with the utmost rigor of the law, and +regarded as utterly criminal, no less than sheer murder."</p> + +<p>But the Science of Eugenics is concerned not only +with telling society what "not to do"—it is equally concerned +with telling it "what to do." It has its Positive +as well as its Negative side. After pointing out the evils +of procreation on the part of the unfit, it then proceeds +to tell the fit how to best serve the interests of the unborn. +Eugenics is not satisfied with merely plucking out +the foul weeds which have encumbered the fair garden +of life—it seeks also to furnish to the real flowers better +soil, and improved conditions, and to give them the benefit +of the best selection, breeding and conditions, that +they may evolve and improve into still more glorious +products of nature's power.</p> + +<p>The Eugenists earnestly advocate laws and public +opinion tending to protect mothers and expectant mothers. +They recognize the supremacy of motherhood, and +aim to encourage and protect it. They decry the common +indifference toward this function which is all important +in the preservation and evolution of the race, +and which neglect is well expressed in the complaint of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">{75}</a></span> +Bouchacourt, who said: "The dregs of the human species—the +blind, the deaf-mute, the degenerate, the imbecile, +the epileptic—are better protected than are pregnant +women."</p> + +<p>The Eugenists believe in educating women for motherhood, +and in protecting them from conditions which +interfere with that important function of their life. They +are not fully agreed upon the methods to be pursued in +cases of expectant mothers whose lack of proper support +prevents them from obtaining the proper nourishment, +etc., but in a general way it may be said that they agree +in holding that the expectant mother should be looked +upon as the honored ward of the State, and should be +properly provided for from the public funds.</p> + +<p>The Eugenists also believe in educating the father, +or prospective father. They hold that every man should +be made acquainted with the duties and responsibilities +of fatherhood, and should so conduct and order his life +that the production and rearing of a family should result +as a consummation of a long cherished ideal. The man +should be taught to prepare himself, physically, mentally, +and morally, for his coming responsibility to the race. He +should also be taught to respect and regard motherhood, +and to make it his business to secure and preserve the +best possible conditions for the mother of his own children, +and the mothers of other men's children, not as an +act of mere sentiment, but as a public duty, a patriotic +service, a racial obligation.</p> + +<p>The Eugenists believe in teaching young men and +young women on the subject of sexual physiology and +psychology. They hold that the race is now criminally +negligent in such matters, and that young men and +women, by the thousands, enter into the state of marriage +and parenthood with no knowledge regarding the sacred +functions which they are to bring into activity. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">{76}</a></span> +believe that the first requisite of scientific parenthood is +and must be a sane knowledge of the physiology of sex, +and the psychology of sex. There must be sane education +concerning the sexual organism, its laws, its functions, +its normal and healthy condition, its anatomy, +physiology and hygiene.</p> + +<p>The average physician of several years' experience +can tell tales of almost incredible ignorance on the part +of persons who have recently entered into the relationship +of marriage. In some cases the ignorance is more +than a mere absence of knowledge, for it consists of an +array of false-knowledge, untruthful ideas, of often serious +importance. It is sad enough to think how the ignorance +and false-knowledge may work results hurtful +to the young couple themselves, but it is even sadder to +realize that these same ignorant or wrongly-informed +young persons must gain their real knowledge through +sad experience which is to be paid for not only by themselves +but also by their children. It is a hard saying, but +true that "the knowledge of the majority of young parents +is gained by experience paid for by their unborn +children."</p> + +<p>The Eugenists look forward to the coming of the day +when it will be regarded as reprehensible to allow young +persons to enter into the relationship of marriage without +a sane, practical knowledge of their own reproductive +organism and functions, and of their physiological duties +to themselves, their companions in marriage, and to their +children born or to be born. We may, in due time, see a +practical realization of the ideal set forth by Dr. Newell +Dwight Hillis, who said: "The State that makes a man +study two years before a license as druggist is given; +that makes a young lawyer or doctor study three years +before being permitted to practice, ought to ask the +young man or young woman to pass an equally rigid examination +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">{77}</a></span>before license is given to found an American +home, and set up an American family."</p> + +<p>This idea of the scientific preparation for parenthood +is a new one for many, but the coming generations will +recognize its importance to the individual and to the +race. Many who recognize the influence of pre-natal culture +in so far as is concerned the physical, mental, and +moral condition of the mother during pregnancy, have +failed to perceive that an equally important influence is +exerted by the physical, mental and moral condition of +<b>both parents</b> before the conception of the child. These +conditions are reflected, often very markedly, in the +child, and an avoidance of consideration in this respect +is often almost criminal negligence.</p> + +<p>Eugenists deplore the haphazard way in which children +are so often conceived. More care is often bestowed +upon the conditions precedent to the conception of the +domestic animals than is given by their owners to the +conditions preceding the conception of their own offspring. +Too often, while in the case of the domestic animals +the utmost care is exercised regarding the arrangement +for the breeding of valuable stock, the human offspring +are mere "accidents," conceived without intention, +forethought, or preparation; and too often is such +conception undesired, regretted and unwelcome.</p> + +<p>This state of affairs is utterly unworthy of civilized +man with the knowledge of science at his command, and +the intellect and will with which to carry out the plain +dictates of reason and duty. Nature does her part unhindered +in the case of the lower animals, and man should +use her principles as a foundation upon which to build a +structure which reason and intelligence should supply +the materials. Instead of this, man too often discards +Nature's plain rules entirely, and also refuses to use his +reason, and, instead, allows himself to be ruled by selfish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">{78}</a></span> +inclinations and desires, and ignoble motives.</p> + +<p>To those who may ask: "But why should we give all +this time, care and trouble to the young of the race—what +is their claim upon us that demands so much of us +in return for so little on their part?" the answer is plain. +We should do this not alone because of the natural feeling +of love for our own offspring which is innate in all +normal human beings, but we should also do this because +we owe a duty to the race in and which we are units—a +duty which demands that we supply to the race the +best material, and only the best, for its preservation, continuance, +and betterment.</p> + +<p>The spirit of the age is pointing out the direction indicated +by Eugenics and scientific Birth Control. And it +is a spirit in which the best mental and spiritual powers +of man are called into action. A new consciousness—the +"race consciousness"—is awakening within the best of +the race, and accompanying it is a new <b>conscience</b>—a +"race conscience"—is manifesting within us, and is giving +the individual a sense of right and wrong toward future generations, +just as his earlier-awakened social conscience +has opened his eyes to his duties toward his +neighbors.</p> + +<p>Man is beginning to feel that all men are his brothers, +and that the future generations of men are in a sense his +children. The new ideal of "Let us build posterity worthily" +has begun to supplant the old narrow idea humorously +expressed in the famous bull of Sir Boyce Roche, +who said, "Why should we do anything for posterity—what +has posterity ever done for us?"</p> + +<p>As Dr. Saleeby has well said: "If the struggle toward +individual perfection be religious, so assuredly is +the struggle, less egoistic indeed, toward racial perfection. +* * * And they that shall be of us shall build up +the old waste places; for we shall raise up the foundations +of many generations."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">{79}</a></span></p> +<p>And in all this, also, we find ever present the distinctive +note of modern thought, viz., "<b>Not more children, +but better ones; not more births, but less deaths +and more survivals; not numerical birth values, but qualitative +birth values and numerical survival values.</b>"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">{80}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_VII" id="LESSON_VII"></a><span class="lght">LESSON VII</span><br /> +PRE-NATAL INFLUENCES</h2> + +<p>The term "Pre-Natal" of course means "before +birth," and Pre-Natal Influences are those influences exerted +upon the child before its birth into the world. The +students of Eugenics are vitally interested in the subject +of Pre-Natal Influences, as they recognize that therein +is to be found the secret of much which will work along +the line of "better offspring," and general race-betterment.</p> + +<p>Pre-Natal Influences (as the term is used in the present +consideration of the subject) may be considered as +manifesting in three phases, as follows:</p> + +<p>(1) The influence of the physical, mental, and moral +"family characteristics" of the parents, transmitted to +the child along the lines of heredity.</p> + +<p>(2) The influence of the acquired personal characteristics +of the parents (particularly the acquired characteristics +which are especially active at and just previous +to the time of actual conception), transmitted to the +child along the lines of heredity.</p> + +<p>(3) The influence of "maternal impressions" (after +conception, and during the period of gestation or pregnancy) +transmitted to the child physiologically and +psychologically.</p> + +<p>I shall now ask you to proceed with me to a consideration +of the various phases of Pre-Natal Influences +coming under the above name three general classes, and +the principal factors involved therein.</p> + +<h3>Heredity in General.</h3> + +<p>By "heredity" is meant "the tendency which there +is in each animal or plant, in all essential characters, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">{81}</a></span> +resemble its parents"; or "the hereditary transmission of +physical or psychical characteristics of parents to their +offspring."</p> + +<p>There is a great disagreement among the authorities +as to how far the principle of heredity really extends, +and the real causes of heredity are in dispute. In the +present consideration we shall, of course, pass over the +technical phases of the subject, and shall touch only upon +the general features and principles involved.</p> + +<p>Shute, in his work entitled "Organic Evolution," +says: "That an offspring always inherits from its parents +many of their characteristics is well known; that it +always varies, more or less, from them, is also equally +well known. Heredity and variation are twin forces that +play upon every creature, holding it rigidly true to the +parental type or compelling more or less divergence +therefrom, according to the strength of the one or other +power; so that every creature is the resultant of the activities +of these two great parallel forces. Variation is co-extensive +with heredity, and every living creature gives +evidence of the existence of variations.</p> + +<p>"Mental heredity can be illustrated by studying the +genealogies of such persons as Aristotle, Goethe, Darwin, +Coleridge, Milton, etc. Probably the Bach family, +of Germany, supply one of the best illustrations of the +inheritance of intellectual character that we know of. +The record of this family begins in 1550, lasting through +eight generations to 1800. For about two centuries it +gave to the world musicians and singers of high rank. +The founder was Weit Bach, a baker of Presburg, who +sought recreation from his routine work in song and +music. For nearly two hundred years his descendants, +who were very numerous in Franconia, Thuringia, and +Saxony, retained a musical talent, being all church singers +and organists. When the members of the family had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">{82}</a></span> +become very numerous and widely separated from one +another, they decided to meet at a stated place once a +year. Often more than a hundred persons—men, women, +and children—bearing the name of Bach were thus +brought together. This family reunion continued until +nearly the middle of the eighteenth century. In this family +of musicians, twenty-nine became eminent.</p> + +<p>"Inheritance of moral character is well known. +Heredity, in its relation to crime and pauperism, has been +thoroughly investigated by Mr. Dugdale in his most instructive +little work entitled "The Jukes." In this work +the descendants of one vicious and neglected girl are +traced through a large number of generations. It reveals +that a large proportion of the descendants of this woman +became licentious, for, in the course of six generations, +fifty-two percent of the children were illegitimate. It +shows also that there were seven times more paupers +among the women than among the average women of the +state, and nine times more paupers among the male descendants +than among the average men of the state. The +inheritance of physical peculiarities is so obvious as to +need no illustration. Among the ancients the Romans +stereotyped its truth by the use of such expressions as +'the labiones' or thick-lipped; 'the nasones,' or big-nosed; +'the capitones,' or big-headed, and 'the buccones,' +or swollen-cheeked, etc. In more recent times +we read of the Austrian lip and the Bourbon nose."</p> + +<p>But in all considerations of the subject of heredity, +one must always remember that the inheritance of physical, +mental, and moral characteristics is not alone from +the immediate parents, but rather from many ancestors +further removed in order and time. Back of each person +there is a long line of paternal and maternal ancestors, +extending back to the beginning of the race. And in that +line there are influences for good and evil, awaiting favorable +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">{83}</a></span>environment for awakening into new life unless restrained +by the will of the individual.</p> + +<p>As Shute says: "There will come a time when the fertilized +ovum will have a highly complex nucleus composed +of many different ancestral groups of hereditary units. +One often hears the expression that a child is a chip of +the old block; but this is only a very partial truth, for +the child is pre-eminently a composite chip of many old +blocks." And Luther Burbank has well said: "Heredity +means much; but what is heredity? Not some hideous +ancestral spectre, forever crossing the path of a human +being. Heredity is simply the sum of all the environments +of all past generations on the responsive ever-moving +life-forces."</p> + +<h3>Transmission of Acquired Characteristics.</h3> + +<p>One of the great disputes of biology is that concerning +the question of whether or not parents may transmit to +their offspring their personal "acquired characteristics" +as well as those inherited from their line of ancestors. +One side of the controversy points to the observed cases +of children and grandchildren resembling each other, +physically, mentally, and morally, in acquired characteristics; +but the other side explains these facts as due to +environment rather than to heredity.</p> + +<p>The best authorities seem to favor a middle-view, holding +that acquired characteristics may be and are transmitted +as "tendencies" in the offspring. Thus as each +succeeding generation manifests the acquired tendency, +it adds a cumulative force to the family heredity. At the +same time they hold that "environment" is needed to +"draw out" the inherited "tendency." For instance, a +child born with evil tendencies, and placed in an evil +environment, will most likely manifest evil conduct. The +same child, if placed in a good environment, will not have +the evil tendencies "drawn out" by the environment, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">{84}</a></span> +will probably not manifest evil conduct. The same rule +applies to the child drawn with good "tendencies." In +short, it is held that heredity and environment tend to +balance each other—the "something within" is called +out (or not called out) by the "something without." The +life of the individual is held to be a continuous action and +reaction between heredity and environment, and both of +these elements must be taken into consideration when we +think of the subject.</p> + +<p>Shute says: "As influencing a man's life and character, +which is the strongest factor, heredity or environment?" +In our opinion, as the result of long study and +reading, where we have an average man of a sound mind +in a sound body, there environment will be the strongest +factor whether for good or evil—that is, in men in general, +who have no organic defect, such as insanity or idiocy, +and allied affections, the stronger force is environment; +but in those having such defect, heredity is the controlling +power, and we may add, the destroying power.</p> + +<h3>The Eugenic Rule Regarding Heredity.</h3> + +<p>It is one of the cardinal principles of Eugenics that +those with a bad family history should not become parents. +By this it is not meant that the manifestation of +undesirable tendencies, physical, mental, and moral, on +the part of certain individuals of a family necessarily constitutes +a "bad family history." On the contrary, many +of the best families have, from time to time, individuals +who manifest undesirable tendencies, and who are in +general out of harmony with the general family standard. +It is an old axiom that "there is a black sheep in +every flock"; and the flock must be measured by its general +standard, and not by its exceptional black sheep.</p> + +<p>A "bad family history" is one in which the family has +clearly manifested certain undesirable physical, mental, +and moral traits in a marked degree, and in a sufficient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">{85}</a></span> +number of instances to establish a standard. Some families +have a "bad family history" for inebriety; others for +epilepsy; others for licentiousness; others for dishonesty—the +history extending over several generations, and +including a marked number of individuals in each generation. +Individuals of such a family should refrain from +bearing children; and if children be born to such the +greatest care should be exercised by the parents in the +matter of surrounding the child with the environment +least calculated to "draw out" the undesirable characteristic. +The child has a right to be well born, and to be +protected from being brought into the world subjected to +the handicap of a "bad family history." If individuals +cannot endow their children with a good family history, +they should refrain from bearing children—such is the +Eugenic advice on the subject.</p> + +<p>The same rule applies to the question of "acquired +characteristics" of the parents—especially those acquired +characteristics which are especially active at or just before +the time of the contemplated conception. Though +the family history of both husband and wife be ever so +good, it is held that if one or both of the parents have +acquired undesirable and transmissible characteristics, +physical, mental, or moral, then the question of bringing +children into the world should be carefully considered, +and conscientiously decided, after competent authorities +have been consulted concerning the case. The prospective +child should always be given the benefit of the doubt in +such cases. To bring children into the world merely to +gratify personal pleasure or pride, regardless of the welfare +of the child, is something utterly unworthy of an +intelligent and moral human being.</p> + +<h3>Fitness for Parenthood.</h3> + +<p>In determining the "fitness" for parenthood, on the +part of husband and wife, the mental, physical, and moral<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">{86}</a></span> +qualities should all be taken into consideration. Weak +or abnormal mentality; chronic immorality or perverted +moral sense; or diseased or abnormal physical conditions—these +should always be regarded as bars to parenthood. +To violate this principle is to deliberately violate the +fundamental laws of Nature, as well as those principles +which are accepted as representing the best thought and +customs of the race. A mental, moral, or physical "pervert" +or "defective" is manifestly an "unfit," considered +as a prospective parent. Parenthood on the part of +such individuals is not only a crime against society, but +always a base injustice perpetrated upon the offspring.</p> + +<p>A very interesting phase of the general subject now +before us for consideration is that which touches upon +the effect of those particular acquired characteristics +which are especially active at the time, or just before +the time of conception. The best authorities hold that +the influences manifest and active in the prospective +father and mother during the period immediately preceding +conception will have a marked effect upon the +character of the child. The following quotations from +authorities on the subject will serve to illustrate this +idea.</p> + +<p>Riddell says: "The transient physical, mental and +moral conditions of the parents, prior to the initial of +life, at the time of inception, do affect offspring." Dr. +Cowan says: "Through the rightly directed wills of the +mother and father, preceding and during ante-natal life, +the child's form of body, character of mind, and purity +of soul are formed and established. That in its plastic +shape, during ante-natal life, like clay in the hand of the +potter, it can be molded into absolutely any form of body +and soul the parents may knowingly desire." Newton +says: "Numerous facts indicate that offspring may be +affected and their tendencies shaped by a great variety<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">{87}</a></span> +of influences, among which moods and influences more or +less permanent may be included."</p> + +<p>Riddell says: "The influence of environmental conditions +and pre-natal training are ever evident. Colts +from dams that have been under regular training are +faster than those from the same mother foaled before she +had been trained. The puppies of the trained shepherd +dog learn much more rapidly than do those from the untrained +animal. No sportsman would think of paying a +high price for a puppy, the mother of which was stupid +and untrained. The same law applies, only with greater +effect, to the human family." Greer says: "No married +couple will desire, design and love a babe into existence +without the first requisite—good physical health." Grant +Allen says: "To prepare ourselves for the duties of +maternity and paternity by making ourselves as vigorous +and healthful as we can be, is a duty we owe to children +unborn." Holbrook says: "It is essential, therefore, +that if children are to be well-born, the parents should +be careful that at the moment of procreation they are +fitted for the performance of so serious an act." Another +authority says: "Generation should be preceded by +regeneration."</p> + +<p>Cowan says: "In the conception of a new life, the +mass of mankind observes no law unless it be the law of +chance. Out of the licentious or incontinent actions of a +husband's nature, conception after a time is discovered +to take place. No preparation of body, mind, or soul is +made by either parent. Not more than one child in perhaps +ten thousand is brought into the world with the +consent and loving desire of its parents. The other nine +thousand, nine hundred, and ninety nine children are +endowed with the accumulated sins of the parents. Is it +any wonder that there is so much sin, sickness, drunkenness, +suffering, licentiousness, murder, suicide, and premature +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">{88}</a></span>death, and so little of purity, chastity, success, +goodness, happiness and long life in the world?"</p> + +<h3>Preparation for Parenthood.</h3> + +<p>The ancient Greeks attached great importance to the +mental, moral and physical condition of the parents at +the moment of conception, and for a period preceding +the same. The Investigations of modern scientists have +tended to corroborate the facts upon which the ancient +theories were based. Modern science teaches that the +life-cells of each parent are impressed with the condition +of the respective parents, and retain this impression until +they meet and finally coalesce and combine, the combined +cell then receiving the result of the original impressions.</p> + +<p>The best authorities on the subject claim that a reasonable +time of self-restraint and continence should be observed +by the prospective parents before the conception +of the child. This contention is borne out by the experience +of the breeders of fine horses and cattle, who have +discovered that the best offspring are produced when the +animals have been restrained from sexual intercourse for +a reasonable time; this precaution being particularly +observed in the case of the male parent animal. Writers +on the subject cite a number of instances to prove that +this law maintains in human as well is in animal life. It +is claimed that Sir Isaac Newton was conceived after a +period of over a year of total sexual abstinence on the +part of his parents. Many other celebrated men are said +to have been conceived after an absence from home on the +part of the father, or a temporary absence from home on +the part of the mother. Many physicians are able to cite +many similar cases observed in the course of their own +experience.</p> + +<p>The prospective parents should endeavor to bring themselves +up to a high degree of physical health and well-being. +The blood of the mother should be enriched by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">{89}</a></span> +proper nutrition, and the organs of the body should be +brought to a state of normal functioning along the lines +of digestion, assimilation, and elimination.</p> + +<p>The minds of both parents should be exercised by +reading the right kind of books, and by paying attention +to natural objects of interest. A little change of scene +will tend to awaken the powers of observation and attention. +Riddell says: "If the prospective parents will +habitually exercise the reasoning faculties and inventive +powers, usually the offspring will have a fair degree of +inventive talent and originality, even where these qualities +are originally deficient in the parents. When there is +a considerable natural talent or where there are latent +inventive powers, constant training on the part of the +parents will usually give the offspring exceptional powers +in this direction."</p> + +<p>The prospective parents should also develop and exercise +their moral faculties in the period preceding conception. +This course will tend to reproduce the same quality +in the child. The reverse of this, alas, is also true. A +case is cited of a man who procreated a child while plotting +a nefarious crime; and the child in after life manifested +a tendency toward theft, roguery and rascality, +even at a very early age. The lack of moral fibre so often +noticed in the sons of rich men who have attained their +success through questionable methods is perhaps as much +attributable to these pre-conceptual influences as to the +"spoiling" environment of the child after birth.</p> + +<p>In the period of physical, mental, and moral preparation +for parenthood the leading thought of both parents +should be: "<b>Do we wish our child to be like this?</b>" This +thought, if carried as an ideal, will act both in the direction +of self-restraint and self-development.</p> + +<p>The actual time of the conception of the new life +should be carefully chosen, so that it may occur under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">{90}</a></span> +the best circumstances and conditions. The suggestions +embodied in the preceding paragraphs should have been +carefully observed; and the time chosen should be one +in which a peaceful and happy state of mind is possessed +by both parents. The ovum of the woman is believed to +have its greatest vitality about the time of the close of +each menstrual period, and many good authorities hold +that this is not only the natural period for sexual intercourse, +but is also the exact period in which the life-forces +in the ovum are strongest; and that, consequently, +the child conceived at this period is likely to be stronger +and more vigorous than the one conceived at a later time +between the menstrual periods.</p> + +<p>Dr. Stall says: "Medical authorities attach great importance +to the mental condition at the moment of conjunction +and conception. It is quite universally believed +that this is a moment of unparalleled importance to the +welfare of the future being. It is an awful crime to beget +life carelessly, and when in improper and unworthy mental +states. Some people seem to think that the matter of +begetting a child, like the matter of selecting a wife, +should be left wholly to blind chance. Neither of these +two important events can be too much safeguarded by +wise and thoughtful consideration. If conception is permitted +to take place when either one or both of the parents +are in bad health; if the wife is an unwilling mother, +and the embryo is developed by her while her whole +nature rebels against the admission into the family of a +child who is not wanted, the children begotten and born +under such circumstances can never be other than sickly, +nervous and fretful during their entire childhood, and +cross and uncompanionable throughout their whole lives.</p> + +<p>"Much of the differences which exist between children +of the same parents may be easily attributed to the different +bodily and mental conditions of the parents at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">{91}</a></span> +period of conjunction, the changed physical, intellectual +and emotional states of the parents at the different periods +of conception producing the corresponding differences +in their offspring. The results of purposed and prepared +parenthood are so great and so desirable that a husband +and wife should consider these matters carefully, making +preparations, and approach the period when they would +beget offspring and bring immortal beings into the world +with the greatest thoughtfulness, consideration, and also +with prayer."</p> + +<p>Dr. Hufeland says: "In my opinion, it is of the utmost +importance that the moment of conception should be confined +to a period when the sensation of collected powers, +ardent passion, and a mind cheerful and free from care, +invite to it on both sides." Riddell says: "The law of +initial impressions is well established. It has been understood +and applied by stock-raisers for centuries. Experiments +prove that the qualities most highly excited in +animals prior to their union are most fully transmitted. +The speed of horses and the acquired characters of the +dog have been improved by the applications of the law. +History and classic literature contain many references +that recognize its importance, like Shakespeare's 'Come +on, ye cowards; ye were got in fear.' Ancient laws forbade +union while parents were intoxicated, because such +unions resulted in the production of drunkards and monstrosities. +The asylums for the feeble-minded contain +hundreds of unfortunate ones that are the product of +such unions. The law of initial impressions, like the other +laws of heredity, is traced most easily where morbid conditions +are transmitted; but fortunately it is quite as +potential in the production of desirable qualities. Unusual +excitement to the social, intellectual or religious +powers on the parents just prior to the inception of the +new life frequently produce in the child corresponding +tendencies."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">{92}</a></span></p> +<p>Dr. Stockham says: "Many a drunkard owes his lifelong +appetite for alcohol to the fact that the inception +of his life could be traced to a night of dissipation on the +part of his father." Fleming says: "Not only do drunkards +transmit to their descendants tendency toward insanity +and crime, but even habitually sober parents who +at the moment of conception are in a temporary state of +drunkenness beget children who are epileptic or paralytic, +idiotic or insane, very often microcephalic, or with +remarkable weakness of mind, which is transformed at +the first favorable occasion into insanity."</p> + +<p>The time of conception should undoubtedly be chosen +to correspond to a time in which the sex-powers of both +parents are at their maximum. This is arrived at by a +reasonable period of previous continence and abstinence +from sexual relations between the married couple, and by +an observance of the natural law which renders the +woman most strong sexually at the close of the menstrual +period. The husband, as well as the wife, is most +strong sexually at this period, as under normal conditions +his sex-power is most actively called forth by that +of the woman at this period. At this period the wave +of sex-power is at its height, and this is the best time for +the beginning of the new life. As Riddell says: "Strong, +vigorous, chaste sexuality at the time of conception is of +supreme importance; it is indispensable to good results. +No number of other conditions or factors can be so favorable +as to justify the creation of a new life when the +vitality of either parent is low. Parents transmit their +physical constitution, intellect and morals only to the +extent of the sex-power at the time of inception."</p> + +<p>It is needless to say that there should exist between the +prospective parents a strong bond of affection and attraction. +By an irony of civilized life, the term "love child" +is applied only to the offspring of unmarried lovers—men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">{93}</a></span> +and women whose affection or passion have run away with +their judgment, and who have "loved not wisely, but too +well." Some of the world's greatest men and women +have been "love children" of this kind; and in such cases +it is probably true that their physical and mental strength +has been the result of the ardent feeling animating the +parents at the moment of conception. Such children +seldom result from the "tired bed" or worn-out passion, +love killed by sexual excesses, indifference on the part of +one of the participants of the union, "duty" intercourse +without affection or passion, or forced sexual relations. +Every child should be a "love child" in the true sense +of the term. The term should be one of respect, not of +reproach. There should be no children but "love children." +The fruit of the perfect mating and marriage +should be the perfect "love child"—and it would always +be so if husbands and wives would but observe the laws +of the normal, natural, sex-life.</p> + +<p>And, last of all—and perhaps more important than all—is +the fact that at the moment of conception the minds +and hearts of both of the prospective parents should be +united in a strong love and desire for the hoped-for child. +At that moment their best natures should blend into each +other, and their love for each other fuse into a new love—the +love of the child of the union. Under such circumstances, +in such act the Cosmic Forces flow unhindered +through the beings of the parents, and the new life is +begun under the approving smile of Nature.</p> + +<h3>Maternal Impressions.</h3> + +<p>One of the oldest and most firmly-rooted beliefs of the +race is that which holds that the pregnant mother may, +and often does, consciously or unconsciously, impress +upon her unborn child certain mental, moral, or physical +traits. The majority of persons accept this idea as self-evident, +and are able to cite cases within their own personal +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">{94}</a></span>experience which go to prove the correctness of the +popular belief. But certain modern authorities have +sought to tear down this belief, and to discredit the general +idea. Let us briefly consider both sides of this question.</p> + +<p>On the side of the generally accepted belief, Riddell +says: "The more I study the influence of maternal impressions +upon the life, mentality and character of men, +the more I am led to believe that the education and moral +training that a child receives before it sees the light of +day are the most influential, and, therefore, the most important +part of its education." Newton says: "A mother +may, during the period of gestation, exercise some influence, +by her own voluntary mental and physical action, +either unwittingly or purposely, in determining the +traits and tendencies of her offspring. This is now a +common belief among intelligent people. Every observant +teacher could doubtless bear witness to the same +general facts, and it would be easy to fill a volume with +testimonials from various sources illustrative and confirmatory +of the law under discussion. Such facts establish +beyond question the conviction that the mother has +it largely in her power to confer on her child such a tendency +of mind and conformation of brain as shall not +only facilitate the acquisition of knowledge in any specific +direction, but make it certain that such knowledge +will be sought and acquired."</p> + +<p>Dr. Fordyce Baker says: "The weight of authority +must be conceded to be in favor of the idea that maternal +impressions may effect the growth, form and character of +a forming child." Dr. Rokitansky says: "The question +whether mental emotions do influence the development +of the child must be answered 'Yes!'" Dr. Brittain says: +"The singular effects produced on the unborn child by the +sudden mental emotions of the mother are remarkable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">{95}</a></span> +examples of a kind of electrotyping on the sensitive surface +of living forms. It is doubtless true that the mind's +action in such cases may increase or diminish the molecular +deposits in the several portions of the system. The +precise place which each separate particle assumes may be +determined by the influence of thought or feeling. If, +for example, there exists in the mother any unusual tendency +of the vital forces to the brain at the critical period, +there will be a similar cerebral development and activity +in the offspring."</p> + +<p>Newton says: "The human embryo is formed and developed +in all its parts, even to the minutest detail, by +and through the action of the vital, mental, and spiritual +forces of the mother, which forces act in and through the +corresponding portions of her own organism. And while +this process may go on unconsciously, or without the +mother's voluntary participation or direction, yet she +may consciously and purposely so direct her activities +as, with a good degree of certainty, to accomplish specifically +desired ends in determining the traits and qualities +of her offspring." Professor Bayer says: "The +influence of the mind of a prospective mother upon her +child, before its birth, is of tremendous importance to its +active existence as a member of society, from the fact +that it lies in the mother's power to shape its mentality, +that it may be a power for good or for evil."</p> + +<p>The views of that school of thought which is opposed to +this old and generally accepted idea of material impressions, +are ably presented by Dr. Saleeby, as follows: +"Consider the case. The baby is at this time already a +baby, though rather small and uncanny, floating in a +fluid of its own manufacture. Its sole connection with +the mother is by means of its umbilical cord—that is to +say, blood-vessels, arterial and venous. There is no nervous +connection whatever; absolutely nothing but the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">{96}</a></span> +blood-stream, carried along a system of tubes. This blood +is the child's blood, which it sends forth from itself along +the umbillical cord to a special organ, the placenta or +afterbirth, half made by itself and half made by the +mother, in which the child's blood travels in thin vessels +so close to the mother's blood that their contents can be +interchanged. Yet the two streams never mix. The +child's blood, having disposed of its carbonic acid and +waste products to the mother's blood, and having received +therefrom oxygen and food, returns so laden to +the child. Pray how is the mother's reading of history +to make the child a historian? We see now how the learning +of geometry on the part of the mother before its +birth will not set her baby upon that royal road to geometry +of which Euclid rightly denied the existence—any +more than after its birth. Such a thing does not happen—<b>unless +we are to call in Telepathy</b>."</p> + +<p>All this argument may seem quite convincing—at first. +But when we begin to consider the matter carefully, we +begin to perceive the weak places in the argument as +above presented. In the first place, it is known that +emotions powerfully affect the condition, quality, and +"life" of the blood. We know that cheerful emotions +impart certain uplifting qualities to the blood, while +depressing emotions correspondingly react upon it. Fear, +worry, fright, jealousy, etc., are actual poisons to the +blood, and have brought on diseased conditions to the +persons manifesting these emotions. Moreover, it is +known that impaired quality of the blood reacts upon the +brain. Is it so unreasonable, then, to hold that emotional +states in the mother may react upon the mental and physical +condition of the unborn child, through the blood? +Does not something similar occur in the case of the babe, +after its birth, when it is affected by the conditions of its +mother's milk brought on by her depressing emotions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">{97}</a></span> +fright, etc.? This would seem to explain at least the +matter of emotional reactions between mother and unborn +babe.</p> + +<p>But the case is not closed with the presentation of the +evidence of physiology, important though that may be. +There is an entirely different field of science to be drawn +upon before the case is closed. The orthodox physiologist +makes the mistake of supposing that all mental impulses +and transmission of psychic energy require the service of +nerves as channels of transmission. While such channels +are usually required, we have good reasons for believing +that there are exceptions to the rule. There have been +found tiny creatures, possessing life and energy, performing +the functions of nourishment, elimination, and even +of reproduction—and yet without a nervous system. In +one well-known instance, that of the moneron, we find +not only an absence of a nervous system but also the lack +of organs of any kind—and yet the creature lives, acts, +moves, eats, thinks, and reproduces itself.</p> + +<p>Then, again, consider the moving cells of the blood, +unconnected with the brain, unattached to the nervous +system, and yet rushing to the work of repairing a wound, +or of repelling an intruding germ, in obedience to a mental +command from the controlling subconscious mental +regions of the living creature. How does the mental +impulse reach these cells and others of similar nature +in the system? If we were not so sure of the facts, might +we not feel inclined to say with Dr. Saleeby, in the above +quoted sentence: "Such a thing does not happen—unless +we are to call in telepathy."</p> + +<p>Moreover, examining Dr. Saleeby's statement, we see +mention made of the placenta at being "half made by the +embryo, and half made by the mother." How does this +co-operation and co-ordination of effort and subconscious +will arise? How does the subconscious mentality of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">{98}</a></span> +embryo know that the subconscious mentality of the +mother is making its half of the placenta, or vice versa? +Again, how is the subconscious mentality of the mother +affected by the presence and development of the child—how +do her mammary glands respond to the growth and +development of the child? In short, how is the manifest +co-operation and co-ordination between the "nature" of +the mother and the "nature" of the child possible, unless +there exists some psychical, as well as some physical, relation +between the two beings.</p> + +<p>The person conscientiously considering this subject +must include in his thought the discoveries of modern +psychology concerning what is known as the "subconscious +mind," which controls the unconscious and instinctive +functions of the physical body, and also receives +impressions and suggestions from the surface consciousness +of its owner. This factor being admitted to our +thought on the subject, we may find it possible to accept +the idea of material impressions from mother to child +operating from the subconscious mind of the mother to +that of the child. In other words, that there is a subconscious +mental connection, as well as the physical connection, +between the mother and her unborn child.</p> + +<p>Many careful thinkers (and observers) find it just as +easy to accept the fact of this strange "sympathetic co-ordination" +between a mother and her unborn child as it +is to accept the very frequent "sympathetic sickness" of +the husband during the pregnancy of his wife—or of the +"sympathetic labor pains" so often experienced by the +husband during the confinement of his wife. Both of the +latter two cases occur too often to permit the phenomenon +to be denied off hand by those who would set aside all +facts not agreeing with their particular personal theories. +There is no nervous system connecting husband and wife, +and of such cases the critic like Dr. Saleeby might say:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">{99}</a></span> +"Such a thing does not happen—<b>unless we call in telepathy</b>!" +The fact remains that many things actually happen +which according to the orthodox physiological theories +"<b>cannot</b> happen." But they DO happen, nevertheless, +whether we call it "telepathy" or merely label it +"certain facts, the exact causes of which Science in the +present state of its knowledge (or ignorance) cannot +definitely determine." One irrefutable fact outweighs +a ton of mere general denials of possibility.</p> + +<p>It is recorded that the mother of Charles Kingsley believed +in maternal impressions, and during her period of +pregnancy exercised her imagination and emotions in the +direction of wishing, and imagining, that the coming child +should have the same love of Devonshire scenery that so +delighted her. The result proved her theory, for though +Kingsley never saw Devonshire until he was a man of +thirty years of age, every Devonshire scene had a mysterious +charm for him throughout his entire life. It is +said that Robert Burns was so strongly impressed parentally +by the old Scotch songs and ballads that his mother +sung during her pregnancy, that his whole nature longed +to express itself in like measure and substance. He always +believed that his poetic spirit was kindled by this +tendency on the part of his mother during the period +preceding his birth.</p> + +<p>The mother of Napoleon Bonaparte during several +months of her pregnancy, accompanied her husband during +his military campaigns in Corsica, and during the +entire term she lived in an atmosphere of battles, military +strategy, and troops. When the boy was very young he +manifested an unusual interest in war and conquest, and +his whole mind had the military bent, although his brothers +were in no wise remarkable in this direction. The artist, +Flaxman, stated that his mother had related to him +how for several months prior to his birth she had spent +many hours each day studying drawings and engravings,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">{100}</a></span> +and endeavoring to visualize by memory the beautiful +figures of the human body drawn by the masters. The +result was that from early childhood Flaxman manifested +an intense delight in drawing; and in after life his drawings +were regarded as masterpieces. He, and his mother, +always attributed his talent to the parental impressions +above mentioned.</p> + +<p>"Buffalo Bill" was believed to owe his characteristics +to the mental states of his mother, the family living in +Missouri during the days of frontier fights and disturbances, +the mother being called upon several times to +exercise resourceful courage and fortitude. A well-known +worker along the lines of liberal Christianity is said to +have attributed his tendencies in that direction to the +prayers of his mother, during her pregnancy, that the +child might be true to the teachings of the Christ, and +should be a laborer in the cause of human brotherhood. +This man, relating the fact, said: "I may have been +converted before I was born." A well-known writer along +the lines of moral philosophy is believed by friends to +owe his talent to the earnest thoughts and hopes of his +mother during pregnancy—she is said to have pictured +the child as a son destined to become a great moral philosopher, +her mind being so firmly fixed on this fact that +she felt it was already an assured fact.</p> + +<p>The Greeks were wont to surround the pregnant women +with beautiful statuary, and it is recorded that in many +cases the children afterward born closely resembled these +works of art and beauty. It is claimed that many Italian +women closely resemble the face shown in Raphael's +"Madonna," copies of this celebrated picture being +quite common in Italian households. Frances Willard, +the temperance worker, is said to have very closely resembled +a young woman of whom her mother was very +fond. Many family resemblances are believed to have +arisen in this way, rather than by heredity. Zerah Colburn, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">{101}</a></span>the mathematical prodigy whose feats astounded +the scientific world in the early part of the last century, +is said to have derived his wonderful faculty from maternal +impressions of this kind; his mother is said to have +occupied much of her time during her pregnancy in studying +arithmetic and working problems, the study being +quite new to her and proving very interesting.</p> + +<p>Cases similar to those above quoted might be duplicated +almost indefinitely. The story is practically the +same in each and every case. The principle involved is +always that the pregnant mother took a decided interest +in certain subjects, studies, and work, and that the child +when born manifested at an early age similar tastes and +inclinations. But far more important to the average +prospective parent is the fact that many authorities positively +claim that <b>any pregnant mother may consciously +and deliberately influence and shape the character, physical, +mental, and moral of her unborn child</b>.</p> + +<p>Newton well says, on this subject: "In the cases usually +given to the public bearing on this topic, the moulding +power appears to have been exercised merely by +accident or chance; that is, without any intelligent purpose +on the part of mothers to produce the results. Can +there be any doubt that similar means, if purposely and +wisely adopted, and applied with the greater care and +precision which enlightened intention secure, would produce +under the same law even more perfect results. Is it +not altogether probable that an intentional direction of +the vital or mental forces to any particular portion of the +brain will cause a development and activity in the corresponding +portion of the brain of the offspring? There +seems to be no reasonable ground on which these propositions +can be denied. The brain is made up of a congeries +of organs which are the organs of distinct faculties +of the mind or soul. It follows, then, that if the mother +during gestation maintains a special activity of any one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">{102}</a></span> +brain organ, or group of organs, in her brain, she thereby +causes more development of the corresponding organ or +group in the brain of the fetus. She thus determines a +tendency in the child to special activity of the faculties, +of which such organs are the instruments. It is plain, +furthermore, that if any one organ or faculty may thus +be cultivated before birth, and its activity enhanced for +life, so may any other—and so may all. It would seem, +then, clearly within the bounds of possibility that a +mother, by pursuing a systematic and comprehensive +method, may give a well-rounded and harmoniously developed +organism to her child—notwithstanding her own +defects, which, under the unguided operation of hereditary +law, are likely to be repeated in her offspring. Or +it is within her power to impart a leading tendency in any +specific direction that she may deem desirable, for a life +of the highest usefulness. <b>In this way ancestral defects +and undesirable hereditary traits, of whatever nature or +however strong, may be overcome, or in a good degree +counterbalanced by giving greater activity to counteracting +tendencies</b>; and, in this way, too, it would appear +the coveted gifts of genius may be conferred. In other +words, it would seem to be within the mother's power, +by the voluntary and intelligent direction of her own +forces, in orderly and systematic methods, both to mold +the physical form to lines of beauty, and shape the mental, +moral, and spiritual features of her child to an extent to +which no limit can be assigned."</p> + +<p>I think that in the pages of this particular part of the +book the prospective parent may find hints and general +directions toward a clearly defined ideal, which is carefully +studied, and as carefully put into practice will produce +results far beyond the dreams of the average man +and woman. The hope is a magnificent one, and the best +testimony is in favor of the possibility of its actual realization.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">{103}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_VIII" id="LESSON_VIII"></a><span class="lght">LESSON VIII</span><br /> +EUGENICS AND CHARACTER</h2> + +<p>The rapidly growing interest in Eugenics, and the +scientific consideration of the world-wide decline in the +birth-rate have drawn attention to the study of the +eugenic factors which determine the production of high +ability in offspring. Many distinguished investigators +have conducted long and exhaustive investigations for +the purpose of ascertaining and summarizing all possible +biological data concerning the parentage and birth of the +most notable persons born in European countries, and to +a lesser extent in America.</p> + +<p>The investigations are now acquiring a fresh importance, +because, while it is becoming recognized that we are +gaining a control over the conditions of birth, the production +of children has itself gained an importance. The +world is no longer to be bombarded by an exuberant +stream of babies, good, bad, and indifferent in quality, +with mankind to look on calmly at the struggle for existence +among them. Whether we like it or not, the quantity +is steadily diminishing, and the question of quality +is beginning to assume a supreme significance. The question +then is being anxiously asked: "What are the conditions +which assure the finest quality in our children?"</p> + +<p>A German scientist, Dr. Vaerting, of Berlin, published +just before the War a treatise on the subject of the most +favorable age in parents for the production of offspring +of ability. He treated the question in an entirely new +spirit, not merely as a matter of academic discussion, but +rather as a practical matter of vital importance to the +welfare of modern society. He starts by asserting that +"our century has been called the century of the child,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">{104}</a></span> +and that for the child all manner of rights are now being +claimed. But, he wisely adds, there is seldom considered +the prime right of all the child's rights, i. e., the right +of the child to the best ability and capacity for efficiency that +his parents are able to transmit to him. The good doctor +adds that this right is the root of all children's rights; +and that when the mysteries of procreation have been +so far revealed as to enable this right to be won, we shall, +at the same time renew the spiritual aspect of the nations.</p> + +<p>The writer referred to decided that the most easily +ascertainable and measurable factor in the production +of ability, and efficiency in offspring, and a factor of the +greatest significance, is the age of the parents at the +child's birth. He investigated a number of cases of men +of ability and efficiency, along these lines, and made a +careful summary of his results. Some of his results are +somewhat startling, and may possibly require the corroboration +of other investigators before they can be +accepted as authoritative; but they are worthy of being +carefully considered at the present time, pending such +further investigation.</p> + +<p>Vaerting found that the fathers who were themselves +not notably intellectual have a decidedly more prolonged +power of procreating distinguished children than is possessed +by distinguished fathers. The former may become +the fathers of eminent children from the period of sexual +maturity up to the age of forty-three or beyond. When, +however, the father is himself of high intellectual distinction, +the records show that he was nearly always under +thirty, and usually under twenty-five years of age at the +time of the birth of his distinguished son, although the +proportion of youthful fathers in the general population +is relatively small. The eleven youngest fathers on +Vaerting's list, from twenty-one to twenty-five years of +age, were with one exception themselves more or less<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">{105}</a></span> +distinguished; while the fifteen oldest, from thirty-nine +to sixty years of age, were all without exception undistinguished.</p> + +<p>Among the sons on the latter list are to be found much +greater names (such as Goethe, Bach, Kant, Bismarck, +Wagner, etc.) than are to be found among the sons of +young and more distinguished fathers, for here is only +one name (Frederick the Great) of the same caliber. The +elderly fathers belonged to the large cities, and were +mostly married to wives very much younger than themselves. +Vaerting notes that the most eminent men have +frequently been the sons of fathers who were not engaged +in intellectual avocations at all, but earned their +living as humble craftsmen. He draws the conclusion +from these data that strenuous intellectual energy is much +more unfavorable than hard physical labor to the production +of marked ability in the offspring. Intellectual +workers, therefore, he argues, must have their children +when young, and we must so modify our social ideals and +economic conditions as to render this possible.</p> + +<p>Vaerting, however, holds that the mother need not be +equally young; he finds some superiority, indeed, provided +the father is young, in somewhat elderly mothers, +and there were no mothers under twenty-three on the list. +The rarity of genius among the offspring of distinguished +parents he attributes to the unfortunate tendency to +marry too late; and he finds that the distinguished men +who marry late rarely have any children at all. Speaking +generally, and apart from the production of genius, +he holds that women have children too early, before their +psychic development is completed, while men have children +too late, when they have already "in the years of +their highest psychic generative fitness planted their most +precious seed in the mud of the street."</p> + +<p>The eldest child was found to have by far the best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">{106}</a></span> +chance of turning out distinguished, and in this fact +Vaerting finds further proof of his argument. The third +son has the next best chance, and then the second, the +comparatively bad position of the second being attributed +to the too brief interval which often follows the birth of +the first child. He also notes that of all the professions +the clergy come beyond comparison first as the parents +of distinguished sons (who are, however, rarely of the +highest degree of eminence), lawyers following, while +officers in the army and physicians scarcely figure at all. +Vaerting is inclined to see in this order, especially in the +predominance of the clergy, the favorable influence of an +unexhausted reserve of energy and a habit of chastity on +intellectual procreativeness.</p> + +<p>It should be remembered, however, that Vaerting's +cases on his list were all those of Germans, and, therefore, +the influence of the characteristic social customs and +conditions of the German people must be taken into +account in the consideration.</p> + +<p>Havelock Ellis in his well known work "Study of +British Genius" dealt on a still larger scale, and with a +somewhat more precise method, with many of the same +questions as illustrated by British cases. After the publication +of Vaerting's work, Ellis re-examined his cases, +and rearranged his data. His results, like those of the +German authority, showed a special tendency for genius +to appear in the eldest child, though there was no indication +of notably early marriage in the parents. He also +found a similar predominance of the clergy among the +fathers, and a similar deficiency of army officers and +physicians.</p> + +<p>Ellis found that the most frequent age of the father +was thirty-two years, but that the average age of the +father at the distinguished child's birth was 36.6 years; +and that when the fathers were themselves distinguished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">{107}</a></span> +their age was not, as Vaerting found in Germany, notably +low at the birth of their distinguished sons, but higher +than the general average, being 37.5 years. He found +fifteen distinguished sons of distinguished British fathers, +but instead of being nearly always under thirty and usually +under twenty-five, as Vaerting found it in Germany, +the British distinguished father has only five times been +under thirty, and among these only twice under twenty-five. +Moreover, precisely the most distinguished of the +sons (Francis Bacon and William Pitt) had the oldest +fathers, and the least distinguished sons the youngest +fathers.</p> + +<p>Ellis says of his general conclusions resulting from this +investigation: "I made some attempts to ascertain +whether different kinds of genius tend to be produced +by fathers who were at different periods of life. I refrained +from publishing the results as I doubted whether +the numbers dealt with were sufficiently large to carry +any weight. It may, however, be worth while to record +them, as possibly they are significant. I made four classes +of men of genius: (1) Men of Religion, (2) Poets, (3) +Practical Men, (4) Scientific Men and Sceptics. (It must +not, of course, be supposed that in this last group all the +scientific men were sceptics, or all the sceptics scientific.) +The average age of the fathers at the distinguished son's +birth was, in the first group, 35 years; in the second and +third group, 37 years; and in the last group, 40 years. +(It may be noted, however, that the youngest father of all +the history of British genius, aged sixteen, produced +Napier, who introduced logarithms.)</p> + +<p>"It is difficult not to believe that as regards, at all +events, the two most discrepant groups, the first and last, +we come upon a significant indication. It is not unreasonable +to suppose that in the production of men of religion +in whose activity emotion is so potent a factor, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">{108}</a></span> +youthful age of the father should prove favorable; while +for the production of genius of a more coldly intellectual +and analytic type more elderly fathers are demanded. +If that should prove to be so, it would become a source +of happiness to religious parents to have their children +early, while irreligious parents should be advised to delay +parentage.</p> + +<p>"It is scarcely necessary to remark that the age of the +mothers is probably quite as influential as that of the +fathers. Concerning the mothers, however, we always +have less precise information. My records, so far as they +go, agree with Vaerting's for German genius, in indicating +that an elderly mother is more likely to produce a +child of genius than a very youthful mother. There were +only fifteen mothers recorded under twenty-five years of +age, while thirteen were over thirty-nine years; the most +important age for mothers was twenty-seven.</p> + +<p>"On all these points we certainly need controlling +evidence from other countries. Thus, before we insist +with Vaerting that an elderly mother is a factor in the +production of genius, we may recall that even in Germany +the mothers of Goethe and Nietzsche were both eighteen +at their distinguished son's birth. A rule which permits +of such tremendous exceptions scarcely seems to bear the +strain of emphasis."</p> + +<p>The student, however, must always remember that +while the study of genius and exceptionable talent is +highly interesting, and even, as is quite probable, not +without significance for the general laws of heredity, still +we must beware of too hastily drawing conclusions from +it to bear on the practical questions of eugenics. Genius +is rare—and, in a certain sense, abnormal. Laws meant +for application to the general population must be based +on a study of the general population. Vaerting, himself, +realized how inadequate it was to confine our study to +cases of genius.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">{109}</a></span></p> +<p>Another investigator, Marro, an Italian scientist, in his +well-known book on puberty which was published several +years ago, brought forth some interesting data showing +the result of the age of the parents on the moral and +intellectual characters of school-children in Northern +Italy. He found that children with fathers below twenty-six +at their birth showed the maximum of bad conduct +and the minimum of good; they also yielded the greatest +proportion of children of irregular, troublesome, or lazy +character, but not of really perverse children—the latter +being equally distributed among fathers of all ages. The +largest number of cheerful children belonged to the +young fathers, while the children tended to become more +melancholy with ascending age of the fathers. Young +fathers produced the largest number of intelligent, as +well as of troublesome children; but when the very exceptional +intelligent children were considered separately, +they were found to be more usually the offspring of +elderly fathers.</p> + +<p>As regarded the mothers, Marro found that the children +of young mothers (under twenty-one) are superior, both +as regards conduct and intelligence, though the more exceptionally +intelligent children tended to belong to more +mature mothers. When the parents were both in the +same age-groups, the immature and the elderly groups +tended to produce more children who were unsatisfactory, +both as regards conduct and intelligence—the intermediate +group yielding the most satisfactory results of +this kind.</p> + +<p>Havelock Ellis makes the following plea for further +investigations along these lines, in the interest of the +well-being of the race: "But we have need of inquiries +made on a more wholesale and systematic scale. They +are no longer of a merely speculative character. We no +longer regard children as the 'gifts of God' flung into our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">{110}</a></span> +helpless hands; we are beginning to realize that the responsibility +is ours to see that they come into the world +under the best conditions, and at the moments when their +parents are best fitted to produce them. Vaerting proposes +that it should be the business of all school authorities +to register the ages of the pupils' parents. This is +scarcely a provision to which even the most susceptible +parent could reasonably object, though there is no cause +to make the declaration compulsory where a 'conscientious' +objection existed, and in any case the declaration +would not be public.</p> + +<p>"It would be an advantage—although this might be +more difficult to obtain—to have the date of the children's +marriage, and of the birth of previous children, as well +as some record of the father's standing in his occupation. +But even the ages of the parents alone would teach us +much when correlated with the school position of the +pupil in intelligence and conduct. It is quite true that +there are unavoidable fallacies. We are not, as in the case +of genius, dealing with people whose life-work is complete +and open to the whole world's examination.</p> + +<p>"The good and clever child is not necessarily the forerunner +of the first-class man or woman; and many capable +and successful men have been careless in attendance +at lectures, and rebellious to discipline. Moreover, the +prejudice and limitations of the teachers have to be recognized. +Yet when we are dealing with millions most of +these fallacies would be smoothed out. We should be, +once for all, in a position to determine authoritatively +the exact bearing of one of the simplest and most vital +factors of the betterment of the race. We should be in +possession of a new clue to guide us in the creation of the +man in the coming world. Why not begin today?"</p> + +<p>Considerable attention on the part of the American +thinking public has been directed toward the investigations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">{111}</a></span>and researches of Casper L. Redfield. Mr. Redfield +combats the orthodox scientific position that the acquired +qualities are not transmitted to offspring; and he most +positively states that such characteristics are transmitted +to offspring, and are really the causes which have tended +toward the evolution and progress of the race. But he +insists upon this vital point, namely, that the parent must +already have acquired improved quality before he can +transmit improvement to the offspring—and that before +he can have acquired this improved quality, he must +have lived sufficiently long to have experienced the causes +which have developed improvement in himself. Consequently, +he holds that <b>delayed parentage produces great +men</b>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Redfield several years ago offered a prize of two +hundred dollars to anyone who could show that a single +one of the great men of history was the product of a succession +of young parents, or was produced by a line of +ancestry represented by more than three generations to a +century. But no one ever claimed the prize money. +According to Mr. Redfield's doctrine, race improvement +is and will be accomplished as the result of effort, physical +and mental, upon the part of prospective parents, particularly +if the period of effort is sustained over a considerable +number of years previous to reproduction.</p> + +<p>The following quotations from Mr. Redfield's writing +will give a general idea of his lines of thought and his +theories. He says:</p> + +<p>"At some time in the past there was a common ancestor +for man and the ape. At that time the mental ability +of the man was the same as that of the ape, because at +that time man and the ape were the same person. From +that common ancestor there have been derived two main +lines of descent, one leading to man and the other to the +ape of today. In the line leading to man, mental ability<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">{112}</a></span> +has increased little by little so that today the mental +ability of the man is far above that of the ape. While +it may not be literally true for each and every generation +between that common ancestor and man of the present +time, still we will commit no error if we divide the total +increase in mental ability by the number of intervening +generations and say that each generation in turn was a +little superior to that which produced it. Now it happens +that mental ability is something which is inherited—is +transmitted from parent to offspring. Take that fact +with the fact that there has been a regular (or irregular) +increase in mental ability in the generations leading to +man, and it will be seen that each generation in succession +transmitted to its offspring more than it inherited +from its parents. <b>But a parent cannot transmit something +which he did not have.</b> Where and how did those generations +get that ability which they transmitted but did not +inherit?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Redfield in his writings shows that what is true +of the human race is true of high-bred domesticated animals, +namely, the cow of high milk producing breeds; +the fast running and trotting horses; and the highly developed +hunting dogs. To each case he applies his question: +"Where and how did those generations of animals get +that power which they transmitted but did not inherit?" +In his investigations he claims to have discovered the +secret, namely, that the ancestors, throughout several generations, +had each acquired the power which it transmitted, +which added to the inherited power raised the general +power of the stock. This arose from careful breeding, +and directly from the fact that the average age of the +parent was much higher in the highly-bred stock than in +the "scrub" or ordinary run of stock. In other words, +<b>delayed parentage produced better offspring</b>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Redfield proceeds to argue from these facts as follows: +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">{113}</a></span>"At one time man and ape reproduced at the same +average age, whereas now they reproduce at widely different +ages. Going back to the time when man and ape +separated, our ancestors survived by physical and mental +activity in securing food and escaping from enemies. As +time went on man reproduced at later and later average +age until now he reproduces at about thirty years from +birth of parent to birth of offspring. When time between +generations stretched out in the man line more than it +did in the ape line, the man acquired <b>more mental development +before he reproduced</b> than did the ape, and he +did this because he was mentally active more years before +reproducing. The successive generations leading to modern +man transmitted to offspring more than they inherited +from their parents, and the generations which did +this are the same generations which acquired, before +reproducing, the identical thing which they transmitted +in excess of inheriting.</p> + +<p>"Coming now to those rare men of whom we have only +a few in a century, how were they produced? It should +be noted that each one had two parents, four grandparents, +and eight great-grandparents. Also that they are certainly +improvements over their great-grandparents. If +they were not such improvements, then there would be +many 'rare' cases in a century. In looking into the pedigrees +of these great men it is found that they were sons +of parents of nearly all ages, but were predominantly sons +of elderly parents. While we sometimes find comparatively +young parents in the pedigree of a great man, we +never find a succession of young parents. Neither do we +find an intellectually great man produced by a pedigree +extending over three generations. The great man is +produced only when the average for three generations is +on the elderly side of what is normal. The average age +of one thousand fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">{114}</a></span>in the pedigrees of eminent men was found to be +over forty years. Great men rise from ordinary stock +only when several generations in succession acquire mental +efforts in excess amounts before reproducing."</p> + +<p>It is the opinion of the present writer that the theories +of Mr. Redfield are in the main true, and that in the future +much valuable information will be obtained along +the same lines, which will tend to corroborate his general +conclusions. One's attention needs but to be plainly +directed to the matter, and then he will see that it is +absurd to think of a creature transmitting to his offspring +qualities which neither he or his mate had inherited or +acquired. If there were no transmission of acquired +qualities there would be no improvement—and in fact, +we know that the bulk of inherited qualities were at some +time in the history of the race "acquired." And, reasoning +along the same line, we may see that the young parents +who have not had as yet an opportunity to acquire +mental power cannot expect to transmit it to their offspring—all +that they can do is to transmit the inherited +stock qualities plus the small acquired power which they +have gained in their limited experience. And, finally, it +is seen that offspring produced at a riper age of parenthood, +continued over several generations, tend toward +unusual ability and powers. Consequently, the people or +nation with a higher average age of parenthood may +logically expect to attain greater mental powers than the +peoples lacking that quality. And what is true of a people +or nation is of course true of a particular family.</p> + +<p>The subject touched upon in this part of our book is +one of the greatest interest to careful students of Eugenics; +and is one which calls for careful and unprejudiced +consideration from all persons having the interest of the +race at heart.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">{115}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_IX" id="LESSON_IX"></a><span class="lght">LESSON IX</span><br /> +THE DETERMINATION OF SEX</h2> + +<p>The term "The Determination of Sex" is employed in +two general senses in scientific circles.</p> + +<p>The first usage is that of the biologist, and it includes +within its scope merely the discovery and understanding +of the <b>causes</b> which determine whether the embryo shall +develop into a male or into a female. In the discussion of +the subject from this standpoint there is but little, if any, +attention given to the question of whether the sex of the +unborn child may be determined by methods under the +control of man. The biologist simply studies the causes +which seem to lead to the production of an individual of +one or the other sex, without regard to whether these +causes, when discovered, may or may not be amendable to +human control.</p> + +<p>An authority, speaking of this standpoint concerning +the question referred to, says: "We may discover the +causes of storms or earthquakes, and when our knowledge +of them is sufficiently advanced we may be able to predict +them as successfully as astronomers predict eclipses, +but there is little hope that we shall ever be able to control +them. So it may be with sex; a complete understanding +of the causes which determine it may not necessarily +give us the power of producing one or the other +sex at will, or even of predicting the sex in any given +case. Whether we shall ever be able to influence the +causes of sex-determination cannot as yet be foretold; at +present, biologists are engaged in the less practical, but +immensely interesting, problem, of discovering what those +causes are."</p> + +<p>The second usage of the term, includes and embraces<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">{116}</a></span> +the idea of the voluntary determination or control of the +sex of the future child, by means of certain methods or +certain systems of treatment, etc. Of recent years, science +has been devoting considerable attention to the +question of whether or not man may not be able to produce +any particular sex at will, by means of certain systems +or methods of procedure. Many theories have been +evolved, and many plans and methods have been advocated, +often with the expenditure of much energy and +enthusiasm on the part of the promulgators and their +adherents.</p> + +<p>In this lesson there will be briefly presented to you the +general consensus of modern thought on the subject, with +a general outline of the favorite methods and systems +advocated by the several schools of thought concerned +in the investigation.</p> + +<p>Professor Doncaster, the well-known authority on the +subject, says: "But little progress has been made in the +direction of predicting the sex of any child, and, if possible, +even less in artificially influencing the determination +of its sex. When the general principles arrived at are +borne in mind, it must be confessed that the prospects of +our ever attaining this power of control or even of prediction +are not very hopeful, but the possibility of it +cannot be yet regarded as entirely excluded. The general +conclusions arrived at are that sex is determined by +a physiological condition of the embryonic cells, that this +condition is induced, at least in the absence of disturbing +causes, by the presence of a particular sex-chromosome. +[A "chromosome" is a portion of the chromatin, or substance +characteristic of the nucleus of the cell, this +nucleus seemingly controlling the life-processes of the +cell.] But there is evidence, which for the present at +least cannot be neglected, that certain extraneous conditions +acting on the egg or early embryo may perhaps be +able to counteract the effect of sex chromosome.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">{117}</a></span></p> +<p>"Quite generally, then, there are two conceivable +methods by which the sex might be artificially influenced +in any particular case; firstly, if means could be found +of ensuring that any particular fertilized ovum received +the required chromosomes; and, secondly, by the discovery +of methods which always effect the ovum or embryo +in such a way as to produce the desired sex. Many suggestions +for applying both methods have been made, some +of which have attained considerable notoriety, but hitherto +none of them has stood the test of practical experience. +In the case of the higher animals, especially of +the mammals, in which the embryo develops in the maternal +uterus until long after the sex is irrevocably decided, +it is obviously difficult to apply methods which +might influence the sex after fertilization, even if it were +certainly known that such methods were ever really effective.</p> + +<p>"Apart from the few experiments like those of Hertwig +on rearing tadpoles at different temperatures, there +have been a very few cases in which there is even a suggestion +that the sex of the fertilized egg can be modified +by environment, and the belief that this is possible has +been entirely abandoned by many of the leading investigators +of the subject. It is probable, therefore, that if it +will ever be possible to predict or determine artificially +the sex of a particular child, the means will have to be +sought in some method of influencing the output of germ-cells +in such a way that one kind is produced rather than +the other. It is in this way that Heape and others interpret +the results of their investigations; they find that +certain conditions affect the sex-ratio of cells, and they +explain the result by assuming that <b>under some circumstances +male-determining ova are produced in excess, and +under other circumstances, female-determining</b>."</p> + +<p>Professor Rumley Dawson holds to the opinion that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">{118}</a></span> +the male-determining and female-determining ova are +discharged alternately from the ovaries. In woman one +ovum is usually discharged each month, and it is maintained +that on one month the ovum is male-determining, +and in the next, female-determining. It is obvious that +exceptions must occur, for boy and girl twins are quite +common, but if the cases which support the hypothesis +are taken by themselves, and the exceptions explained +away, it is possible to make out a strong case in favor of +this theory. Some authorities hold that the right ovary +produces male-determining ova, and the left ovary +female-determining, and that the two ovaries discharge +an ovum alternately, but an impartial examination of the +evidence for this belief shows that it rests on very slender +foundations. Experiments on the lower animals have +shown that after the complete removal of one ovary the +female may produce young of both sexes. Women, also, +have produced children of a particular sex after the corresponding +ovary has been removed, and it is hardly possible +to believe that the removal in all these cases was +incomplete. On the whole it must be concluded that the +theory is insufficiently supported by the evidence.</p> + +<p>Another widely promulgated and vigorously supported +theory is that which holds that the sex of the future +child may be determined by specific nutrition of the +mother before conception, and in some cases after conception. +Schenk's theory, advanced about 1900, attracted +much attention at the time. He based his method on the +observation that a number of women whose children were +all girls all excreted sugar in their urine, such as happens +in the case of persons affected with diabetes. From this +he suspected that the physiological condition which leads +to the excretion of sugar was inimical to the development +of male-determining ova, and that males could be produced +by its prevention. He therefore recommended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">{119}</a></span> +that those who desire a male child should undergo treatment +similar to that prescribed for diabetes for two or +three months before conception, and held that a boy +would be produced by these methods. Although this +method has had considerable vogue, it cannot be held to +have been established on a scientific basis.</p> + +<p>Doncaster says "The general conclusion with regard +to man must therefore be that if sex is determined solely +by the spermatozoon there is no hope either of influencing +or predicting it in special cases. On the other hand, +there is considerable evidence that the ovum has some +share in the effect, and if this is so, before any practical +results are reached it will be necessary to discover which +of two conceivable causes of sex-determination is the +true one. It is possible that there are two kinds of ova, +as well as two kinds of spermatozoa, and that there is a +selective fertilization of such a kind that one kind of +spermatozoon only fertilizes one kind of ovum, the second +kind of spermatozoon the second kind of ovum. If this +should prove to be the case, it is possible that means might +be found of influencing or predicting that kind of ovum +which is discharged under any set of conditions. Secondly, +it is possible that the ova are potentially all alike, +but that their physiological condition may under some +circumstances be so altered that the sex is determined +independently of the spermatozoon. * * * It is +hardly possible to avoid the conclusion that the sex of +the offspring may be influenced, at least under certain +circumstances, by the mother. The search for means of +influencing the sex of the offspring through the mother +is not of necessity doomed to failure. No results of a +really positive kind have been obtained hitherto, and +some of the facts point so clearly to sex-determination by +the male germ-cell alone in man and other animals that +many investigators have concluded that the quest is hopeless; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">{120}</a></span>but until an adequate explanation has been given of +certain phenomena discovered in the investigation of the +subject, it seems more reasonable to maintain an open +mind, and to regard the control of sex in man as an +achievement not entirely impossible of realization."</p> + +<p>Another writer on the subject has said: "Every individual +among the higher animals, whether male or female, +begins as an impregnated ovum in the mother's +body. Any such ovum contains elements of constitution +from both of its parents. In the earliest existence of this +impregnated ovum, there is a season of sexual indifference, +or indecision, in which the embryo is both male and +female, having the characteristic rudiments of each sex, +only indifferently manifested. In this stage, the embryo +is susceptible of being influenced by external conditions +to develop more strongly in the one or the other direction +and thus become distinctly and permanently male or +female. It is evident that this is the season in the development +of the individual in which influencing conditions +and causes must operate in deciding its sex, although it is +possible in some of the lower animals to alter the tendency +of sex in the embryo from one sex to the other, +even after it has been quite definitely determined. It is +well established, in fact, that differences do not come from +a difference in the ova themselves; that is, there is not +one kind of ova from the female which becomes female, +while other ova become male, for it is possible to alter +the tendency toward the one sex or the other after the +ovum has been fertilized and the embryo has begun its +career of development. This possible change in sex tendency +in the embryo also proves that sex is not decided +by a difference in the spermatozoa; that is some of the +sperm cells from the father are not male, while others are +female, in their constitution.</p> + +<p>"It is incorrect to suppose, as has been held by some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">{121}</a></span> +theorists, that one testicle give rise to male spermatozoa +and the other to female spermatozoa, for both male and +female offspring have been produced from the same male +parent after one testicle or the other has been removed. +The same is true in cases in which either ovary has been +removed from the mother; that is, male and female offspring +are produced from mothers in whom either ovary +has been removed. In like manner, the sex of offspring +is shown not to be materially affected by the comparative +vigor of the parents; thus, a stronger father than mother +does not necessarily produce one sex to the exclusion of +the other. These negative decisions are important because +they simplify the solution of the problem of sex-determination, +by excluding, more or less fully, various +causes which have been supposed to operate quite forcibly +in deciding the sex of offspring. Some of the more positive +agencies that enter into the determination of sex are +found (1) in the influence of nutrition upon the embryo +during its indifferent stage of sexual development, and +(2) in the constitution and general condition of the +mother before and during the early stages of pregnancy. +These two factors appear to enter more fully than any +others in the decision of the sex in offspring, and deserve +the greatest consideration. The influence of food in supplying +the embryo with nourishment for its development +is, perhaps, the most potent of these determining causes."</p> + +<p>Investigators along the line of theory indicated in the +above last quotation, i. e., the theory of sex determination +by means of nourishment of the mother and embryo, have +presented a volume of reports which demand respectful +consideration. The general report may be said to be the +discovery that <b>abundant nourishment during the period +of sexual neutrality tends to produce females; while lack +of abundant nutrition during such period tends to produce +males</b>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">{122}</a></span></p> +<p>These experiments, of course, have been chiefly performed +upon the lower animals. The frog has been a +favorite subject of such experiments—the tadpole stage +being the one selected, because in that stage there exists +a lack of sex, the stage being one of sex neutrality. Professor +Yung's celebrated experiments will illustrate this +class of experiments. Here were chosen 300 tadpoles, +which when left to themselves manifested a ratio of 57 +prospective females to 43 prospective males. These were +divided into three classes of 100 tadpoles each. Each +class was then fed upon one of several kinds of nutritious +diet in order to ascertain the change in sex-tendency due +to such food. The first set, with an original ratio of +femaleness of 54 to 46, were fed abundantly on beef, and +the ratio of femaleness was changed to 78 to 22. The +second class, with a ratio of femaleness of 61 to 39, were +fed on fish (specially nourishing to frogs), and the ratio +changed to 81 to 19. The third class, with a ratio of 56 +to 44, were fed upon a still more nutritious diet (i. e., that +of frogs' flesh), and the ratio was raised to 92 to 8. In +short, the experiments showed that the increase of nourishment +in diet changed every two out of three male-tendency +tadpoles into females. The experiment was +held to prove that a rich diet, affording nourishment, +during the period of sexual neutrality in the embryo, +tended to develop femaleness.</p> + +<p>The advocates of this theory also point to the instance +of the bees. With the bees, the larva of ordinary worker-bees +are fed ordinary food, and do not develop sex; while +the larva which is intended to produce the queen-bee is +fed specially nutritious "royal food," and consequently +develops larger size and full female sex powers. If the +queen is killed, or dies, the hive of bees proceeds to produce +a new queen by means of feeding a selected larva +with the "royal food" and thus developing full femaleness +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">{123}</a></span>in it. It is said by some authorities that in cases in +which some other of the larva accidently receive, through +mistake, crumbs of the "royal food," they, too, grow to +an extraordinary size, and develop fertility. This fact is +held by the advocates of the nutrition theory to go toward +establishing the fact that abundant nourishment of the +embryo, during the neutral stage, tends to produce +femaleness in it. They also claim that caterpillars which +are very poorly nourished before entering into the chrysalis +stage usually develop into male butterflies, while +those highly nourished in the said stage tend to become +females. Experiments on sheep have shown that when +the ewes are particularly well nourished the offspring will +show a large proportion of females.</p> + +<p>A writer, favoring the theory in question, says: "In +general, it is reasonable to infer that the higher sexual +organization which constitutes the female is to be +attained in the greatest number of cases by embryos +which have superior vital conditions during the formative +period. Among human beings, some facts of general observation +become significant in the light of the foregoing +inferences. After epidemics, after wars, after seasons of +privation and distress, the tendency is toward a majority +of male births. On the other hand, abundant crops, low +prices, peace, contentment and prosperity tend to increase +the number of females born. Mothers in prosperous +families usually have more girls; mothers in families +of distress have more boys. Large, well-fed, fully developed, +healthy women, who are of contented and passive +disposition, generally become mothers of families abounding +in girls; while mothers who are small or spare of +flesh, who are poorly fed, restless, unhappy, overworked, +exhausted by frequent childbearing, or who are reduced +by other causes which waste their vital energies, usually +give birth to a greater number of boys. As a general<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">{124}</a></span> +proposition, the facts and inferences tend to establish +the truth of the doctrine with women, that, the more +favorable the vital conditions of the mother during the +period in which the sex of her offspring is being determined, +the greater the ratio of females she will bear; the +less favorable her vital conditions at such times, the +greater will be her tendency to bear males. That many +apparent exceptions occur does not disprove the general +tendency here maintained. Moreover, it is impossible to +know in all cases what were the conditions of the mother's +organism at the time in which her child was in its +delicate balance between predominant femaleness and +maleness; else many cases which seemingly disprove the +proposition would be found to be forcible illustrations of +its truth. Still further, it is probable that other causes +besides those here mentioned act with greater or less +effect in determining the sex of offspring."</p> + +<p>Based upon this general theory of the relation of +nutrition to sex-determination, many methods and systems +have been devised by as many authorities, and have +been followed and promulgated by as many schools. +Without going into the almost endless detail which would +be necessitated by a synopsis of these various methods +and systems, it may be said that they all consist of plans +having for their object the decrease of nutrition of the +woman in cases in which male children are desired, and +the increase of nutrition in cases in which female children +are sought for. This increase or decrease in nutrition +is enforced for a reasonable period before the time +selected for the conception of the child, and also for a +reasonable period after the time of conception. The decrease +in nutrition does not consist of "starvation," but +rather of a "training diet" similar to that followed by +athletics, and from which dietary all rich foods, sweets, +etc., are absent. In fact, the average dietary advocated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">{125}</a></span> +by the "Eat and Grow Thin" writers would seem to be +almost identical with that of the "male offspring" theorists.</p> + +<p>Many persons who have followed the methods and +systems based on the nutrition theory above mentioned +claim to have been more or less successful in the production +of the particular sex desired, but many exceptions to +the rule are noted, and some writers on the subject are +disposed to regard the reported successes as mere coincidences, +and claim that the failures are seldom reported +while the successes are widely heralded. The present +writer presents the claims of this school to the attention +of his readers, but without personally positively endorsing +the idea. He is of the opinion that the data obtainable +is not as yet sufficient to justify the strong claims +made for the theory in some quarters; but, at the same +time, he does not hesitate to say that there are many +points of interest brought out in the presentation of the +theory, and that many thoughtful persons seem to accept +the same as reasonably well established and logical.</p> + +<p>Another theory which has been heard of frequently of +late years is that in which it is held that the ova are +expelled in alternating sex, each month. Thus, if a male +ovum is expelled in January, the February ovum will be +a female one, according to this theory. Under this theory +if the date of conception of a child be ascertained, and +the sex of the child noted at its birth, it is a simple +matter to count forward from the menstrual period following +which the child was conceived, and thus determine +whether the ovum of any succeeding period is male or +female. It should be noted, however, that the periods +are regulated by the lunar months, and not the calendar +months. The fact that twins of different sexes are sometimes +born would seem to disturb this theory—but not +more than any other theory of sex-determination voluntarily +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">{126}</a></span>produced, for that matter. The several schools +explain this apparent discrepancy by the familiar saying +that "exceptions prove the rule."</p> + +<p>Another theory of sex-determination is that which +holds that when conception occurs within a few days +after the last day of menstruation, the child will be a girl; +and that when conception occurs at a later period, the +child will be a boy. Methods and systems based upon +this theory are also reported as being reasonably successful +in producing satisfactory results. But, inasmuch as +there appears to be a great difference in individual women +in this respect (even according to the claims of this +school of sex-determination), it would seem that it would +be difficult to proceed with certainty in the matter in +most cases. One of the writers advocating this method, +says: "Conception within five days after the end of the +menstrual period is almost certain to produce a girl child; +within five days to ten days, it may be either a boy or a +girl; from ten to fifteen days, it is almost sure to be a +boy; from eighteen to twenty-five days is the period of +probable sterility, in which conception is extremely unlikely +to occur."</p> + +<p>In conclusion, it may be said that Nature undoubtedly +has certain rules of sex-determination which govern in +these cases; and that it is possible if not indeed probable +that these rules may some day be discovered by man, and +turned to account; but that it is very doubtful whether +the secret has as yet been solved by the investigators. +The writer may be pardoned for suggesting that, in his +opinion, if the discovery is ever made it will likely be +found to be very simple—so simple that we have probably +overlooked it because it was in too plain sight to attract +our attention. Nature's methods are usually very simple, +when once discovered. She hides her processes from +man by making them simple, it would seem.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">{127}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_X" id="LESSON_X"></a><span class="lght">LESSON X</span><br /> +WHAT BIRTH CONTROL IS, AND IS NOT</h2> + +<p>The student of the progress of human affairs, or even +the average person whose knowledge of the doings of +mankind is derived from a hasty and casual reading of +the daily newspapers and the popular magazines, cannot +plead ignorance of the growing interest in the general +subject which is embraced within the content of the term +"Birth Control."</p> + +<p>But while the general meaning of the term is at least +vaguely grasped by the average member of the human +crowd—the individual to whom we refer as "the man on +the street"—we find a startling condition of mental confusion +and often positive misconception concerning the +essence and spirit of the general idea expressed by the +term in question.</p> + +<p>While the fact is a reflection upon the average intelligence +of the general public, it must be admitted that to +the average person, or "the man on the street," Birth +Control means simply the teaching and practice of certain +methods whereby men and women may indulge their +sexual appetites, in or out of marriage, without incurring +the liability or risk of conception and child-bearing. The +average person does not stop to consider that such teachings +and practices do not constitute "Birth Control" at +all, but are, rather, merely the theory and practice of +Birth Prevention, desirable only to those who seek sexual +indulgences without being called upon to shoulder the +responsibilities attached by Nature to the physical sexual +union of men and women.</p> + +<p>The term "<b>control</b>" does not mean "prohibition," or +"prevention"; but, on the contrary, means "governing,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">{128}</a></span> +regulating, or managing influence." Birth Control, in +the true meaning of the term, does not mean the prevention +or prohibition of the birth of children, but rather +the encouragement of the birth of children under the best +possible conditions and the discouragement of the birth +of children under improper or unfavorable conditions.</p> + +<p>Birth Control, in the true meaning of the term, does +not mean theories and practices which would tend to +reduce the population of the civilized countries of the +world, but rather theories and practice which would inevitably +result in the production of an adequate ratio of +increase in the population of such countries, not only by +reason of a normal birth-rate, but also by reason of a +diminishing death-rate among infants—by the production +of healthier children, accompanied by the raising of the +standard of the average child born in such countries.</p> + +<p>Birth Control, in the true meaning of the term, therefore, +is seen to consist not of the <b>prohibition</b> or <b>prevention</b> +of human offspring, but rather of the <b>governing, regulating, +and managing</b> of the production of human offspring, +under the inspiration of the highest ideals and under the +direction of the highest reason, for the purpose of the +advancement and welfare of the race and that of the +individuals composing the race. Instead of being an anti-social +and anti-moral propaganda, Birth Control when +rightly understood is perceived to be in accordance with +the highest social aims and aspirations, and in accordance +with the highest and purest morality of the race.</p> + +<p>Much of the opposition toward the general movement +of Birth Control which has been manifested by many well-meaning, +though misinformed, persons, has arisen by reason +of the erroneous conception and understanding of the +term itself, and of misleading information concerning the +true nature of the best teachings on the subject. This +prejudice has been heightened by certain zealous but ill-balanced +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">{129}</a></span>advocates of the general movement who have +overemphasized the incidental feature of the limitation +of offspring under certain conditions, and who have appealed +to the attention and interest merely of those who +wished to escape the responsibilities of parenthood. This +has caused much sorrow and distress to the many persons +who have the highest ideals and results in view, and who +deplore this unbalanced propaganda under the name, and +apparently under the cloak of the general movement. +Such persons have felt inclined to cry aloud "Good Lord, +deliver us from our so-called friends!"</p> + +<p>One of the most distressing features of the popular +prejudice against Birth Control, arising from a total +misconception of the subject, has been the widely spread +and popularly accepted notion that Birth Control is practically +analogous to abortion—or, at the best, but a more +refined and less repulsive and less dangerous form of +abortion. In view of the fact that one of the important +results sought to be obtained by a scientific knowledge +of Birth Control actually is the prevention and avoidance +of the crime of abortion which has wrought such terrible +havoc among the women of civilized countries, it is most +distressing and discouraging to the conscientious and +high-minded advocates of Birth Control to have it said +and believed that their teachings encourage and justify +abortion.</p> + +<p>A reference to any standard dictionary or textbook +will reveal the fact that "Abortion" means: "the premature +expulsion of the human embryo or foetus; miscarriage +voluntarily induced or produced," etc. It is seen +at a glance that the essence and meaning of abortion +consists in the destruction of the human embryo which +has resulted from conception. The embryo human child +must already exist in its elemental form, before it can be +destroyed by abortion. Therefore, if no such embryo<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">{130}</a></span> +form exists, it cannot be destroyed, and therefore there +can be no abortion in such a case. And, it may positively +be stated, no true advocate of Birth Control can possibly +justify, much less advocate, the destruction of the human +embryo or foetus, which act constitutes abortion. The +difference between true Birth Control teachings and +methods, and that of the advocates of abortion, is as great +as the difference between the two poles. Instead of the +two being identical or similar, they are diametrically +opposed one to the other—they are logical "opposites," +each the antithesis of the other.</p> + +<p>Even in those forms or phases of the Birth Control +propaganda in which the use of "contraceptives," or +"preventatives" is considered justified in certain cases—and +these forms and phases are far from being the most +important, as all students of the subject know—even in +these exceptional forms and phases of the general subject +the idea of abortion is combatted, and never justified or +encouraged. A "contraceptive" agency merely tends to +prevent or obviate undesirable conception; it never acts +to destroy the result of previous and accomplished conception. +A "contraceptive" merely prevents the union +of the male and female elements of reproduction, and +consequently the process from which evolves the foetus +or embryo. A leading medical authority has said regarding +this distinction: "In inducing abortion, one destroys +something already formed—a foetus or an embryo, a fertilized +ovum, a potential human being. In prevention, +however, one merely prevents chemically or mechanically +the spermatozoa from coming in contact with the ovum. +There is no greater sin or crime in this than there is in +simple abstinence, in refraining from sexual intercourse."</p> + +<p>What then must we say when we consider the higher +and more advanced forms and phases of Birth Control, +those phases and forms which may be said to be mental<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">{131}</a></span> +or emotional "contraceptives," rather than physical? +Surely these cannot be considered as identical with or +similar to abortion. And when we consider those phases +and forms of Birth Control which are concerned with +Pre-Natal Culture—the culture of the child before its +birth—can one, even though he be intensely prejudiced +against Birth Control, assert that there is to be found +here anything which in any way whatsoever can be considered +as relating to the theory or practice of abortion? +And what must we say of the still higher phases in which +the teachings are concerned with the mental and physical +preparation of the parents prior to the conception of the +child, to the end that the child may have the best possible +physiological and psychological basis for its future well-being? +Is not this the very antithesis and opposite of all +that concerns abortion or abortive methods?</p> + +<p>The trouble about all great movements designed for +the benefit of the human race is that at the beginning +there is attracted to the movement, by reason of its novelty +and "newness," certain elements which seize upon +certain incidental features of the general idea, make them +their own while excluding or ignoring the more important +things, and then exploit these incidental features in +a sensational way, thereby attracting public attention and +gaining much undesirable notoriety, and as a consequence +bringing discredit and disfavor, prejudice and misunderstanding, +to the general movement.</p> + +<p>Birth Control has passed through this apparently inevitable +experience, and has suffered greatly thereby. +But the Light is being thrown on the Dark Places, and +the more intelligent portion of the public is beginning to +realize that there is another side to the shield of Birth +Control. And, as a consequence, much of the original +prejudice is disappearing, and a new understanding of +the subject is arising in the minds of many of the best<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">{132}</a></span> +individuals of the race. It is the purpose of this book +to help to dispel the ignorance and misconception concerning +this great subject of Birth Control, and to aid +in presenting the higher and nobler aspects of the general +movement to the attention of those who are concerned +with the advance and progress of the race as a whole, +and of the individual members thereof.</p> + +<p>The student of the subject of Birth Control will fall +into grievous error if he begins his consideration of the +subject under the impression that the questions concerned +therein are new to the world of living things. If +the process of Birth Control were something which had +suddenly sprung into existence in the consciousness of +man, without having an antecedent activity in the history +of the race, and of living creatures in general, we might +well hesitate to go further in the matter without the most +serious and prolonged consideration of the entire principle +by the careful thought of the wisest of the race. But +while such consideration is advisable, as in the case of +any and all important problems presenting themselves for +solution and judgment, it is found that those so considering +the subject have a sound and firm foundation upon +which to base their thought and to test their conclusions.</p> + +<p>As many thoughtful students of the subject have +pointed out to us, the question of Birth Control has been +with the race practically since the beginning of human +history; and it has its correspondences in the instinctive +actions of the lower forms of life. The chief difference +is that we are now seeking to deal with these problems +consciously, voluntarily, and deliberately, whereas in the +past the race has dealt with them more or less unconsciously, +by methods of trial and error, through perpetual +experiment which has often proved costly but which has +all the more clearly brought out the real course of natural +processes.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">{133}</a></span></p> +<p>We cannot hope to solve problems so ancient and so +deeply rooted as these by merely the rational methods of +yesterday and today. To be of value our rational methods +must be the revelation in deliberate consciousness of unconscious +methods which go far back into the remote +past. Our deliberate methods will not be sound except +in so far as they are a continuation of those methods +which, in the slow evolution of life, have been found +sound and progressive on the plane of instinct. This is +particularly true in the case of those among us who +desire their own line of conduct in the matter to be so +closely in accord with natural law, or the law of creation, +that to question it would be impious.</p> + +<p>It may be accepted without an extended argument or +presentation of evidence that at the outset the prime object +of Nature seems to have been that of Reproduction. +There is evident, without doubt, an effort on the part of +Nature to secure economy of method in the attainment of +ever greater perfection in the process of reproduction, +but we cannot deny that the primary motive seems to be +that of reproduction pure and simple. The tendency +toward reproduction is indeed so fundamental in Nature +that it is impressed with the greatest emphasis upon every +living thing. And, as careful thinkers have told us "the +course of evolution seems to have been more of an effort +to slow down reproduction than to furnish it with new +facilities."</p> + +<p>Reproduction appears in the history of life even before +sex manifests itself. The lower forms of animal and plant +life oftener produce themselves without the aid of sex, +and some authorities have argued that the presence of +sex differentiation serves rather to check active propagation +rather than to increase it. If quantity, without regard +to quality or variation, be the object of Nature, then +that purpose would have been better served by withholding +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">{134}</a></span>sex-differentiation than by evolving it. As Professor +Coulter, a leading American botanist, has well said: "The +impression one gains of sexuality is that it represents +reproduction under peculiar difficulties."</p> + +<p>To those who find it difficult to assimilate this somewhat +startling idea, we now present a brief statement of +the infinitely greater facility toward reproduction manifested +by living creatures lacking in sex-differentiation as +compared with those possessing it. It is seen that bacteria +among primitive plants, and protozoa among primitive +animals, are patterns of very rapid and prolific reproduction, +though sex begins to appear in a rudimentary +form in very lowly forms of life. A single infusorian +becomes in a week the ancestor of millions, that is to +say, of far more individuals than could proceed under +the most favorable conditions from a pair of elephants in +five centuries; and Huxley has calculated that the progeny +of a single parthenogenetic aphis, under favorable +circumstances, would in a few months outweigh the whole +population of China. It must be noted, however, that +this proviso "under favorable circumstances" reveals the +weak point of Nature's early method of reproduction by +enormously rapid multiplication. Creatures so easily produced +are easily destroyed; and Nature, apparently in +consequence, wastes no time in imparting to them the +qualities needed for a high form of life and living.</p> + +<p>And, even after sex differentiation had attained a considerable +degree of development, Nature seemed slow to +abandon her original plan of rapid multiplication of individuals. +Among insects so far advanced as the white +ants, the queen lays eggs at the enormous rate of 80,000 +a day during her period of active life. Higher in the +scale, we find the female herring laying 70,000 eggs at +one period of delivery. But in both of these cases we +find the manifestation of that apparently invariable rule<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">{135}</a></span> +of Nature, viz., that <b>a high birth-rate is accompanied by a +heavy death-rate</b>, whether that high death-rate be caused +by natural enemies, wars, or disease.</p> + +<p>At a certain stage of the evolutionary process, Nature +seems to have awakened to a realization of the fact that +it was better, from every point of view, to produce <b>a few</b> +superior beings rather than a vast number of inferior +ones. Here, at last, Nature discloses a heretofore hidden +aim, namely, the production of quality rather than quantity; +and once she has started on this new path, she has +pursued it with even greater eagerness than that of reproduction +pure and simple. And here we pause to note +a principle laid down by the students of Evolution, viz., +that <b>advancing evolution is accompanied by declining +fertility</b>.</p> + +<p>This new stage of Nature's processes is marked by a +constant and invariable manifestation of diminished number +of offspring, accompanied by an increased amount of +time and care in the creation and breeding of each of +the young creatures. Accompanying this, we find that +the reproductive life of the creature is shortened, and +confined to more or less special periods; these periods +beginning much later, and ending much earlier, and even +during their continuance tending to operate in cycles of +activity. Here, we see, <b>Nature, grown wiser by experience, +herself began to exercise her power in the direction +of Birth Control—the use of preventive checks on +reproduction</b>.</p> + +<p>A writer has said along these lines: "As reproduction +slackened, evolution was greatly accelerated. A highly +important and essential aspect of this greater individuation +is a higher survival value. The more complex and +better equipped creature can meet and subdue difficulties +and dangers to which the more lowly organized creature +that came before—produced wholesale in a way which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">{136}</a></span> +Nature seems to look back on as cheap and nasty—succumbed +helplessly without an effort. The idea of economy +began to assert itself in the world. It became clear in the +course of evolution that it is better to produce really +good and highly efficient organisms, at whatever cost, +than to be content with cheap production on a wholesale +scale. They allowed greater developmental progress to +be made, and they lasted better. Even before man began +it was proved in the animal world that <b>the death-rate falls +as the birth-rate falls</b>."</p> + +<p>Let us compare the lowly herring with the highly +evolved elephant. The herring multiplies with enormous +rapidity and on a vast scale, and it possesses a very small +brain, and is almost totally unequipped to grapple with +the special difficulties of its life, to which it succumbs on +a wholesale scale. A single elephant is carried for about +two years in its mother's womb, and is carefully guarded +by her for many years after birth; it possesses a large +brain, and its muscular system is as remarkable for its +delicacy as for its power, and is guided by the most +sensitive perceptions. It is fully equipped for all the +dangers of life, save for those which have been introduced +by the subtle ingenuity of modern man. Though a single +pair of elephants produces so few offspring, yet their +high cost is justified, for each of them has a reasonable +chance of surviving to old age. This contrast, from the +point of view of reproduction, of the herring and the +elephant, well illustrates the principle of evolution previously +referred to. It brings clearly into view the difference +between Nature's earlier and her later methods—the +ever increasing preference for quality over quantity. +Unless we grasp this underlying principle of Nature in its +wider aspects we may fail to perceive its operations in +the case of man, which latter we may now consider.</p> + +<p>It is, of course, impossible to speak positively regarding +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">{137}</a></span>the birth-rate and death-rate of the pre-historic primitive +races of mankind, for there is not data upon which +to base such a report. But reasoning upon the basis of +conditions existing among the primitive tribes of the +present time we are justified in holding that in the early +stages of the evolution of the race there was manifested a +high birth-rate and a correspondingly high death-rate. +Upon the basis of conditions now existing among savage +tribes it would appear that primitive man has a higher +birth-rate than the average of mankind today, and likewise +a higher death-rate. The rapidly increasing number of +children born to the tribe was counteracted by deaths +among children caused by neglect, poverty, and disease. +In some cases the population was prevented from becoming +larger than the means of subsistence justified by +the practice of infanticide.</p> + +<p>As to the condition of the race in the early stages of +"modern" civilization, we have modern Russia as a surviving +instance of this stage. In modern Russia we find, +side by side with the progress in neighboring nations, +conditions which a few centuries ago existed all over +Europe. Here we have an enormous birth-rate, and a +terrible death-rate caused by ignorance, superstition, insanitation, +filth, bad food, impure water, plagues, famines, +and other accompaniments of overcrowding and misery. +We find a mortality among young children which sometimes +destroys more than half of the children born before +they have attained the age of five years. As high as is +the Russian birth-rate, it is a matter of record that at +times the death-rate has actually exceeded it. And among +the survivors there is found a startlingly large percentage +of chronic and incurable diseases, with a large number +of cases of blindness and other defects.</p> + +<p>Similar results follow in China, where the birth-rate +is exceptionally high, and the death-rate correspondingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">{138}</a></span> +large; and where there is a large percentage of inferior +physical development and pathological defects, the evil +conditions which produce death also tending to produce +deterioration in the survivors. In both of these countries +we have an example of the result of unrestricted reproduction, +and unrestricted destruction—as among herrings, +so among men. And yet this condition of unrestricted +reproduction is the logical goal of certain persons who, +inspired by the best possible intentions, in their ignorance +and criminal rashness would dare to arrest that fall +in the birth-rate which is now beginning to spread its +influence in every civilized land.</p> + +<p>In Western Europe before the nineteenth century the +population increased very slowly. The enormous birth-rate +was nearly equalled by the exceedingly heavy death-rate +caused by plagues, pestilences, and famine, and by +the frequent wars large and small. The mortality among +young children was particularly heavy. Writers have +pointed out that the old family records show frequently +two or three children of the same Christian name, the first +child having died and its name given to a successor.</p> + +<p>During the last quarter of the eighteenth century, +when machinery was introduced and a new industrial era +opened, the birth-rate rose rapidly. Factories springing +up gave increased support to many, and as children were +employed as "hands" in the mills at an early age, the +richest family was the one with most children. The population +began to increase rapidly. But soon disease, misery, +and poverty arose from filth and insanitation, immorality +and crime, overcrowding and child-labor, drink and lack +of sane courses of conduct.</p> + +<p>In time, however, progress set in, and social reformers +began the great movement for the betterment of the +environment, sanitation, shorter hours of labor, and restriction +of child-labor, factory regulation, etc. And when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">{139}</a></span> +the environment is bettered, the death-rate drops, and the +birth-rate accompanies it on its downward progress. As +Leroy-Beaulieu says: "The first degree of prosperity in +a rude population with few needs tends toward prolificness +of reproduction; a later degree of prosperity, accompanied +by all the feelings and ideas stimulated by the +reduction of such prolificness."</p> + +<p>The law of the reduction of reproduction in response +to the improvement of environment is a natural law, +arising from fixed biological principles. This is because +when we improve the environment we improve the individual +situated in that environment; and the improvement +of the individual has always resulted in a check +upon reproduction. We must remember, however, that +this change is not the result of conscious or voluntary +action; instead it is the result of unconscious activities +and instinctive urge. As Sir Shirley Murphy has said: +"Birth Control is a natural process, and though in civilized +men, endowed with high intelligence, it necessarily +works in some measure voluntarily and deliberately, it is +probable that it also works, as in the evolution of the +lower animals, to some extent automatically."</p> + +<p>Science shows us that even among the most primitive +micro-organisms; when placed under unfavorable conditions +as to food and environment, they tend to pass into +a reproductive phase and by sporulation or otherwise +begin to produce new individuals rapidly. This, of course, +because of the fact that their death-rate is increased, and +an increased birth-rate must be manifested in order to +maintain a balance. If the environment be improved, the +death-rate decreases, and this is followed by a fall in the +birth-rate, according to the constant laws of Nature manifesting +in such cases.</p> + +<p>The same law is seen to be manifested in the case of +Man. Improve his environment, and his death-rate drops,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">{140}</a></span> +which is accompanied by a falling birth-rate. Here, once +more we see the application of the scientific axiom "Improve +the environment and reproduction is checked." As +Leroy-Beaulieu has said: "The tendency of civilization is +to reduce the birth-rate." And as Professor Benjamin +Moore has said: "Decreased reproduction is the simple +biological reply to good economic conditions." And as +Havelock Ellis has said: "Those who desire a higher +birth-rate are desiring, whether they know it or not, the +increase of poverty, ignorance, and wretchedness."</p> + +<p>Among men, Birth Control has now evolved from the +unconscious and instinctive phase, and is now unfolding +and manifesting on the plane of conscious and voluntary +activity. The influence of deliberate intention and conscious +design is now one of the important factors in the +process. Here at this point we reach a totally new +aspect of reproduction. In the past stages of evolution +the original impetus toward reproduction has been +checked and directed by Nature, working along instinctive +and unconscious lines; and the result has been an +extreme diminution of the number of off-spring; a prolongation +of the time devoted to the breeding and care +of each new member of the family, in harmony with its +greatly prolonged life; a spacing out of the intervals +between the offspring; and, as a result, a vastly greater +development of each individual, and an ever better equipment +for the task of living. All this was slowly attained +automatically, without any conscious volition on the part +of the individuals, even when they were human beings, +who were the agents.</p> + +<p>Now, however, we are confronted with a change which +we may regard as, in some respects, the most momentous +sudden advance in the whole history of reproduction, +namely, the process of reproductive progress now become +conscious and deliberately volitional. Birth control, no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">{141}</a></span> +longer automatic, is now being directed by human mind +and will precisely to the attainment of ends which Nature +has been struggling after for millions of years; and, being +consciously and deliberately directed, it is now enabled to +avoid many of the pitfalls into which the unconscious +method fell.</p> + +<p>Havelock Ellis says: "The control and limitation of +reproductive activity by conscious and volitional effort +is an attempt by open-eyed intelligence and foresight to +attain those ends which Nature through untold generations +has been painfully yet tirelessly struggling for. The +deliberate co-operation of Man in the natural task of +Birth Control represents an identification of the human +will with what we may, if we choose, regard as the divinely +appointed law of the world. We can well believe +that the great pioneers, who, a century ago, acted in the +spirit of this faith may have echoed the thought of +Kepler when, on discovering his great planetary law, he +exclaimed in rapture: 'O God! I think Thy thoughts after +Thee!'"</p> + +<p>The following brief general history of the modern +Birth Control movement is quoted from Havelock Ellis, +and will be of interest to students of the subject: "The +pioneers of modern Birth Control were English. Among +them Malthus occupies the first place. That distinguished +man, in his great and influential work, 'The Principles of +Population,' in 1798, emphasized the immense importance +of foresight and self-control in procreation, and the profound +significance of birth limitation for human welfare. +Malthus, however, relied on ascetic self-restraint, a +method which could only appeal to the few; he had +nothing to say for the regulation of conception in intercourse. +That was suggested twenty years later, very +cautiously by James Mill, the father of John Stuart Mill, +in the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Four years afterwards,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">{142}</a></span> +Mill's friend, the Radical reformer, Francis Place, advocated +this method more clearly. Finally, in 1831, Robert +Dale Owen, the son of the great Robert Owen, published +his 'Moral Physiology,' in which he set forth the ways +of preventing conception; while a little later the Drysdale +brothers, ardent and unwearying philanthropists, devoted +their energies to a propaganda which has been spreading +ever since and has now conquered the whole civilized +world.</p> + +<p>"It was not, however, in England but in France, so +often at the head of an advance in civilization, that Birth +Control first firmly became established, and that the extravagantly +high birth rate of earlier times began to fall; +this happened in the first half of the nineteenth century, +whether or not it was mainly due to voluntary control. +In England the movement came later, and the steady +decline in the English birth-rate, which is still proceeding, +began in 1877. In the previous year there had been a +famous prosecution of Bradlaugh and Mrs. Besant for +disseminating pamphlets describing the methods of preventing +conception; the charge was described by the +Lord Chief Justice, who tried the case, as one of the most +ill-advised and injudicious ever made in a court of justice. +But it served an undesigned end by giving enormous publicity +to the subject and advertising the methods it sought +to suppress. There can be no doubt, however, that even +apart from this trial the movement would have proceeded +on the same lines. The times were ripe, the great industrial +expansion had passed its first feverish phase, social +conditions were improving, education was spreading. The +inevitable character of the movement is indicated by the +fact that at the very same time it began to be manifested +all over Europe, indeed in every civilized country of the +world.</p> + +<p>"At the present time the birth-rate (as well as usually<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">{143}</a></span> +the death-rate) is falling in every country of the world +sufficiently civilized to possess statistics of its own vital +movement. The fall varies in rapidity. It has been considerable +in the more progressive countries; it has lingered +in the more backward countries. If we examine the +latest statistics for Europe, we find that every country, +without exception, with a progressive and educated population, +and a fairly high state of social well-being, presents +a birth-rate below 30 per 1,000. We also find that +every country in Europe in which the mass of the people +are primitive, ignorant, or in a socially unsatisfactory +condition (even although the governing classes may be +progressive or ambitious) shows a birth-rate of above 30 +per 1,000. France, Great Britain, Belgium, Holland, the +Scandinavian countries, and Switzerland are in the first +group. Russia, Austro-Hungary, Italy, Spain, and the +Balkan countries are in the second group. The German +Empire was formerly in the second group, but now comes +within the first group, and has carried on the movement +so energetically that the birth-rate of Berlin is already +below that of London, and that at the present rate of +decline the birth-rate of the German Empire will before +long sink to that of France. Outside Europe, in the +United States just as much as in Australia and New +Zealand, the same progressive movement is proceeding +with equal activity."</p> + +<p>The same authority sums up the present attitude of +the advocates of scientific and rational Birth Control, as +follows: "The wide survey of the question of birth limitation +has settled the question of the desirability of the +adoption of preventing conception, and finally settled +those who would waste out time with their fears that it +is not right to control conception. We know now on whose +side are the laws of God and Nature. We realize that in +exercising control over the entrance gate of life we are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">{144}</a></span> +not fully performing, consciously and deliberately, a +great human duty, but carrying on rationally a beneficial +process which has, more blindly and wastefully, been carried +on since the beginning of the world. There are still +a few persons ignorant enough or foolish enough to fight +against the advance of civilization in this matter; we can +well afford to leave them severely alone, knowing that +in a few years all of them will have passed away. It is +not our business to defend the control of birth, but simply +discuss how we may most wisely exercise that control."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">{145}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_XI" id="LESSON_XI"></a><span class="lght">LESSON XI</span><br /> +THE FETICH OF THE BIRTH-RATE</h2> + +<p>To the student of the progress of the human race the +consideration of the state of public opinion regarding +the Birth-rate of nations is of great interest. To the +careful observer there is evident the gradual evolution +of intelligent public opinion on this subject even in the +comparatively short space of time in which the present +generation has played its part on the great stage of +human development.</p> + +<p>Public opinion on this subject during the period +named may be said to have passed through three general +stages. These stages are, of course, more clearly defined +among the peoples of the most prosperous and intelligent +countries, as for instance, in Western Europe and America, +and particularly in England, France, and the United +States. While the peoples of certain of these countries +have passed through these stages somewhat more rapidly +than have others, still it is perceived that each of these +peoples have in the main followed the same general +course.</p> + +<p>The first stage of this evolution of popular opinion +may be said to have been begun about 1850, and to have +ended about 1880. In this stage the ideal of a large and +rapidly increasing birth-rate became a popular fetich +before which all men and women were supposed to fall +down and render worship. In this period public opinion +manifested great satisfaction and joy in the evidences +of a high and rapidly increasing birth-rate. It was held +that this increasing birth-rate tended toward the success +and glory of the particular nation, and incidentally to +the race as a whole. The idea of <b>Quantity</b> was elevated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">{146}</a></span> +to the throne of public favor, and the question of <b>Quality</b> +was ignored or overlooked.</p> + +<p>This period was one of an unusual expansion of industry, +and the rising birth-rate was regarded as a token +that the world was destined to be exploited and eventually +governed by the people of those nations who were +able to demonstrate the greatest efficiency in industrial +pursuits, and who at the same time were wise enough +to increase their respective populations by an increasing +birth-rate. The populace were excited by the idea of the +dominance and prosperity of their own countrymen, while +the leaders of industry were delighted with the idea of +an increasing supply of laborers which would tend to +keep down the rate of wages which otherwise would have +reached proportions which would have interfered with +competition with other countries. At the same time, the +militarists were secretly delighted by the signs of an +increasing supply of military material with which to +build up gigantic armies.</p> + +<p>A writer on the state of public opinion on this subject +during this period has well said: "It seemed to the +more exuberant spirits that a vast British Empire, or a +mighty Pan-German, might be expected to cover the +whole world. France, with its low and falling birth-rate, +was looked down at with a contempt as a decadent country +inhabited with a degenerate population. No attempt +to analyze the birth-rate, to ascertain what are really the +biological, social, and economic accompaniments of a high +birth-rate, made any impression on the popular mind. +They were drowned in a general shout of exultation."</p> + +<p>But this period of uncritical optimism was followed +by a natural reaction. The pendulum stopped in its +course, and soon began to swing in the opposite direction. +Here, about 1880, the second stage may be said +to have begun. Public opinion began to manifest a subtle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">{147}</a></span> +change, and this mental attitude was accompanied by a +physical manifestation in the form of a decreasing birth-rate. +The rate of births began to fall rapidly, and has +continued to fall steadily since that time.</p> + +<p>The writer above quoted from says of this second +period: "In France the birth-rate fell slowly, in Italy +more rapidly, and in England and Prussia still more rapidly. +As, however, the fall began earliest in France, the +birth-rate was lower there than in the other countries +named. For the same reason it was lower in England than +in Prussia, although England stands in this respect at +almost exactly the same distance from Prussia today +(1917) as thirty years ago, the fall having occurred at +the same rate in both countries. It is quite possible that +in the future it may become more rapid in Prussia than +in England, for the birth-rate of Berlin is lower than the +birth-rate of London, and urbanization is proceeding at +a more rapid rate in Germany than in England."</p> + +<p>It is not difficult to arrive at the psychological reason +underlying this great change in public opinion, as manifested +in this second stage. In the first place, the wonderful +era of world-expansion was arrested, by natural +causes well understood by students of sociology. The +ambitious dreams of world-empires were rudely interrupted. +Moreover, public opinion was being affected by +a quiet education along the lines of sociology and +economics.</p> + +<p>The working classes began to perceive, on the one +hand, the tendency of overpopulation to hold down, or +even decrease, the scale of wages. The evils of over-production, +and of under-consumption were dimly perceived. +And, on the other hand, the capitalists began to +perceive that another factor was at work—one which they +had failed to include in their optimistic calculations. Instead +of the cheaper wage rate which they had expected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">{148}</a></span> +by reason of the over-abundance of human material, they +found that the growth of popular education in the democratic +countries had caused the working classes to demand +greater comforts of life, and to oppose the cheapening +of human labor. And at the same time, the masses +began to revolt against the idea of raising children to +become "cannon fodder" for ambitious autocratic rulers. +The masses began to protest against selling their labor +and their lives so cheaply.</p> + +<p>These changed viewpoints of the working classes +began to result in attempts on their part to form associations +to resist the tendency on the part of capitalists to +force down the scale of wages to fit the increased population. +Trade unions flourished and became powerful, +and the same impulse carried many into the ranks of +socialism, and still beyond into the fold of anarchism and +syndicalism. And, here note this significant fact, with +these new perceptions and these new movements among +the masses, <b>the birth-rate began to fall rapidly</b>.</p> + +<p>The writer above quoted from says of this period: +"The pessimists were faced by horrors on both sides. On +the one hand, they saw that the ever-increasing rate of +human production which seemed to them the essential +condition of national, social, even moral progress, had +not only stopped but was steadily diminishing. On the +other hand, they saw that, even so far as it was maintained, +it involved, under modern conditions, nothing but +social commotion and economic disturbance. There are +still many pessimists of this class alive among us even +today, alike in England and Germany, but a new generation +is growing up, and this question is now entering +another phase."</p> + +<p>It would seem that the race is now well started in +the third period, phase, or stage of this conception of +the birth-rate. Even the Great War is not likely to seriously +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">{149}</a></span>interrupt its ultimate progress, though conditions +in all civilized countries will unquestionably be disturbed +by the unusual conditions now prevailing and caused by +the great conflict. The spirit of this third stage seems +to be that the Truth is to be found between the two +extremes, viz.: (1) the extreme of passive optimism of +the first stage; and (2) the extreme of passive pessimism +of the second stage. It realizes that there is excellent +ground for hope in better things; but it equally realizes +that hope alone is vain, and will accomplish nothing +unless it is accompanied with and directed by a clear +intellectual vision manifested in individual and social +action based on that clear intellectual vision.</p> + +<p>The writer above quoted from says of this developing +period: "It is today beginning to be seen that the old +notion of progress by means of reckless multiplication is +vain. It can only be effected at a ruinous cost of death, +disease, poverty, and misery. We see this in the past +history of Western Europe, as we still see it in the history +of Russia. Any progress effected along that line—if +'progress' it can be called—is now barred, for it is +utterly opposed to those democratic conceptions which +are ever gaining greater influence among us. Moreover, +we are now better able to analyze demographic phenomena, +and are no longer satisfied with any crude statements +regarding the birth-rate. We realize that they +need interpretation. They have to be considered in relation +to the sex-constitution and the age-constitution of +the population, and <b>above all, they must be viewed in relation +to the infant mortality rate</b>.</p> + +<p>"The bad aspect of the French birth-rate is not so +much its lowness as that it is accompanied by a high +infantile mortality. The fact that the German birth-rate +is higher than the English ceases to be a matter of satisfaction +when it is realized that German infantile mortality +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">{150}</a></span>is vastly greater than English. <b>A high birth-rate is +no sign of a high civilization. But we are beginning to +feel that a high infantile death-rate is a sign of a very +inferior civilization. A low birth-rate with a low infant +death-rate not only produces the same increase in population +as a high birth-rate with a high death-rate, which +always accompanies it (for there are no examples of a +high birth-rate with a low death-rate), but it produces it +in a way which is far more worthy of our admiration in +this matter than the way of Russia and China where opposite +conditions prevail.</b>"</p> + +<p>The evolutionary process which all students of sociology +clearly perceive to have been underway in the matter +of the attitude of public opinion toward the birth-rate, +and which is now underway with increased impetus, is +perceived to be a natural process. It is a natural process +which has been underway from the beginning of the +living world. For a long time it operated and manifested +along unconscious and instinctive lines of activity, but +now it has emerged into the light of human consciousness +and manifests along the lines of conscious, voluntary, and +deliberate human action.</p> + +<p>In its present state of evolutionary progress human +thought along these lines has found expression in what +is generally known as "Birth Control." The process +which has been working slowly through the ages, attaining +every new forward step with waste and pain, is +henceforth destined to be carried out voluntarily, in the +light of human reason, foresight, and self-restraint. The +rise of Birth Control may be said to correspond with the +rise of social and sanitary science in the first half of the +nineteenth century, and to be indeed an essential part of +that movement.</p> + +<p>The new doctrine of Birth Control is now firmly established +in all the most progressive and enlightened countries +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">{151}</a></span>of Europe, notably in France and England; in Germany, +where formerly the birth-rate was very high, +Birth Control has developed with extraordinary rapidity +during the present century. In Holland its principles +and practice are freely taught by physicians and nurses +to the mothers of the people, with the result that there +is in Holland no longer any necessity for unwanted +babies, and this small country possesses the proud privilege +of the lowest death-rate in Europe.</p> + +<p>In the free and enlightened Democratic communities +on the other side of the globe, in Australia and New Zealand, +the same principles and practice are generally accepted, +with the same beneficent results. On the other +hand, in the more backward and ignorant countries of +Europe, Birth Control is still little known, and death +and disease flourish. This is the case in those eight European +countries which come at the bottom of the list of +the Birth Control scale, and in which the birth-rate is the +highest and the death-rate the heaviest—the two rates +maintaining such a constant correspondence as to lead to +the inevitable conclusion that they are associated as cause +and effect.</p> + +<p>But even in the more progressive countries Birth Control +has not been established without a struggle, which +has frequently ended in a hypocritical compromise, its +principles being publicly ignored or denied and its practice +privately accepted. For, at the great and vitally +important point in human progress which Birth-Control +represents, we see really the conflict of two moralities. +The morality of the ancient world is here confronted by +the morality of the new world.</p> + +<p>The old morality, knowing nothing of science and the +process of Nature as worked out in the evolution of life, +contented itself with assuming as a basis the early chapters +of Genesis in which the children of Noah are represented +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">{152}</a></span>as entering an empty earth which it is their business +to populate diligently. So it came about that for +this morality, still innocent of eugenics, recklessness was +almost a virtue. Children were held to be given by God; +if they died or were afflicted by congenital disease, it was +the dispensation of God, and, whatever imprudence the +parents might commit, the pathetic faith still ruled that +"God will provide."</p> + +<p>But in the new morality it is realized that in these +matters Divine action can only be made manifest in +human action, that is to say through the operation of +our own enlightened reason and resolved will. Prudence, +foresight, self-restraint—virtues which old morality +looked down upon with benevolent contempt—assume +a position of first importance. In the eyes of the new +morality the ideal woman is no longer the meek drudge +condemned to endless and often ineffectual child-bearing, +but the free and instructed woman, able to look before +and after, trained in a sense of responsibility alike to +herself and to the race, and determined to have no children +but the best.</p> + +<p>Such were the two moralities which came into conflict +during the nineteenth century. They are irreconcilable +and each firmly rooted, one in ancient religion and tradition, +the other in progressive science and reason. Nothing +was possible in such a clash of opposing ideas but a +feeble and confused compromise such as we find still +prevailing in various countries of Old Europe. This is +not a satisfactory solution, however inevitable, and is +especially unsatisfactory by the consequent obscurantism +which placed difficulties in the way of spreading a knowledge +of the methods of Birth Control among the masses of +the population. For the result has been that while the +more enlightened and educated have exercised a control +over the size of their families, the poorer and more ignorant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">{153}</a></span>—those +who should have been offered every facility +and encouragement to follow in the same path—have +been left, through a conspiracy of silence, to carry on +helplessly the bad customs of their forefathers. This +social neglect has had the result that the superior family +stocks have been tampered by the recklessness of the +inferior stocks.</p> + +<p>In America, we find the two moralities in active conflict +today. Until recently America has meekly accepted +at the hand of Old Europe the traditional prescription. +On the surface, the ancient morality had been complacently, +almost unquestionably, accepted in America, even +to the extent of tacitly permitting the existence of a +vast extension of abortion, under the surface of society— +a criminal practice which ever flourishes where Birth +Control is neglected.</p> + +<p>But today, a new movement is perceptible in America. +It would seem that, almost in a flash, America has awakened +to the true significance of the issue. With that direct +vision of hers, that swift practicality of action, and above +all, that sense of the democratic nature of all social progress, +we see her resolutely beginning to face this great +problem. In her vigorous tongue she is demanding +"What is all this secrecy about, anyway? Let us turn on +the Light!" And the best authorities agree that America's +answer to the demand will be of the greatest importance, +and of immense significance to the whole world.</p> + +<p>In concluding this portion of our discussion, I ask my +readers to consider the following quotations from writers +who have touched upon the question of the stimulation of +the birth-rate by the State, for the purpose of military +policy. These quotations speak for themselves, and need +but little comment.</p> + +<p>The first authority, a German, whose name has escaped +me for the moment, laments the falling birth-rate in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">{154}</a></span> +country, and urges his own nation to stimulate it by offering +bounties; he says: "Woe to us if we follow the example +of the wicked and degenerate people of other +nations. Our nation needs men. We have to populate the +earth, and to carry the blessings of our Kultur all over +the world. In executing that high mission we cannot have +too much human material in defending ourselves against +the aggression of other nations who are jealous of us and +our achievements and progress. Let us promote parentage +by law; let us repress by law every influence which +may encourage a falling birth-rate; otherwise there is +nothing left us but speedy national disaster, complete and +irremediable."</p> + +<p>Havelock Ellis, an Englishman, says: "In Germany +for years past it has been difficult to take up a serious +periodical without finding some anxiously statistical article +about the falling birth-rate, and some wild recommendations +for its arrest. For it is the militaristic German +who of all Europeans is most worried by this fall; +indeed Germans often even refuse to recognize it. Thus +today we find Professor Gruber declaring that if the +population of the German Empire continues to grow at +the rate of the first five years of the present century, it +will have reached 250,000,000 at the end of the century. +By such a vast increase in population, the Professor complacently +concludes, 'Germany will be rendered invulnerable.' +But Gruber's estimate is entirely fallacious. +German births have fallen, roughly speaking, about 1 per +1,000 of the population, every year since the beginning of +the century, and it would be equally reasonable to estimate +that if they continue to fall at the present rate +(which we cannot, of course, anticipate) births will altogether +have ceased in Germany before the end of the +century. The German birth-rate reached its climax forty +years ago (1871-1880) with 40.7 per 1,000; in 1906 it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">{155}</a></span> +34 per 1,000; in 1909 it was 31 per 1,000; in 1912 it was +28 per 1,000; in an almost measurable period of time, in +all probability before the end of the century, it will have +reached the same low level as that of France, when there +will be but little difference between the 'invulnerability' +of France and of Germany, a consummation which, for +the world's sake, is far more devoutly to be wished than +that anticipated by Gruber."</p> + +<p>Writers of Teutonic sympathies have asserted that the +aggressive attitude of Germany at the beginning of the +Great War was to be legitimately explained and apologized +for on the ground that the War was the inevitable +expansive outcome of the abnormally high birth-rate of +Germany in recent times. Dr. Dernburg, the German +statesman, said not very long ago: "The expansion of +the German nation has been so extraordinary during the +past twenty-five years that the conditions existing before +the war had become insupportable." Another writer has +said: "Of later years there has arisen a movement among +German women for bringing abortion into honor and +repute, so that it may be carried out openly and with the +aid of the best physicians. This movement has been supported +by lawyers and social reformers of high position."</p> + +<p>Thus, it would seem that a birth-rate stimulated by +unusual circumstances or by deliberate State encouragement, +seemingly draws upon it the operation of natural +laws which tend to increase its death-rate by War, as well +as by an increased number of abortions, and an increased +death-rate. It would seem as natural laws operate +to bring down the population to normal by war if the +other factors do not operate sufficiently rapidly and +efficiently.</p> + +<p>Havelock Ellis makes the following interesting statement: +"If we survey the belligerent nations in the war +we may say that those who took the initiative in drawing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">{156}</a></span> +it on, or at all events were most prepared to welcome it, +were Germany, Austria, Serbia, and Russia—all nations +with a high birth-rate, and in which the fall of the birth-rate +has not yet had time to permeate. On the other +hand, of the belligerent peoples of today, all indications +point to the French as the people most intolerant, silently +but deeply, of the war they are so ably and heroically +waging. Yet the France of the present, with the lowest +birth-rate, was a century ago the France of a birth-rate +higher than that of Germany today, and at that time the +most militarist and aggressive of nations, a perpetual +menace to Europe."</p> + +<p>Finally, let us quote Havelock Ellis once more; he +says: "When we realize these facts we are also enabled +to realize how futile, how misplaced and how mischievous +it is to raise the cry of 'Race Suicide.' It is futile because +no outcry can affect a world-wide movement of civilization. +It is misplaced because the rise and fall of the +population is not a matter of birth-rate alone, but of the +birth-rate combined with the death-rate, and while we +cannot expect to touch the former we can influence the +latter. It is mischievous because by fighting against a +tendency which is not only inevitable but altogether +beneficial, we blind ourselves to the advance of civilization +and risk the misdirection of our energies. How far +this blindness may be carried we see in the false patriotism +of those who in the decline of the birth-rate, fancy +they see the ruin of their own particular country, oblivious +of the fact that we are concerned with a phenomenon +of world-wide extension. The whole tendency of civilization +is to reduce the birth-rate. We may go further, and +assert with the distinguished German economist, Roscher, +that the chief cause of the superiority of a highly civilized +state over lower stages of civilization is precisely a +greater degree of forethought and self-control in marriage +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">{157}</a></span>and child-bearing. Instead of talking about Race +Suicide, we should do well to observe at what an appalling +rate, even yet, the population is increasing; and we +should note that it is everywhere the poorest and most +primitive countries, and in every country (as in Germany) +the poorest regions, which show the highest birth-rate."</p> + +<p>The same authority says: "One last resort the would-be +patriotic alarmist seeks when all others fail. He is +good enough to admit that a general decline in the birth-rate +might be beneficial. But, he points out, it affects +social classes unequally. It is initiated, not by the degenerate +and unfit, with whom we could well dispense, +but by the very best classes in the community, the well-to-do +and the educated. One is inclined to remark, at +once, that a social change initiated by its best social class +is scarcely likely to be pernicious. Where, it may be +asked, if not among the most educated classes, is any +process of amelioration to be initiated? We cannot make +the world topsy-turvy to suit the convenience of topsy-turvy +minds. All social movements tend to begin at the +top and to permeate downwards. This has been the case +with the decline of the birth-rate, but it is already well +marked among the working classes, and has only failed to +touch the lowest stratum of all, too weak-minded and too +reckless to be amenable to ordinary social motives. The +rational method of meeting this situation is not a propaganda +in favor of procreation—a truly imbecile propaganda, +since it is only carried out and only likely to be +carried out, by the very class which we wish to sterilize—but +rather by a wise policy of regulative eugenics. We +have to create the motives, and it is not an impossible +task, which will act even upon the weak-minded and +reckless lowest social stratum."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">{158}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_XII" id="LESSON_XII"></a><span class="lght">LESSON XII</span><br /> +THE ARGUMENT FOR BIRTH CONTROL</h2> + +<p>Let us now consider the general and special arguments +advanced in favor of rational and scientific Birth Control, +as stated by the advocates thereof.</p> + +<p><b>General Argument.</b> The general argument in favor of +Birth Control may well be begun by the statement that +rational and scientific Birth Control is not the fixing upon +the race of a new and unfamiliar practice or policy, but +is rather the scientific correction of a practice and policy +which is now followed by the majority of married persons +in civilized countries, though in a bungling, unscientific, +and frequently a harmful manner. The modern advocates +of scientific methods of Birth Control seek to replace +these bungling, unscientific, and frequently harmful +methods by sane, scientific, harmless methods, approved +of by capable physicians and other experienced and +capable authorities, and under the sanction of the law +rather than contrary to it.</p> + +<p>The advocates of Birth Control seek to place upon a +scientific basis, under cover and protection of the law, +a subject which heretofore has been but imperfectly +known, and more imperfectly practiced in some form by +the majority of married couples, and which has heretofore +been under condemnation of the law so far as +concerned the actual dissemination of information concerning +methods of contraception. They hold that it is +the veriest hypocrisy to pretend ignorance of the fact +that the great majority of married couples in civilized +communities know and practice to some extent contraceptive +methods—usually imperfectly and bunglingly, it +must be added.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">{159}</a></span></p> +<p>One has but to consider the families of married couples, +and to count their children, to become aware that +at least some form of contraception has been known and +practiced in many cases. This is particularly true of the +more intelligent and cultured members of civilized society, +among whom we find large families of children to +be the exception, and small families to be the general +rule. Among the less intelligent and uncultured classes +the reverse of this condition is found.</p> + +<p>It is hypocritical folly to assert that these small families +to be found among the more intelligent classes of +society are due to the fact that the husbands and wives +are physically incapable of procreating off-spring—the +mere suggestion produces an incredulous smile from the +reader. No one who is acquainted with the habits and +customs of married people would in good faith offer such +an explanation. Rather is it tacitly acknowledged by all +thinking persons that such married couples practice some +form of Birth Control, or else commit the crime of abortion. +All physicians, particularly those who practice in +the large cities, are fully informed as to the appalling +facts concerning the prevalence of abortion among the +women of the "respectable" classes, and are likewise +fully informed as to the terrible consequences so frequently +arising from this criminal course.</p> + +<p>The question, then, to many intelligent persons is not +so much that of "Should contraception be employed in +order to avoid excessively large families?" as that of +"Should not contraception be employed to obviate the +crime of abortion with its terrible train of consequences?" +And the Birth Control propaganda which is +so vigorously underway in all civilized countries may +be stated to be designed for the following purposes: (1) +to replace abortion, and other harmful methods of restricting +the size of families, with rational and scientific<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">{160}</a></span> +methods of contraception; and (2) to supply to married +persons the best scientific knowledge concerning the +regulation of the size of families, and the methods of +producing the best kind of children, under the best +conditions, and at the times best adapted for their proper +care and well-being. These advocates of the Betterment +of the Race face the facts of human nature and married +life fearlessly, instead of trying to cover them over with +pretty words and sentimental generalities. They take +"things as they are," and not as certain persons insist +that "they should be"—they live in a world of facts and +try to better things as they find them, instead of trying +to live in a fool's paradise and contenting themselves with +denying the existence of the facts which they consider +"ugly."</p> + +<p>Dr. William J. Robinson, one of the leading American +workers in the field of Birth Control, ably presents the +main contention of the Birth Control advocates as +follows:</p> + +<p>"We believe that under any conditions, and particularly +under our present economic conditions, human beings +should be able to control the number of our offspring. +<b>They should be able to decide how many children +they want to have, and when they want to have them.</b> +And to accomplish this result we demand that the knowledge +of controlling the number of offspring, in other +and plainer words, the knowledge of preventing undesirable +conception, should not be considered criminal +knowledge, that its dissemination should not be considered +a criminal offense punishable by hard labor in +Federal prisons, but that it should be considered knowledge +useful and necessary to the welfare of the race and +of the individual; and that its dissemination should be +permissible and as respectable as is the dissemination of +any hygienic, sanitary or eugenic knowledge.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">{161}</a></span></p> +<p>"There is no element of force in our teachings; that +is, we would not force any family to limit the number of +children against their will, though we would endeavor to +create a public opinion which would consider it a disgrace +for any family to have more children than they can bring +up and educate properly. We would consider it a disgrace, +an anti-social act, for any family to bring children +into the world which they must send out at an early age +into the mills, shops, and streets to earn a living, or must +fall back upon public charity to save them from +starvation.</p> + +<p>"Public opinion is stronger than any laws, and in +time people would be as much ashamed of having children +whom they could not bring up properly in every sense +of the word, as they are now ashamed of having their +children turn out criminals. Now, no disgrace can attach +to any poor family, no matter how many children they +have, because they have not got the knowledge, because +society prevents them from having the knowledge of how +to limit the number of children. But if that knowledge +became easily accessible, and people still refused to avail +themselves of it, then they would properly be considered +as anti-social, as criminal members of society. As far as +couples are concerned who are well-to-do, who love children, +and who are well capable of taking care of a large +number, we, that is, we American limitationists, would +put no limit. On the contrary, we would say: 'God bless +you, have as many children as you want to; there is plenty +of room yet for all of you.'"</p> + +<p>Another writer, a celebrated English thinker along +these lines, has said of the general argument in favor of +Birth Control:</p> + +<p>"It used to be thought that small families were immoral. +We now begin to see that it was the large families +of old which were immoral. The excessive birth-rate of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">{162}</a></span> +the early industrial period was directly stimulated by +selfishness. There were no laws against child-labor; children +were produced that they might be sent out, when +little more than babies, to the factories and the mines to +increase their parents' incomes. The diminished birth-rate +has accomplished higher moral transformation. It +has introduced a finer economy into life, diminished +death, disease, and misery. It is indirectly, and even +directly, improving the quality of the race. The very fact +that children are born at longer intervals is not only +beneficial to the mother's health, and therefore to the +children's general welfare, but it has been proved to have +a marked and prolonged influence on the physical development +of children.</p> + +<p>"Social progress, and a higher civilization, we thus +see, involve <b>a reduced birth-rate and a reduced death-rate</b>. +The fewer the children born, the fewer the risks of death, +disease, and misery to the children that are born. The +fact that civilization involves small families is clearly +shown by the tendency of the educated and upper social +classes to have small families. As the proletariat class +becomes educated and elevated, disciplined to refinement +and to foresight—as it were aristocratised—it also has +small families. Civilizational progress is here on a line +with biological progress. The lower organisms spawn +their progeny in thousands, the higher mammals produce +but one or two at a time. The higher the race, the fewer +the offspring.</p> + +<p>"Thus diminution in quantity is throughout associated +with augmentation in quality. Quality rather than +quantity is the racial ideal now set before us, and it is +an ideal which, as we are beginning to learn, it is possible +to cultivate, both individually and socially. That is why +the new science of eugenics or racial hygiene is acquiring +so immense an importance. In the past, racial selection<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">{163}</a></span> +has been carried out crudely by the destructive, wasteful, +and expensive method of elimination, through death. In +the future, it will be carried out far more effectively by +conscious and deliberate selection, exercised not merely +before birth, but before conception and even before mating. +Galton, who recognized the futility of mere legislation +to elevate the race, believed that the hope of the +future lay in eugenics becoming a part of religion. The +good of the race lies, not in the production of a super-man, +but of a super-humanity. This can only be attained +through personal individual development, the increase +of knowledge, the sense of responsibility toward the race, +enabling men to act in accordance with responsibility. +<b>The leadership in civilization belongs not to the nation +with the highest birth-rate, but to the nation which has +thus learnt to produce the finest men and women.</b>"</p> + +<p>Let us now proceed to a consideration of the special +arguments in favor of rational and scientific Birth Control +as advanced by its leading advocates.</p> + +<p>The advocates of rational and scientific Birth Control +have presented the strongest points of their case +in their replies to those opposing the general idea, and +without positively taking the stand that the burden of +the proof in the argument concerning Birth Control +rested upon those opposing the idea, have practically +assumed that position. They claim that the right to +Birth Control is so self-evident, and its application so +generally recognized (though usually sought to be +smothered with silence) that the case in favor of Birth +Control is really quite apparent to anyone seriously considering +the same without prejudice. The opposing side +of the question is held by them to be represented principally +by statements based on prejudice and disingenuous +statements, which are capable of being turned against +those advancing them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">{164}</a></span></p> +<p>And, the present writer, likewise is of the opinion +that the strongest possible case for Birth Control is presented +in the answer to the arguments advanced by the +opponents thereof. But, before proceeding to the latter +phase of the argument, it may be well to examine briefly +the several leading points of argument advanced by the +advocates of rational and scientific Birth Control, in +order to clear the way for the answers to the opposite +side of the question. The reader is, therefore, invited +to consider the said points, briefly presented in the following +paragraphs:</p> + +<p><b>Birth Control Encourages Marriage.</b> The advocates +of Birth Control hold that a scientific knowledge of contraception +would speedily result in a large increase of +marriages, particularly among persons of limited incomes. +Persons who have not been able to accumulate the "little +nest egg" which prudent persons consider a requisite on +the part of those contemplating marriage and the responsibilities +of rearing a family of children, are in many +cases caused to hesitate about contracting marriage, and +often relinquish the idea altogether. Many of these +persons are well adapted for marriage, being of the domestic +temperament and having the home ideal prominent +in their mental makeup.</p> + +<p>The increasing number of bachelors and unmarried +women past thirty years of age, who are in evidence in +all large centers of population at the present time, is +undoubtedly due to a great extent to the fear on the +part of these men and women regarding the proper support +of a family of children. Many men and women +feel that the man is able to earn enough to support himself +and wife comfortably, by the exercise of economy, +but that the said earnings are not sufficient to provide +properly for a family of children. Some would be willing +to have one or two children, born after the couple<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">{165}</a></span> +have well established themselves, but are appalled at +the thought of bringing into the world a practically unlimited +number of little children for whom they would +not be able to provide properly.</p> + +<p>These people shrink at the idea of abortion, and doubt +the efficacy of the popular so-called contraceptive methods +of which their friends tell them, and they either defer +the marriage until later in life, or else give up the idea +altogether as being impossible for them under the existing +circumstances. A scientific knowledge of the subject +would give to such persons—and there are many +thousands of such—an assurance of their ability to safely +and properly control and regulate the size of their families, +and would lead to many a marriage which would +otherwise be out of the question.</p> + +<p>If it is agreed that the marriage state is the one normal +to the average man and woman, and that marriages +are in the interests of society—and few would seek to +dispute this—then it would seem that anything that +would tend to encourage marriage among the right kind +of persons should receive the encouragement of society +and be fully protected by the laws of society; and that +the old prejudice against the subject, and the laws which +discourage the same, and place a penalty upon the dissemination +of scientific methods leading to the said result, +are unworthy of civilized society and modern +thought.</p> + +<p><b>Earlier Marriages and Curb on Prostitution.</b> It is +generally conceded by students of sociology that earlier +marriages tend to decrease the causes of the evil of +prostitution, illicit sexual relations, and general sexual +morality; and the consequent spread and existence of the +venereal diseases which have followed in the trail of +such relations. And it is likewise conceded that prostitution +is an evil, and a cancer spot upon modern social<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">{166}</a></span> +life, and that venereal diseases constitute a frightful +menace to the health and physical welfare of the race. +Therefore, it would seem that anything which would +promote early marriages among healthy, intelligent young +men and women would be a blessing to the race and to +society. And as these earlier marriages are unquestionably +prevented in a great number of cases by reasons +of the fear of inadequate financial support for large families +of children, it would seem to follow that the best +interests of society would be served by the encouragement +by public opinion, under the protection of the law, +of the teaching by competent authorities upon the subject +of rational and scientific methods of Birth Control.</p> + +<p><b>Health of Wives.</b> The advocates of Birth Control lay +considerable stress upon the fact that a scientific knowledge +of Birth Control would practically obviate the state +of broken-down health so common among married women, +particularly among those who have been compelled to +bear large numbers of children during the first few years +of married life. Many a young married woman is in bad +health—often reaching the state of chronic invalidism—as +the result of having had to bear too many children, +and in too close succession.</p> + +<p>Not only is the above the case, but there is to be +found on all sides many cases of invalidism and shattered +health caused by the horrible practice of criminal +abortion. It is doubted whether anyone outside of medical +circles can even faintly begin to realize the frequency +of this practice of abortion among the well-to-do, and +those in "comfortable circumstances"—not to speak of +the countless deaths which arise from the prevalence +of this curse. Were a physician to even faintly indicate +the number of cases coming under his personal professional +attention, in which the patient is suffering from the +effects of one or more abortions, he would be accused of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">{167}</a></span> +gross exaggeration, and would be condemned as a sensationalist.</p> + +<p>Without going into detail concerning these things, +the writer states that it is a matter of common knowledge +among physicians that in every large city there are +thousands of unscrupulous (including those who call +themselves physicians) who are kept busy every week +in the year performing criminal operations designed to +produce abortions. Some of these practitioners have +many regular patients—women who visit them regularly +for the purpose of having abortions produced by criminal +operations. It seems almost incredible, but it is a +veritable fact, that there are to be found many women +in the large cities who actually boast to their friends of +the number of operations of this kind they have had +performed on them.</p> + +<p>Surely, any instruction which would prevent the +physical breakdown of so many women by reason of +excessive child-bearing on the one hand, and abortion +on the other hand, would seem to be worthy of the hearty +support of society, and the encouragement of its laws, +rather than the reverse. So true does this seem, that it +is difficult to realize that there are any intelligent persons +who would condemn such instruction as evil and +harmful to society. That such persons do exist is a +striking proof of the persistence of ancient superstitions +and the survival and tenacity of old prejudices.</p> + +<p><b>Morality of Married Men.</b> It is a matter of common +knowledge among physicians, and students of sociology, +that many married men, particularly those living in the +large cities, indulge in extra-marital or illicit sexual relations, +with prostitutes and other women of loose morals, +and this not because these men are naturally vicious, depraved +or licentious, but rather because they fear causing +their wives to bear them more children—the wives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">{168}</a></span> +either being in delicate or broken-down health, or else +the family already too large to be reared properly in +justice to the children.</p> + +<p>Many persons who would see only what "ought to +be," and who refuse to see "things as they are" in modern +society, will be disposed to pooh-pooh the above +statement, and to accuse those making it to be sensational +or even morbid on the subject. But those who are +brought in close contact with men and women, as are family +physicians and specialists, as well as honest students +of sociology, know only too well that the above is not +an over-statement, but is rather a very conservative recital +of certain unpleasant, but true, facts of human +society.</p> + +<p><b>Justice to the Children.</b> The advocates of scientific +Birth Control hold that a scientific knowledge along the +lines favored by them would prevent the gross injustice +to children which is now only too obvious to anyone who +candidly considers the matter without prejudice. The +child brought into the world, unwanted, undesired, unprepared +for, and unprovided for before and after birth, +is handicapped from the very start of its existence upon +earth. The present state of affairs works a terrible injustice +upon countless children brought into the world in +such conditions. Nothing that the present writer could +put into words would state this fact more concisely and +clearly than the following statement made by Dr. Wm. +J. Robinson, a leading authority along these lines, who +has said:</p> + +<p>"The responsibility of bringing a child into the world +under our present social and economic conditions is a +very great one. The primitive savage or the coarse ignorant +man does not care. It does not bother him what +becomes of his offspring; if they get an education, if +they have enough to eat, if they learn a trade or a profession, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">{169}</a></span>well—if they don't, also well; if they achieve a +competence or a decent social position, he is satisfied—if +not, he can't help it. God willed it so. But, on the +other hand, the cultured, refined man and woman look at +the matter differently. The thought of bringing into +the world a human being which may be physically handicapped, +which may be mentally inferior, which may have +a hard struggle through life, which may have to go +through endless misery and suffering, fills them with +anguish. * * * * *</p> + +<p>"We see about us millions of working men and +women who go through life, from cradle to grave, without +a ray of joy, without anything that makes life worth +living. In the higher classes we see a constant, hard, +infuriated struggle to make a living, to make a career, +and the spectre of poverty is almost as unremittingly +before the eyes of the middle and professional classes as +it is before the eyes of the laborer. And all over we see +ignorance, superstition, beliefs bordering on insanity, +hardness, coarseness, rowdyism, brutality, crime and +prostitution; prostitution of the body, and what is worse, +prostitution of the mind, the hiding or selling of one's +convictions for a mess of pottage. And our prisons, +asylums, and hospitals are not decreasing, but increasing +in number and inmates.</p> + +<p>"It is my sincerest and deepest conviction that we +could accomplish incomparably more if only a small part +of the energy and money now spent on philanthropic +efforts were expended in teaching the women, the married +women of the poor, how to limit the number of +their children; in other words, how to prevent conception. +It would work a wonderful reform in the lives of +the poor, and our slums would be metamorphosed in ten +years. * * * It is we who are to blame now for the +large families of the poor, and for this reason we are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">{170}</a></span> +morally obligated to give them the financial and medical +aid that they demand. But when effectual means are put +into their hands for limiting the number of their offspring, +then they, and not we, will be to blame if they +do not make use of them. * * * *</p> + +<p>"The rich and the upper-middle classes, those to +whom several children would be the least burden, are +quite familiar with the various means of prevention. The +poorer middle classes use preventives recommended by +their friends; these preventives sometimes succeed, sometimes +fail, and sometimes ruin the woman's health. While +the very poor, the wage-earners, those who can least +afford to have unlimited progeny, knowing no means of +prevention, go on breeding to their own and to the community's +detriment. The result, as you can plainly see, +is a general lowering of the physical and mental stamina +of the race. For if the cultured and the well-to-do do not +breed, or have only a few children, while the poor and +the ignorant go on having a numerous progeny for which +they cannot well provide, and which they cannot afford +to educate properly, it stands to reason that the percentage +of the uneducated, the unfit and the criminal, +must go on constantly increasing. And this is something +that no lover of humanity can look upon with +equanimity."</p> + +<p>Surely the above recited special points of argument +in favor of Birth Control seem to be statements of self-evident +facts to the unprejudiced mind, do they not? And +the person of this kind who considers them carefully for +the first time usually finds himself wondering what rational +argument can be fairly urged on the other side +of this important question. And, when he acquaints +himself with the arguments of "the other side" he usually +finds himself even more established in the belief that +scientific Birth Control is advisable, sane, and along the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">{171}</a></span> +lines of the mental evolution of the race. At any rate, it +is difficult to escape the conviction that the burden of +proof needed to controvert a proposition so nearly self-evident +as intelligent and scientific Birth Control, must +be placed squarely upon the shoulders of those opposing +the proposition.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">{172}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_XIII" id="LESSON_XIII"></a><span class="lght">LESSON XIII</span><br /> +THE ARGUMENT AGAINST BIRTH CONTROL</h2> + +<p>The argument against Birth Control, urged by those +who are opposed to the dissemination of scientific information +on the subject, may be reduced to a few general points. +These points of objection I shall now state, +together with the rejoinder to each as given by the advocates +of the proposition. I think that these points cover +the main argument advanced against Birth Control, and +I shall endeavor to state them as fully and as fairly as +possible.</p> + +<p><b>Opposed to Religious Teachings.</b> One of the most +common arguments advanced against Birth Control is +the one which holds that the idea is opposed to religious +teachings. The statement, however, is usually made in +a vague general way, the charge of "irreligious" being +hurled without explanation, and usually without any +attempt to show any proof of the accusation.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, as the advocates of Birth Control +have pointed out, there is nothing whatsoever in the +New Testament which in fairness may be construed as +indicating Birth Control as sinful; in fact, it has been +frequently asserted by authorities on the subject that +there is nothing to be found in either the Old Testament +or the New Testament which directly or indirectly +prohibits the limitation of offspring, or which encourages +the production of an unlimited number of children +regardless of all other conditions.</p> + +<p>Nor do the majority of the various religious denominations +seem to have in their statements of doctrine and +living anything in the nature of prohibition along the +lines indicated above. It is true, however, that the Roman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">{173}</a></span> +Catholic Church does quite positively, and vigorously, +condemn and prohibit the use of contraceptive methods +among its members; and I have been informed that its +priests place such methods in the category of methods +producing abortion, both being regarded as practically +identical with infanticide. I have been informed, however, +that in this Church the restriction of marital relations +to certain periods of the month in which conception +is held to be not so likely to be effected, with abstinence +at other periods, is a method of limiting offspring +that does not come under the ban, particularly if there +be a reasonable excuse offered for the desire to limit the +size of the family; though, as a rule, even such method +is frowned upon unless the reasonable excuse be forthcoming.</p> + +<p>In the case of members of the Catholic Church—and +these only—there may seem to be warrant for the +objection to Birth Control as "contrary to religion," it +being assumed that the teachings and rules of the Church +constitute the true measure of "religion." To such there +is, of course, only one answer, and that is that if the +teaching or practice of Birth Control methods be held +by them to be "contrary to religion" (according to their +definition of "religion") then they have merely to adhere +to the said religious teachings, and to refuse to learn +anything about Birth Control. The matter undoubtedly +is one entirely for the exercise of their own judgment +and conscience. There is no desire on the part of the +advocates of Birth Control to insist that such people +must limit the size of their families—or for that matter +that there is any "must" about it for anyone whatsoever.</p> + +<p>But we must not lose sight of the fact that the laws +and customs of society in general are not based upon, +or bound up with, the teachings and rules of this particular +Church. On the contrary, particularly in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">{174}</a></span> +instance of Marriage and Divorce, many of our customs +sanctioned by our laws permit and sanction things which +are not countenanced or approved of by the Church in +question. But just as persons outside of that Church +are in no way bound by the teachings or rules thereof +in the matter of Marriage and Divorce, so are they in +no way bound by the teachings and rules of the said +Church concerning the limitation of the size of families. +The Church in question does not regard "civil marriages" +as true marriages at all—yet our laws, and general +public opinion, countenance such marriages; and +it is extremely probable that within a comparatively +short time the status of Birth Control will likewise manifest +the same conflict between State and Church. But +just as no Catholic is <b>compelled</b> to accept or practice civil +marriage, so no Catholic will be compelled to accept or +practice Birth Control.</p> + +<p>Religion is entirely a matter of individual belief and +faith, and binds no one not agreeing with its precepts. +There is no union of Church and State in this country, +or in most other modern civilized countries; and we are +not under the jurisdiction of the Church in matters of +conscience or conduct, unless we voluntarily so place +ourselves under such jurisdiction and control. The argument +that Birth Control which is based upon the assertion +that it is opposed to the edicts or dogmas of some +particular Church organization, is found to be no true +argument for the reasons given above; and such argument +must be dismissed as fallacious by those who base +their judgments and conduct upon the dictates of science, +reason, and common-sense, rather than upon the dogmas +or decrees of any Church organization. The answer to +those who urge that "Birth Control is contrary to the +teachings of the Catholic Church" is: "Well, what of it? +if you are not a Catholic!"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">{175}</a></span></p> +<p>The force of the above objection to Birth Control becomes +important when we find that those who are opposed +to Birth Control merely because their Church condemns +it do not content themselves with letting alone +the subject, but would also endeavor to fasten the rule +of their Church upon the rest of society. While such persons +are undoubtedly acting in good faith, and inspired +by motives which seem good to them, they should stop +to remember that general society refuses to accept the +rules of their Church in the matter of Marriage and Divorce, +and is likely to refuse a like attempt to fasten +upon it the rules of the Church in the case of Birth Control. +The general public, here and in the first mentioned +cases, will insist upon entering a plea of "<b>lack of jurisdiction</b>."</p> + +<p>In the cases of persons outside of the Church in question +who may consider Birth Control to be contrary to +their religious convictions and teachings, there is to be +made the same answer given above, namely, that the +advocates of Birth Control are not trying to force anything +upon those who entertain such religious or conscientious +scruples—they would leave such persons free +to follow the dictates of their own conscience or the religious +teachings favored by them. But at the same +time they would demand the legal and moral right to +follow the dictates of their own conscience and reason, +and would insist upon their right to receive legal protection +for the dissemination of their scientific teachings. +All that the advocates of Birth Control are claiming +is the right of free speech and free knowledge concerning +this subject which they deem concerned with the +future progress and well-being of the race.</p> + +<p>The argument against Birth Control which is based +upon the claim that it is "irreligious," arises from the +general tradition based upon the Hebrew conception of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">{176}</a></span> +a Deity who bade the legendary first families of the race +to "increase and multiply." According to the scriptural +narrative this authoritative command was addressed +to a world inhabited by eight people. From such a point +of view a world's population of a few thousand persons +would have seemed inconceivably great. But the old +legendary command has become a tradition which has +survived amid conditions totally unlike those under +which it arose.</p> + +<p>Under this old traditionary conception reproduction +was regarded as a process in which men's minds and +wills had no part. To those holding it, knowledge of +Nature was still too imperfect for the recognition of the +fact that the whole course of the world's natural history +has been an erection of barrier against wholesale +and indiscriminate reproduction. Thus it came about +that under the old dispensation, which is now forever +passing away, to have as many children as possible and +to have them as often as possible—providing that certain +ritual prescriptions were fulfilled—seemed to be a religious +duty.</p> + +<p>Today the conditions have altogether altered, and +even our own feelings have altered. We no longer feel +with the ancient Hebrew who bequeathed his ideals, +though not his practices, to Christendom, that to have +as many wives and concubines and as large a family as +possible is both natural and virtuous and in the best interests +of religion. We realize, moreover, that such +claimed Divine Commands were the expression of the +prophets and rulers of the people to whom they were addressed, +and in accordance with the ideals concerning +race-betterment which were held by these self-constituted +authorities.</p> + +<p>To the educated men and women of today, it is seen +that these ideals of human-betterment (no longer imposed +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">{177}</a></span>upon the people under the guise of Divine Commands, +but rather by an appeal to their reason and judgment) +are no longer based upon the sanctification of the +impulse of the moment, but rather involve restraint of +the impulse of the moment as taught by the lessons of +foresight and regard for the future which the race has +received. We no longer believe that we are divinely +ordered to be reckless, or that God commands us to have +children who, as we ourselves know, are fatally condemned +to disease or premature death. Matters which +we formerly believed to be regulated only by Providence, +are now seen to be properly regulated by the providence, +prudence, foresight, and self-restraint of men themselves. +These characteristics are those of moral men, +and those persons who lack these characteristics are condemned +by our social order to be reckoned among the +dregs of mankind. Our social order is one in which the +sphere of procreation could not be reached or maintained +by the systematic control of offspring.</p> + +<p>More and more is Religion perceived to be more than +a mere matter of the observance of certain ritual and +ceremonies, or the belief in certain dogmas. More and +more is true religion seen to be vitally concerned and +bound up with the relations of man to man, and the +welfare of society in general. More and more is it being +perceived that anything which is decidedly anti-social, +or opposed to the best interests of human-betterment, is +not truly "religious," no matter how sanctified by tradition, +or bound up with ritual and ceremonies it may be.</p> + +<p>The spirit of modern Christianity is seen to consist +of two fundamental principles, viz.: (1) the love of God; +and (2) the Golden Rule. The conscientious Christian +who uses head and heart in harmony and unison, cannot +avoid the conclusion that the avoidance of the bringing +into the world of offspring destined by social and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">{178}</a></span> +economic conditions to misery, poverty, and sin, is more +in accordance with the true spirit of Christianity than +opposed to it—the ancient dogmas and traditions of the +Church to the contrary notwithstanding. Modern religion +is based upon Reason as well as upon Faith, and it +is safe to predict the time when Birth Control will not +only be sanctioned by "religion," but also encouraged +by it.</p> + +<p><b>Is It Immoral?</b> Akin to the objection urged against +Birth Control on the score of conflict with religious teachings, +we find the one which states that "it is <b>immoral</b>." +Morality means "quality of an action which renders it +right or good; right conduct." Right conduct or "good" +action depends upon the effect of the conduct or action +upon the individual, other individuals, or society in general. +The standards of morality, right conduct, and +good actions have changed from time to time in the history +of the race, and are not fixed. Reason teaches that +that which is for the benefit of the individual and the +race is and must be "moral," and that which is harmful +to the individual and the race is and must be "immoral."</p> + +<p>As to whether Birth Control is helpful or harmful to +the individual and the race—moral or immoral—the individual +student of the question must decide for himself +after having given the subject careful and unprejudiced +consideration. The advocates of Birth Control hold that +every fair argument and consideration of the question +must bring the unprejudiced person to the conviction +that the ideals advanced by them are in the direction +of the betterment of the race, and the increased happiness +of the individuals composing the race. If such be +the case, then Birth Control must be regarded as positively +"moral" in character and principles, and its teachings +directly in the interests of "morality."</p> + +<p>So true is the above statement that every argument<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">{179}</a></span> +of the advocates of Birth Control is based upon the assumption +of its "morality," in the sense of making for +human betterment. If it be shown that the teachings are +in anywise "immoral," in the sense indicated, then no +one would be quicker to condemn them than the intelligent +and conscientious advocate of Birth Control, for +the reason that his whole case is based upon the inherent +"morality" of his ideals.</p> + +<p>Any one who has made a careful and unprejudiced +study of the subject of Birth Control will discard the +idea that a tendency so deeply rooted in Nature as is +Birth Control can ever be in opposition to morality. It +can only be so held as contrary to morality when men +confuse the eternal principles of morality, whatever they +may be, with their temporary applications, which are always +becoming modified in adaptation to changing +circumstances.</p> + +<p>The old ideals of morality placed the whole question +of procreation under the authority (after God) of men. +Women were in subjection to men, and had no right of +freedom, no right to responsibility, no right to knowledge, +for, it was believed, if they were entrusted with any of +these they would abuse them at once. This view prevails +even today in some civilized countries, and middle-aged +Italian parents, for instance, will not allow their daughters +to be conducted by a man even to Mass, for they believe +that as soon as they are out of their sight they will +be unchaste. That is their morality.</p> + +<p>Our morality today is different. It is inspired by different +ideas, and aims at a different practice. We are by +no means disposed to rate highly the morality of a girl +who is only chaste so long as she is under her parents' +eyes; for us, indeed, that is much more like immorality +than morality. We, today, wish women to be reasonably +free; we wish them to be trained in a sense of responsibility +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">{180}</a></span>for their own actions; we wish them to possess +knowledge, more especially in the sphere of sex, once +theoretically opposed to them, which we now recognize +as peculiarly their own domain.</p> + +<p>Our ideal woman today is not she who is deprived of +freedom and knowledge in the cloister, even though only +the cloister of her own home; but rather the woman who +being instructed from early life in the facts of sexual +physiology and sexual hygiene, is also trained to exercise +judgment, will, self-restraint, and self-responsibility, and +able and worthy to be trusted to follow the path which +is right according to the highest ideals of the society +of which she is a part. That is the only kind of morality +which now seems to us to be worth while.</p> + +<p>And, as any unprejudiced intelligent person is forced +to admit, there is nothing in the policy of scientific Birth +Control to run contrary to such an ideal of moral womanhood.</p> + +<p>But the relation of Birth Control to morality is, however, +by no means a question which concerns women +alone. It equally concerns men. Here we have to recognize, +not only that the exercise of control over procreation +enables a man to form a marriage of faithful devotion +with the woman of his choice at an earlier age than +would otherwise be possible, but it further enables him, +throughout the whole of his married life, to continue +such relationship under circumstances which might otherwise +render them injurious or else undesirable to his +wife.</p> + +<p>That the influence exerted by a general knowledge of +scientific methods of Birth Control would suffice to entirely +abolish prostitution it is foolish to maintain, although +it would undoubtedly tend to decrease the social evil. +And even the partial elimination of prostitution would +be in the interests of general morality, not only in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">{181}</a></span> +direction of lessening the brutal demand of women to +serve in the ranks of prostitution, but also in many other +ways of importance to society as a whole. The decrease +of venereal disease would follow a decrease in prostitution +caused by a general knowledge and practice of +scientific methods of Birth Control on the part of married +people; and it must be remembered that venereal +disease spreads far beyond the patrons of prostitution +and is a perpetual menace to others who may become +innocent victims. And any influence that serves to decrease +prostitution and the spread of venereal disease, +must be placed in the category of "moral," and certainly +not in the opposite one.</p> + +<p>The objection is frequently heard that the general +knowledge of scientific methods of contraception would +lead to increased illicit relations among unmarried persons, +particularly among the young people. This argument +is apparently based upon the belief, or fear, that +the fear of conception is the only thing which prevents +many persons from indulging in illicit relations. It assumes +that a large portion of our womankind are chaste +simply because of fear of pregnancy; and that this fear +once removed these women would at once plunge into +such relations. In other words, it assumes that mentally +and in spirit these women are already unchaste, but are +restrained from physical unchastity by reason of the fear +of conception.</p> + +<p>The answer of the advocates of Birth Control takes +direct issue with the above contention. On the contrary, +it asserts that the chastity of our women is the result of +their general training, education, heredity, observance +of the accepted customs and standards of their community, +religious and moral training, etc. The woman who +is chaste simply through fear, usually manages to allay +that fear in one way or another, often by mistaken methods +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">{182}</a></span>which work great harm to the woman and the community +in general. The general knowledge of scientific +contraceptive methods might result in such women manifesting +their inclinations and desires in a "safer" manner, +but this "safety" would not consist of protection +against conception (for that they already think they +have) but rather of a protection against the dangers of +abortion and similar evil practices.</p> + +<p>Some of the writers go further in this matter, as for +instance Dr. Robinson, who says: "If some women are +bound to have illicit relations, is it not better that they +should know the use of scientific preventives than that +they should become pregnant, disgracing and ostracising +themselves, and their families; or that they should subject +themselves to the degradation and risks of an abortion; +or failing this, take carbolic acid or bichloride, +jump into the river, or throw themselves under the wheels +of a running train?"</p> + +<p>The objection to Birth Control on the ground that it +would increase illicit relations among men and women +by means of removing the fear of physical consequences, +seems to many careful thinkers to be akin to the old objection +(now happily passing away) to the dissemination +of the knowledge of the treatment of venereal diseases, +and to the public cure of such diseases, on the ground +that by so doing a part of the fear concerning illicit relations +was removed, and thereby illicit relations actually +encouraged. The result of this fallacious argument was +the enormous spread of venereal diseases, to the great +hurt of the race; and the encouragement of quacks and +charlatans who fattened on the gains received from the +sufferers from this class of complaints. The argument +against Birth Control on similar grounds will be seen to +be equally fallacious, and capable of equally evil consequences, +if the matter be fairly and carefully considered.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">{183}</a></span></p> +<p>Illicit relations, if prevented or regulated at all by +society, must be so regulated or prevented by other means +than fear of conception. Such fear, though it may deter +for a short time, will usually be overcome in time if the +desire and temptation remain sufficiently strong. It is +doubtful whether any considerable number of women remain +chaste for any length of time simply by reason of +fear of conception. If such fear be the only remaining +deterring factor, it will usually be swept away in time +under continued temptation, opportunity, and desire. +Chastity and virtue must have a far more solid foundation +than such fear; and experience repeatedly shows +that such fear is but as shifting sand sought to be employed +as a foundation for the structure of chastity.</p> + +<p>There is no reason whatsoever for believing that the +scientific knowledge of contraceptive methods, if generally +possessed by married people under the sanction +of the law and society, would result in any more cases +of illicit relations than exist at the present time. It +might, it is true, result in less evil consequences of such +relations in some cases, as Dr. Robinson has so clearly +pointed out in the above quotation; but the relations +in such cases would exist in either event. Fear of conception, +like fear of infection, has never, and will never +entirely prevent illicit relations between men and women; +and to oppose scientific information in the one case on +these grounds, is as futile as to oppose scientific treatment +in the other case on the same grounds. And when it is +considered how society in general is injured by the withholding +of such information or treatment, respectively, +the argument in favor of such suppression of scientific +truth and method is seen to be actually dangerous to +society and sub-service of the public good.</p> + +<p>I would like to add a few words concerning the question +of morality in the matter of practicing scientific<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">{184}</a></span> +Birth Control. To me what I shall say in the succeeding +paragraphs of this chapter have a vital bearing on the +whole subject, and should be taken into serious consideration +by the fair-minded and conscientious student +of the subject. Here follows my thought in the matter:</p> + +<p>In my consideration of the arguments against scientific +Birth Control I am impressed with one particular +thought which refuses to be silenced, but which insists +upon persistently presenting itself to my consciousness. +This particular thought may be expressed as follows: +It is admitted by unprejudiced students of the subject +that the educated and cultured portions of the civilized +countries of modern times do actually practice, to some +extent, in some form, manner, or degree, the limitation of +offspring—no honest observer will dispute this statement. +This being so, does it not seem that the race should +fairly and squarely, honestly and frankly, face this question +and decide whether or not such rules of conduct are +"right" or "wrong"—"moral" or "immoral"—and to +what extent, if any, they should be permitted or encouraged +to be practiced toward the ends of individual and +race happiness and betterment.</p> + +<p>If the decision is totally against this rule of conduct, +then it should be vigorously denounced, and all honest +people should refrain from it. If, on the contrary, the +decision should be that this mode of conduct, or some +phases of it, are justified, then, in the name of Honesty +and Truth, let us turn on the full light of general information, +knowledge, and instruction on the subject, +under the full protection of the laws and public opinion. +Why should we not throw aside the mask of cowardly +hypocrisy, and stand before the world showing ourselves +as just what we really are?</p> + +<p>My thought, in essence, is that the chief "wrong," +and "immorality" about the whole matter consists in our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">{185}</a></span> +present practice of doing one thing in private, and condemning +the same thing in public. There can be no +excuse, to the intellectually honest person at least, for the +course of tacitly holding that a certain thing is "all right +for us," while "all wrong for the other folks."</p> + +<p><b>Is It Injurious to Health?</b> It is sometimes urged +against Birth Control that the use of contraceptive methods +is injurious to the health of women, in some cases a +long list of physical and mental ills being given as possible +of being caused by such methods. Opposed to this is +the contention of the members of the medical profession +who have arrayed themselves on the side of scientific +Birth Control. The latter authorities positively contradict +the assertion that women's health is injured by the +practice of rational and scientific methods of Birth Control; +although these authorities freely admit, in fact they +<b>claim</b>, that certain unscientific methods and practices +popular among certain persons—such as the use of certain +chemicals and mechanical appliances—undoubtedly +have resulted in physical harm, and they strongly advise +against the use of such bunglesome methods.</p> + +<p>One of the leading medical advocates of scientific +Birth Control in the United States throws down the +gauntlet squarely before those of his profession, and +others, who urge this objection to scientific Birth Control, +in the following challenging words: "I challenge +any physician, any gynecologist, to bring forth <b>a single +authenticated case</b> in which disease or injury resulted +from the use of modern methods of prevention. I know +they cannot do it." And others in the ranks of the medical +profession have made similar assertions and claims. +The unprejudiced person who will consult the best medical +authorities on the subject will unquestionably agree +that the best medical opinion of the day holds that +scientific Birth Control is not in fairness to be open to +this objection.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">{186}</a></span></p> +<p><b>Is Birth Control Unnatural?</b> Another favorite argument +of the opponents of scientific Birth Control is the +broad statement and claim that "all voluntary attempts +to limit procreation are unnatural," and therefore +wrong. This objection, while usually offered without any +particular argument, explanation, or proof, must be carefully +and honestly met and answered by the fair-minded +advocate of Birth Control.</p> + +<p>In the first place, it may as well be admitted that +regulation, restriction, or control of the procreative functions +by application of the intellect or reasoning processes +<b>is</b> unnatural, in the sense of not being indicated by +Nature and enforced through the instinctive actions of +the race. The only instinct which primitive man seems +to have had in this case (and these he held in common +with the lower animals) was that of free and unlimited +sexual intercourse, in response to his instinctive desires, +with this exception (and this exception should be carefully +noted), i. e.: that the male respected the instinctive +disinclination to cohabit during the period in which the +woman was pregnant, and often also during the period in +which she nursed her infant. This instinct, unhappily +for the race, the "civilized" man has overridden until it +has practically ceased to manifest its voice.</p> + +<p>The lower animals, obeying this primitive instinct, do +not manifest violation of this law of Nature. On the +contrary, the female will not allow the male to approach +her at such times, and will fight savagely at any attempt +to violate this instinctive law of her nature. The male +usually recognizes the existence of this law, and makes +no attempt to violate it, but should he attempt the same +he is defeated by the female as above stated. It has +remained for Man alone to override and violate, and to +eventually render nul and void this wise instinctive provision +of Nature.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">{187}</a></span></p> +<p>But beyond this there is no "natural," instinctive +regulation of the sexual activities of animal or man, other +than the desires of the male and female. If civilized man +adhered wholly to the "natural" in this respect, he would +obey the voice of instinct alone, and would show reason +and intellect the door in such matters, and would also +bid defiance to all legal or ecclesiastical authority when +it sought to "control" his activities along these lines. +But, it is needless to say, such is not the case. Not only +has the Law of the Church insisted upon certain "control" +of these matters—as witness the laws against +adultery, illicit relations, incest, bastardy, etc.—but man, +himself, has asserted a greater and still greater voluntary +control over the reproductive functions as he has risen in +the scale of civilization and culture.</p> + +<p>Today it is only the lowest and least cultured classes +of society who (to use the expressive but somewhat inelegant +term) persist in "breeding like pigs." All other +classes exercise a greater or less degree of "control" of +some kind in the matter of limitation of offspring. In +making this broad assertion I, of course, have in mind +not only the modern methods urged by the advocates +of scientific contraception, but also the "control" and +regulation observed by married persons in either total +abstinence from the marital relations for a stated time, +or else the abstinence from such relations during certain +portions of the lunar month, the latter method (somewhat +uncertain, however, in its efficacy in some cases) being +apparently favored by certain ecclesiastical authorities +as the "only moral" method.</p> + +<p>In view of the above facts, which might be enlarged +and extended if necessary, it is seen that as soon as man +rises above the level of the beast or savage—as soon as he +begins to manifest culture and civilization—he begins to +exercise a certain "control" over the procreative <b>function</b>, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">{188}</a></span>and in the direction of the limitation of the size of +his family of offspring. The contention of the modern +advocates of scientific Birth Control is that the "new +ideas" on the subject are simply a natural and inevitable +evolution from the degrees of "control" which man has +exercised since the time he emerged from savagery. The +later developments are no more "unnatural" than the +earlier—nor the accepted methods and forms any more +"natural" than those which are now opposed by the more +conservative elements of society.</p> + +<p>When anyone begins to talk about things being "natural" +or "unnatural," respectively, he should tread softly +and watch his steps carefully. For at every step he +treads upon instances of "unnatural" modes and methods +of living. Strictly speaking, it is "unnatural" to wear +clothes, or to cook food, or to live in houses, or to ride in +conveyances or on horseback. All of these things have +been evolved by the use of intellect and reason, and are +not instinctive or "natural" to man. Birds build nests, +wasps build shelter, hornets build homes, bees build +honey-combs, worms build cocoons, snails build shells—all +by instinct and "naturally"—and the young of such +species do not have to be <b>taught</b> how to do these things. +But the young of the human race requires to be taught +such things as above mentioned as having been evolved +by man in the course of his rise from savagery—instinct +will not do it for them. And all of these things outside the +plane of instinct, and within the plane of intellect, cannot +be called "natural" in the strict sense of the term.</p> + +<p>You think that I am exaggerating the matter, perhaps. +Well, then, I ask you to consider the meaning of the two +terms which I have employed so freely in the foregoing +paragraphs: First, let us consider the term, "<b>Natural</b>"; +we find it defined as "<b>fixed or determined by nature, and, +therefore, according to nature, and not artificial, assumed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">{189}</a></span> +or acquired</b>." Next, let us consider the term, "<b>Instinct</b>"; +we find it defined as "<b>natural impulse, or unconscious, +involuntary, or unreasoning prompting to any action</b>." +It will be seen, accordingly, that merely the most elemental +and primitive activities of man are "natural" +in this sense; and that all his acquired activities and +methods are "not natural."</p> + +<p>The activities of man which are in the "not natural" +class may be either desirable for the individual and the +race, or else undesirable for both. Therefore, it will be +seen, all such activities must be subjected to the test of +reason and experience in order to determine whether they +are in the best interests of the individual and the race, or +else opposed to these. This is the only sane method of +testing the validity and desirability of such things—Birth +Control among the others. The claim of "not natural," if +applied at all, must be extended to <b>all</b> things which are +not strictly "natural" or instinctive—it is casuistical to +apply the term in reproach to certain things and to withhold +it from others in the same general class.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">{190}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_XIV" id="LESSON_XIV"></a><span class="lght">LESSON XIV</span><br /> +RACE SUICIDE</h2> + +<p>A favorite argument of certain opponents of scientific +Birth Control is that such teachings and modes of conduct +tend toward Race Suicide, and the consequent weakening +and final destruction of the human race by means of +"bleeding it white" by draining from it its normal supply +of children. Those who hold this view argue that if +Birth Control methods become popular, and sanctioned +by the law and public opinion, then the race will eventually +die out and disappear from the face of the earth. +Some vary the argument by insisting that those nations +favoring Birth Control would suffer decline and gradual +extinction at the hands of other nations opposed to +scientific methods of regulating the number and frequency +of offspring. This is a serious charge against +Birth Control, which if proved would probably serve to +array all right-thinking persons against it.</p> + +<p>But the advocates of Birth Control seriously and +positively controvert and deny the validity and truth of +this argument. On the contrary they claim that scientific +Birth Control would not only keep up the population of +all countries, or any country, to a normal standard proportionate +to its ability to sustain properly such population, +but will also act to render that population stronger +and better, physically, mentally and morally, and far +more efficient in every way owing to improved quality +of the stock. The first requisite is met by <b>the reduction +of the death rate</b> to meet the decreasing birth-rate; and +the second requisite is met by the improvement of the +stock by proper rearing and training made possible by +the decreased size of the average family. <b>Birth control<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">{191}</a></span> +serves to eliminate the waste caused by excessive infant +mortality</b>, and to thus fully counterbalance the decreased +birth rate.</p> + +<p>The advocates of Birth Control assert that the natural +instinct of parenthood, the love of children, and the desire +for offspring and the perpetuation of the family name +and stock, are too firmly rooted and grounded in human +nature to be seriously affected by such knowledge and +practice on the part of the race. They point to the fact +that in many families in which intelligent modes of Birth +Control are favored, and in which the size of the family +has been limited to a few children, the children are, as +a rule, better cared for and provided for, better reared +and better educated, than in the case of families in which +children are brought into the world without thought or +reason, and without the possibility of proper care and +rearing. Birth Control, say its advocates, will not do +away with children, but will merely regulate their number +to rational limits, and at appropriate intervals between +births. Moreover, it is claimed, that while the +birth-rate in such families may be smaller, <b>the death-rate +is also smaller</b>. And, at the last, it is the number of +children that <b>survive</b> that counts with the race, not those +who merely are <b>born</b>.</p> + +<p>The fact that many persons consult physicians for a +cure for sterility, and go to great trouble and expense to +further the bearing of children, and the fact many childless +couples adopt children rather than to have a childless +home, are evidence of the fact that there is no danger +of the parental instinct dying out. It is the experience +of physicians generally that the patients who desire information +regarding scientific contraceptive methods are +usually those who already have as many children as they +can well take care of, and not those who wish to escape +parenthood in toto.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">{192}</a></span></p> +<p>We are constantly reminded that the size of the +average family is much smaller than it was a hundred +years ago—but still the race is rapidly increasing, owing +to the decreased death-rate resulting from a better knowledge +of hygiene and medicine. Moreover, it is positively +asserted that the "old time large family" frequently had +one father but several mothers—the husband marrying +several times in order to replace with a new life the old +wife who had broken down and died from overwork and +excessive childbearing.</p> + +<p>It is claimed that in Holland, in which Birth Control +is recognized by law, and where it is legally sanctioned and +even encouraged among those who are not able to support +large families, statistics show that the population is increasing +more rapidly than before, owing to the decreased +mortality of infants and young children arising +from the better care of those who are born.</p> + +<p>Dr. Robinson says on this point: "Here we have a +whole country, Holland, in which the prevention of conception +is legally sanctioned, in which the use of preventives +is practically universal—and is this country +dying out? On the contrary, it is increasing more rapidly +than before, because we have this remarkable and gratifying +phenomenon to bear in mind, that <b>wherever the +birth-rate goes down, the death rate goes down pari +passu, or even to a still greater degree</b>. This can be proven +by statistics from almost every country in the world. For +instance, in 1910 the birth-rate in Holland was 32, and +the mortality 18; in 1912 the birth-rate fell to 28, but then +the mortality rate fell still lower, namely to 12, so we see +an actual gain in population, instead of a loss. And the +physical constitution of the people has been improving +* * *. And in New Zealand, where the sale of contraceptives +is practically free, the birth rate is now 20, and +the mortality rate is 10. Does that look like race suicide?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">{193}</a></span> +On the contrary, there is a steady increase at the rate of +ten per cent, while sickness and death of children, with +their attendant economic and emotional waste, are reduced +to a minimum."</p> + +<p>Not only are the children of small families as a rule +better cared for, from economic reasons easy to discern, +but it is also a fact that the health of the mothers is far +better, and consequently the health of the children when +born is better than the average. One has but to look +around him upon the families who boast of having had +eight, ten, and twelve children born to them, to see what +a frightful average percentage of deaths of infants and +young children is present, and which brings down the +number of the survivors.</p> + +<p>Dr. Alice Hamilton, in "The Bulletin of the American +Academy of Medicine," for May, 1910, reports that she +has investigated the families of 1,600 wage workers, and +found the following death rate per 1,000 birth among +them, viz.:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Mortality rates compared to family size"> +<tr><td class="pad-r" align="left">Families of 4 children and less</td><td align="left">118 deaths per 1,000 births</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Families of 6 children</td><td align="left">267 deaths per 1,000 births</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Families of 7 children</td><td align="left">280 deaths per 1,000 births</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Families of 8 children</td><td align="left">291 deaths per 1,000 births</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left">Families of 9 children or more</td><td align="left">303 deaths per 1,000 births</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Dr. Hamilton sums up her investigation as follows:</p> + +<p>"<b>Our study of the poorer working class shows that child +mortality increases proportionately as the number of +children increase, until we have a death rate in families +of 8 children and over which is two and a half times as +great as that in families of 4 children and over.</b>"</p> + +<p>The facts above mentioned, and other facts of the +same nature which will be disclosed in the progress of +our consideration of the matter in the present book, have +evidently been overlooked, deliberately or otherwise, by +the fanatics in this country and in Europe who have been +preaching to the people that a falling birth-rate means a +decaying nation. Careful students of sociology now dismiss +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">{194}</a></span>altogether the statement so often made that a falling +birth-rate means "an old and decaying community." +The Germans for years have contemptuously been making +this remark about France, but today they have been +forced to recognize an unexpected vitality in the French, +while, in fact, their own birth-rate has been falling more +rapidly than that of France.</p> + +<p>Nor is it true that a falling birth-rate means a falling +population. The French birth-rate has been steadily +falling for a number of years, yet the French population +has been steadily increasing all the time, though less +rapidly than it would had not the death-rate been abnormally +high. It is not the number of babies born that +counts, but the net result in surviving children. An +enormous number of babies are born in China; but an +enormous number die while still babies. So that it is +better to have a few babies of good quality than a +large number of indifferent quality, for the falling birth-rate +is more than compensated by the falling death-rate. +In England, as the statistics show, while the birth-rate is +steadily falling, the population has been steadily growing.</p> + +<p>Small families and a falling death-rate are not merely +no evil—they are a positive good. They are a gain for +humanity. They represent an evolutionary rise in Nature +and a higher stage in civilization. We are here in the +presence of a great fundamental principle of progress +which has been working through life from the beginning.</p> + +<p>At the beginning of life on the earth, reproduction +ran riot. Of one minute organism it is estimated that, if +its reproduction were not checked by death or destruction, +in thirty days it would form a mass a million times +larger than the sun. The conger-eel lays fifteen million +eggs, and if they all grew up, and reproduced themselves +on the same scale, in two years the whole sea would become +a wriggling mass of eels. As we approach the higher<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">{195}</a></span> +forms of life, reproduction gradually dies down. The +animals nearest to man produce few offspring, but they +surround them with parental care, until they are able to +lead independent lives with a fair chance of surviving. +The whole process may be regarded as a mechanism for +slowly subordinating quantity to quality, and to promoting +the evolution of life to even higher stages.</p> + +<p>This process, which is plain to see on the largest scale +throughout living nature, may be more minutely studied, +as it acts within a narrower range, in the human species. +Here we statistically formulate it in the terms of birth-rate +and death-rate; by the mutual relationship of the +two courses of the birth-rate and death-rate we are able +to estimate the evolutionary rank of a nation, and the +degree in which it has succeeded in subordinating the +primitive standard of quantity to the higher and later +standard of quality.</p> + +<p>Especially in Europe we can investigate this relationship +by the help of statistics which in some cases +extend back for nearly a century. We can trace the various +phases through which each nation passes, the effects +of prosperity, the influence of education and sanitary +improvement, the general complex development of civilization, +in each case moving forward, though not regularly +and steadily, to higher stages by means of a falling +birth-rate, which is to some extent compensated by a +falling death-rate, the two rates nearly always running +parallel, so that a temporary rise in the birth-rate is +usually accompanied by a rise in the death-rate, by a +return, that is to say, towards the conditions which we +find at the beginning of animal life, and a steady fall +in the birth-rate is always accompanied by a fall in the +death-rate.</p> + +<p>It is thus clear that the birth-rate combined with the +death-rate constitutes a delicate instrument for the measurement +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">{196}</a></span>of civilization, and that the record of their combined +curves registers the upward or downward course of +every nation. The curves, as we know, tend to be parallel, +and when they are not parallel we are in the presence +of a rare and abnormal state of things which is usually +temporary or transitional.</p> + +<p>A study of the statistics of European countries furnishes +us with evidence of the facts above stated. It is instructive +to perceive how closely the birth-rate and the death-rate +of the several European countries agree. It is perceived +that <b>the eight countries of Europe which register +the highest birth-rate are the identical countries registering +the highest death-rate</b>. This is as might be expected, +for a very high birth-rate seems fatally to involve +a very high death-rate. The study of the following table +may prove interesting—it certainly is instructive. In the +following table the European countries having the highest +birth-rate are stated in the order of rank according to +size of such rate; and the countries having the heaviest +death-rate are stated in the order of their rank in size of +such rate:</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" summary="Ranking of birth and death rates in European countries"> +<tr><th><i>Highest European Birth-Rate.</i> </th> <th> <i>Highest European Death-Rate.</i></th></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Russia.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Russia.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Roumania.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Roumania.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Bulgaria.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Hungary.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Serbia.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Bulgaria.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Hungary.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Spain.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Italy.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Serbia.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Austria.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Austria.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="pad-l" align="left">Spain.</td><td class="pad-l" align="left">Italy.</td></tr> +</table> + +<p>Moreover, Japan, with a rather high birth-rate, has +the same death-rate as Spain; and Chile, with a still +higher birth-rate, has a higher death rate than Russia. +So, we see, that among human peoples we find the same +laws prevailing as among animals, and the higher nations +of the world differ from those which are less highly +evolved precisely as the elephant differs from the herring, +though within a narrower range, that is to say, <b>by producing +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">{197}</a></span>fewer offspring and taking better care of them</b>.</p> + +<p>So, when we get to the root of the matter, the whole +question of "Does Birth Control tend toward Race Suicide?" +becomes clear, and we are able to answer, positively, +"It certainly does not; on the contrary it tends +toward Race Progress and Race Betterment." We see +that there is really no standing ground in any country for +the panic-monger who bemoans the fall of the birth-rate, +and storms against small families. The falling birth-rate +is a world-wide phenomenon in all countries that are +striving toward a higher civilization along lines which +Nature laid down from the beginning. We cannot stop +it if we would, and if we could we should be merely +impeding civilization. It is a movement which rights +itself and tends to reach a just balance.</p> + +<p>Instead of trying to raise the birth-rate by offering a +bonus on babies as has been proposed in some quarters, it +would be saner and better calculated for the betterment +of the race to offer a bonus upon young men and women +who attained maturity with a definite high standard of +physical and mental development. As a writer on the +subject has well said: "But we need not therefore fold +our hands and do nothing. There is much still to be +effected for the protection of motherhood and the better +care of children. We cannot, and should not, attempt to +increase the number of children born; there is still far +more misery in having too many babies than in having +too few; a bonus on babies would be a misfortune, alike +for the parents and the State. <b>But we may well work for +the better quality of babies.</b> There we should be on very +safe ground. More knowledge is necessary so that all +would-be parents may know how they may best become +parents, and how they may, if necessary, best avoid it. +Procreation by the unfit should be, if not prohibited by +law, at all events so discouraged by public opinion that to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">{198}</a></span> +attempt it would be considered disgraceful. Much greater +public provision is necessary for the care of mothers during +the months before, as well as in the period after, the +child's birth. Along such lines as these we may hope to +increase the happiness of the people and the strength of +the State. We need not worry about the falling birth-rate."</p> + +<p>The more that one intelligently examines the argument +against Birth Control based upon fear of Race +Suicide, the more one becomes convinced that not only is +there "nothing to it," but that every fact brought to +light in the inquiry reveals itself in the nature of proof +of the desirability of Birth Control as a factor of Race +Evolution, rather than evidence to the contrary. Therefore, +the more inquiry and investigation that such argument +brings forth, the stronger is the case disclosed for +Birth Control, and the greater the amount of public +opinion created in its favor.</p> + +<p>In all considerations of the general question of Race +Suicide, one must take note of the general question of Eugenics +or Human Breeding. This because the sound breeding +of the race operates in a direction diametrically opposed +to Race Suicide, while unsound breeding operates +directly in favor thereof.</p> + +<p>When we consider the general subject of Eugenics we +touch upon the highest ground, and are concerned with +our best hopes for the future of the world. There can be +no doubt that Birth Control, considered as a phase of +Eugenics, is not only a precious but also an indispensable +instrument in moulding the coming man to the measure of +our developing ideals. Without Birth Control we are +powerless in the face of the awful evils which flow from +random and reckless reproduction. With it we possess +a power so great that some persons have professed to +see in it a menace to the propagation of the race, amusing +themselves with the idea that if people possess the means<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">{199}</a></span> +to prevent the conception of children they will never have +children at all. It is not necessary to discuss such a +grotesque notion seriously.</p> + +<p>The desire for children is far too deeply implanted in +mankind and womankind alike ever to be rooted out. +If there are today many parents whose lives are rendered +wretched by large families and the miseries of excessive +child-bearing, there are an equal number whose lives are +wretched because they have no children at all, and who +snatch eagerly at any straw which offers the smallest +promise of relief to the craving. Certainly there are +people who desire marriage, but—some for very sound +and estimable reasons and other for reasons which may +less well bear examination—do not desire children at all.</p> + +<p>For the class of married people who do not desire +children at all, contraceptive methods, far from being a +social evil, are a social blessing. For nothing is as certain +as that it is an unmixed evil for a community to possess +unwilling, undesirable parents. Birth Control would be +an unmixed blessing if it merely enabled us to exclude +such persons from the ranks of parenthood. We desire no +parents who are not competent and willing parents. Only +such parents are fit to father and to mother a future race +worthy to rule the world.</p> + +<p>It is sometimes said that the control of conception, +since it is frequently carried out immediately upon marriage, +will tend to delay parenthood until an unduly late +age. Birth Control has, however, no necessary result of +this kind, and might even act in the reverse direction. A +chief cause of delay in marriage is the prospect of the +burden and expense of an unrestricted flow of children +into the family; and it is said that in Great Britain, since +1911, with the extension of the use of contraceptives, +there has been a slight but regular increase not only in +the general marriage rate but also in the proposition of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">{200}</a></span> +early marriage. The ability to control the number of +children not only enables marriage to take place at an +early age, but also makes it possible for the couple to +have at least one child soon after marriage. The total +number of children are thus spaced out, instead of following +in rapid succession.</p> + +<p>It is only of late years that the eugenic importance +of a considerable interval between births has been fully +recognized, as regards not only the mother—this has long +been recognized—but also the children. The very high +mortality of large families has long been known, and +their association with degenerate conditions and with +criminality. However, of recent years, evidence has been +obtained that families in which the children are separated +from each other by intervals of more than two years are +both mentally and physically superior to those in which +the interval is shorter. Investigators have found that +children born at only a short interval after the birth of a +previous child are notably defective, even at the age of +six, in a large percentage of cases; and when compared +with children born at a longer interval, or with first +children, they are, on the average, three inches shorter +and three pounds lighter. These are facts of the most vital +significance.</p> + +<p>Thus when we calmly survey, in however summary a +manner, the great field of life affected by the establishment +of voluntary human control over the production of +the race, we can not see a cause for anything but hope. It is +satisfactory that it should be so, for there can be no +doubt that we are here facing a great and permanent fact +in civilized life. With every rise in civilization, indeed +with all evolutionary progress whatever, there is what +seems to be an automatic fall in the birth-rate. That +fall is always normally accompanied by a fall in the +death-rate, so that a low birth-rate frequently means a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">{201}</a></span> +high rate of natural increase, since most of the children +born survive.</p> + +<p>Thus in the civilized world of today, notwithstanding +the low birth-rate which prevails as compared with earlier +times, the rate of increase in the population is still appalling—nearly +half a million a year in Great Britain, +over a million in Austro-Hungary, and three-quarters of +a million in Germany. When we examine this excess of +births in detail we find among them a large proportion +of undesired and undesirable children. There are two +alternative methods working to diminish this proportion: +the method of regulating conception under the methods +of scientific Birth Control, or the bungling substitutes +for the same, on the one hand, and the method of preventing +live births after conception by means of the abominable +practice of abortion.</p> + +<p>There can be no doubt about the enormous extension +of the practice of abortion in all civilized countries, even +although some of the extravagant estimates of its frequency +in countries, the United States for example, be +discarded as unwarranted. The burden of bearing excessive +children on the overworked and underfed mothers of +the working classes becomes at last so intolerable that +almost anything seems better than another child. As a +woman in Yorkshire once said to an English investigator +of this evil: "I'd rather swallow the druggist's shop and +the man in it, than have another kid."</p> + +<p>A community which takes upon itself the responsibility +of encouraging abortion lays itself open to severe +criticism. And it must be admitted that just as all those +who work for Birth Control are really diminishing the +frequency of abortion, so every attempt to discourage +Birth Control promotes abortion. We have to approach +this problem calmly, in the light of Nature and reason. +We have each of us to decide on which side to range<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">{202}</a></span> +ourselves. For it is a vital problem concerning which we +cannot afford to be indifferent.</p> + +<p>There is no desire here to exaggerate the importance +of Birth Control. It is not a royal road to the millennium +of the race; and like all other measures which the course +of progress forces us to adopt, it has its disadvantages. +But fairness and honest thought should admit freely that +so far as is concerned the question of its being a factor +toward Race Suicide, we must pronounce a verdict of +"Not Guilty" upon Birth Control. On the contrary, the +contrary course of teaching and practice, if carried to +their full logical conclusion, would inevitably bring the +race to such a stage of degeneracy, and retrogression to +primitive type, that a fate far worse than suicide would +befall the human race. For the race, as well as the individual, +may commit "suicide" and an end to its career, +not only by a will-not-to-live but also by a will-to-degenerate.</p> + +<p>The face of Birth Control is set toward the rising sun +of Race Betterment, not toward the setting sun of Racial +Decline. Its ideas are those of Race Life, not of Race +Death. It bids the race not to perish, but rather to live +on in greater strength, happiness, and efficiency. Birth +Control is in full accord with the Racial Will-to-Live, and +not opposed to it. All humanity, all civilization, all human +progress, call upon us to take our stand upon this vital +question of Birth Control. And, as a writer has well said, +in doing so we shall each of us be contributing, however +humbly, to that "one far-off event, to which the whole +creation moves."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">{203}</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="LESSON_XV" id="LESSON_XV"></a><span class="lght">LESSON XV</span><br /> +BIRTH CONTROL METHODS</h2> + +<p>The general subject of Birth Control necessarily includes +the special subject of Birth Control Methods, viz., +of the methods of association between husband and wife +under which offspring is conceived only at such times as +desired, and consequently only in the number desired.</p> + +<p>These methods may be grouped into three general +classes, as follows:</p> + +<p><b>I. Methods of Continence (total or temporary).</b> In +the practice of the methods under this class, there is an +avoidance of sexual relations between husband and wife, +either continuously or for certain periods during which +the liability to conception is great.</p> + +<p><b>II. Methods of Semi-Continence.</b> In the practice of +the methods under this class, there is a partial manifestation +of the sexual relation accompanied by an absence of +the manifestation of the procreative functions.</p> + +<p><b>III. Methods of Contraception.</b> In the practice of the +methods under this class, the usual manifestations of the +sexual relation are observed, accompanied by an avoidance +of the union of the male and female elements of +reproduction which result in conception.</p> + +<p>The student of the subject of Birth Control, of course, +familiarizes himself or herself with each of the several +classes of methods above noted, for the purpose of understanding +the characteristic distinctions between them, +and the respective advantages and disadvantages of each +class. In the following pages each class will be briefly +considered, that the student may acquire a general understanding +thereof, and may be enabled to reason intelligently +concerning them. In this presentation there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">{204}</a></span> +will be sought a fair statement of each class, without any +desire to influence the student for or against either of +them.</p> + +<h3>Continence.</h3> + +<p>Continence (which in this special sense means the +avoidance of sexual relations between husband and wife), +in the strict sense, is based upon the idea that the sexual +relation should not be exercised except for the purpose +and intent of procreation. In the restricted usage of the +term, it refers to the abstinence from sexual intercourse +during stated periods in which the liability to conception +is greatest.</p> + +<p>Rev. Sylvanus Stall, the author of several widely-read +works on the subject of Sex, says of strict continence: +"One theory is that the reproductive function is not to be +exercised except for the purpose of procreation. * * * +There are some married people, more numerous than some +suppose, who have adopted the idea of uniform continence, +and who call the reproductive nature into exercise for +the purpose of procreation only, and who assert that the +maintenance of continence secures not only the greater +strength and better health, but greater happiness also. +* * * While the results of our investigations do not +enable us to assert that it is the true theory, we are yet +prepared to say that it is worthy of thoughtful consideration. +If it is possible for married people to maintain +absolute continence for a period of six months or a year, +it must be conceded that it would be possible to extend +that time to a longer period. The maintenance of this +theory would require such a degree of self-control as is +far beyond the possession of the great mass of humanity. +We fear, also, that there are but few, even if they entered +upon a life union with such thought and intention, who +would be willing to maintain their principles for any considerable +period. * * * The other theory, and that which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">{205}</a></span> +many men and women who are eminent for their learning +and religious life hold to be the correct theory, is that +while no one has a right to enter upon the marriage relation +with the fixed purpose of evading the duty of parenthood, +yet that procreation is not the only high and holy +purpose which God has had in view in establishing the +marriage relation, but that the act of sexual congress may +be indulged in between husband and wife for the purpose +of expressing their personal endearments, and for quickening +those affections and tender feelings which are calculated +to render home the place of blessing and good which +God intended. * * * It is held by those who advocate +this theory, that while it would be possible to restrict the +exercise of the reproductive functions to the single purpose +of procreation, yet in the great majority of instances +the effort to live by that theory would generally +result in marital unhappiness. * * * Due regard is not +only to be paid to the perpetuity of the race, but to the +well-being and perpetuity of the individual."</p> + +<p>The advocates of continence, except for the purpose +of procreation, advance many arguments and evidence to +justify their contention that this is the only course justified +by Nature and Morality. We need not present this +argument here, for it is outside the particular question +now under consideration. However, in all fairness and +justice, there should be presented here the general outline +of their argument that there is no rational basis for the +widely accepted idea that abstinence from sexual relations +is in any way harmful or detrimental to the health +and physical well-being of the human race.</p> + +<p>The advocates of continence cite the cases of many +continent men who have been noted for their vigor and +activity; and claim that such cases also justify their claim +that continence makes for the sound mind in the sound +body of mankind. The following quotations from authorities +will give the general spirit of this contention.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">{206}</a></span></p> +<p>Dr. Kellogg says: "It has been claimed by many, even +physicians, and though with but a slight show of reason, +that absolute continence, after a full development of the +organs of reproduction, could not be maintained without +a great detriment to health. It is needless to enumerate +all the different arguments employed to support this position, +since they are, with a few exceptions, too frivolous +to mention." Dr. Mayer says: "This position is held by +men of the world, and many physicians share it. This +belief appears to us erroneous, without foundation, and +easily refuted. No peculiar disease nor any abridgement +of the duration of life can be ascribed to such continence. +* * * Health does not absolutely require that there +should ever be an emission of semen, from puberty to +death, though the individual live a hundred years." Dr. +Kellogg also says: "This has been amply confirmed by +experiments upon animals, as well as by the experience of +some of the most distinguished men who have ever lived, +among whom may be mentioned Sir Isaac Newton, Kant, +Paschal, Fontenaille, and Michael Angelo. These men +never married, and lived continent lives. Some of them +lived to be a very great age, retaining to the last their +wonderful abilities. In view of this fact, there is certainly +no danger."</p> + +<p>Another writer has said: "The Greek athletes training +for the great Olympic Games were compelled to observe +strict continence, the experience being that by this +course they were able to conserve their vigor and strength +much better. The prize-fighters of today are compelled +by their trainers to observe strict continence during the +period of training. Many of the former champions who +went to pieces suddenly, owe their downfall to a violation +of this rule." Another has said: "Chastity, even continence, +is the prime necessity of the successful athlete." +Dr. Kellogg forcefully says: "Breeders of stock who wish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">{207}</a></span> +to secure sound progeny will not allow the most robust +stallion to associate with mares as many times during the +whole season as some of these salacious human males +perform a similar act within a month."</p> + +<p>Dr. Warbasse has said: "Testicular fluid in the seminal +vesicles, under unexciting conditions, does not require +to be discharged at intervals. I have not been able +to find in the studies of the physiologists that its retention +is abnormal or unhygienic. * * * I do not conceive of a +man suffering from the ills of continence who has been +cast away on a desert island, with no immediate prospect +of relief, and whose mind and hands are occupied with +raising grain, catching fish for subsistence, and constructing +a boat for escape. All that has been said of men may +be said of women."</p> + +<p>Dr. Talmey has said: "Continence, if long continued, +has been claimed to be the cause of impotence. But there +is no valid reason for this belief. To prove the harmfulness +of continence an analogue is brought forward between +the atrophy of a muscle in enforced idleness and +the injury to the sex organs in enforced abstinence. But +the proof is somewhat feeble. The essential organs of +generation are not muscles, but glands, and who has ever +heard of a tear gland atrophying for lack of crying. +* * * There is no valid proof of the harmfulness of total +abstinence in a healthy individual. A perfectly healthy +man is never injured by abstinence. At least there is no +sufficient proof that he ever was; but there are unmistakable +proofs that total abstinence does not harm the +individual."</p> + +<p>Dr. Stockham has said: "The testes may be considered +analogous to the salivary and lachrymal glands, in +which there is no fluid secreted except at the demand of +their respective functions. The thought of food makes +the mouth water for a short time only, while the presence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">{208}</a></span> +of food causes abundant yield of saliva. It is customary +for physicians to assume that the spermatic secretion is +analogous to bile, which, when once formed, must be expelled. +But substitute the word 'tears' for bile, and you +put before the mind an idea entirely different. Tears, as +falling drops, are not essential to life and health. A man +may be in perfect health and yet not cry once in five or +even fifty years. The lachrymal fluid is ever present, but +in such small quantities that it is unnoticed. Where are +tears while they remain unshed? They are ever ready, +waiting to spring forth when there is an adequate cause, +but they do not accumulate and distress the man because +they are not shed daily, weekly, or monthly. The component +elements of the tears are prepared in the system, +they are on hand, passing through the circulation, ready +to mix and flow whenever they are needed; but if they +mix, accumulate and flow without adequate cause, there +is a disease of the lachrymal glands. While there are no +exact analogies in the body, yet the tears and the spermatic +fluids are much more closely analogous in their +normal manner of secretion and use than are the bile and +the semen. Neither flow of tears nor of semen is essential +to life or health. Both are largely under the control of the +imagination, the emotions, and the will; and the flow of +either is liable to be arrested in a moment of sudden +mental action."</p> + +<p>Parkhurst says: "The prostatic fluid, according to +Robin, is secreted at the moment of ejaculation. The remaining +element of the spermatic secretion is produced, +under normal circumstances, only as required, either for +impregnation or for the maintenance of the affectional +function. The theory that the sperm is naturally secreted +only as it is required, brings it into harmony with other +secretions. The tears, the saliva, and the perspiration, +are always required in small quantities, and the secretion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">{209}</a></span> +is continuous; but if required in great quantities, the +secretion becomes great almost instantly. The mother's +milk is chiefly secreted just as it is required for the infant, +and when not required the secretion entirely ceases; +yet it recommences the moment the birth of another child +makes it necessary. * * * A man accustomed to abstinence +will not suffer from any accumulation of secretions, +while a man whose absorbing glands have never had +occasion to take up the secretions will be in trouble; just +as a dairy cow which has not been milked will be in +trouble, though if running wild she would never have +any necessity for milking. * * * The objection that man +needs physical relief from a continuous secretion is answered +by the admitted fact that men not deficient in +sexual vigor live for months, and probably for years, in +strict abstinence, and with no physical inconvenience +such as is often complained of by men who happen to be +deprived of their accustomed indulgence for a week or +two at a time."</p> + +<p>Dr. Nystrom, the eminent Swedish writer on the subject, +however, utters the following warning to those who +would make hasty generalizations on the subject: "In +speaking of relative abstinence or regulation and command +of the sexual instinct, I warn against absolutism in +this regard, and especially against the generalizing of +abstinence as possible for everybody. Although abstinence +during an entire lifetime does not injure certain +individuals, it cannot be endured by others for some +length of time without undesirable consequences. I therefore +oppose the principle of absolute continence as in the +main false. It may possibly be applied to a few deeply +religious or philosophical persons, but not to the majority +of normal people, despite good resolutions and +habits. * * * We must consider the different bodily +constitutions and passions—why some people without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">{210}</a></span> +difficulty, others with the greatest difficulty, can master +their feelings regarding sexual relations. * * * May +those who try to better humanity in sexual respects first +give their attention to the subject when well prepared +with a rich experience and deep study, for otherwise they +cannot give advice which can be followed, and their +work should fail as being contrary to human nature."</p> + +<p><b>Temporary Continence.</b> Many married couples who +are desirous of preventing too-frequent conception, or +conception following too soon after the birth of the +youngest child, practice the method of refraining from +the marital sexual relations during certain periods in +which conception is most likely to occur. This custom is +said to be favored by those acting under the advice of +their religious instructors, and who regard all methods +of birth-control other than continence as sinful. Even +the most orthodox objectors to birth-control as a general +principle seem to regard this particular method as free +from objection, providing that the married couple do not +seek to entirely escape parenthood in this manner.</p> + +<p>This plan is based upon the well-known, and well-established +physiological principle that <b>the time immediately +before the menstrual period, and still more, immediately +after the period is the most favorable to conception</b>. +Impregnation is most likely to occur just after +the menstrual period; while from about two weeks after +the beginning of the period, to a few days before the beginning +of the next period, is the time of comparative +sterility when impregnation and conception are the least +likely to occur. Consequently, the authorities hold that +the period of from ten to fifteen days after the <b>end</b> of the +menstruation is one peculiarly free from the probability +of impregnation and conception.</p> + +<p>This plan of temporary continence, continuing during +the period in which conception is most probable, and terminating +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">{211}</a></span>when that period has passed each month, until +the new period approaches, is followed by many married +couples with the full approval of the conscience and their +religious guides. In many cases the result fulfills the +expectations, though as there is a considerable variation +observed among different women there is no absolute certainty +to the plan considered as a birth-control method—at +the best it is but taking advantage of the law of probabilities, +the chances being in favor of the result sought.</p> + +<h3>Semi-Continence.</h3> + +<p>Semi-Continence (in the sense in which the term is +employed herein) consists of the abstinence from the +exercise of the procreative functions, while there is a +partial manifestation of the sexual relation. Under various +fanciful names, backed by as many curious theories, +this birth-control method is practiced by very many +married couples in this and other countries.</p> + +<p>Among the earlier advocates of this general class of +birth-control methods was Noyes, the founder of the one-time +famous Oneida Community, who taught the doctrine +of what he called "Male Continence." The gist of his +teaching was as follows: That the sexual relation (in its +entirety) should be exercised solely for the purpose of reproduction, +all else being contrary to nature. But, he +held, notwithstanding this, there was possible and proper +a certain degree of such physical relation which, while +not opposing Nature's laws of reproduction, yet was sufficient +to afford a complete manifestation of the "affectional +desire and function." In other words, as a writer +has expressed it, "that one might manifest a marked +degree of sexual gratification and still remain continent, +while feeling none of the irksome restraints of +continence."</p> + +<p>Noyes claimed that his community followed this plan +with satisfactory results, the ordinary sexual relations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">{212}</a></span> +being manifested only when reproduction was specially +desired and deliberately decided upon. Noyes claimed +that in this way there was no secretion of the seminal +fluid, and therefore no waste of the same, and no unnatural +practices such attached to the common custom of +"tricking Nature" by methods of preventing impregnation +and conception. Parkhurst (who, as we shall see +presently, followed Noyes) objected to the Noyes plan, +claiming that "it necessarily stimulates into activity the +generative functions of the sexual batteries, and this not +only causes a wasteful use of sperm, but diverts the +sexual batteries from their affectional function, diminishing +amative attraction."</p> + +<p>In the year 1896, Dr. Alice B. Stockham, of Chicago, +published a book called "Karezza" which has since attained +an enormous sale, the leading principle of which +seems to have been almost similar to that of Noyes, as +above stated. The book was built around the idea previously +announced by the same author in an earlier +book, which she stated as follows: "By some a theory +called 'secular absorption' is advanced. This involves +intercourse without culmination." In her book "Karezza" +this author further stated: "Karezza so consummates +marriage that through the power of will, and loving +thoughts, the crisis is not reached, but a complete +control by both husband and wife is maintained throughout +the entire relation, a conscious conservation of the +creative energy. * * * It is both a union on the affectional +plane, and a preparation for the best possible conditions +for procreation."</p> + +<p>About 1882, Henry M. Parkhurst published a booklet +called "Diana," which since that time has passed through +several editions, and has had a large number of readers. +The principle advocated is radically different from that +of Noyes or Dr. Stockham, above mentioned, although<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">{213}</a></span> +some of the writings of Dr. Stockham seem to favor the +Parkhurst idea as much as the one advanced by herself. +Parkhurst, as we may see by reference to a quotation +from him in connection with the Noyes' idea, did not approve +of the "male continence" as taught by the latter, +although he seems to have considered it a step in the +right direction.</p> + +<p>The gist of the Parkhurst idea is expressed in the +following quotations from his booklet, "Diana": "In +order to secure proper and durable relations between +the sexes, it is necessary to live in harmony with the law +of Alphism, that is <b>abstinence except for procreation</b>. +But if that principle is adopted alone, no means being +taken to provide for the due exercise of the sexual faculties, +it will likely be abandoned or lead to a life of asceticism. +In order to make Alphism practicable for +ordinary men and women, another law has to be observed, +that is, the law of <b>sexual satisfaction from sexual contact</b>; +understanding by the term 'contact' not merely +physical external contact, but using the term in its more +general sense to include sexual companionship, or even +correspondence, bringing the minds into mental contact. +The observance of this law will lead to complete and +enduring satisfaction in abstinence.</p> + +<p>"It is an observed fact that contact incites to activity +the affectional action, * * * extending over the +whole frame, and by their activities satisfies them, without +calling into action the special generative function +of the generative organs. And it is also an observed fact +that the repression of this affectional activity naturally +creates a desire for the exercise of the other; so that a +true remedy for sexual intemperance is the full satisfaction +of the affectional mode of activity by frequent and +free sexual contact. Sexual satisfaction may be obtained +by personal presence, conversation, a clasp of the hands,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">{214}</a></span> +kissing, caressing, embracing, personal contact with or +without the intervention of dress.</p> + +<p>"The exercise of the affectional function tends to +satiety and exhaustion in the same way as all other physical +or mental exercise; but if it is not carried to excess +it is a permanent benefit. * * * The principle of Alphism +will tend to diminish prostitution, not only by diminishing +sexual intemperance, even if the principle is +not at once accepted in practice to the full extent, thus +diminishing the temptation of the present generation, +and the hereditary temptation of future generations; but +also by correcting the physiological error which has led +astray so many, i. e., that total abstinence is not conducive +to health, or to the highest physical pleasure, but +that the ordinary physical relation is an essential feature +in male existence.</p> + +<p>"To avoid misapprehension, these two theories should +be clearly defined and the distinction between them explained. +The doctrine of Alphism is confined to one +principle, i. e., <b>the law of abstinence except for procreation</b>. +Those who believe in this doctrine may be divided +into different classes. Some believe in it as a matter of +duty, to be enforced by precept and self-denial; and +some believe in it as a matter of right, requiring no self-denial. +In the latter is included the doctrine of 'Diana,' +which may be defined as <b>the law of sexual satisfaction +from sexual contact</b>. In other words, Dianism is Alphism +as the result of sexual equilibration."</p> + +<p>The general idea of Parkhurst, and those who have +followed his teachings in some modified or adapted form, +may be said to be based upon the following general proposition: +That there is a dual function in the sexual relations, +which may be stated as follows: (1) the function +exercised from purely physiological causes, and which +expresses the desire for the relation resulting in procreation; +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">{215}</a></span>and (2) the function exercised from emotional +causes, and which expresses what may be called the +"affectional desire," i. e., the desire for the embrace, +caress, fondling, and general companionship with the +loved one of the other sex.</p> + +<p>The first one of these phases, i. e., the reproductive +function, is manifested by the lower animals as well as by +man, and is elemental and primitive in character. It is +often manifested by man without the accompaniment of +the affectional function, and at times seems to be almost +entirely divorced from the idea of high human affection. +The second one of these phases, i. e., the affectional function, +usually accompanied the procreative function in +the human sexual relation, at least in the highest forms +of that relation. But also, it may be and often is manifested +independently of the procreative function by men +and women of refinement. In fact, it would seem to be +the form of physical attraction accompanying the very +highest phase of love, particularly in women.</p> + +<p>It is this affectional function which is manifested by +betrothed lovers in their beautiful period of mutual understanding, +sympathy, and affection. It is that characteristic +of the courting days which is so precious to the +woman, but which is too often sadly missed by the wife +after the honeymoon. It exists often before the fires of +passion are kindled, and it persists often after the flame +of passion has died away. It is the expression of the purest +love of youth, and of the tenderest affection of age. It +is this form of sexual relation, physical though it may be, +that is the outgrowth of evolution in man. May it not be +that in this way man has "improved upon the sexual +habits of the animals"; and that when man violates the +natural restrictions held sacred by animal life, and indulges +in excessive sexual relations in and out of season, +that he is really manifesting a degenerative tendency<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">{216}</a></span> +instead of taking an upward step on the evolutionary +scale.</p> + +<p>There have been many excellent authorities who have +held that this affectional function, and its manifestation, +is far better calculated to satisfy the sexual instincts of +advanced men and women than is the ordinary physical +sexual relation. They claim that in the higher form of +this affectional relation is to be found the secret of the +joy, bliss, and happiness of the betrothed lovers, which +alas! too often disappear when the other form of the +relation is manifested, particularly when manifested to +excess in the manner customary to so many married men. +They claim that in the recognition of this fact of human +life and love is to be found the secret of married happiness +between wedded advanced and cultured individuals. +They assert that the experience of the race, rightly considered +and understood, full proves this contention.</p> + +<p>Edward Carpenter has the following to say on this +point: "It is a matter of common experience that the +unrestrained outlet of the purely physical desire leaves +the nature drained of its higher love-forces. * * * +There are grounds for believing in the transmutability of +the various forms of the passion, and grounds for thinking +that the sacrifice of a lower phase may sometimes be +the only condition on which a higher and more durable +phase can be attained; and that, therefore, restraint +(which is absolutely necessary at times) has its compensation. +Anyone who has once realized how glorious +a thing love is in its essence, and how indestructible, will +hardly need to call anything that leads to it a sacrifice; +and he is indeed a master of life who, accepting the +grosser desires as they come to his body, and not refusing +them, knows how to transform them at will into the +most rare and fragrant flowers of human emotion +* * * Between lovers, then, a kind of hardy temperance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">{217}</a></span> +is to be recommended—for all reasons, but especially because +it lifts their satisfaction and delight in each other +out of the regions of ephemeralities (which too often +turn into dull indifference and satiety) into the region +of more lasting things—one step nearer at any rate to +the eternal kingdom.</p> + +<p>"How intoxicating, indeed, how penetrating—like a +most precious wine—is that love which is the sexual +transformed by the magic of the will into the emotional +and spiritual! And what a loss, on the merest ground +of prudence and the economy of pleasure, is the unbridled +waste along physical channels! So nothing is so +much dreaded between lovers as just this—the vulgarization +of love—and this is the rock upon which marriage +so often splits. There is a kind of illusion about physical +desire similar to that which a child suffers from when, +seeing a beautiful flower, it instantly snatches the same +and destroys in a few moments the form and fragrance +which attracted it. He only gets the full glory who +holds back a little, and he only truly possesses who is +willing if need be not to possess. * * * It must be +remembered, however, that in order for a perfect intimacy +between two people their physical endearment must +by the nature of the case be free to each other. The +physical endearment may not be the object for which +they come together; but, if it is denied, its denial will bar +any real sense of repose and affiance, and make their +mutual association restless, vague, tentative and unsatisfied. +I think, from various considerations, that, generally, +even without the actual physical sex-act, there is +an interchange of vital and ethereal elements—so that it +may be said that there is a kind of generation taking +place within each of the persons concerned, through their +mutual influence on each other, as well as that more specialized +generation which consists in the propagation of +the race."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">{218}</a></span></p> +<p>Count Tolstoi said on this subject: "The difference +in organization between man and woman is not only +physiological but extends also into other and moral characteristics, +such as go to make manhood in man, and +womanhood (or femininity) in woman. The attraction between +the sexes is based not merely upon the yearning +for physical union, but likewise upon that reciprocal +attraction exerted by the contrasting qualities of the +sexes each upon the other, manhood upon womanhood, +and womanhood upon manhood. The one sex endeavors +to complement itself with the other, and therefore +the attraction between the sexes demands a union of spirit +precisely identical with the physical union.</p> + +<p>"The tendency toward physical and spiritual union +forms two phases of manifestation of one and the same +fountain-head of desire, and they bear such intimate relations +to each other that the gratification of the one inclination +inevitably weakens the other. So far as the +yearning for spiritual union is satisfied, to that extent +the yearning for physical union is diminished or entirely +destroyed; and, vice versa, the gratification of the physical +desire weakens or destroys the spiritual. And, consequently, +the attraction between the sexes is not only +physical affinity leading to procreation, but is also the +attraction of opposites for one another, capable of assuming +the form of the most spiritual union in thought only, +or of the most animal union, causing the propagation of +children, and all those varied degrees of relationship +between the one and the other. The question of upon +which footing the relation between the sexes is to be +established and maintained, is settled by deciding what +method of union is regarded at any given time, or for +all time, as good, proper, and therefore desirable. * * *</p> + +<p>"The nearer the union approaches the extreme physical +boundary, the more it kindles the physical passions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">{219}</a></span> +and desires, and the less satisfaction it gets; the nearer it +approaches the opposite extreme spiritual boundary, the +less new passions are excited and the greater is the satisfaction. +The nearer it is to the first, the more destructive +it is to animal energy; the nearer it approaches the second, +the spiritual, the more serene, the more enjoyable +and forceful is the general condition. * * * Taking +into consideration the varying conditions of temperament, +and above all what the contracting parties regard as +good, proper, and desirable, marriage for some will approach +the spiritual union, and for others the physical; +but the nearer the union approaches the spiritual the +more complete will be the satisfaction. The substance +of what has been said is this: that the relation between +the sexes have two functions, i. e., the reproductive, and +the affectional; and that the sexual energy, if only it +have no conscious desire to beget children, must be always +directed in the way of affection and love. The +manifestation which this energy assumes depends upon +custom or reason; the gradual bringing of the reason into +accord with the principles herein expounded, and a gradual +reorganization of customs consonant with them, results +in saving men from many of their passions, and +giving them satisfaction for their higher sexual instincts +and desires."</p> + +<p>Some capable writers on the subject have held that +in the practice of the methods of semi-continence, such +as have been referred to in the foregoing pages of this +part of the book, there may lie the danger of excessive +stimulation of the sexual centres, without the safety-valve +of the physical and nervous relief which follows +as a natural sequence in the ordinary sexual relations. +The advocates of these methods, however, reply that such +objections while valid in the case of persons who practice +the same only because opportunity prevents the performance +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">{220}</a></span>of the usual physical relation, still have no +true application to those who adopt these methods in a +conscientious and honest manner, and who maintain <b>the +proper mental attitude</b> toward the whole question.</p> + +<p>These advocates say that the <b>mental effect</b> upon the +secretions of the body must be taken into account in all +considerations of the question. They say that just as +the gastric juice will begin to flow in response to the +mental image or idea of food, and the mother's milk in +response to the cry of the child for food, so do the sexual +secretions, direction of the circulation, and other physiological +activities result from the mental pictures or idea +of sexual congress. They hold that if the mind of the +husband be filled with mental images of sexual congress, +then there is set into operation the process of secretion +of seminal fluids, and the consequent engorgement of the +blood-vessels concerned therewith, which are denied the +normal physiological relief, and accordingly produce bad +effects upon the nervous system. But they likewise claim +that if the mind of the husband entertains ideas merely +of physical endearment and caress as "an end to itself," +then there is no mental incentive toward the secretion +of the seminal fluids, and the constant engorgement of +the blood-vessels, and no nerve force is generated—and +therefore no nerve-shock is experienced by reason of frustrated +manifestation and expression.</p> + +<p>Parkhurst says regarding the point just mentioned: +"In the relations between the sexes, the question of how +the association of the husband and the wife shall stimulate +the affectional or generative action or sexual batteries +must depend greatly upon their habits of association. +We have only to accustom ourselves to associating the +relation with the affectional action, by repeated repetition +when the affectional action is all that is felt or +thought of, in order to cultivate such habits and associations +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">{221}</a></span>as will make the association tend to <b>repress</b> passional +desires, by the direction of the sexual forces into +the channel of affectional attraction and functioning. +* * * The form of the sexual manifestation will be +largely influenced, by the mind, and largely by force with +these principles, and the gradual formation of habits +consistent therewith, will make more and more evident +their beneficial operation."</p> + +<p>There is much interest now being taken by thinking +people in some phases of the general subject of semi-continence, +and many thoughtful and conscientious persons +find in it at least the promise of a worthy and honest +solution of the problem of Continence as applied to Birth +Control. Such persons claim to find in this general class +of Birth Control methods a happy medium between the +rigid practice of absolute Continence in the marriage +relations, on the one hand, and the more popular methods +of Contraception, on the other hand.</p> + +<h3>Contraception.</h3> + +<p>We now come to the consideration of the subject of +Contraception, pure and simple, the methods of which +contemplate the manifestation of the usual physical sexual +relations between husband and wife, accompanied by +an avoidance of the union of the male and female elements +of reproduction which result in conception.</p> + +<p>It should once more be positively emphasized that <b>by +Contraception is NOT meant Abortion</b>. <b>Abortion</b> means +"the premature expulsion of the human embryo or foetus; +miscarriage." <b>Contraception</b>, on the other hand, +means simply the prevention of the union of the male and +female elements of reproduction, and consequently, the +preventing of the process which evolves the foetus or +embryo. <b>Contraception is prevention; abortion is destruction.</b> +There is here a difference as wide as the poles. +As Dr. William J. Robinson says, in a paragraph previously +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">{222}</a></span>quoted in this book: "In inducing abortion, one +destroys something already formed—a foetus, or an embryo, +a fertilized ovum, a potential human being. In +prevention, however, one merely prevents chemically or +mechanically the spermatozoa from coming in contact +with the ovum. There is no greater sin or crime in this +than there is in simple abstinence, in refraining from +sexual intercourse."</p> + +<p>Unfortunately for the cause of scientific Birth Control +in America, the laws of the United States (and of +most of the separate States) at present prevent the public +dissemination by written or printed words, or by +public teaching of information concerning the contraceptive +methods known to all intelligent physicians and +others who have made a scientific study of the subject. +The conveyal of such information, in the manner stated, +is made a criminal offence, subject to heavy fines and +imprisonment. Though there is a strong movement underway +on the part of many intelligent and earnest citizens +of this country, having for its object the repeal of +such prohibitive laws, and the passage of careful legislation +designed to give the dissemination of such instruction +a legal and certain status, under the restrictions +imposed by common sense, intellectual honesty, and the +best interests of the race—to place it upon the same footing +as in certain advanced European countries—the fact +remains that at the present time no person may give such +information without subjecting himself to indictment and +probable conviction as a law-breaker and enemy of society. +<b>Under the circumstances, of course, there has been, +and will be, no attempts to furnish such forbidden information +in this book.</b> So long as these laws stand unrepealed +on the statute books, they must be observed by +all law abiding citizens.</p> + +<p>Dr. Wm. J. Robinson, an authority on the subject,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">{223}</a></span> +says: "We believe that under any conditions, and particularly +under our present economic conditions, human +beings should be able to control the number of their +offspring. They should be able to decide how many +children they want to have, and when they want to have +them. And to accomplish this result we demand that the +knowledge of controlling the number of offspring, in +other and plainer words, the knowledge of preventing +undesirable conception, should not be considered a criminal +offence punishable by hard labor in Federal prisons, +but that it should be considered knowledge useful and +necessary to the welfare of the race and of the individual; +and that its dissemination should be as permissible as +is the dissemination of any hygienic, sanitary or eugenic +knowledge."</p> + +<p><b>The only possible relief from the present condition is +seen by careful thinkers to be in the education of the +public as to the needs of the case, and the presentation +of the scientific argument in favor of rational and proper +Birth Control, to the end that public opinion, once seeing +the truth in the case, may be sufficiently strong as to +bring about a change in the present antiquated and bigoted +laws. But, so long as the laws remain on the statute +books, they must be observed and obeyed. Education, not +Anarchy, is the true remedy.</b></p> + +<p>The following general remarks on the subject of Contraception, +by Havelock Ellis, the well-known English +authority of the subject of Sex in Modern Society, may +perhaps prove interesting to students of the general subject: +Ellis says: "Many ways of preventing conception +have been devised since the method which is still the +commonest was first introduced, so far as our certainly +imperfect knowledge extends, by a clever Jew, Onan +(Genesis, Chap. XXXVIII) whose name has since been +wrongly attached to another practice with which the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">{224}</a></span> +Mosaic record in no way associates him. There are now +many contraceptive methods, some dependent on precautions +adopted by the man, others dependent upon the +woman, others again which take the form of an operation +permanently preventing conception, and, therefore, +not to be adopted save by couples who already have as +many children as they desire, or else who ought never +to have children at all and thus wisely adopt a method of +sterilization. It is unnecessary here, even if it were otherwise +desirable, to discuss these various methods in detail. +It is even useless to do so, for we must bear in mind that +no method can be absolutely approved or absolutely condemned. +Each may be suitable under certain conditions +and for certain couples, and it is not easy to recommend +any method indiscriminately. We need to know the intimate +circumstances of individual cases. For the most +part, experience is the final test.</p> + +<p>"Forel compared the use of contraceptive devices to +the use of eyeglasses, and it is obvious that, without expert +advice, the results in either case may sometimes be +mischievous or at all events ineffective. Personal advice +and instruction are always desirable. In Holland nurses +are medically trained in a practical knowledge of contraceptive +methods, and are thus enabled to enlighten +the women of the community. This is an admirable plan. +Considering that the use of contraceptive measures is now +almost universal, it is astonishing that there are yet so +many 'civilized' countries in which this method of enlightenment +is not everywhere adopted. Until it is adopted, +and a necessary knowledge of the most fundamental +facts of sexual life brought into every home, the physician +must be regarded as the proper adviser. It is true that +until recently he was generally in these matters a blind +leader of the blind. Nowadays it is beginning to be +recognized that the physician has no more serious and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">{225}</a></span> +responsible duty than that of giving help in the difficult +path of sexual life. Very frequently, indeed, even yet, +he has not risen to a sense of his responsibilities in this +matter. It is well to remember, however, that a physician +who is unable or unwilling to give frank and sound advice +in this most important department of life, is unlikely +to be reliable in any other department. If he is not up to +date here, he is probably not up to date anywhere.</p> + +<p>"Whatever may be the method adopted, there are +certain conditions which it must fulfill, even apart from +its effectiveness as a contraceptive, in order to be satisfactory. +Most of these conditions may be summed up in +one: the most satisfactory method is that which least +interferes with the normal process in the act of intercourse. +Every sexual act is, or should be, a miniature +courtship, however long marriage may have lasted. No +outside mental tension or nervous apprehension must be +allowed to intrude. Any contraceptive proceeding which +hastily enters the atmosphere of love immediately before +or immediately after the moment of union is unsatisfactory +and may be injurious. It even risks the total loss +of the contraceptive result, for at such moments the intended +method may be ineffectively carried out, or neglected +altogether. No method can be regarded as desirable +which interferes with the sense of satisfaction and +relief which should follow the supreme act of loving +union. No method which produces a nervous jar in one +of the parties, even though it may be satisfactory to the +other, should be tolerated. Such considerations must for +some couples rule out certain methods. We cannot, however, +lay down absolute rules, because methods some +couples may find satisfactory prove unsatisfactory in +other cases. Experience, aided by expert advice, is the +only final criterion.</p> + +<p>"When a contraceptive method is adopted under satisfactory +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">{226}</a></span>conditions, with a due regard to the requirements +of the individual couple, there is little room to fear that +any injurious results will be occasioned. It is quite true +that many physicians speak emphatically concerning the +injurious results to husband or to wife of contraceptive +devices. Although there has been exaggeration, +and prejudice has often been imported into this question, +and although most of the injurious results could have +been avoided had trained medical help been at hand to +advise better methods, there can be no doubt that much +that has been said under this head is true. Considering +how widespread is the use of these methods, and how +ignorantly they have often been carried out, it would be +surprising indeed if it were not true. But even supposing +that the nervously injurious effects which have been +traced to contraceptive practices were a thousandfold +greater than they have been reported to be—instead of, +as we are justified in believing, considerably less than +they are reported—shall we therefore condemn contraceptive +methods? To do so would be to ignore all the +vastly greater evils which have followed in the past from +unchecked reproduction. It would be a condemnation +which, if we exercised it consistently, would destroy the +whole of civilization and place us back in savagery. For +what device of man, ever since man had any history at +all, has not proved sometimes injurious?</p> + +<p>"Every one of even the most useful and beneficial +of human inventions has either exercised subtle injuries +or produced appalling catastrophes. This is not only +true of man's devices, it is true of Nature's in general. +Let us take, for instance, the elevation of man's ancestors +from the quadrupedal to the bipedal position. The +experiment of making a series of four-footed animals +walk on their hind-legs was very evolutionary and risky; +it was far more beset by dangers than is the introduction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">{227}</a></span> +of contraceptives; we are still suffering all sorts of serious +evils in consequence of Nature's action in placing our +remote ancestors in the erect position. Yet we feel that +it was worth while; even those physicians who most emphasize +the evil results of the erect position do not advise +that we should go on all-fours. It is just the same with +a great human device, the introduction of clothes. They +have led to all sorts of new susceptibilities to disease +and even tendencies to direct injury of many kinds. Yet +no one advocates the complete disuse of all clothing on +the ground that corsets have sometimes proved harmful. +It would be just as absurd to advocate the complete +abandonment of contraceptives on the ground that some +of them have been misused. If it were not, indeed, that +we are familiar with the lengths to which ignorance and +prejudice may go we should question the sanity of anyone +who put forward so foolish a proposition. Every great +step which Nature and man have taken in the path of +progress has been beset by dangers which are gladly +risked because of the advantages involved. We must +never loose sight of the immense advantages which Man +has gained in acquiring a conscious and deliberate control +of reproduction."</p> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<div id="tn"> +<h2>Transcriber's Note:</h2> + +<p>Numerous minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +Variations in spelling (e.g. fetus/foetus), capitalization, and +hyphenation have not been standardized. Where a misspelling was used +five or more times (e.g. umbillical), no correction has been made. No +attempt has been made to correct factual errors or poorly constructed +sentences.</p> + +<p>The following corrections were also made to the text:</p> + +<ul> +<li><a href="#Page_11">p. 11</a>: femininists to feminists (modern feminists)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_12">p. 12</a>: phenomena to phenomenon (phenomenon of pregnancy)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_27">p. 27</a>: laceration to lactation (lactation or nursing)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_27">p. 27</a>: is to are (there are found severe cramps)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_36">p. 36</a>: "of" added (period of gestation)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_73">p. 73</a>: degeration to degeneration (degeneration and actual Race Suicide)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_84">p. 84</a>: "in" added (in men in general)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_85">p. 85</a>: "for" added (for inebriety)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_92">p. 92</a>: strongly to strong (the woman most strong sexually)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_104">p. 104</a>: "the" added (the best ability and capacity)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_110">p. 110</a>: "are" added (there are unavoidable fallacies)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_113">p. 113</a>: grandparents to great-grandparents (eight great-grandparents)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_135">p. 135</a>: individualation to individuation (greater individuation)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_139">p. 139</a>: "is" added (This is because)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_143">p. 143</a>: below to above (shows a birth-rate of above 30)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_154">p. 154</a>: "of" added (who of all Europeans)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_170">p. 170</a>: preventitives to preventives (use preventives recommended)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_190">p. 190</a>: weaking to weakening (consequent weakening)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_192">p. 192</a>: passi paru to pari passu (goes down pari passu)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_196">p. 196</a>: furnish to furnishes (furnishes us with evidence)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_198">p. 198</a>: "of" added (general question of Eugenics)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_200">p. 200</a>: "not" added (we can not see a cause)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_203">p. 203</a>: <b>Semi-Conception.</b> to <b>Semi-Continence.</b> (<b>Methods of Semi-Continence.</b>)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_209">p. 209</a>: "are" removed ("some people are without" to "some people without")</li> +<li><a href="#Page_217">p. 217</a>: "be" removed ("must be by the nature" to "must by the nature")</li> +<li><a href="#Page_222">p. 222</a>: potention to potential (potential human being)</li> +<li><a href="#Page_226">p. 226</a>: "both" removed ("to both husband or to wife" to "to husband or to wife")</li> +</ul> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Private Sex Advice to Women, by R. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Private Sex Advice to Women + For Young Wives and those who Expect to be Married + +Author: R. B. Armitage + +Release Date: August 30, 2012 [EBook #40623] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PRIVATE SEX ADVICE TO WOMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Bruce Albrecht, S.D., and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + PRIVATE + Sex Advice to + Women + + By R. B. Armitage, M. D. + + For Young Wives and those + who Expect to be Married. + + This book was written so as to give enlightenment + to those entering into wedlock so their + married life will be one of happiness and + pleasure. + + DEFIANCE PUBLISHING CO. + 110 W. 40th ST. + New York, N. Y. + + + COPYRIGHT, 1917 + + CHICAGO, ILL. + + + + +Sex Advice to Women + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +LESSON I--FOREWORD + + Important information which all women should possess, but which + few are given the opportunity of acquiring. The necessity of + rational instruction on Sex Physiology, Sex Anatomy, and Sex + Hygiene. The danger of false information from polluted sources. + The conventional taboo against Sex Knowledge, which is inherited + by the race from the Middle Ages. The Reign of Prurient Prudery. + Ignorance of Sex Science is a frequent cause of immorality, and + the real reason of marital inharmony and unhappiness. The + special need of Sex Instruction on the part of women. The + sex-life of the woman is fuller and more complex than that of + the man, hence her special need of sane information on the + subject. Nature's handicap on woman 7 + + +LESSON II--ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM + + A scientific but plain lesson on the Female Sex Anatomy. The + External Sex Organism of Woman fully described and explained. + What every woman should know about herself, but which but few + intelligently understand. Plain facts cleanly stated in simple + terms. The Internal Sex Organism of Woman fully described and + explained. The Vagina. The Uterus or Womb. Displacements of the + Uterus described. Prolapsus. Antroversion. Anteflexion. + Retroversion. Retroflexion. The Fallopian Tubes. The Ovaries. + General Summary of the Female Reproductive Organism 13 + + +LESSON III--PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM + + The Ovaries and their functions. Primary and secondary Functions + of the Ovaries. The Ova, or human eggs, and their natural + history. The Process of Ovulation. Menstruation and its + incidents. The phenomena of Puberty. The incidents of the + Menopause or Change of Life. The Dangerous Age of Woman. The + Life History of the Ovum. The Birth of the Ovum. The Journey of + the Ovum. The Process of Fecundation. The Spermatozoa and their + offices. The Segmentation-Nucleus. The Division and Sub-division + of the Ovum. The Primitive Trace. The Beginning of the life of + the embryo 21 + + +LESSON IV--GESTATION OR PREGNANCY + + The Period of Pregnancy. How to calculate the Date of Delivery. + Development of the Fertilized Ovum. The Embryo. The Fetus. How + Nature builds up the child from the simple cell. The yolk-sack + or umbilical vesicle. The Allantois. The Placenta and its + offices. The Umbillical Cord. Osmosis. The Amnion. Sex in Embryo + and Fetus. Position of the Fetus. The Table of the Development + of the Unborn Child. Stage of Development of each month + described fully. The Physical Signs of Pregnancy. The Disorders + of Pregnancy. Practical Suggestions for Pregnant Women. + Childbirth and its incidents 33 + + +LESSON V--GENERAL ADVICE TO WOMEN ON SEX SUBJECTS + + Much needed, though seldom obtainable, information on important + subjects. The Truth about the Sexual Emotions plainly stated. + Alcohol and Sexuality. A Startling Statement. A Warning to + Women. The Menstrual Period and its Disorders. Simple methods of + treatment fully described. Dysmenorrhea. Amenorrhea. + Menorrhagia. The Hygiene of Menstruation. Plain Talk on a + Delicate Subject. Leucorrhea: what it is, and how it may be + treated by simple methods. General Treatment and Special + Methods. Uterine Displacements, and simple treatments therefor. + Marital Relations and Menstruation. Marital Relations and + Pregnancy. Sterility in Woman. Practical Advice to Sterile + Women. Miscarriage and Abortion. Sensible Advice to Women 49 + + +LESSON VI--THE SCIENCE OF EUGENICS + + The New Science. The Science of Parenthood. Biological Ethics. + Race Culture. Scientific Parenthood. Preventive Eugenics. + Constructive Eugenics. Race Suicide, real and false. + Conservation and Preservation of the Race. Prevention of + Criminal Offspring. The Causes of Degeneracy. Prevention of the + Transmission of Disease and Insanity in Offspring. Protection + for Mothers. Education for Parenthood. Terrible Effects of + Ignorance of Eugenic Science. Desired and Prepared-for Children + versus "Accidents" and Undesired Children. Not more children, + but better ones; not more births, but fewer deaths among + children. Survival Values versus Production Values 65 + + +LESSON VII--PRENATAL INFLUENCES + + Influencing the Child before birth. Family Characteristics. + Transmission of Parental Traits. Influence of Maternal + Impression. Heredity in General. Opinion of the Best + Authorities. Transmission of Acquired Characteristics. Heredity + versus Environment. The Eugenic Rule regarding Heredity. Fitness + for Parenthood. Preparation for Parenthood, physical, mental, and + spiritual. Maternal Impressions. The Several Theories. Both + Sides of the Question. A Highly Important Subject. Proofs and + Illustrations of Maternal Impressions. Valuable Information for + Prospective Parents. How the Pregnant Mother may influence and + shape the physical, mental, and moral character of her unborn + child 80 + + +LESSON VIII--EUGENICS AND CHARACTER + + Influence of Parental Factors upon the Character of their + Offspring. What Parental Conditions produce the Best Quality of + Children. The Most Favorable Age for Parenthood. What statistics + show. The Vaerting Tables. The Influence of Fathers. The + Influence of Mothers. The Havelock Ellis Studies and Reports. + The Production of Men of Genius. The Investigations of Marro the + Italian Scientist. The Redfield Investigation and Theories. The + Influence of Parental Age on Genius. How Ability is Transmitted. + Why Delayed Parentage produces Better Offspring than Premature + Parentage. Latest Discoveries of Sexual Science concerning an + important subject 103 + + +LESSON IX--THE DETERMINATION OF SEX + + How the Sex of Offspring is Determined, and how Controlled or + Produced at Will. The Biological Viewpoint. The Practical + Viewpoint. The Chromosome Theory. Artificial Influencing of Sex + in Offspring. Professor Doncaster's Reports. Dawson's Theory. + Are there alternate male and female ova? The Effect of Nutrition + in Sex-Determination. Schenk's Theory and Methods. Influencing + the Ovum. Male and Female Elements. Yung's Experiments in + Sex-Determination, and their Startling Results. Changing Sex in + Tadpoles at will. How the Bees determine the sex of their larva. + Experiments upon Butterflies. Why more Boys than Girls are born + after Great Wars. Other Theories of Sex Determination, and the + Methods of Application. The Consensus of the best scientific + thought on the subject 115 + + +LESSON X--WHAT BIRTH CONTROL IS, AND IS NOT + + "Control" not identical with "Prohibition" or "Prevention". + Control means "governing, regulating, or managing influences." + True Birth Control would not reduce the population of civilized + countries, but would increase the same and improve the quality + thereof. Not only a normal Birth Rate but also a normal Death + Rate. Birth Control not anti-social or immoral, but highly + social and highly moral. Misconception due to Ignorance and + Prejudice. Unbalanced Idealism and Fanatical Extremists + responsible for the mistaken ideas upon the subject of Birth + Control. Birth Control Versus Abortion. Higher Phases of Birth + Control. The History of Birth Control. The Causes of the present + interest in the subject. Nature's tendencies toward Birth + Control. How Nature exerts Birth Control in the World. Natural + Law and Biological Principles. The High Ideals of true Birth + Control 127 + + +LESSON XI--THE FETICH OF THE BIRTH RATE + + The Evolution of Public Opinion concerning the Birth Rate. The + old ideal of Quantity at the expense of Quality. The Swing of + the Pendulum in the Opposite Direction. The Rational Reaction. + The Decline in the Birth Rate. The New Ideal. Quality rather + than Quantity. Decreased Death Rate accompanies Decreased Birth + Rate. Survival Values rather than Production Values. How + Increased Death Rate accompanies an Increased Birth Rate. No + High Birth Rate without a High Death Rate. The new Birth Control + Policy in Europe. The Result in Holland. The Progress of the New + Ideals. The Struggle against Ignorance, Prejudice, and + Hypocrisy. The Higher Morality. The Rational View. The Policy of + Wisdom. Plain Facts on an Important Subject 145 + + +LESSON XII--THE ARGUMENT FOR BIRTH CONTROL + + General Argument in Favor of Birth Control. Honesty versus + Hypocrisy. Birth Control decreases Abortion. Birth Control + produces Better Offspring, under Better Environment. Birth + Control produces a lower Death Rate. Birth Control provides + Better Conditions for Children. Birth Control promotes Marriage. + Birth Control curbs Prostitution. Birth Control promotes Health + among Wives. Birth Control tends toward Morality among Married + Men. Birth Control makes for Justice to Children. Birth Control, + if universally practiced, would work great reforms, and would + metamorphose undesirable conditions of modern society. Birth + Control is advisable because along the lines of the highest + evolution of the race, and opposed to the conditions which have + held the race back in the past 158 + + +LESSON XIII--THE ARGUMENT AGAINST BIRTH CONTROL + + Popular objections advanced against Birth Control, and the + rational answer to each. Is Birth Control opposed to Religion? + The relation of Religion to Morality discussed. The Position of + the Churches on the subject of Birth Control. No prohibition of + Birth Control in the Scriptures. Objections to Birth Control on + the part of certain religious bodies seen to be based upon + arbitrary ruling rather than upon the true teaching of Religion, + or the dictates of Morality. The Silence of most of the Churches + on the subject. In the future, Birth Control will be sanctioned + and encouraged by the best religious thought. Birth Control is + not Immoral; it is essentially Moral and in the best interests + of morality in our civilization. Birth Control not injurious to + Health, but is in accordance with the Health of the Race. Birth + Control not Unnatural, and the reason why this is so 172 + + +LESSON XIV--RACE SUICIDE + + The argument that Birth Control favors Race Suicide, and the + refutation thereof. Birth Control keeps up the population to a + normal stand by reducing the Death Rate. Birth Control + eliminates the waste caused by excessive infant mortality. Birth + Control does not discourage children in families, but places + children upon a better basis. The "old time family" and its cost + in child-lives. Wherever the Birth Rate goes down, the Death + Rate goes down to even a greater degree. Proofs from Modern + History. Tables of Mortality tell the true tale. The Story of + Statistics. The eight countries in Europe with the highest Birth + Rate have the highest Death Rate and the lowest average culture. + Birth Control does not tend to Race Suicide, but toward Race + Progress and Race Betterment. The Balance between Quantity and + Quality struck rationally by Birth Control. No real danger of + Race Suicide in the World 190 + + +LESSON XV--BIRTH CONTROL METHODS + + The Three Classes of Birth Control Methods. The Method of + Continence, with the argument for and against the same. The + opinion of Eminent Authorities. Illustrations from History. The + Physiology of Continence. The Methods of Temporary Continence. + The Methods of Semi-Continence, with the argument for and + against it. Noyes' "Male Continence." "Karezza." "Dianism." The + Parkhurst Theory and Method. The Psychology of these methods. + Opinions of Eminent Authorities. Tolstoi's views. The Methods of + Contraception. Distinction between Contraception and Abortion. + Prevention versus Destruction. The Law on the subject of + Contraception. Need of education on the subject, followed by + change in the laws. Education, not Anarchy. Cautionary Advice. A + Sane, Clean, presentation of the Subject 203 + + + + +Sex Advice to Women + + + + +LESSON I + +FOREWORD + + +In this book the writer thereof seeks to convey to women--particularly +to young wives and women expecting to be married--certain important +facts of knowledge, certain necessary information, which all such women +should possess, but which few are given the opportunity to acquire. + +It would seem to require no argument to convince a rational individual +that before a woman is capable of intelligent motherhood she should be +made acquainted with the physiological processes which are involved in +the sexual functions leading to the state of motherhood; but we are +confronted by the fact that few young women are given such instruction. + +It is a strange thing that while even the ordinary school child is made +acquainted with the physiological processes concerned with the processes +of digestion, respiration, circulation, elimination, etc., and while +such education is highly commended, yet at the same time not only are +the young of both sexes reared as if there was no such thing as sexual +functions in existence, but even full-grown adults are left to pick up +their instruction on sexual subjects from chance sources--often polluted +sources. + +Even those about to enter into the important offices of matrimony and +parenthood are permitted to assume those duties and responsibilities +without intelligent and scientific information or knowledge being given +them. What would we think of expecting a woman to cook, without previous +experience and without even the most elementary instruction on the +subject? What would we think of expecting any person to undertake any +important task or duty without experience or instruction regarding the +same? And yet we seem content to allow young women to enter into the +important relationship of marriage, and to undertake the important +office of motherhood, often in absolute ignorance of the physiological +processes involved, and the physical laws governing the same. + +All this absurd practice and custom results simply from the antiquated +notion that it is "not nice" to speak or think of the subject of the sex +functions. The subject has been considered "taboo" by our particular +section of the human race since the Middle Ages, because the ascetic +ideals of that dark period of human history brought forward a totally +false and unnatural conception of sex as fundamentally impure. If the +results were not so deplorable and often tragic, this condition of +affairs would be a fit subject for laughter and scornful ridicule. But, +alas! on the part of the thoughtful observer of this state of things +there is rather great wonder and amazement accompanied by the feeling of +deep sorrow. + +It cannot be honestly denied that in our present age, and period of +modern civilization, and particularly among the Anglo-Saxon branch of +the race, the question of the sex functions is associated with impurity, +at least so far as the popular mind is concerned. In previous +civilizations the subject was accorded its proper place, and was +discussed sanely and thoughtfully, without any sense of shame or +impurity. The Middle Age ideals of celibacy and asceticism brought about +the public conception of the human body as a thing impure--something to +be modified, tortured, subdued and reviled; and a corresponding +conception of sex as a vile, impure thing above which the pure in heart +rose entirely and completely, and which those of a lesser spiritual +ideal were permitted to indulge with a due sense of their degradation +and weakness. It was considered a most worthy thing to lead an ascetic +life with its accompaniment of disdain and punishment of the body. It +was considered most pious and spiritual to forego the ordinary human +relations of sex, marriage and parenthood. From these distorted +conceptions naturally evolved the idea that sex, and all connected with +it, was a subject unclean and impure in itself, and to be avoided in +thought, conversation and writing. Not only the ordinary sex relations +of human life were placed under this taboo, but also the phenomena of +birth and parenthood. Not only did these incidents of life grow to be +considered impure, but they became that which to many was still worse, +that is to say, they became to be regarded as "not respectable." + +Ignorance regarding the plain elementary facts of sexual physiology is +undoubtedly the cause not only of much immorality among young people of +both sexes, but also of many unhappy and inharmonious marriages. The +intelligent portion of our race is now beginning to realize very keenly +the fact that the first requisite of sane marital relations and +intelligent parenthood is a practical and clear knowledge of the +physiology of sex; education concerning the sexual organism, its laws, +its functions, its normal and healthy conditions, its anatomy, its +physiology and hygiene. + +The average physician of experience in general or special practice can +tell tales of almost incredible ignorance on the part of young women who +have recently entered into the relationship of marriage. In some cases +the ignorance is more than a mere absence of knowledge--it consists too +often of false-knowledge, untruthful ideas concerning matters of the +most serious import. It is sad enough to think how such persons may work +results harmful to themselves, but it is even sadder still to realize +that these same ignorant young women must eventually gain their real +knowledge through sad experience--experience paid for not only by +themselves but also by their children. It is a hard saying, but a true +one, that the knowledge of many young wives and mothers is to be gained +by experience paid for by their (as yet) unborn children. + +The writer of the present work is one of the rapidly growing number of +thinking persons who believe that the time has come to educate the race +concerning the importance of sane instruction concerning the functions +of sex. He, and those who think as he does, believe that the time has +come to "Turn on the Light!" They believe that the importance of the +subject will be realized by all intelligent persons, once that their +attention is directed to the subject, and once they have considered it +apart from the old prejudices and distorted customs. When public opinion +on this subject is reformed, then will the taboo fall away from the body +of truth; then will the subject take its place among the "respectable" +topics which may be considered, discussed, and taught, without loss of +caste or prestige. + +In a few decades, perhaps even much sooner, it will be regarded as quite +reprehensible to permit young persons to enter into the relationship of +marriage without a sane, practical knowledge of their own reproductive +organism and the functions thereof, and of their physiological duties to +themselves, to their companions in marriage, and to their children born +or to be born. We may even see the practical application of the somewhat +startling prophecy of Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., who said: "The State +that makes a man study two years before a license as druggist is given; +that makes a young lawyer or doctor study three years before being +permitted to practice; ought to ask the young man or young woman to pass +an equally rigid examination before license is given to found an +American home, and set up an American family." + +While the information above alluded to should be given alike to the +young husband and the young wife, it cannot be doubted that the latter +is the one of the pair who is most in need of this kind of instruction. +While both the young man and the young woman require this instruction, +the need is the greater in the case of the young woman, by the very +nature of the case. The sex functions and processes play a much more +important part in the life of the woman than in that of the man, the +protests of some of the modern feminists to the contrary notwithstanding. +The careful student of the sex life of men and women frankly confesses +that in both the physical and the psychical realm the sex offices make a +greater demand upon the time and attention of the woman than of the man. + +The love-life of the woman is far fuller and more absorbing than is that +of the man. Unhappiness concerning her love-life renders the remainder +of the life of the average woman of comparatively little account; while, +with a happy love-life she will put up cheerfully with the absence of +many other things which are usually regarded as necessities for +happiness. As a writer has said: "Essentially, a woman is made for +love--not exclusively, but essentially; and a woman who has had no love +in her life has been a failure." + +The same rule operates on the physical plane. As the same writer has +said: "Physically, the woman is also much more cognizant of her sex and +much more hampered by the manifestation of her sex nature than man is." +The manifestation of the incidents of menstruation is a constant +reminder to the woman that she is a creature of sex. The phenomenon of +pregnancy is, likewise, something from which the man is free. And, +finally, the menopause, or "change of life," with its incidents greatly +influencing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the woman, +is Nature's final word to the woman that she is the active pole of +sex-life. As the above-quoted writer has said: "Altogether it cannot be +denied that woman is much more a slave of her sex-nature than man is of +his. Nature has handicapped woman much more heavily than she has man." + +And so, in this book, the young woman--the young wife--is directly +addressed, her companion and mate being referred to only indirectly. + + + + +LESSON II + +ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM + + +Every woman should be given plain, practical, sane, sensible instruction +concerning the sex organism of woman, its functions, its laws, its use, +and its abuse. This important feature of the physical organism plays an +all powerful part in the life of every woman, and particularly in the +life of the married woman. It is nature's mechanism for the reproduction +of the race. Every child that is born into the world is conceived, +gestated, and finally delivered as a result of the functioning of this +organism. Therefore, such instruction and knowledge is vitally +necessary, not only for the intelligent performance of the duties of +parenthood, but also for the best interests of race-preservation, +race-culture, and the physical well-being and health of the individual +woman. + +And yet, custom and ancient prejudice have drawn the veil over this most +important subject, so that it is difficult for the average woman to find +practical, clean information concerning her own anatomy and +physiological functions concerned with her sex-life. To many it has +appeared that the particular organs and parts of the body concerned with +the reproductive functions of the woman are base, unclean, and impure, +and that any woman discussing them, or seeking information regarding +them, must be immoral or at least not "respectable." Anatomical charts +and physiological treatises on the subject are tabooed outside of the +doctor's office. Women are considered immodest if they seek to acquaint +themselves with the facts of life concerning one of their most important +classes of physical functions. It is considered "not nice" for a young +woman to know anything about her physical being in those phases which +play the most important part in her life. Can there be anything more +ridiculous and insane? This is a matter which excites the most intense +surprise, disgust, and despair in the average person possessing a +scientific tendency. But the dawn is breaking, and a better day is ahead +of the race concerning these things. + +The sex organs of the woman are divided into two classes, as follows: +(1) The external organs; and (2) the internal organs. Let us consider +each of these classes in turn. + + +THE EXTERNAL SEX ORGANS OF THE WOMAN. + +The external sex organs of the woman are as follows: The Mons Veneris; +the Labia Majora; the Labia Minora; the Clitoris; the Meatus Urinarius; +and the Vaginal Orifice. The term "the Vulva" is applied to the external +sex organs of the woman in general, but more particularly to the Labia +Majora and the Labia Minora (the larger and smaller "lips," +respectively). The term "Vulva" is the Latin term meaning "folding +doors." + +THE MONS VENERIS is the fatty eminence or elevation just above the other +external organs, which forms a mount from which its name (literally, +"The Mount of Venus") is derived. At puberty it becomes covered with +hair. + +THE LABIA MAJORA are the large "outer lips" or folds of skin which +enclose the Vaginal Orifice, and which are situated just below the Mons +Veneris. + +THE LABIA MINORA are the small "inner lips" of folds of membrane, which +are concealed within the Labia Majora, or "outer lips," and are seen +only when the latter are parted. + +THE CLITORIS is a small organ, about an inch in length, situated at the +upper part of the Labia Minora or "inner lips," and usually being partly +or wholly covered by the upper borders thereof. At its extremity it has +a small rounded enlargement which is extremely sensitive and excitable, +and which is the principal seat of sensation in the woman's sexual +organism. + +THE MEATUS URINARIUS is the orifice of the urethra of the woman, the +purpose of which is to afford an exit for the urine. It is located about +an inch below the Clitoris and is just above the Vaginal Orifice. It is +a common error among uninformed women that the urine passes out through +the Vagina; but this, of course, is incorrect, as the two canals and +their respective orifices are entirely separate from each other, though +situated closely together. + +THE VAGINAL ORIFICE is the outer entrance to the Vagina, or Vaginal +Canal or Channel. This orifice is located just below the Meatus +Urinarius. In the virgin it is usually partly closed by what is known as +"THE HYMEN," (vulgarly known as the "maiden head"), although in many +cases the latter is absent even in the case of young girl infants. It +was formerly regarded as an infallible sign of virginity, and its +absence was regarded as a proof that virginity was lacking. But this old +superstition is passing away, for science has shown that the Hymen is +often absent even in the case of young children and infants, and, on the +other hand, is sometimes present after several years of married life, +and even during pregnancy. Much unhappiness has been caused in some +cases where the husband has doubted the virginity of his wife because of +the absence of the Hymen, but consultation with a capable physician +usually removes this misunderstanding. + +The Hymen is a membranous fold, sometimes circular in shape, with an +opening in the center, though in other cases it extends only across the +lower part of the orifice. The opening in the center is for the purpose +of allowing the menstrual blood and the other secretions of Uterus and +Vagina to flow through. In a few cases this opening is absent, the Hymen +being what is called "imperforate"; in which case the girl experiences +difficulty when menstruation begins, and a physician is required to make +a slit or opening in it. In some girls and women the Hymen is quite +tough, while in others it is very thin and is easily broken. In the +latter cases the young girl frequently breaks the membrane during +vigorous exercise, such as jumping rope, etc. And, as has before been +said, in some cases infant girls are born without even a trace of the +Hymen. Under the circumstances, it is seen that the presence or absence +of the Hymen is far from being an infallible proof of the presence or +absence of virginity, and the belief in the same is now regarded as +almost a superstition of the past. + + +THE INTERNAL SEX ORGANS OF THE WOMAN. + +The internal sex organs of the woman are as follows: The Vagina; the +Uterus and its appendages; the Fallopian Tubes; the Ovaries, and their +ligaments, and the round ligaments. + +THE VAGINA is the canal or channel leading from the Vaginal Orifice to +the Uterus or womb. It is situated in front of the rectum, and behind +the bladder. In length, it averages from three to five inches; and it +curves upward and backward, reaching to the lower part of the neck of +the womb, or Uterus, which part of the neck is enclosed by it. It is a +strong fibro-muscular structure, lined with mucous membrane; and is not +smooth inside, but is arranged in inner folds or rings which are capable +of great extension. + +On either side of the Vagina, near the outer orifice, are two small +glands, about the size of a pea, which secrete a peculiar fluid, and +which are known as the Glands of Bartholine. The office of the Vagina is +that of a complementary to the male organ during the copulative process; +to also sustain the weight of the Uterus; to also afford a passage for +the infant at the time of its birth; and also to serve as a passage for +the menstrual fluid. + +THE UTERUS, or Womb, is the internal sex organ of the woman which serves +to hold the fertilized ovum, or egg, from the time of impregnation, +during the period of pregnancy during which the ovum develops into the +young child, and until the time of the delivery of the child. + +The Uterus is a hollow pear-shaped muscular organ, about three inches in +length, nearly an inch thick, and about two inches broad across its +upper part, or FUNDUS; the lower part, or CERVIX, being much narrower. +The CERVIX, or "neck" of the womb, projects into the Vagina, forming the +"os uteri," or "mouth of the womb," at that point. The Uterus is +composed chiefly of a muscular coat, its walls consisting of strong +muscular fibres which contract independently of the will, as do similar +muscles in the stomach and bladder. These muscular walls are capable of +enormous distention during pregnancy. The muscles of the healthy womb +are capable of a tremendous pressure and resistance, and are capable of +expelling the child with but slight labor at the time of delivery. + +The Uterus is located just behind and slightly above the bladder, and is +supported by eight ligaments which, in a healthy condition, hold it +firmly and easily in place. Displacements of the Uterus are due to the +weakening or relaxing of some or all of these ligaments, generally +caused by general weakness or else by excessive physical exercise or +labor. The principal DISPLACEMENTS OF THE UTERUS are as follows: +Prolapsus, or lowering of the womb in the vagina; Antroversion, or the +bending forward of the womb; Anteflexion, or the "doubling up" of the +womb FORWARD on itself; Retroversion, or the bending backward of the +womb; and Retroflexion, or the "doubling up" of the womb BACKWARD on +itself. Extreme degrees of the last four mentioned forms of displacement +often interfere with impregnation. + +The internal surface of the Uterus is lined with mucous membrane +thickly studded with minute hairlike cells which manifest continuous +motion. This motion, in the lower part of the womb, is in the direction +of the fundus or upper part of the womb; in the upper part of the womb, +the motion is in the opposite direction; the purpose of these opposing +movements being to carry the male elements toward that portion of the +womb into which the Fallopian Tubes discharge the products of the +Ovaries, as we shall see presently. + +The Uterus is supplied with follicles around its neck which secrete a +very firm, adhesive mucus substance, which serves as a gate or door +across the mouth of the womb during the period of pregnancy, and which +also serves to prevent the accidental displacement of the ovum or egg. +During and just after menstruation, the Uterus becomes enlarged and more +vascular. During pregnancy, it largely increases in weight. After +delivery, it resumes its normal size, but the cavity is larger than +before conception. In old age, it becomes atrophied and denser in +structure. + +THE FALLOPIAN TUBES are the ducts of the Ovaries, and serve to convey +the ova, or eggs, from the Ovaries to the cavity in the Uterus. They are +two in number, one on each side, each tube being about four inches in +length. They extend from either side of the fundus of the womb, through +the broad ligaments which hold them and the Ovaries in position until +they communicate with the Ovaries. They are lined with a membrane +composed of the same kind of peculiar hair-like cells which are found in +the lining of the womb, the purpose in this case being to urge forward +the ova or eggs toward the Uterus. + +At the ovarian end of the tubes the latter expand into a fringed, +trumpet-shaped extremity, the fringe being known as "the fimbria." The +tubes are only about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter, and their +small caliber makes it easy for them to clog up as the result of slight +inflammation, or to become clogged up or sealed at their mouths or +openings, thus causing sterility or inability of the woman to conceive. +If the tubes are clogged, or sealed up, it of course is impossible for +the ova or eggs to reach the uterus. + +THE OVARIES are the two oval-shaped bodies lying one on either side of +the Uterus. In them the ova, or eggs, are formed. They are each about +one and one-half inches long, about one inch wide, and about one-half an +inch thick. In addition to their attachment to the broad ligament, they +are held in position by folds or ligaments running to the fundus of the +Uterus and to the fimbriated extremities of the Fallopian Tubes. The +Ovaries are covered by a dense, firm coating which encloses a soft +fibrous tissue, abundantly supplied with blood-vessels, which is called +the stroma. Imbedded in the mesh-like tissue of the stroma are found +numerous small, round, transparent vesicles, in various stages of +development, known as the Graafian follicles, which are lined with a +layer of peculiar granular cells. These Graafian follicles are the +receptacles or sacs which contain the ova, or eggs, which constitute the +female reproductive germ. Each vesicle contains a single ovum or egg. + + +Summary. + +From the foregoing, it is seen that we may enumerate the sex organs of +the woman as follows, proceeding from the external to the internal +organism: First, the Mons Veneris, or prominent eminence above the more +important external sex organs; then the Labia Majora, or large outer +"lips" or folds, which are plainly discernable to the ordinary view; +then the Labia Minora, or smaller inner "lips" or folds, and the +Clitoris or small sensitive organ, and the Meatus Urinarius or urinary +orifice, all of which are discernable only when the folds of the Labia +Majora are parted or opened. Then, proceeding upward and backward from +the Vaginal Orifice, we find the Vagina, or channel or canal leading to +the Uterus or Womb; then we find the Uterus or Womb at the upper end of +the canal or channel of the Vagina. Then extending from either side of +the Uterus or Womb we find those two important sets of organs known as +the Fallopian Tubes, and the Ovaries, respectively. The Ovaries +discharge their ova, or eggs, into the Fallopian Tubes, from whence they +are conveyed to the Uterus or Womb, with which the tubes are connected +and into which they open at its upper and large end. + +THE PELVIS is that bony arch in the cavity of which are contained the +internal sex organs of the woman. The Pelvis is a bony basin which holds +and supports the pelvic organs, and is composed of three important +parts, as follows: (1) The Sacrum, consisting of five sections of the +vertebral column, or spine, fused together so as to constitute the solid +part of the lower spine and the back of the Pelvis; (2) the two +Hip-Bones, one on each side of the Pelvis; (3) the Pubic Arch, or the +front part of the Pelvis, formed by the junction of the two Hip-Bones in +front. Attached to the Hip-Bones are the thighs, and also the large +Gluteal Muscles which constitute the buttocks, or "seat." + +The Pelvis of the woman is quite different from that of the man. It is +shallower and wider, and lighter in structure than that of the male, and +the margins of the Hip-Bones are more widely separated, thus making the +hips of the woman far more prominent than those of the man. Also, the +Sacrum is shorter than that of the man, and the Pubic Arch wider and +more rounded than his. This difference in the bony structure is made +necessary by the demand for larger space in the female Pelvis required +for the purposes of childbirth. These differences are not so perceptible +in childhood, but become marked and pronounced at puberty. + + + + +LESSON III + +PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE SEX ORGANISM + + +In the preceding lesson you have been shown "just what" each one of the +sex organs of the woman IS. In the present lesson you will be shown +"just what" each of these organs DOES--what its functions and offices +are. The preceding lesson dealt with the ANATOMY of these organs; the +present lesson will deal with the PHYSIOLOGY thereof. + +Beginning with the Ovaries, the fundamental and basic sex organs of the +woman, you will have explained to you the wonderful processes performed +by each of these organs in turn. + +THE OVARIES. The Ovaries in the woman are akin to the testicles in the +man. Without the Ovaries there would be no ova or eggs, and without the +ova there would be possible no reproductive purposes, and therefore no +office for the sex organs at all, for reproduction is the fundamental +office, function, and purpose of the entire sexual organism. + +In our consideration of the office, purposes, and functions of the +Ovaries, however, we must not overlook a certain secondary phase of such +functioning. While it is true that the primary purpose of both the +testicles of the male, and the Ovaries of the female, is that of +providing SEED from which the offspring of the individual may be +produced, it is likewise true that there exists a secondary purpose +which may be called the "individual" purpose as contrasted with the +"racial" and primary one. + +This secondary or "individual" purpose of the Ovaries is that of +manufacturing certain secretions which are absorbed by the blood of the +woman, and which play an important part in her physical and mental +well-being and activities. These secretions begin before puberty in the +woman, and continue after her menopause; whereas the manufacture of the +ova begins only at puberty, and ceases with the menopause, keeping pace +with the manifestation of menstruation in its beginning and its ending. + +Nature provides these chemical secretions from the Ovaries for the +purpose of giving the woman her characteristic physical form and +contour, her form, her breasts, her long hair, her broad pelvis, her +soft voice, and other secondary sex characteristics; and also of +providing for the normal development of the other sex organs. As a proof +of this statement, science shows us that if a woman's ovaries are +completely removed there is usually a consequent atrophy or "drying up" +of the Uterus and the Vagina, and often even of the Vulva. Moreover, the +presence of this internal secretion manifests in arousing and +maintaining in the woman her normal sexual desire, and her normal +pleasure in the company of her mate; it being noted that if the ovaries +are removed, particularly in early life, the woman is apt to lose all +sexual desire and normal womanly feeling toward the other sex. And, +finally, these secretions make for general physical and mental health +and well-being in the woman, and contribute to her vivacity, energy, +and activity in all directions. As writers on the subject have well +pointed out, this is the reason that capable surgeons usually try to +leave at least a portion of the Ovaries when performing an operation for +the removal of those organs on account of diseased condition. + +THE OVUM. The Ovum, or human egg, is a small spherical body, measuring +from one two-hundred-and-fortieth to one one-hundred-and-twentieth of an +inch in diameter. It has a colorless transparent envelope, the latter +enclosing the yolk which consists of granules or globules of various +sizes embedded in a viscid fluid. In the center of the yolk is found a +very small vesicular body consisting of a tenuous transparent membrane, +which is known as "the germinal vesicle;" this, in turn, contains a very +tiny granular structure, opaque, of yellow color, known as "the germinal +spot." + +When the time is reached in which the ovum or egg is to be discharged, +the Graafian follicle becomes enlarged by reason of the accumulation of +the fluids in its interior, and exerts such a steady and increasing +pressure from within, outward, that the surrounding tissue yields to it, +and it finally protrudes from the Ovary, from whence it is then expelled +with a gush, owing to the elasticity and reaction of the neighboring +tissues. + +Following this rupture there occurs an abundant hemorrhage from the +vesicles of the follicle, the cavity being filled with blood, which then +coagulates and is retained in the Graafian follicle. The formation and +development of the Graafian follicle begins at puberty and continues +until the menopause or "change of life" of the woman. Many follicles are +produced, but many do not produce ova, and so gradually atrophy. The +ripening and discharge of the eggs produce a peculiar condition of +congestion of the entire female sexual organism, including the Fallopian +Tubes, the Uterus, the Vagina, and even of the Vulva, which results in a +condition of Sexual Excitement. Among the lower animals the female will +allow the male to approach her for copulation only at this period, this +being the time when the egg is ready for fertilization. + +When the female infant is born, her Ovaries contain the germs of about +100,000 ova. The greater portion of these, however, disappear, until at +the time of her puberty the number of germs of ova contains only about +30,000 ova. This number is far more than the woman will ever need, and +is Nature's provision against diseased portions of the Ovaries, +accidents, etc. Only one ovum ripens and matures each month from puberty +until menopause, so that the woman really requires only about 300 to 350 +ova on the average. This liberality on the part of Nature, however, does +not begin to approach her lavishness in the case of seed of the male, +for in his case while only one spermatozoon is required to fertilize an +ovum (and in fact only one is permitted to do so), we find that in each +normal act of ejaculation of semen by the male over 250,000 spermatozoa +are projected. + +The ripening and discharge of the egg from the Ovaries, and the +consequent congestion above referred to, accompanied by what is called +Menstruation, occurs regularly each lunar month (28 days). What is +called Ovulation consists of the monthly maturing and expulsion of the +ripe ovum or egg, while Menstruation (as we shall see later on) consists +of the monthly discharge of blood and mucus from the inner surface of +the Uterus; the two processes occur in connection with each other, yet +neither can be considered as the cause of the other. + +MENSTRUATION. It may be well to call your attention at this point to the +process known as Menstruation, or "the monthly flow," or "the courses" +of women. Menstruation is the monthly flow of bloody fluid which occurs +in all healthy (non-pregnant) women from puberty to the menopause or +"change of life." + +By "PUBERTY" is meant the age at which a woman begins her period of +possible child-bearing experience. In temperate climates the average age +of puberty is about fourteen years, while in tropical countries it is +often a year or so earlier, and in arctic countries a year or so later. +The time, however, depends materially upon the temperament, race, +hygiene, and general environment of the individual girl. At this period +the girl gradually changes into the young woman. Her figure changes, her +bust develops, her hips broaden, and her mental and emotional nature +undergoes a change. Also the menstrual flow begins to manifest at this +time; at first scanty and irregular, but gradually changing into the +characteristic flow each month. + +At the period of puberty, the girl undergoes marked emotional changes. +She becomes very "emotional" as a rule, and quite "sensitive." She +becomes filled with strange, unaccountable longings, ideas, and +"notions." She usually manifests a great emotional interest in her girl +friends, and often manifests marked jealousy in connection with these +friendships. The girl is apt to indulge in day-dreaming at this period, +and becomes quite romantic and "flighty." She devours love stories, and +delights in imagining herself as the heroine of similar adventures. The +period from the beginning of puberty to that of the attainment of full +sexual maturity is known as the period of "adolescence," and generally +extends to about the age of eighteen in the case of girls. + +By the MENOPAUSE is meant that period of the woman's "change of life," +the average time of which is about the age of forty-five years, although +this varies greatly in different individuals. As a rule, it is held that +the period of the woman's child-bearing possibility extends over an +average period of thirty years. At the Menopause the woman's +reproductive activity declines and finally ends. The Ovaries diminish in +size, the Graafian follicles cease to form and develop; the Fallopian +Tubes atrophy; and there occur other physical, mental, and emotional +changes in the woman. While the age of forty-five is held to be the +average age at which the Menopause occurs in women, still it is not at +all uncommon to find women who menstruate regularly up to the age of +fifty, or fifty-two, or even fifty-five, while a large number of women +menstruate regularly at the age of forty-eight. + +Some women undergo little or no physical or emotional disturbance at the +time of the Menopause. In such cases their periods become more or less +irregular, with extending intervals between periods; the flow becomes +more and more scanty; then several periods are skipped altogether; and +finally the periods cease entirely. Other women, however, experience +more or less physical disturbance during the years of the "change." They +sometimes experience loss of appetite, or a capricious appetite, +headaches, loss of weight, or else a sudden taking on of fatty tissue. +They often become quite irritable and "notiony," and often become +quarrelsome and pugnacious, and in some cases manifest unreasonable +jealousy. But, in the opinion of many of the best authorities, much of +this trouble comes from the mental expectancy of them by the woman, +resulting from the notion that a woman must have these things happen to +her. The power of the mind over the body is now well known, and we have +here another instance of its effect. The remedy is obvious. + +Another matter which disturbs the woman at this time, in many cases, is +the common belief that after "the change" she will lose all of her sex +attractiveness, and her sexual feelings, etc. This is a grave error, for +the experience of all observing physicians is that no such results +follow this period of the woman's life. Many women become even more +attractive to the other sex after this time, by reason of acquiring a +certain maturity and "ripeness" which proves very attractive to many +men--often to young men as well as older ones. Moreover, the sexual +desires do not cease with the cessation of the reproductive functions. +On the contrary, it often happens that such emotions and desires are +increased in the woman at, and after, this time of her life. So true is +this that this period has been called "The Dangerous Age" for women, +and the experience of many a woman of forty-five to fifty will +corroborate this statement. The woman at this time should beware of +contracting unwise love affairs and entanglements, and of yielding to +impulses toward men other than her mate. A word to the wise should be +sufficient in this case. + +To return to the main subject of Menstruation, it may be said that the +monthly flow, when once established, occurs at intervals of every +twenty-eight days, on the average, although in some individual cases it +occurs as often as every twenty-one days, while in others it occurs as +seldom as once in every six weeks, all without exceeding the bounds of +normal functioning. Menstruation ceases temporarily during pregnancy, in +normal cases, and often also ceases during the period of lactation or +nursing. The menstrual period lasts on an average for four or five days, +the flow increasing for the first half of the period, and decreasing +during the last half. At the beginning of the period there is often +manifested a general congestion of all of the sexual organs of the +woman, and often of the breasts as well. There is also usually found a +sense of physical discomfort, from which more or less irritable feeling +arises. In rare cases there are found severe cramps and pains, and in +some cases the woman finds it necessary to call in medical aid, or to go +to bed, or both. In such cases a cure is often worked by improving the +general health, and by observing common sense hygienic rules. + +Menstruation is caused by a hypertrophy of the mucus membrane of inner +surface of the Uterus, which is followed by a shedding of the +hypertrophied membrane. This leaves exposed the underlying vessels, +which bleed. New mucus membrane is formed after the period. The +menstrual flow consists of a thin, bloody fluid, having peculiar odor, +in which is combined blood, thin skin, and mucus membrane, and also +mucus from the Uterus and the Vagina, the blood being light in +consistency and not clotted. + +During the menstrual period the ovum, or egg, is discharged, and enters +the Uterus, as we shall see presently. + +THE LIFE-HISTORY OF THE OVUM. The physiology of the remaining sexual +organs of the woman may perhaps best be studied by considering the story +of the Life-History of the Ovum, or human egg, for the functions of such +organs are concerned with such life-history of the egg, and really exist +merely to create such a history, or rather, to produce the process which +constitutes the basis of such history. + +The ovum, or egg, when discharged from the ovary, is at first surrounded +by a few cells which serve as nourishment, but which soon disappear. It +enters the Fallopian Tube and begins its journey toward the Uterus, +being urged on its way by the constant movement of the lining-cells of +the interior of the tube, in the direction of the Uterus. Certain +changes in structure occur. Its passage to the Uterus may be +interrupted, and the ovum lost and finally cast off. But the ovum that +is successful finally arrives at the Uterus where it awaits impregnation +or fertilization by the spermatozoon of the male. + +If copulation occurs within a reasonable time after the arrival of the +ovum, it is impregnated or fertilized. Fecundation results and +conception ensues, the ovum then remaining attached to the walls of the +Uterus, and in time develops into the foetus. If, however, the ovum is +not impregnated, because of absence of copulation or from other causes, +it gradually loses its vitality, and is finally cast off with the +several uterine secretions. + +It should be explained here that the "spermatozoon" of the male (the +plural of the term is "spermatozoa") is the male generative "seed." The +sperum, semen, or seminal fluid of the male is filled with hundreds of +thousands of spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon is a minute living, moving +creature, resembling a microscopic tadpole. It has a head, a rod-like +body, and a thin hair-like tail, the latter being kept in constant +motion from side to side, by means of which the tiny creature is enabled +to travel rapidly from one point to another. The human spermatozoon +measures about one six-hundredth of an inch in length. It is composed of +protoplasm, the substance of which all living creatures are composed. +The spermatozoa are believed to be developed from a parent sperm-cell, +by the process of segmentation or subdivision, which process is common +to all cell-life. The numerous spermatozoa dwell in a gelatinous +substance, which, mingling with the other fluidic secretions of the +glands of the male, constitutes the male seminal fluid, sperm, or semen, +which is ejaculated by the male during the process of copulation. + +Fecundation (i. e. fertilization, impregnation; the process by which the +male reproductive element is brought in contact with the female ovum or +egg) is brought about by the blending of the male reproductive element +(or spermatozoon) with the female reproductive element (or ovum, or +egg). This blending is of course accomplished by the bringing together +in mutual contact the two reproductive elements just mentioned. The +sexual act which results in this "bringing together" of the two elements +is known as "copulation," or "coition." In copulation or coition the +seminal fluid of the male, containing an enormous number of spermatozoa, +is ejaculated from the male intromittent organ into the receptive canal +or channel of the female (the Vagina), and in this way finally comes +into actual contact with the female ovum or egg which is awaiting it in +the Uterus of the female. + +The spermatozoa (in the process of copulation) are deposited in the +Vagina of the female, usually at its upper end, but sometimes in the +lower portion; and in rare and peculiar cases even at or about the +Vaginal Orifice or outer vaginal opening. In either case they travel up +the remaining portion of the Vagina and finally enter the Uterus or +womb. The spermatozoa possess wonderful vitality and power of +locomotion. There are cases recorded in which the spermatozoa deposited +on or about the outer female genitals have managed to travel inward and +upward until they have finally reached the Uterus, where conception has +resulted. Such cases, of course, are rare, but they exist, well +authenticated and accepted by medical science as facts. + +It must not be supposed, however, that the impregnation of the ovum +occurs only in the womb proper. Cases are known in which the spermatozoa +have traveled along the Fallopian Tubes and impregnated the ovum there; +and in very rare cases the spermatozoon seems to have penetrated even to +the Ovary itself, and there impregnated the ovum on the surface of the +Ovary. Some excellent authorities, in fact, insist that all normal +impregnation occurs at the end of the Fallopian Tube--the point of its +entrance into the upper part of the womb, rather than in the body of the +womb, or at its mouth, as the older authorities taught. But wherever the +actual contact of spermatozoon and ovum occurs, the blending of the +elements is performed and fertilization, impregnation, or fecundation is +accomplished. + +As a result of copulation, then, the spermatozoon (or a number of +spermatozoa) comes in contact with the female ovum or egg. Then one or +more of them, by means of a furious lashing of the tiny tail, manages to +penetrate the outer covering of the ovum, and enters the space between +the outer covering and the real body of the egg. Several spermatozoa may +effect an entrance into this outer space, BUT ONLY ONE IS PERMITTED TO +ENTER THE REAL BODY OF THE EGG. [Twins are produced by the impregnation +of two ova by two spermatozoa, at the same time. The presence of the two +ova at the same time is unusual]. The moment that the real body of the +ovum is penetrated by the successful spermatozoon, a tough covering or +thick membrane forms around the ovum and thus prevents the entrance of +other spermatozoa. The successful spermatozoon then loses its tail, and +the remaining head and body become what is known as "the male +pronucleus." + +The authorities are uncertain as to the exact nature of the change which +occurs when the ovum is penetrated by the spermatozoon. The outward +manifestations of the change and transformation arising from the +blending of the male and female elements are of course well known, but +the "life process" eludes the power of the microscope. When Nature forms +the thick membranous coating over the impregnated ovum, she draws the +veil over one of her most important secrets. The first segmentation-nucleus +having been formed by the blending and forging together of the male and +female pronuclei, the process of segmentation begins. + +Segmentation proceeds as follows: the impregnated egg splits into +halves, forming two joined cells; then into quarters, forming four +joined cells; then into sixteenths, then into thirty-seconds, +sixty-fourths, and so on, until the ovum consists of a combined mass of +very minute granular-like cells, the whole resembling a mulberry. The +segmentation of the nucleus precedes and then continues with the +segmentation of the yolk. After the egg has been divided into a great +number of these cells, the latter begin a centrifugal action resulting +in the formation of a complete inner lining of closely packed cells, +with a central cavity filled with the yolk liquid. + +In the meantime, the Uterus has been prepared for the reception of the +impregnated and transformed ovum. A thick, spongy, juicy, mucus membrane +forms, into which the changing ovum passes and attaches itself; the +mucus membrane soon enveloping it and shutting it off from the rest of +the Uterus. There now appears at one point on the ovum an opaque streak, +which is called "the primitive trace" of the embryo--the first beginning +of the young living creature. The "primitive trace" then grows in length +and breadth. At this point we must leave the history of the ovum, or +human egg, for the present; its further development will be related in +the succeeding lesson, the subject of which is "Gestation." + + + + +LESSON IV + +GESTATION OR PREGNANCY + + +Gestation is "the act of carrying young in the Uterus, from the time of +conception to that of parturition." Conception occurs at the moment of +the impregnation of the ovum; parturition is the act of delivery, or +childbirth. Pregnancy is "the state of being with child." The terms +"period of gestation," and "period of pregnancy," respectively, are +employed by medical authorities to designate the time during which the +mother carries the young within her own body--from the moment of the +impregnation of the ovum until the moment of the final delivery of the +child into the outer world. + +The term of pregnancy in woman continues for over nine calendar months +(or ten lunar months)--from about 275 to 280 days, though in exceptional +cases it may be terminated in seven calendar months, or on the other +hand may continue for ten calendar months. The usual method is to figure +280 days from the FIRST DAY of the LAST MENSTRUATION. A simple method of +calculating the probable date of delivery is as follows: COUNT BACK +THREE MONTHS, AND THEN ADD SEVEN DAYS, AND YOU WILL HAVE THE DATE OF +PROBABLE DELIVERY. Example: A woman's FIRST DAY OF LAST MENSTRUATION is +March 28. Counting back three months gives us December 28; and adding +seven days to this gives us January 4, as the date of probable delivery. +There will always be a possible margin of a few days before or after the +ascertained probable date--but the delivery will very closely +approximate said date. Ignore the shortage of days of February in this +calculation, the same being covered by the general margin allowed. + +DEVELOPMENT OF THE IMPREGNATED OVUM. In the preceding lesson we +terminated our consideration of the impregnated ovum at the point at +which, after the process of segmentation, the "primitive trace" had +appeared. This primitive trace appears as an opaque streak, or straight +line, formed of an aggregation of cells of a distinctive quality. This +delicate "trace" or "streak" is the first indication of the form of the +coming child. It is the basis, pattern, or mould, in or around which the +spinal column is to be formed, and around which the entire young body is +to be developed by the wonderful and intricate processes of dividing and +reduplication, and the folding and combination of cells. From one end of +this "trace" develops the head; from the other end develops the lower +end of the spine. At a later stage there appear tiny "buds" in the +positions at which the arms and legs should be; these gradually develop, +and their ends split into tiny fingers and toes, and finally are +transformed into perfect little arms and legs, miniatures of those of +the adult human being. + +The term "the embryo" is employed to designate the developing young +creature in the earlier stages of its development, particularly before +the end of the third month of its existence. After the end of the third +month the embryo is called "the fetus." In the short space of 280 days +the young creature evolves and develops from a single simple cell into a +complex organism--a perfect miniature human being. Nature works a +wonderful miracle here, and yet so common is it that we take it all as a +matter of course, and lose sight of the miracle. From the most simple +forms are formed in the developing creature the most complex organs and +parts. The heart is formed from a tiny straight line of cells, by +enlargement and partition. The stomach and intestines, likewise, develop +from a tiny straight line of cells arranged as a tiny tube--the stomach +is formed by dilation of one part of the tube, while the large +intestine experiences a similar though lesser distention and a greater +growth in length; the smaller intestines being formed by growth in +length and circumference. The other organs evolve from similar simple +beginnings. + +The embryo is nourished during its earlier stages by means of the "yolk +sack," or "umbilical vesicle," which is outside the body of the embryo, +being joined to it by means of the umbilical duct. This yolk sack +(originally formed by a "drawing together" in the ovum, which thus +separates itself into two portions or areas) is an important feature of +the life of the embryo, as it nourishes and sustains it in its earlier +stages. Blood vessels form in this yolk sack, and after a time its fluid +is absorbed, and after the third month the sack gradually disappears. + +After the passing away of the yolk sack, the embryo is nourished and +sustained by the "allantois," another peculiar sack which is formed. +This sack readily becomes filled with blood-vessels, and serves to +nourish the embryo by sustenance obtained from the body of the mother +through the walls of the Uterus, a direct communication with the +blood-vessels of the mother thus being secured. The blood in the embryo, +and that in the mother, come into close contact, thus allowing the +embryo to be nourished by the blood of the mother. After a time, in +turn, the allantois diminishes and dwindles away, its offices being +taken up and performed by the "placenta" or "afterbirth." + +THE PLACENTA OR AFTERBIRTH. The Placenta, or afterbirth, is a round, +flat substance or organ, contained within the Uterus, by which +communication and connection is established and maintained between the +fetus and the mother, by means of the umbillical cord. It is a flat, +circular mass, about seven inches in diameter, and weighing about +sixteen ounces. It is attached to the sides of the Uterus of the mother +during the period of gestation, and is expelled from the body of the +mother, as "the afterbirth," after the birth of the child. + +Let us pause a moment, and reconsider the several steps in Nature's plan +for nourishing the embryo and fetus. In the first place, as we have +seen, there is the yolk sack or umbillical vesicle, filled with a fluid +which nourishes the embryo. This gradually disappears in time, and is +replaced by the "allantois" which by connection with the walls of the +Uterus is enabled to nourish the fetus from and by the blood of the +mother. For a short time, however, the embryo is nourished by both the +yolk sack and the allantois. Then the allantois assumes the entire task, +and the yolk sack passes away. Then, later, the placenta replaces the +allantois, and the latter passes away as did its predecessor. The +placenta works along the same general lines as the allantois, but is a +far more complex way and with a much higher degree of efficiency, as we +shall see presently. + +The placenta is connected with the body of the fetus by what is known as +"the umbillical cord." The "umbillicus" or "navel" in the human being +marks the place at which the umbillical cord entered the body of the +fetus, from which it was severed after the birth of the child. The +purpose of the umbillical cord is to contain and support the umbillical +arteries and veins through which the fetus obtains nourishment from the +placental substance, and through which the return blood flows. The rich +red arterial blood is carried from the placenta to the fetus, and is +then distributed over the body of the fetus, nourishing and building it +up; the dark venous blood, laden with the waste products of the body of +the fetus, is carried back to the placenta, there to be repurified and +rendered again rich and nourishing. + +The story of the circulation of the blood of the fetus is most +interesting. Although the fetal blood is derived from that of the +mother, as we have said, yet the maternal blood does not pass directly +from the circulatory system of the mother into that of the fetus; nor +does the blood of the fetus return directly into the circulatory system +of the mother. In fact, the fetal blood never comes in direct contact +with that of the mother, or vice versa. The fetus has an independent +circulatory system of its own, and yet, at the same time, from the +moment of the placental connection until the moment of childbirth, all +its nourishment is derived from its mother. + +The secret of the above paradoxical statement is made apparent when we +understand the meaning of the scientific term "osmosis." Osmosis is "the +passage of a fluid through a membrane"; it is a chemical process, caused +by the chemical affinity between two liquids or gases separated one from +the other by a porous diaphragm or substance. In the process of osmosis +in the case before us, the fetal blood takes up nourishing substances +and oxygen from the blood of the mother, and passes on to the latter the +waste products of the fetal system, by means of passing these substances +through the thin porous membranes which separate the two independent +systems of blood vessels, i. e., the system of the fetus, and that of +the mother. Before birth, in fact, the fetus has its blood nourished and +oxygenated by means of the food partaken of by its mother, and the +oxygen taken in by the mother in her breathing. After its birth, the +infant eats and breathes for itself, and thus nourishes its blood supply +directly, instead of receiving it indirectly from the mother. + +The Placenta begins to be formed about the third month of gestation, and +continues to develop steadily from that time. At the time of the +delivery of the child the Placenta covers nearly or quite one-third of +the inner space of the distended Uterus of the mother. The total +"afterbirth" consists of the Placenta, the umbillical cord, and the +remaining membranes of the ovum, all of which are expelled after the +birth of the child. + +THE AMNION. An important appendage contained in the Uterus in connection +with the developing fetus is that known as "The Amnion." This is an +inner sack which forms within the womb, and which serves to enclose the +fetus, and also to sheath the umbillical cord. The Amnion encloses the +embryo very snugly during the early stages of its development, but it +gradually becomes distended with a pale watery fluid, known as "the +amniotic fluid," the purpose of which is to "float" the fetus and to +give it mechanical support on all sides. This fluid is composed of water +carrying in solution small quantities of albumin, urea, and salt. + +SEX IN THE EMBRYO AND FETUS. It is impossible to determine the sex of +the embryo during its early stages. During the fourth week the first +traces of the sexual glands appear, but not until the fifth week can the +sex be determined even by the microscope. If the embryo is to become a +male, certain ducts are transformed into convoluted tubules, and each is +attached to the testes which have been formed from the genital nucleus. +If the embryo is to become a female, the ducts join to form the uterus +and vagina, other portions being transformed into the fallopian tubes +and connecting with the ovaries which have been formed otherwise. The +outer genitals appear in the early stages of the embryo, but there is no +apparent distinction between the sexes, the external organs being the +same in all cases, and consisting of a small tubular organ with a small +lateral fold of skin on either side. Later, in the male, a groove +appears on the under side of this primitive organ, thus forming the +urethra, the scrotum being formed from the folded skin at the side. In +the female, the primitive organ ceases to develop as in the male, and +thus becomes proportionately smaller, and evolves into the clitoris of +the female; the two lateral folds, on each side, being transformed into +the labia majora, or "outer lips" of the female external genitals. + +POSITION OF THE FETUS. During the period of gestation the fetus lies +"curled up" in the bag of the amnion. The head is usually relaxed and +inclined forward, the chin resting on the breast; the feet are bent up +in front of the legs, the legs bent up on the thighs, the knees +separated from each other, but the heels almost touching on the back of +the thighs; the arms bent forward and the hands placed between them as +though to receive the chin between them. The folded-up fetus forms an +oval, the longest diameter of which is about eleven inches at its +greatest stage of growth. Nature here shows a wonderful ability to pack +the fetus into as little space as possible, and in such a position as to +protect it from injury, and to discommode the mother as little as +possible. + +The following interesting statement made by Helen Idleson, M. D., in a +European medical journal several years ago, gives a very clear idea, +expressed in popular terms, of the appearance and characteristics of the +embryo or fetus in the various stages of its development: + +"The growth of the embryo after fecundation is very rapid. On the TENTH +DAY it has the appearance of a semi-transparent grayish flake. On the +TWELFTH DAY it is nearly the size of a pea, filled with fluid, in the +middle of which is an opaque spot, presenting the first appearance of an +embryo, which may be clearly seen as an oblong or curved body, and is +plainly visible to the naked eye on the fourteenth day. The TWENTY-FIRST +DAY the embryo resembles an ant or a lettuce seed. Many of its parts now +begin to show themselves, especially the cartilaginous beginnings of the +spinal column, the heart, etc. The THIRTIETH DAY the embryo is as large +as a horse-fly, and resembles a worm, bent together. There are as yet no +limbs, and the head is larger than the rest of the body. When stretched +out it is nearly half an inch long. Toward the fifth week the heart +increases greatly in proportion to the remainder of the body, and the +rudimentary eyes are indicated by two black spots toward the sides, and +the heart exhibits its external form, bearing a close resemblance to +that in an adult. In the SEVENTH WEEK, bone begins to form in the lower +jaw and clavicle. Narrow streaks on each side of the vertebral column +show the beginning of the ribs. The heart is perfecting its form, the +brain enlarging, and the eyes and ears growing more perfect, and the +limbs sprouting from the body. The lungs are mere sacks, and the trachea +is a delicate thread, but the liver is very large. In the seventh week +are formed the renal capsules and kidneys. + +"At TWO MONTHS, the forearm and hand can be distinguished, but not the +arm; the hand is larger than the forearm, but it is not supplied with +fingers. The distinction of sex is yet difficult. The eyes are +prominent. The nose forms an obtuse eminence. The nostrils are rounded +and separated. The mouth is gaping, and the epidermis can be +distinguished from the true skin. The embryo is from one-half to two +inches long, the head forming more than one-third of the whole. At the +end of THREE MONTHS, the eyelids are distinct but shut; the lips are +drawn together; the forehead and nose are clearly traceable, and the +organs of generation prominent. The heart beats with force; the larger +vessels carry red blood; the fingers and toes are well defined, and the +muscles begin to be developed. + +"At the FOURTH MONTH, the embryo takes the name of 'fetus.' The body is +six to eight inches in length. The skin has a rosy color, and the +muscles produce a sensible motion. A fetus born at this time might live +several hours. At FIVE MONTHS the length of the body is from eight to +ten inches. At SIX MONTHS, the length is twelve and one-half inches. The +hair appears on the head, the eyes closed, the eyelids somewhat thicker, +and their margins, as well as their eyebrows, are studded with very +delicate hairs. At SEVEN MONTHS, every part has been increased in volume +and perfection; the bony system is nearly complete; length, twelve to +fourteen inches. If born at this period, the fetus is able to breathe, +cry and nurse, and may live if properly cared for. + +"At EIGHT MONTHS, the fetus seems to grow rather in length than in +thickness; it is only sixteen to eighteen inches long, and yet weighs +from four to five pounds. The skin is very red, and covered with down +and a considerable quantity of sebaceous matter. The lower jaw, which at +first was very short, is now as long as the upper one. Finally, at term, +NINE MONTHS, the fetus is about nineteen to twenty-three inches long, +and weighs from six to eight pounds. The red blood circulates in the +capillaries, and the skin performs the functions of perspiration; the +nails are fully developed." + +Another writer says: "There is a superstition that a child born at eight +months is not as liable to live as if born at seven months; indeed, many +suppose that an eight months' child never survives. Facts do not prove +this idea to be correct. Personally, I have known several eight months' +babies to live and do well, and I believe that their chance of life is +much greater than if born at seven months." + +Children born in the seventh month of gestation are capable of living, +though great care is required to rear them for the first few months +after birth. The "incubators" now so common in large cities have greatly +increased the chances of the "seven months' child," and, for that +matter, of those born even earlier. There are a number of cases of +record where children have been born after six months of gestation, and +a few even before the six months, but these cases are rare and unusual, +and such children usually die soon after birth. + +The following table, given by a good authority, shows the average length +and weight of the human embryo and fetus: + + Age. Length in inches. Weight. + + 2 weeks 0.1 Not given + 3 weeks 0.2 3 grains + 4 weeks 0.3 Not given + 5 weeks 0.5 Not given + 6 weeks 0.7 Not given + 7 weeks 0.9 Not given + 8 weeks 1.5 4 drachms + 3 months 3.0 2 ounces + 4 months 6.0 5 ounces + 5 months 9.0 10 ounces + 6 months 12.0 1 pound + 7 months 15.0 3 pounds + 8 months 17.0 5 pounds + 9 months 20.0 6 to 9 pounds + +Professor Clark holds that if at birth the infant weighs less than 5 +pounds, it rarely thrives, though the records show that many infants +weighing much less than this have lived and thrived. In very rare cases, +infants have been known to weigh no more than one pound at birth, and to +have still survived and thrived. And, on the other hand, many cases are +known where infants were born, and thrived, who weighed more than twice +the average weight. So, at the last, it is difficult to lay down hard +and fast rules in the case. + +DELIVERY. At the termination of the period of gestation, the child is +born into the world, and, instead of depending upon the blood of the +mother for nourishment and oxygen, it begins to ingest its own food, to +eliminate its own waste matter through the regular channels of the body, +and to use its own lungs for the purpose of obtaining oxygen for its +blood and to burn up the waste products in the lungs. + +The process of bringing a child into the world is called "parturition." +The fetus is expelled from the body of the mother by the contraction of +the muscles of and around the Uterus, and also by the contraction of the +abdominal walls. In the early stages of labor, the uterine muscles are +brought into play; but when the fetus enters into the vaginal passage +the abdominal muscles manifest their energy. The uterine and abdominal +muscular movements are purely involuntary, although the mother may aid +in the delivery by voluntary muscular movements. The involuntary +muscular movements are due to the reflex action originating, probably, +in a part of the spinal cord. + +The uterine contractions are rhythmical, and have been compared to the +contraction of the muscles of the heart. Each "labor pain" begins with a +minimum of contraction, the activity increasing until a maximum is +reached, when it gradually decreases, only to be followed a little later +by a new contraction. When the fetus is finally expelled from the Uterus +(followed later by the placenta or "afterbirth") that organ begins a +gradual contraction to its normal size, shape, and condition, the +restorative process usually lasting over several weeks. + +THE PHYSICAL SIGNS OF PREGNANCY. The physical signs of pregnancy in the +case of women of normal health are as follows: + +(1) CESSATION OF THE MENSES, OR MENSTRUATION. While it is true that a +non-pregnant woman may occasionally pass over a menstrual period, yet as +a general rule the complete cessation of a period by a married woman, +particularly when the woman has previously been regular in this respect, +may be considered a probable indication of pregnancy; and when the +second period has been passed the probability merges almost into a +certainty. An examination by a competent physician will set all doubts +at rest. + +(2) ENLARGEMENT OF THE BREASTS. This indication usually manifests itself +in about six or eight weeks after conception. This enlargement is +usually preceded by a sensation of tingling and throbbing. The +enlargement is manifested in the form of a rather hard and knotty +increase, differing from the ordinary fatty increase; the lobules, +arranged regularly around the nipple, are plainly distinguishable +beneath the skin by means of the touch of the fingers. + +(3) DARKENING OF THE AREOLAR TISSUE SURROUNDING THE NIPPLE. In the +unimpregnated condition this tissue is of a pinkish shade; but after +impregnation the shade grows darker and the circle increases in size. +However, when the woman bears several children in somewhat rapid +succession, this dark color may become permanent and accordingly ceases +to be an indication. + +(4) ENLARGEMENT OF THE ABDOMEN. This indication manifests itself about +the second month, at which time the Uterus begins to elevate the +intestines by rising up from the pelvis. In the fourth month the Uterus +has risen so far out of the pelvis that it assumes the form and +appearance of a hard round tumor. The entire abdomen then begins to +enlarge. The Uterus causes an enlargement in the region of the navel at +the sixth month, and the region of the diaphragm at the ninth month. + +(5) QUICKENING, OR "SIGNS OF LIFE." This indication manifests first from +the fourth month to the fifth--at about the exact half of the entire +period of gestation. At this time, and afterward, the movements of the +embryo are plainly discernable to the mother. + +THE DISORDERS OF PREGNANCY. There are a number of physical disorders +usually accompanying pregnancy, some of which are trifling, but some of +which require the advice of a competent physician. The best plan is for +the woman to consult a physician shortly after she discovers herself to +be pregnant, and thereafter to visit him occasionally for advice during +the period of gestation. The too common plan of postponing the call upon +the physician until the eighth or ninth month is not a wise one, for in +many cases the advice of a competent physician at an earlier stage of +the pregnancy will obviate serious complications. The call upon the +physician should usually be made not later than the third or fourth +month, and positively not delayed longer than the fifth month. The +physician should make an examination to ascertain whether the child is +in the normal position in the Uterus, and should also examine the urine +each month to ascertain whether the kidneys are functioning normally. + +What is called "morning sickness" is one of the most common of the +disorders of pregnancy. It is marked by nausea or vomiting, or both, +early in the morning, usually shortly after arising. Some women have at +least faint symptoms of this disorder from the very beginning of +conception, but usually it does not manifest until the third, fourth, or +fifth week of pregnancy. It usually ceases at the end of the third or +fourth month. Except in very severe cases, in which the physician should +be consulted, the disorder is not serious, and requires but a little +common-sense treatment, and rational habits of living. An authority +says: "Eat of some fruit that best agrees with palate or stomach; drink +hot water; eat nothing until a real hunger demands food. Where nausea +occurs after eating, a tart apple or orange is good." Another authority +says: "Let women suffering from morning sickness try acid fruit--apples, +oranges, or even lemons, if their sourness is not unpleasant. If a +single orange or apple after each meal does not suffice, let them try +two; let them eat ten if that number is necessary to conquer the +distress. The principle is a correct one, and the relief certain. Let +fruit be eaten at all hours of the day--before meals and after, on +going to bed at night and at getting up in the morning. If berries are +in season, let them be eaten in the natural state--that is, without +sugar. If the sickness still continues, omit a meal now and then, and +substitute fruit in its stead. By persistence in this course, not only +will nausea be conquered, but an easy confinement guaranteed." + +The pregnant woman often develops a capricious appetite. This disorder +may manifest in one or more of several forms, as for instance: the woman +may lose her appetite, and take but little food; or she may develop an +abnormally large appetite, and eat much more than is necessary; or she +may take a dislike to certain kinds of food--many women have an aversion +toward meat during pregnancy; or she may have a "craving" for certain +articles of food, sometimes for kinds of food not liked at other times, +such as sour pickles, sour cabbage, etc. A little common sense, and the +presence of attractive articles of fruits, etc., will do much to relieve +these troubles; in extreme cases the physician's advice will help. + +The pregnant woman should have her teeth put in good order as soon as +possible, as troubles with teeth sometimes manifest themselves during +pregnancy, and give much trouble and annoyance. Difficulty in urination, +constipation, piles, irritation or itching of the genital organs, +varicose veins, liver spots, and similar disorders, which are sometimes +manifest during pregnancy, in some form or degree, should receive the +attention and care of a competent physician. + +The following general advice from a competent authority is worthy of +being followed: "If everything is satisfactory, if there is no severe +vomiting, kidney trouble, etc., the usual mixed diet may continue. The +only changes I would make are the following: Drink plenty of hot water +during the entire time of pregnancy: a glass or two in the morning, two +or three glasses in the afternoon, the same at night. From six to twelve +glasses may be consumed. Also plenty of milk, buttermilk and fermented +milk. Plenty of fruit and vegetables. Meat only once a day. For the +tendency to constipation, whole wheat bread, rye bread, bread baked of +bran, or bran with cream. As to exercise, either extreme must be +avoided. Some women think that as soon as they become pregnant, they +must not move a muscle; they are to be put in a glass case, and kept +there until the date of delivery. Other women, on the other hand, of the +ultra-modern type, indulge in strenuous exercise, and go out on long +fatiguing walks up to the last day. Either extreme is injurious. The +right way is moderate exercise, and short, non-fatiguing walks. Bathing +may be kept up to the day of the delivery. But warm baths, particularly +during the last two or three months, are preferable to cold baths." + +CHILDBIRTH. The first indication of approaching delivery of the child is +that of the descent of the child into the pelvis of the mother, from its +former position up near the diaphragm. When this occurs, the mother +usually experiences a feeling of relief, and a greater ease in breathing +because of the relaxation of the former pressure on the diaphragm. +Sometimes this occurs several days preceding delivery, while in other +cases it occurs only a few hours before delivery. There usually occurs +about the same time a slight discharge of mucus tinged with blood. The +latter is called "the show," and is caused by the unsealing of the mouth +of the womb, and indicates that the Uterus is preparing to discharge its +contents. + +Labor, in childbirth, consists of three stages. In the first stage, the +Uterus alone contracts, and the mouth of the womb dilates; in the second +stage, the abdominal muscles assist the Uterus in expelling the child; +in the third stage, the Placenta (afterbirth) and membranes are +expelled. + +After the delivery of the child, and after the pulsation in the +umbillical cord has ceased (usually from ten to thirty minutes after +delivery), the umbillical cord is severed and tied by the physician. In +natural labor, the expulsion of the afterbirth occurs from within a few +minutes to an hour after the delivery of the child. Nature is sometimes +slow in expelling the afterbirth, but caution should be exercised in the +matter of using force to assist Nature in this matter, for injury to the +Uterus has often resulted from malpractice in such a case. The +afterbirth is not firmly attached to the womb, but is like the peel of +an orange which Nature sloughs off in due time. + + + + +LESSON V + +GENERAL ADVICE TO WOMEN ON SEX SUBJECTS + + +In this lesson the writer seeks to direct the attention of his women +readers to certain subjects upon which the average woman is not well +informed, and upon which she usually requires sound, sane, clean, frank +information. In many cases women hesitate to ask even their family +physicians for such information, and, although there is no rational +reason for it, they even shrink from consulting better informed and +capable women concerning these subjects. + +SEXUAL FEELING. Owing to erroneous teachings, and irrational prejudices +arising from ancient distorted and perverted ideals of sex, many women +have grown to maturity under the erroneous belief that it is a sign of +immorality, or at least low ideals and depraved nature, for a woman to +experience sexual emotions or feelings, wishes or desires. So true is +this that even many married women seek to withhold from their husbands +the knowledge that any sexual feeling is experienced by the wife. + +Such a belief is of course absurd. It is as natural for a woman to +experience normal sexual feeling as it is for her to experience any +other feeling aroused by natural instincts and organism. Without such +instinct and the feelings arising therefrom, there would be no mating or +marriage, and no perpetuation of the race. The woman experiencing such +feelings should not allow herself to imagine that she is depraved or +perverted, or immoral in thought and feeling. Incredible as it may +appear to a normal, healthy-minded man, it is true that thousands of +young women have lost self-respect, and have lapsed into a morbid state +of mind, because of the occasional manifestation of their normal sexual +feeling. + +This does not, of course, mean that the woman must necessarily manifest +into action the feeling experienced by her. On the contrary, she must +acquire self-mastery and self-control, just as she must in other phases +of her life. It may help some women of this kind to realize that the sex +feeling and impulses, arising unbidden (and often unwelcomed) from the +depths of their subconscious mentality, are essentially CREATIVE +impulses. If the woman be unmarried, or if married and placed under +conditions in which the marital relation with the husband is impossible +or undesirable, then she can TRANSMUTE this creative energy in some form +of creative work--in work which leads to the creation, manufacture, +building-up, or composing something. There is a hint here which will +prove a great blessing to the woman who will understand and apply the +principle suggested--for many other women have found it so. + +As for the married woman, there is no reason whatsoever why she should +seek to withhold from her husband the knowledge that she is possessed of +normal, natural, healthy sexual feeling. In fact, the withholding of +such information, and the concealment and deception arising therefrom, +has often done much to bring marital inharmony between husband and wife. +If there is any deception to be practiced in the marital association of +husband and wife, it should rather be in the opposite direction, i. e., +in the direction of pretending the emotional feeling when it exists only +partially or is absent. The last matter, however, is one for the +exercise of the judgment and conviction of each individual woman; but +the first mentioned admonition is one which should be observed, as it is +based on honesty, truth, and good judgment as well. + +ALCOHOL AND SEXUALITY. It needs no extended argument to convince the +average person that an individual will do things when under the +influence of drink that he or she would not do when perfectly sober. It +is an old saying that "When the wine is in, the wits are out." But there +is a deeper connection and relation between alcoholic drink and sexual +indiscretions than is usually realized by the average person. Besides +the commonly known weakening of will-power and self-control arising from +the influence of strong drink, there are certain influences concerning +the sexual nature and arising from the presence of alcohol in the +system, which are not known to most persons. So true is this that the +writer has thought it well to utter a few words of warning to his women +readers concerning these things. + +In the first place, there is an exhilarating effect arising from certain +kinds of liquor, wines, and other forms of alcoholic drinks, which +manifests directly in an excitement of the sexual centers and organism. +In many cases a strong sexual excitement, absent at other times, is +aroused, and the person is carried away with the force of passion +unknown under other circumstances. Added to this the weakened will-power +arising from too much drink, and we have an explanation of many cases of +"mistakes" of women. It would appear that women are even more +susceptible than are men to unusual sexual excitement arising from +alcoholic drinks; and that, therefore, they should be especially +cautious in the indulgence in such drinks, particularly when in the +company of strange men, or men careless in regard to sexual morality and +respect for women in their company. + +But there is still a deeper reason, based upon the latest discoveries in +psychology, why caution in this respect should be observed by women. We +allude to the discovery that alcohol first affects the mental and +emotional tendencies of more recent racial acquirement, acting so as to +paralyze and inhibit the activities thereof, and to thus release the +activity of the more primitive emotions and motive activities. Thus, the +woman under the influence of alcohol finds that the more recent racial +traits, such as sexual control, restraint, sexual morality, conventional +observations, etc., are practically temporarily paralyzed in +inhibitual--or to use the current slang phrase, are "put out of +commission" for the time being; and, at the same time, the old +elemental, savage, barbaric, "cave man" instincts, habits, and methods +of action, are brought to the surface, and proceed to manifest their +activity if opportunity be granted for the same--and the opportunity is +usually granted. This being seen to be true, it is seen that the woman +so under the influence of liquor is, for the time being, little more +than a "cave woman," or barbarian, with all the lax sex morality of the +latter, and with all the tendencies to manifest into activity the +primitive impulses arising in her nature and demanding expression. Added +to this the weakening of will-power always accompanying the alcoholic +influence, it is seen that the woman under the influence of strong drink +is an easy prey to designing men, and a willing victim to her own lower +passions. + +An authority of sex subjects says: "That Bacchus, the god of wine, is +the strongest ally of Venus, the goddess of love, using the term Love in +its physical sense, as the French use the word 'amour,' has been well +known to the ancient Greeks and Romans, as it is well known today to +every saloon-keeper and every keeper of a disreputable house. And all +measures to combat venereal diseases and to prevent girls from making a +false step will only be partially successful if we do not at the same +time carry on a strong educational campaign against alcoholic +indulgence. * * * Of what use are warnings to a girl, when under the +influence of a heavy dinner and a bottle of champagne, to which she is +unaccustomed, her passion is aroused to a degree she has never +experienced before, her will is paralyzed and she yields, though deep +down in her consciousness something tells her she shouldn't? She yields, +becomes pregnant, and is in the deepest agony for several months, and +has a wound which will probably never heal for the rest of her life. Of +what use have all the lectures, books, and maternal injunctions been to +her? * * * I believe that the sex instinct can be stimulated +artificially beyond the natural needs, and among the artificial +stimulants of the sex instinct alcohol occupies the first place. And +bear in mind that alcohol produces even a stronger effect upon women, in +exciting the sexual passion, than it does on men. Women are more easily +upset by stimulants and narcotics, and that is the reason why it is more +dangerous for women to drink than it is for men. It is impossible to +give statistics and exact or even approximate figures. But there is no +question in my mind, in the mind of any careful investigator, that if +alcoholic beverages could be eliminated, the number of cases of venereal +infection would be diminished by about one-half. And what is true of +venereal disease is also true of the seduction of young girls. Alcohol +is the most efficient weapon that either the refined Don Juan or the +vulgar pimp has in his possession." + +Our advice to the woman who is asked to drink liquor when in the company +of a man outside of her immediate family circle is emphatically this: +DON'T DO IT! + +THE MENSTRUAL PERIOD. As strange as it may appear to those women who +have had the advantage of intelligent maternal advice, it is a fact +known to all physicians that many mothers permit their young daughters +to enter into the stage of puberty, with the accompanying menstrual +flow, without having first instructed the daughter as to the meaning and +character of this phenomenon of her nature, and without having given +her advice concerning the proper care of herself during this period. + +Physicians constantly experience cases in which the young girl to whom +the first menstrual flow having come, without previous knowledge on her +part, has supposed it to be the result of a wound, or of a diseased +condition, and has attempted to stop the flow by the application of cold +water. Even where a partial knowledge has been attained by the girl, she +is found to lack the knowledge of the proper hygienic care of herself +during the period. The mothers in such cases are criminally negligent, +and have alluded a false modesty or prudery to interfere with a natural +and necessary maternal duty. + +The approach of the first menstruation is often accompanied by unusual +physical, mental and emotional changes in the young girl. Her nervous +system is affected, and she is apt to become irritable or morbid, or +even somewhat "flighty." Her appetite may become irregular, and there is +often present a craving for indigestible food. A physical languor is +often experienced, and there may be pains in the back and legs, +chilliness and headaches, and a general upsetting of the usual physical +condition, accompanied by a manifestation of peevishness and +irritability. These unpleasant symptoms usually disappear when the +periodical menstrual flow is permanently established. In fact, they are +frequently superseded by the awakened energy and heightened spirits of +healthy, normal adolescence. + +The time of the beginning of the menstrual period varies according to +climate, race, condition of health, and temperament. In the tropical +countries, menstruation begins from the tenth to the fourteenth year; in +temperate countries, from the thirteenth to the sixteenth; in cold +countries, from the fifteenth to the twentieth year. The Italian, +Hebrew, Spanish, or French girl is apt to menstruate earlier than the +English, German, or Swedish girl. The Negro girl menstruates early, as a +rule. The full-blooded girl usually menstruates earlier than the anemic +one. + +Normally, menstruation should proceed naturally and without pain or +suffering. When pain or suffering is experienced in connection with +menstruation, it is simply because of some lack of health in the general +system; and when such general health is restored, the trouble ceases. +Painful menstruation is called "dysmenorrhea," and arises from several +causes, principal among which are the following: Errors in diet, errors +in dress, undue exposure, constipation, lack of proper exercise, or to a +contracted or congested condition of the Uterus or the Fallopian Tubes. +The pain, however, cannot be considered as a feature of normal +menstruation, for the latter is no more painful than a normal movement +of the bowels--the painful condition results from abnormal conditions, +the removal of these conditions resulting in the cure of the complaint. + +DYSMENORRHEA should be treated by the discarding of all unhygienic +clothing, tight shoes, etc., and their replacement by rational clothing; +the dietary should be carefully scanned, and improper articles replaced +by nourishing elements of food--discard the pastries, pickles, +confections, and stimulants, and substitute sensible articles of diet; +if constipation is present, remove it by eating articles of food which +promote free movements of the bowels, and drink more water each day; +take a proper amount of exercise--housework is as good a form of +exercise as any; many authorities advocate the free drinking of water +prior to and during the menstrual period--some going so far as to say +that WHERE THERE IS PAINFUL MENSTRUATION THERE IS ALWAYS A LACK OF A +PROPER AMOUNT OF WATER TAKEN INTO THE SYSTEM. In some cases +Dysmenorrhea is due to disorders of the general nervous system, and +treatment therefore should be sought at the hands of a capable +physician. + +AMENORRHEA, another disorder arising in connection with the menstrual +process, consists of the retention or suppression of the menses, or of +"scanty" menses, or occasional "skipping" of the periods. This condition +is apt to be manifest in cases of extreme obesity or "fatness;" the +nervous system being burdened with superfluous flesh, its menstrual +rhythm is often affected. Suppression of the menses also sometimes +results from exposure and disturbing mental emotions. The most approved +treatment is that of remedying the abnormal general physical condition, +proper diet, and the use of hot drinks, hot sitz baths, and hot enemas +about the time of the beginning of the normal period. + +MENORRHAGIA, another menstrual-period disorder, consists of very profuse +flowing--it is, in fact, a mild form of hemorrhage. It usually arises +from general debility, shocks, too violent exercise or labor, and also +in many cases from undue and too frequent sexual intercourse. Sometimes +the excessive flow occurs during the regular menstrual period, while in +other cases it may manifest itself out of season--sometimes as often as +two or three times a month. The duration of the normal period of +menstrual flow, however, varies greatly among different women; the +normal period may be said to last from two to six days, so what might be +an excessive flow for one woman would be only normal for +another--temperament plays a large part in determining the quantity of +the menses. + +Some of the accompanying symptoms of Menorrhagia, or profuse flow, are +lassitude, shortness of breath, faintness, dizziness, headache, +irritability and nervousness, and often also leucorrhea between periods. +The general treatment consists in measures calculated to bring the +general health of the woman back to the normal. The building up of the +general system, by means of nourishing food, proper exercise, etc., will +almost always result in curing this disorder. + +A well-known authority has well said: "The hygiene of menstruation can +be expressed in two words: CLEANLINESS AND REST." + +So far as Rest is concerned, the woman need not be urged to take it at +this period--that is, if she is able to do so. Care should be taken not +to exercise unduly at this time, and under the head of exercise may be +included dancing, horseback riding, and automobiling, as well as the +more common forms of athletic work. + +It would seem that common sense and the general desire for cleanliness +and daintiness would cause all women to observe the plain hygienic laws +of Cleanliness at the time of the menstrual period. And, indeed, it is +probable that such would be the case were it not for the fact that some +ancient superstitions still exert their power over the mind of many +women, in regard to the use of water during the menstrual period. While +it is true that cold baths, or cold-water bathing, are not advisable for +the average woman during the menstrual period (although some especially +robust women bathe and swim as usual during this period), this +prohibition does not apply to the use of WARM water during the period. +Lukewarm baths are permissible at this time; and the woman should wash +the external genital parts with warm water, with soap if desired, every +morning and evening of the period. A vaginal douche of lukewarm water is +an excellent adjunct to the bathing of the parts. + +It is astonishing to meet with the superstitious prejudice existing in +the minds of some women concerning the use of the vaginal douche; these +good creatures seem to think that it is either unnatural and unhealthy, +or else is something "not respectable," and fit only for the use of +immoral women. These women should get in touch with modern hygienic +methods, and learn to use the douche at least during their menstrual +periods. At this time, if the plain rules of cleanliness are not +observed, there often occurs a decomposition of the blood which has +gathered in or about the genitals, and an offensive odor is manifested. +Some women, while feeling distressed about this odor, are afraid to use +lukewarm water in washing themselves, owing to some old unexplored +superstition handed down from the great-grandmother's time. + +The napkins should be changed at least every morning and evening. +Unclean napkins may lead to infection, and it is probable that many +cases of leucorrhea have their origin in lack of cleanliness concerning +the napkins, cloths, or rags, used during menstruation. It may seem +almost incredible to the average woman reader, but physicians know of +cases (usually among the poorer and more ignorant foreign classes) in +which the girl is instructed by her mother, grandmother, or aunts, that +she must wear the original cloth or rag during the entire period, as she +will "catch cold" by a change to a clean, fresh cloth while the flow +continued. Imagine the result of such a practice! This last is an +extreme instance, of course, but it will serve to show the absurd and +harmful notions prevalent concerning this important natural function, +and its incidents. + +LEUCORRHEA. A very common disorder among women is that known as +Leucorrhea, or "the whites." It consists of a discharge from the Vagina, +or the Uterus through the Vagina. It is, in fact, of a catarrhal nature, +and results from an over-secretion of the mucus fluids which, in proper +quantity, keep the mucus membrane of the said organs in good condition. +The discharge manifests in various shades and degrees of consistency. +From the character of the discharge, physicians are able to determine +whether it comes from the Vagina or the Uterus. The discharge from the +Vagina usually is a light creamy fluid; that from the neck of the Uterus +is a sticky, thick fluid flowing rather freely; that from the lining of +the Uterus is alkaline, and generally precedes and follows menstruation; +and that accompanying ulceration of the womb is semi-purulent and +offensive in odor. + +Leucorrhea has many causes, among which may be mentioned the following: +getting chilled feet or body, particularly during the menstrual period; +over exertion and overwork standing on one's feet; chills following +dancing in overheated rooms; excessive worry or emotional strain, etc. +It is a quite common complaint, and some assert that fully twenty-five +per cent (perhaps more) of all women suffer from it to at least some +extent. + +The general treatment of Leucorrhea consists of the building up of the +entire system by the proper hygienic methods. Constipation should be +removed, and the system is built up by the proper articles of food, +exercise, etc. The use of the proper douches are also advised by the +best practitioners. Physicians also treat inflamed areas by local +treatments consisting of painting the Vagina or neck of the Uterus with +certain medicinal solutions. Certain suppositories and douches are also +employed in some cases. It is always better to consult a good physician +in these cases, particularly where the trouble is aggravated or of long +standing. + +A popular writer on the subject gives the following prescription for a +vaginal injection: White Fluid Hydrastics, 2 ounces; Borax, 1/2 ounce; +Distilled Witch Hazel Extract, 1 pint. Use of this preparation ONE +OUNCE, DILUTED IN A PINT OF LUKEWARM WATER, as a vaginal injection, +taken twice each day. + +A well-known authority gives the following advice concerning treatment +of Leucorrhea: "One of the simplest things is an alum tampon. You take a +piece of absorbent cotton, about the size of a fist, spread it out, put +about a tablespoonful of powdered alum on it, fold it up, tie a string +around the center, insert it in the vagina as far as it will go, and +leave it in twenty-four hours. Then pull it gently by the string and +syringe yourself with a quart or two of warm water. Such a tampon may be +inserted every other day or every third day, and I have known where this +simple treatment alone produced a cure. In some cases, however, douches +work better, and the two best things for douching are: tincture of +iodine and lactic acid. Buy, say, four ounces of tincture of iodine, and +use two teaspoonsful in two quarts of hot water in a douche bag. This +injection should be used twice a day, morning and night. Of the lactic +acid you buy, say, a pint, and use two tablespoonsful to two quarts of +water. The lactic acid has the advantage over the tincture of iodine +that it is colorless, while the iodine is dark and stains whatever it +comes in contact with. Sometimes I order the use of the tincture of +iodine and the lactic acid alternately: for one douche the tincture of +iodine, for the next the lactic acid, and so on. When the condition +improves, it is sufficient to use one teaspoonful of the tincture of +iodine and one tablespoonful of the lactic acid to two quarts of water. +These injections are quite efficient and have the advantage of being +perfectly harmless. One point about the injections: they should be taken +not in the standing or squatting position (in which position the fluid +comes right out), but while laying down, over a douche pan. The douche +bag should be only about a foot above the bed, so that the irrigating +fluid may come out slowly; the patient, after each injection taken in +the daytime, should remain at least half an hour in bed (in the +nighttime she stays all night in bed.) This gives the injection a better +chance to come in contact with all the parts of the vagina, and a +portion of it comes in contact with the cervix, where it exerts a +healing effect. Avoid the use of patent medicines." + +UTERINE DISPLACEMENT. The woman suffering from Uterine Displacement +should, of course, consult a competent physician and be governed by his +advice. The following suggestions, however, will be found to be of +service in many cases: + +In the case of PROLAPSUS, or falling of the womb, many women have found +great relief, and in many cases permanent improvement, by taking +occasional rests in bed for an hour or so, with the feet and lower part +of the legs raised at least eight inches above the level of the head. In +this plan, the Uterus is replaced by gravitation. Some authorities +advise practicing waist-breathing while lying in this position, thus +exercising the abdominal muscles. Dr. Taylor says: "Increase the +pump-like action of the chest, and it will be found that the displaced +viscera will return to their normal position." Some have also found +relief from the use of alum-water vaginal injections once or twice each +day. The alum-water is prepared by dissolving one heaping teaspoonful of +powdered alum in a pint of lukewarm water. This last treatment often +strengthens the vaginal muscles whose yielding has at least partially +been the cause of the falling womb. + +In cases of RETROVERSION, in which the Uterus is turned or bent +backward, the "knee and chest" position will often aid in causing the +organ to regain its normal position. In this position the woman kneels, +and rests her chest upon the bed, thus causing the hips to be elevated. + +In cases of ANTROVERSION, in which the Uterus is turned or bent forward, +relief is often obtained by the woman resting upon the back, using a +pillow to elevate her hips. + +INTERCOURSE DURING MENSTRUATION. It would seem that the natural esthetic +repulsion to the exercise of the marital relations during the menstrual +period should be sufficient to deter men and women from indulgence at +this time; but many seem to have overcome this instinctive repulsion, +and to these a stronger reason must be given--and the reason is at hand. +The reasons in question are as follows: first, that congestion of the +Uterus and Ovaries sometimes results from this unnatural practice; +second, that the man may possibly contract an inflammation of the +urethra by infection from the degenerated membrane, tissue, blood, etc., +of the menstrual flow; and third, that such practices may result in the +aggravation of discharges from the woman, such as leucorrhea, etc. + +INTERCOURSE DURING PREGNANCY. The best authorities advise total +abstinence from sexual intercourse during the period of pregnancy; but +in view of the fact that such abstinence is very difficult for most men, +and that few will persist in it, it is thought well to point out the +fact that at least an extreme moderation is desirable in such cases. A +leading authority says on this point: "During the first four months of +pregnancy, no change need be made in the usual sex relations; their +intensity should be moderated, their frequency need not. During the +fifth, sixth, and seventh months, intercourse should be indulged in at +rarer intervals--once in two or three weeks--the act should be performed +without any violence or intensity. During the eighth and ninth months +relations had best be given up altogether. And this abstinence should +last until about six weeks after the birth of the child. During this +period the uterus undergoes what we call involution; that is, it goes +back to the size and shape it had before pregnancy, and it is best not +to disturb this process by sexual excitement, which causes engorgement +and congestion." + +STERILITY IN WOMEN. Sterility, or barrenness, i. e., the inability to +bear children, is frequently met with among married people. It is +usually blamed upon the woman, whereas in at least one-half of the cases +the fault is with the man. + +The causes of sterility in women are usually one or more of the +following: Inflammation of the Fallopian Tubes, which may have been +caused by gonorrhea or ordinary inflammation--in some rare cases +childbirth has been known to set up an inflammation in this region, +which has prevented the woman from future childbearing--the inflammation +causes the tubes to clog up or become closed, so that no more ova can +pass through them from the ovaries to the womb; in some cases, also, +severe cases of leucorrhea have caused sterility, as the discharge is +sometimes fatal to the life of the spermatozoa and destroys them; in +other cases misplacement of the womb causes sterility; also severe +inflammation of the neck or mouth of the womb operates in the same way, +in some cases. In cases of sterility, the woman should have an +examination made by a competent physician, and it often will be found +that the cure of the disorders above noted will work a cure of the +sterility. + +But, in all cases of sterility, it will be found that the husband should +be examined as well as the wife--in fact, many authorities insist that +the husband should be examined first. Venereal diseases frequently +produce sterility in the man, although he is loath to admit this and is +apt to place the blame entirely upon the woman. + +MISCARRIAGE AND ABORTIONS. The terms "miscarriage," and "abortion," +respectively, mean the expulsion of the fetus from the womb before its +natural time of delivery. In common usage, the term "miscarriage" is +usually employed to indicate instances in which the premature delivery +has occurred without any voluntary act on the part of the woman, or +other persons acting with her permission; the term "abortion" being +reserved for instances in which the miscarriage has been voluntarily +produced. + +When the fetus dies within the womb of the mother, it is usually +expelled spontaneously within a few days or even a few hours. Some women +suffer from certain weakness which result in habitual miscarriage; such +women seem unable to carry the child for the full natural term, and lose +it at some time during the period of gestation. Like results often arise +from certain diseases, principal among which is syphilis. In some cases +the physician produces what is known as "therapeutic abortion," for the +purpose of saving the life of the woman--this is sanctioned by medical +custom and by law. Other forms of abortion, performed for the purpose of +preventing the progress of the gestation, and designed for the +destruction of the embryo or fetus, are known as "criminal abortion," +and are punishable by several legal penalties. + +Abortions are frequently followed by severe illness, invalidism, or even +death for the woman. Many women have had their entire lives ruined by +this evil practice. It is one of the curses of modern civilization, and +one which must be removed by means of rational instruction and education +along the lines of sexual science if the race is to be prevented from +deterioration. The subject will be further considered in the subsequent +lessons in this book. + +The best advice to those who have contemplated the performance of +abortion is simply this: Don't; DON'T; DON'T! + + + + +LESSON VI + +THE SCIENCE OF EUGENICS + + +No one who keeps in even only fair touch with the affairs of the world +of today can have failed to notice the frequent mention of the term +"Eugenics" in the newspapers, magazine, and books of the hour. And yet, +many persons seem to be in doubt as to the meaning and use of the term; +some thinking that it refers to some new "ism" or "ology," or perhaps to +some new and strange doctrine concerning the relations of the sexes. In +view of this fact, the writer has thought it well to give the readers of +this book a brief, though somewhat comprehensive, view of the general +subject of Eugenics. + +Eugenics, sometimes known as the Science of Parenthood, has well been +styled "the New Science," for it has forced itself into public notice +within the past ten or fifteen years, whereas before that time it was +practically unknown to the general public. At the present time some of +the world's greatest thinkers have spoken or written on the subject, and +many regard it as one of the most vital branches of human research, +endeavor, and study, for the future of the race is involved in the +solution of its problems. In its general phase of race-betterment, +Eugenics is receiving the attention of statesmen, sociologists and +patriots; in its particular phases, the earnest attention, interest and +study of men and women who wish offspring of the best quality +obtainable. + +The spirit of Eugenics may be expressed in the words of Dr. G. Stanley +Hall, president of Clark University, who has said: "Our duty of all +duties is to transmit the sacred torch of life undiminished, and, if +possible, a little brightened, to our children. This is the chief end +of men and women. All posterity slumbers in our bodies, as we did in our +ancestors. The basis of the new biological ethics of today, and of the +future, is that everything is right that makes for the welfare of the +yet unborn, and all is wrong that injures them, and to do so is the +unpardonable sin--the only one nature knows." + +That phase of Eugenics which has brought the new science more +prominently before the public mind, and which has enrolled on its roster +the names of some of the world's most eminent scientists, sociologists, +and writers--the phase of race-betterment from the standpoint of +sociology--has led many to believe that Eugenics is confined to that +phase, and is but a movement toward "the successful breeding of the +human race" on a universal scale. To many, such a movement while deemed +commendable and desirable nevertheless lacks the appeal of the heart and +affections--it seems to be of the head alone. But when such persons are +brought to their realization that Eugenics is also a movement to promote +the bearing of children--to enable each mated couple to bring forth +perfect offspring--then the heart is enlisted as a co-worker with the +head. + +The sociological phase of Eugenics--the phase of Race Culture in +general--is being vigorously advanced by societies and organizations in +various parts of the world, the parent organization being the Eugenics +Education Society, of London, England. Dr. C. W. Saleeby, one of those +prominent in the work of the said Society, has the following to say +concerning the work of that organization: + +"The Eugenics Education Society exists to uphold the ideal of Parenthood +as the highest and most responsible of human powers; to proclaim that +the racial instinct is therefore supremely sacred, and its exercise +through marriage, for the service of the future, the loftiest of all +privileges. It stands for a transfigured sentiment of parenthood which +regards with solicitude not child and grandchild only, but the +generations to come hereafter--fathers of the future creating and +providing for the remote children. That which too many schools of +thought and practice have derided or defiled, it seeks to elevate and +ennoble. Parenthood on the part of the diseased, the insane, the +alcoholic--where these conditions promise to be transmitted--must be +denounced as a crime against the future. In these directions the Society +stands for active legislation, and for the formation of that public +opinion which legislation, if it is to be effective, must express. +Parenthood on the part of the worthy must be buttressed, guided, and +extolled. The Society stands for the education of the young regarding +the responsibility and holiness of the racial function of parenthood." + +The Eugenists hold that in the near future our children, looking back +upon the present and the past state of indifference and neglect +concerning the important subject of bearing and rearing of children, +will experience the same horror that we now feel when we look back upon +the indifference to the horrors of human slavery, imprisonment for debt, +cruelty toward prisoners, treatment of the insane, executions for +trivial offences, etc., on the part of our ancestors. Our descendants +will deem it almost inconceivable that we, their ancestors, could have +been so blind and criminally negligent. + +But, as leading Eugenists have pointed out, the new science does not +confine its attention to the subject of preventive measures, important +as they are--it also directs its attention to the constructive phase of +the subject, i. e., the production of better children. While Eugenics +strives to prevent the unfit from flooding the race with unfit progeny, +it at the same time strives to educate the race so that the fit may +bear and rear better offsprings. It is not sufficient merely to +eliminate the unfit--we must also improve, and still further render fit, +the fit members of the race. The fit must not be allowed to remain +merely the fit--we must evolve a fitter--and ever move onward toward the +realization of the ideal of the fittest. We must not only strive to +eliminate the beast in the race of men--we must also aid the race to +unfold in the direction of the super-man. + +The Eugenists know that much of the talk concerning Race Suicide is not +only futile and uncalled for, but is also in a sense misleading and +actually dangerous. The real danger of Race Suicide comes not from the +decreasing birth-rate, but from the excessive, ignorant, and +unscientific bearing and rearing of children by unfit parents. It is not +so much a matter of HOW MANY children are born, as of HOW they are born, +what kind of children they are, and how they are reared physically, +mentally and morally, and how many survive. It is not so much that the +lower death-rate be avoided, says the Eugenist, as it is that the higher +death-rate be overcome. The intelligent stockbreeder grasps this +scientific law of the Eugenists when he endeavors to produce the best +young, and then to take care of them that they survive and reach a +healthy maturity. To the Eugenist, it is not so much a question of +"more," but of "better"--not so much a question of quantity as of +quality--not so much a question of production, but of conservation and +preservation. + +Dr. Saleeby refers to the death-rate of London, which is but 16 to the +1000, as compared to that of Bombay, which is 79 to the 1000. He adds: +"It is asserted that in many large Indian cities the infant mortality +approaches one-half of all the children born. What it amounts to in such +cities as Canton and Pekin we can only surmise with horror. * * * * +Unless it be supposed by bishops and others, then, that a peculiar value +attaches to the production of a baby shortly to be buried, the +suggestion evidently is the same as that to which every humanitarian and +social and patriotic impulse guides us, namely, the reduction of the +death-rate, and especially of infant mortality. * * * * Hence the +Eugenists and the Episcopal Bench may join hands so far as the reduction +of the death-rate is concerned, and the only persons with whom a +practical quarrel remains are those who applaud the mother who boasts +that she has buried twelve." + +The Eugenists urge that if the principles applied to plant-life by that +master of his science, Luther Burbank, were applied to the production +and rearing of young human life, in a few generations we should have a +race so far advanced beyond the present average as to be almost god-like +by comparison. But this means a far different thing from the ideal of +merely "more children"--it requires the manifestation of the ideal of +"better children," well born, carefully reared, well nourished, and +scientifically educated. And this rearing, nourishing, and education +must not be confined to the physical part of the child's nature--it must +proceed along the three-fold line of physical, mental, and moral +culture. + +The Eugenists have been actively concerned with the question of the +prevention of the transmission of undesirable qualities to offspring. +They have held that while crime is more frequently rather the result of +evil environment than of criminal heredity, nevertheless there is a +large class of children who are "born criminals"--that is, born with +such a decided tendency toward criminal acts that the slightest +influence of environment may, and often does, serve to kindle into a +blaze the undesirable and criminal characteristics. + +Dr. Saleeby says of this: "In the face of the work of Lombroso and his +school, exaggerated though some of their conclusions may be, we cannot +dispute the existence of born criminals and the criminal type. There are +undoubtedly many such persons in modern society. There is an abundance +of crime which no education, practiced or imaginable, would eliminate. +Present day psychology and medicine and, for the matter of that, +ordinary common-sense, can readily distinguish cases at both +extremes--the mattoid or semi-insane criminal at one end, and the decent +citizen who yields to exceptional temptation at the other end." + +The Eugenists quote as an instance of the above contention the +celebrated case of Max Jukes, a notorious criminal and drunkard, who as +the records show us was the ancestor of a foul brood of descendants +which cost the State of New York over a million dollars in seventy-five +years. Among these descendants were 200 thieves and murderers; 285 +subject to idiocy, blindness or deafness; 90 prostitutes; and 300 +children born prematurely. It is possible that a portion of this evil +result was caused not alone by bad heredity but, at least in part, by +the suggestion of the environment, and the influence of example of the +parents; but even so, the primal cause was that Max Jukes, the +notoriously unfit ancestor, was allowed to propagate this evil brood, +destined to be born and reared under the most adverse conditions and +environment. + +The Eugenists also place great importance upon the prevention of insane +persons becoming parents. To those who consider that this is but an +exceptional and rare occurrence, the Eugenists reply that a large +percentage of insane patients in asylums have a family history showing +insanity in one or both parents; that reports show that there are +thousands of feeble-minded women in every large city allowed to (yes, +often actually compelled to) bear children to their husbands or male +companions. + +Ribot says: "Every work on insanity is a plea for heredity." Maudsley +says: "More than one-fourth and less than one-half of all insanity is +heredity." Riddell says: "Of the great causes of insanity, alcoholism is +perhaps the greatest, while morbid heredity ranks next. Insanity is +largely the result of degeneracy. Most persons who become mentally +deranged are the offspring of neurotic, drunken, insane or feeble-minded +parents." While it by no means follows that one must manifest traits of +insanity or mental disturbance simply because one of his parents +suffered from a like trouble--and we believe that many a one has +frightened himself into those conditions by pure auto-suggestion +inspired by a one-sided belief in heredity--still it is unquestionably +true that a fair mind must concede that wisdom and a proper sense of +right and justice would require that parents of unsound mental +tendencies should not be permitted to bring into the world children who +might inherit a tendency toward a like, or worse, condition. + +The Eugenists also have called the attention of the thinking public to +the danger of deaf-and-dumb persons transmitting their condition to +their offspring. Of this Dr. Saleeby says: "The condition known as +deaf-mutism is congenital or due to innate defect in about one-half of +all the cases in Great Britain." Dr. Love says: "In every institution, +examples may be found of deaf-mute children who have had one or two deaf +parents or grandparents, and of two or more deaf-mute children belonging +to one family." A case is noted in England where a deaf-and-dumb man +having been killed by an accident, his relatives could not identify the +body, as the wife and sister were blind, deaf-and-dumb, and the four +children were deaf-and-dumb. The man and his wife were both +deaf-and-dumb when they were married, the wife being also blind. + +Perhaps no subject has aroused the active Eugenists to a greater pitch +of indignation than the ascertained results of the effect upon offspring +of parents addicted to the over-indulgence in alcohol. It is known by +the records that a large number of cases of feeble-mindedness and actual +insanity are due to inebriety of parents, and often of grandparents, or +ancestors for several generations. Epilepsy, idiocy, and criminality are +also traceable in many cases to drunkenness of parents. Dr. Saleeby, +moved by indignation by the ascertained results of the investigations of +the Eugenists, has said: "Parenthood must be forbidden to the +dipsomaniac, the chronic inebriate, or the drunkard, whether male or +female." + +Professor Grenier, writing on the subject of alcoholic degeneration, has +said: "Alcohol is one of the most active agents in the degeneracy of the +race. The indelible effects produced by heredity are not to be remedied. +Alcoholic descendants are often inferior beings, a notable proportion +coming under the categories of idiots, imbeciles, and the debilitated. +The morbid influence of parents is maximum when conception has taken +place at the time of drunkenness of one or both parties. Those with +hereditary alcoholism show a tendency to excess; half of them become +alcoholics; a large number of cases of neurosis have their principal +cause in alcoholic antecedents. The larger portion of the sons of +alcoholics have convulsions in early infancy. Epilepsy is almost +characteristic of the alcoholism of parents, when it is not an index of +a nervous disposition of the whole family. The alcoholic delirium is +more frequent in the descendants of alcoholics than in their parents, +which indicates their intellectual degeneration." + +What has been said of alcoholism of course applies to the use of +narcotics and other drugs. Galton cites a case in which "a man who had +had two healthy children acquired the cocaine habit, and while suffering +from the symptoms of chronic poisoning engendered two idiots." And yet +had anyone publicly instructed the wife of this man regarding the use of +contraceptives, such person would have been liable to imprisonment! + +Another subject engaging the active attention of the Eugenists, and +which is discussed to considerable extent in the privacy of their +meetings, but which must be voiced only very carefully in the public +prints owing to the "murderous silence" which society prefers to +maintain on the subject, is of the influence of venereal diseases as +racial poisons transmissible to offspring. Dr. Saleeby has well said: +"No other disease can rival syphilis in its hideous influence upon +parenthood and the future. But it is no crime for a man to marry, infect +his innocent bride and their children; no crime against the laws of our +lawgivers, but a heinous outrage against nature's decrees. When at last +our laws are based on nature's laws, criminal marriages of this kind may +be put an end to." + +The above stated facts are not pleasant reading for most persons, and +many pass over them hurriedly, thereby hoping to escape the mental +discomfort which the hearing and learning of unpleasant truths so often +produce. But the subject will not down--it is forcing itself to the +attention of the thinking members of society today in a manner which +will admit of no escape. These facts must be faced, and steps must be +taken by society to protect the race from degeneration and actual Race +Suicide. And the Science of Eugenics is pointing the way. + +Dr. Saleeby says of this phase of Eugenics: "Negative Eugenics will seek +to define the diseases and defects which are really hereditary; to name +those the transmission of which is already known to occur, and to raise +the average of the race by interfering as far as may be with the +parenthood of persons suffering from these transmissible disorders. +Only thus can certain of the gravest evils of society, as, for instance, +feeble-mindedness, insanity, and crime due to inherited degeneracy, be +suppressed; and if Race-Culture were absolutely incapable of effecting +anything whatever in the way of increasing the fertility of the +worthiest classes and individuals, its services in the negative +direction here briefly outlined would be of incalculable value. To this +policy we shall most certainly come; but here, as in other cases, I +trust far more to the influence of an educated public opinion than in +legislation; though there are certain forms of transmissible disease, +interfering in no way with the responsibility of the individual, the +transmission of which should be visited with the utmost rigor of the +law, and regarded as utterly criminal, no less than sheer murder." + +But the Science of Eugenics is concerned not only with telling society +what "not to do"--it is equally concerned with telling it "what to do." +It has its Positive as well as its Negative side. After pointing out the +evils of procreation on the part of the unfit, it then proceeds to tell +the fit how to best serve the interests of the unborn. Eugenics is not +satisfied with merely plucking out the foul weeds which have encumbered +the fair garden of life--it seeks also to furnish to the real flowers +better soil, and improved conditions, and to give them the benefit of +the best selection, breeding and conditions, that they may evolve and +improve into still more glorious products of nature's power. + +The Eugenists earnestly advocate laws and public opinion tending to +protect mothers and expectant mothers. They recognize the supremacy of +motherhood, and aim to encourage and protect it. They decry the common +indifference toward this function which is all important in the +preservation and evolution of the race, and which neglect is well +expressed in the complaint of Bouchacourt, who said: "The dregs of the +human species--the blind, the deaf-mute, the degenerate, the imbecile, +the epileptic--are better protected than are pregnant women." + +The Eugenists believe in educating women for motherhood, and in +protecting them from conditions which interfere with that important +function of their life. They are not fully agreed upon the methods to be +pursued in cases of expectant mothers whose lack of proper support +prevents them from obtaining the proper nourishment, etc., but in a +general way it may be said that they agree in holding that the expectant +mother should be looked upon as the honored ward of the State, and +should be properly provided for from the public funds. + +The Eugenists also believe in educating the father, or prospective +father. They hold that every man should be made acquainted with the +duties and responsibilities of fatherhood, and should so conduct and +order his life that the production and rearing of a family should result +as a consummation of a long cherished ideal. The man should be taught to +prepare himself, physically, mentally, and morally, for his coming +responsibility to the race. He should also be taught to respect and +regard motherhood, and to make it his business to secure and preserve +the best possible conditions for the mother of his own children, and the +mothers of other men's children, not as an act of mere sentiment, but as +a public duty, a patriotic service, a racial obligation. + +The Eugenists believe in teaching young men and young women on the +subject of sexual physiology and psychology. They hold that the race is +now criminally negligent in such matters, and that young men and women, +by the thousands, enter into the state of marriage and parenthood with +no knowledge regarding the sacred functions which they are to bring into +activity. They believe that the first requisite of scientific +parenthood is and must be a sane knowledge of the physiology of sex, and +the psychology of sex. There must be sane education concerning the +sexual organism, its laws, its functions, its normal and healthy +condition, its anatomy, physiology and hygiene. + +The average physician of several years' experience can tell tales of +almost incredible ignorance on the part of persons who have recently +entered into the relationship of marriage. In some cases the ignorance +is more than a mere absence of knowledge, for it consists of an array of +false-knowledge, untruthful ideas, of often serious importance. It is +sad enough to think how the ignorance and false-knowledge may work +results hurtful to the young couple themselves, but it is even sadder to +realize that these same ignorant or wrongly-informed young persons must +gain their real knowledge through sad experience which is to be paid for +not only by themselves but also by their children. It is a hard saying, +but true that "the knowledge of the majority of young parents is gained +by experience paid for by their unborn children." + +The Eugenists look forward to the coming of the day when it will be +regarded as reprehensible to allow young persons to enter into the +relationship of marriage without a sane, practical knowledge of their +own reproductive organism and functions, and of their physiological +duties to themselves, their companions in marriage, and to their +children born or to be born. We may, in due time, see a practical +realization of the ideal set forth by Dr. Newell Dwight Hillis, who +said: "The State that makes a man study two years before a license as +druggist is given; that makes a young lawyer or doctor study three years +before being permitted to practice, ought to ask the young man or young +woman to pass an equally rigid examination before license is given to +found an American home, and set up an American family." + +This idea of the scientific preparation for parenthood is a new one for +many, but the coming generations will recognize its importance to the +individual and to the race. Many who recognize the influence of +pre-natal culture in so far as is concerned the physical, mental, and +moral condition of the mother during pregnancy, have failed to perceive +that an equally important influence is exerted by the physical, mental +and moral condition of BOTH PARENTS before the conception of the child. +These conditions are reflected, often very markedly, in the child, and +an avoidance of consideration in this respect is often almost criminal +negligence. + +Eugenists deplore the haphazard way in which children are so often +conceived. More care is often bestowed upon the conditions precedent to +the conception of the domestic animals than is given by their owners to +the conditions preceding the conception of their own offspring. Too +often, while in the case of the domestic animals the utmost care is +exercised regarding the arrangement for the breeding of valuable stock, +the human offspring are mere "accidents," conceived without intention, +forethought, or preparation; and too often is such conception undesired, +regretted and unwelcome. + +This state of affairs is utterly unworthy of civilized man with the +knowledge of science at his command, and the intellect and will with +which to carry out the plain dictates of reason and duty. Nature does +her part unhindered in the case of the lower animals, and man should use +her principles as a foundation upon which to build a structure which +reason and intelligence should supply the materials. Instead of this, +man too often discards Nature's plain rules entirely, and also refuses +to use his reason, and, instead, allows himself to be ruled by selfish +inclinations and desires, and ignoble motives. + +To those who may ask: "But why should we give all this time, care and +trouble to the young of the race--what is their claim upon us that +demands so much of us in return for so little on their part?" the answer +is plain. We should do this not alone because of the natural feeling of +love for our own offspring which is innate in all normal human beings, +but we should also do this because we owe a duty to the race in and +which we are units--a duty which demands that we supply to the race the +best material, and only the best, for its preservation, continuance, and +betterment. + +The spirit of the age is pointing out the direction indicated by +Eugenics and scientific Birth Control. And it is a spirit in which the +best mental and spiritual powers of man are called into action. A new +consciousness--the "race consciousness"--is awakening within the best of +the race, and accompanying it is a new CONSCIENCE--a "race +conscience"--is manifesting within us, and is giving the individual a +sense of right and wrong toward future generations, just as his +earlier-awakened social conscience has opened his eyes to his duties +toward his neighbors. + +Man is beginning to feel that all men are his brothers, and that the +future generations of men are in a sense his children. The new ideal of +"Let us build posterity worthily" has begun to supplant the old narrow +idea humorously expressed in the famous bull of Sir Boyce Roche, who +said, "Why should we do anything for posterity--what has posterity ever +done for us?" + +As Dr. Saleeby has well said: "If the struggle toward individual +perfection be religious, so assuredly is the struggle, less egoistic +indeed, toward racial perfection. * * * And they that shall be of us +shall build up the old waste places; for we shall raise up the +foundations of many generations." + +And in all this, also, we find ever present the distinctive note of +modern thought, viz., "NOT MORE CHILDREN, BUT BETTER ONES; NOT MORE +BIRTHS, BUT LESS DEATHS AND MORE SURVIVALS; NOT NUMERICAL BIRTH VALUES, +BUT QUALITATIVE BIRTH VALUES AND NUMERICAL SURVIVAL VALUES." + + + + +LESSON VII + +PRE-NATAL INFLUENCES + + +The term "Pre-Natal" of course means "before birth," and Pre-Natal +Influences are those influences exerted upon the child before its birth +into the world. The students of Eugenics are vitally interested in the +subject of Pre-Natal Influences, as they recognize that therein is to be +found the secret of much which will work along the line of "better +offspring," and general race-betterment. + +Pre-Natal Influences (as the term is used in the present consideration +of the subject) may be considered as manifesting in three phases, as +follows: + +(1) The influence of the physical, mental, and moral "family +characteristics" of the parents, transmitted to the child along the +lines of heredity. + +(2) The influence of the acquired personal characteristics of the +parents (particularly the acquired characteristics which are especially +active at and just previous to the time of actual conception), +transmitted to the child along the lines of heredity. + +(3) The influence of "maternal impressions" (after conception, and +during the period of gestation or pregnancy) transmitted to the child +physiologically and psychologically. + +I shall now ask you to proceed with me to a consideration of the various +phases of Pre-Natal Influences coming under the above name three general +classes, and the principal factors involved therein. + + +Heredity in General. + +By "heredity" is meant "the tendency which there is in each animal or +plant, in all essential characters, to resemble its parents"; or "the +hereditary transmission of physical or psychical characteristics of +parents to their offspring." + +There is a great disagreement among the authorities as to how far the +principle of heredity really extends, and the real causes of heredity +are in dispute. In the present consideration we shall, of course, pass +over the technical phases of the subject, and shall touch only upon the +general features and principles involved. + +Shute, in his work entitled "Organic Evolution," says: "That an +offspring always inherits from its parents many of their characteristics +is well known; that it always varies, more or less, from them, is also +equally well known. Heredity and variation are twin forces that play +upon every creature, holding it rigidly true to the parental type or +compelling more or less divergence therefrom, according to the strength +of the one or other power; so that every creature is the resultant of +the activities of these two great parallel forces. Variation is +co-extensive with heredity, and every living creature gives evidence of +the existence of variations. + +"Mental heredity can be illustrated by studying the genealogies of such +persons as Aristotle, Goethe, Darwin, Coleridge, Milton, etc. Probably +the Bach family, of Germany, supply one of the best illustrations of the +inheritance of intellectual character that we know of. The record of +this family begins in 1550, lasting through eight generations to 1800. +For about two centuries it gave to the world musicians and singers of +high rank. The founder was Weit Bach, a baker of Presburg, who sought +recreation from his routine work in song and music. For nearly two +hundred years his descendants, who were very numerous in Franconia, +Thuringia, and Saxony, retained a musical talent, being all church +singers and organists. When the members of the family had become very +numerous and widely separated from one another, they decided to meet at +a stated place once a year. Often more than a hundred persons--men, +women, and children--bearing the name of Bach were thus brought +together. This family reunion continued until nearly the middle of the +eighteenth century. In this family of musicians, twenty-nine became +eminent. + +"Inheritance of moral character is well known. Heredity, in its relation +to crime and pauperism, has been thoroughly investigated by Mr. Dugdale +in his most instructive little work entitled "The Jukes." In this work +the descendants of one vicious and neglected girl are traced through a +large number of generations. It reveals that a large proportion of the +descendants of this woman became licentious, for, in the course of six +generations, fifty-two percent of the children were illegitimate. It +shows also that there were seven times more paupers among the women than +among the average women of the state, and nine times more paupers among +the male descendants than among the average men of the state. The +inheritance of physical peculiarities is so obvious as to need no +illustration. Among the ancients the Romans stereotyped its truth by the +use of such expressions as 'the labiones' or thick-lipped; 'the +nasones,' or big-nosed; 'the capitones,' or big-headed, and 'the +buccones,' or swollen-cheeked, etc. In more recent times we read of the +Austrian lip and the Bourbon nose." + +But in all considerations of the subject of heredity, one must always +remember that the inheritance of physical, mental, and moral +characteristics is not alone from the immediate parents, but rather from +many ancestors further removed in order and time. Back of each person +there is a long line of paternal and maternal ancestors, extending back +to the beginning of the race. And in that line there are influences for +good and evil, awaiting favorable environment for awakening into new +life unless restrained by the will of the individual. + +As Shute says: "There will come a time when the fertilized ovum will +have a highly complex nucleus composed of many different ancestral +groups of hereditary units. One often hears the expression that a child +is a chip of the old block; but this is only a very partial truth, for +the child is pre-eminently a composite chip of many old blocks." And +Luther Burbank has well said: "Heredity means much; but what is +heredity? Not some hideous ancestral spectre, forever crossing the path +of a human being. Heredity is simply the sum of all the environments of +all past generations on the responsive ever-moving life-forces." + + +Transmission of Acquired Characteristics. + +One of the great disputes of biology is that concerning the question of +whether or not parents may transmit to their offspring their personal +"acquired characteristics" as well as those inherited from their line of +ancestors. One side of the controversy points to the observed cases of +children and grandchildren resembling each other, physically, mentally, +and morally, in acquired characteristics; but the other side explains +these facts as due to environment rather than to heredity. + +The best authorities seem to favor a middle-view, holding that acquired +characteristics may be and are transmitted as "tendencies" in the +offspring. Thus as each succeeding generation manifests the acquired +tendency, it adds a cumulative force to the family heredity. At the same +time they hold that "environment" is needed to "draw out" the inherited +"tendency." For instance, a child born with evil tendencies, and placed +in an evil environment, will most likely manifest evil conduct. The same +child, if placed in a good environment, will not have the evil +tendencies "drawn out" by the environment, and will probably not +manifest evil conduct. The same rule applies to the child drawn with +good "tendencies." In short, it is held that heredity and environment +tend to balance each other--the "something within" is called out (or not +called out) by the "something without." The life of the individual is +held to be a continuous action and reaction between heredity and +environment, and both of these elements must be taken into consideration +when we think of the subject. + +Shute says: "As influencing a man's life and character, which is the +strongest factor, heredity or environment?" In our opinion, as the +result of long study and reading, where we have an average man of a +sound mind in a sound body, there environment will be the strongest +factor whether for good or evil--that is, in men in general, who have no +organic defect, such as insanity or idiocy, and allied affections, the +stronger force is environment; but in those having such defect, heredity +is the controlling power, and we may add, the destroying power. + + +The Eugenic Rule Regarding Heredity. + +It is one of the cardinal principles of Eugenics that those with a bad +family history should not become parents. By this it is not meant that +the manifestation of undesirable tendencies, physical, mental, and +moral, on the part of certain individuals of a family necessarily +constitutes a "bad family history." On the contrary, many of the best +families have, from time to time, individuals who manifest undesirable +tendencies, and who are in general out of harmony with the general +family standard. It is an old axiom that "there is a black sheep in +every flock"; and the flock must be measured by its general standard, +and not by its exceptional black sheep. + +A "bad family history" is one in which the family has clearly manifested +certain undesirable physical, mental, and moral traits in a marked +degree, and in a sufficient number of instances to establish a standard. +Some families have a "bad family history" for inebriety; others +for epilepsy; others for licentiousness; others for dishonesty--the +history extending over several generations, and including a marked +number of individuals in each generation. Individuals of such a family +should refrain from bearing children; and if children be born to such +the greatest care should be exercised by the parents in the matter of +surrounding the child with the environment least calculated to "draw +out" the undesirable characteristic. The child has a right to be well +born, and to be protected from being brought into the world subjected to +the handicap of a "bad family history." If individuals cannot endow +their children with a good family history, they should refrain from +bearing children--such is the Eugenic advice on the subject. + +The same rule applies to the question of "acquired characteristics" of +the parents--especially those acquired characteristics which are +especially active at or just before the time of the contemplated +conception. Though the family history of both husband and wife be ever +so good, it is held that if one or both of the parents have acquired +undesirable and transmissible characteristics, physical, mental, or +moral, then the question of bringing children into the world should be +carefully considered, and conscientiously decided, after competent +authorities have been consulted concerning the case. The prospective +child should always be given the benefit of the doubt in such cases. To +bring children into the world merely to gratify personal pleasure or +pride, regardless of the welfare of the child, is something utterly +unworthy of an intelligent and moral human being. + + +Fitness for Parenthood. + +In determining the "fitness" for parenthood, on the part of husband and +wife, the mental, physical, and moral qualities should all be taken +into consideration. Weak or abnormal mentality; chronic immorality or +perverted moral sense; or diseased or abnormal physical +conditions--these should always be regarded as bars to parenthood. To +violate this principle is to deliberately violate the fundamental laws +of Nature, as well as those principles which are accepted as +representing the best thought and customs of the race. A mental, moral, +or physical "pervert" or "defective" is manifestly an "unfit," +considered as a prospective parent. Parenthood on the part of such +individuals is not only a crime against society, but always a base +injustice perpetrated upon the offspring. + +A very interesting phase of the general subject now before us for +consideration is that which touches upon the effect of those particular +acquired characteristics which are especially active at the time, or +just before the time of conception. The best authorities hold that the +influences manifest and active in the prospective father and mother +during the period immediately preceding conception will have a marked +effect upon the character of the child. The following quotations from +authorities on the subject will serve to illustrate this idea. + +Riddell says: "The transient physical, mental and moral conditions of +the parents, prior to the initial of life, at the time of inception, do +affect offspring." Dr. Cowan says: "Through the rightly directed wills +of the mother and father, preceding and during ante-natal life, the +child's form of body, character of mind, and purity of soul are formed +and established. That in its plastic shape, during ante-natal life, like +clay in the hand of the potter, it can be molded into absolutely any +form of body and soul the parents may knowingly desire." Newton says: +"Numerous facts indicate that offspring may be affected and their +tendencies shaped by a great variety of influences, among which moods +and influences more or less permanent may be included." + +Riddell says: "The influence of environmental conditions and pre-natal +training are ever evident. Colts from dams that have been under regular +training are faster than those from the same mother foaled before she +had been trained. The puppies of the trained shepherd dog learn much +more rapidly than do those from the untrained animal. No sportsman would +think of paying a high price for a puppy, the mother of which was stupid +and untrained. The same law applies, only with greater effect, to the +human family." Greer says: "No married couple will desire, design and +love a babe into existence without the first requisite--good physical +health." Grant Allen says: "To prepare ourselves for the duties of +maternity and paternity by making ourselves as vigorous and healthful as +we can be, is a duty we owe to children unborn." Holbrook says: "It is +essential, therefore, that if children are to be well-born, the parents +should be careful that at the moment of procreation they are fitted for +the performance of so serious an act." Another authority says: +"Generation should be preceded by regeneration." + +Cowan says: "In the conception of a new life, the mass of mankind +observes no law unless it be the law of chance. Out of the licentious or +incontinent actions of a husband's nature, conception after a time is +discovered to take place. No preparation of body, mind, or soul is made +by either parent. Not more than one child in perhaps ten thousand is +brought into the world with the consent and loving desire of its +parents. The other nine thousand, nine hundred, and ninety nine children +are endowed with the accumulated sins of the parents. Is it any wonder +that there is so much sin, sickness, drunkenness, suffering, +licentiousness, murder, suicide, and premature death, and so little of +purity, chastity, success, goodness, happiness and long life in the +world?" + + +Preparation for Parenthood. + +The ancient Greeks attached great importance to the mental, moral and +physical condition of the parents at the moment of conception, and for a +period preceding the same. The Investigations of modern scientists have +tended to corroborate the facts upon which the ancient theories were +based. Modern science teaches that the life-cells of each parent are +impressed with the condition of the respective parents, and retain this +impression until they meet and finally coalesce and combine, the +combined cell then receiving the result of the original impressions. + +The best authorities on the subject claim that a reasonable time of +self-restraint and continence should be observed by the prospective +parents before the conception of the child. This contention is borne out +by the experience of the breeders of fine horses and cattle, who have +discovered that the best offspring are produced when the animals have +been restrained from sexual intercourse for a reasonable time; this +precaution being particularly observed in the case of the male parent +animal. Writers on the subject cite a number of instances to prove that +this law maintains in human as well is in animal life. It is claimed +that Sir Isaac Newton was conceived after a period of over a year of +total sexual abstinence on the part of his parents. Many other +celebrated men are said to have been conceived after an absence from +home on the part of the father, or a temporary absence from home on the +part of the mother. Many physicians are able to cite many similar cases +observed in the course of their own experience. + +The prospective parents should endeavor to bring themselves up to a high +degree of physical health and well-being. The blood of the mother should +be enriched by proper nutrition, and the organs of the body should be +brought to a state of normal functioning along the lines of digestion, +assimilation, and elimination. + +The minds of both parents should be exercised by reading the right kind +of books, and by paying attention to natural objects of interest. A +little change of scene will tend to awaken the powers of observation and +attention. Riddell says: "If the prospective parents will habitually +exercise the reasoning faculties and inventive powers, usually the +offspring will have a fair degree of inventive talent and originality, +even where these qualities are originally deficient in the parents. When +there is a considerable natural talent or where there are latent +inventive powers, constant training on the part of the parents will +usually give the offspring exceptional powers in this direction." + +The prospective parents should also develop and exercise their moral +faculties in the period preceding conception. This course will tend to +reproduce the same quality in the child. The reverse of this, alas, is +also true. A case is cited of a man who procreated a child while +plotting a nefarious crime; and the child in after life manifested a +tendency toward theft, roguery and rascality, even at a very early age. +The lack of moral fibre so often noticed in the sons of rich men who +have attained their success through questionable methods is perhaps as +much attributable to these pre-conceptual influences as to the +"spoiling" environment of the child after birth. + +In the period of physical, mental, and moral preparation for parenthood +the leading thought of both parents should be: "DO WE WISH OUR CHILD TO +BE LIKE THIS?" This thought, if carried as an ideal, will act both in +the direction of self-restraint and self-development. + +The actual time of the conception of the new life should be carefully +chosen, so that it may occur under the best circumstances and +conditions. The suggestions embodied in the preceding paragraphs should +have been carefully observed; and the time chosen should be one in which +a peaceful and happy state of mind is possessed by both parents. The +ovum of the woman is believed to have its greatest vitality about the +time of the close of each menstrual period, and many good authorities +hold that this is not only the natural period for sexual intercourse, +but is also the exact period in which the life-forces in the ovum are +strongest; and that, consequently, the child conceived at this period is +likely to be stronger and more vigorous than the one conceived at a +later time between the menstrual periods. + +Dr. Stall says: "Medical authorities attach great importance to the +mental condition at the moment of conjunction and conception. It is +quite universally believed that this is a moment of unparalleled +importance to the welfare of the future being. It is an awful crime to +beget life carelessly, and when in improper and unworthy mental states. +Some people seem to think that the matter of begetting a child, like the +matter of selecting a wife, should be left wholly to blind chance. +Neither of these two important events can be too much safeguarded by +wise and thoughtful consideration. If conception is permitted to take +place when either one or both of the parents are in bad health; if the +wife is an unwilling mother, and the embryo is developed by her while +her whole nature rebels against the admission into the family of a child +who is not wanted, the children begotten and born under such +circumstances can never be other than sickly, nervous and fretful during +their entire childhood, and cross and uncompanionable throughout their +whole lives. + +"Much of the differences which exist between children of the same +parents may be easily attributed to the different bodily and mental +conditions of the parents at the period of conjunction, the changed +physical, intellectual and emotional states of the parents at the +different periods of conception producing the corresponding differences +in their offspring. The results of purposed and prepared parenthood are +so great and so desirable that a husband and wife should consider these +matters carefully, making preparations, and approach the period when +they would beget offspring and bring immortal beings into the world with +the greatest thoughtfulness, consideration, and also with prayer." + +Dr. Hufeland says: "In my opinion, it is of the utmost importance that +the moment of conception should be confined to a period when the +sensation of collected powers, ardent passion, and a mind cheerful and +free from care, invite to it on both sides." Riddell says: "The law of +initial impressions is well established. It has been understood and +applied by stock-raisers for centuries. Experiments prove that the +qualities most highly excited in animals prior to their union are most +fully transmitted. The speed of horses and the acquired characters of +the dog have been improved by the applications of the law. History and +classic literature contain many references that recognize its +importance, like Shakespeare's 'Come on, ye cowards; ye were got in +fear.' Ancient laws forbade union while parents were intoxicated, +because such unions resulted in the production of drunkards and +monstrosities. The asylums for the feeble-minded contain hundreds of +unfortunate ones that are the product of such unions. The law of initial +impressions, like the other laws of heredity, is traced most easily +where morbid conditions are transmitted; but fortunately it is quite as +potential in the production of desirable qualities. Unusual excitement +to the social, intellectual or religious powers on the parents just +prior to the inception of the new life frequently produce in the child +corresponding tendencies." + +Dr. Stockham says: "Many a drunkard owes his lifelong appetite for +alcohol to the fact that the inception of his life could be traced to a +night of dissipation on the part of his father." Fleming says: "Not only +do drunkards transmit to their descendants tendency toward insanity and +crime, but even habitually sober parents who at the moment of conception +are in a temporary state of drunkenness beget children who are epileptic +or paralytic, idiotic or insane, very often microcephalic, or with +remarkable weakness of mind, which is transformed at the first favorable +occasion into insanity." + +The time of conception should undoubtedly be chosen to correspond to a +time in which the sex-powers of both parents are at their maximum. This +is arrived at by a reasonable period of previous continence and +abstinence from sexual relations between the married couple, and by an +observance of the natural law which renders the woman most strong +sexually at the close of the menstrual period. The husband, as well as +the wife, is most strong sexually at this period, as under normal +conditions his sex-power is most actively called forth by that of the +woman at this period. At this period the wave of sex-power is at its +height, and this is the best time for the beginning of the new life. As +Riddell says: "Strong, vigorous, chaste sexuality at the time of +conception is of supreme importance; it is indispensable to good +results. No number of other conditions or factors can be so favorable as +to justify the creation of a new life when the vitality of either parent +is low. Parents transmit their physical constitution, intellect and +morals only to the extent of the sex-power at the time of inception." + +It is needless to say that there should exist between the prospective +parents a strong bond of affection and attraction. By an irony of +civilized life, the term "love child" is applied only to the offspring +of unmarried lovers--men and women whose affection or passion have run +away with their judgment, and who have "loved not wisely, but too well." +Some of the world's greatest men and women have been "love children" of +this kind; and in such cases it is probably true that their physical and +mental strength has been the result of the ardent feeling animating the +parents at the moment of conception. Such children seldom result from +the "tired bed" or worn-out passion, love killed by sexual excesses, +indifference on the part of one of the participants of the union, "duty" +intercourse without affection or passion, or forced sexual relations. +Every child should be a "love child" in the true sense of the term. The +term should be one of respect, not of reproach. There should be no +children but "love children." The fruit of the perfect mating and +marriage should be the perfect "love child"--and it would always be so +if husbands and wives would but observe the laws of the normal, natural, +sex-life. + +And, last of all--and perhaps more important than all--is the fact that +at the moment of conception the minds and hearts of both of the +prospective parents should be united in a strong love and desire for the +hoped-for child. At that moment their best natures should blend into +each other, and their love for each other fuse into a new love--the love +of the child of the union. Under such circumstances, in such act the +Cosmic Forces flow unhindered through the beings of the parents, and the +new life is begun under the approving smile of Nature. + + +Maternal Impressions. + +One of the oldest and most firmly-rooted beliefs of the race is that +which holds that the pregnant mother may, and often does, consciously or +unconsciously, impress upon her unborn child certain mental, moral, or +physical traits. The majority of persons accept this idea as +self-evident, and are able to cite cases within their own personal +experience which go to prove the correctness of the popular belief. But +certain modern authorities have sought to tear down this belief, and to +discredit the general idea. Let us briefly consider both sides of this +question. + +On the side of the generally accepted belief, Riddell says: "The more I +study the influence of maternal impressions upon the life, mentality and +character of men, the more I am led to believe that the education and +moral training that a child receives before it sees the light of day are +the most influential, and, therefore, the most important part of its +education." Newton says: "A mother may, during the period of gestation, +exercise some influence, by her own voluntary mental and physical +action, either unwittingly or purposely, in determining the traits and +tendencies of her offspring. This is now a common belief among +intelligent people. Every observant teacher could doubtless bear witness +to the same general facts, and it would be easy to fill a volume with +testimonials from various sources illustrative and confirmatory of the +law under discussion. Such facts establish beyond question the +conviction that the mother has it largely in her power to confer on her +child such a tendency of mind and conformation of brain as shall not +only facilitate the acquisition of knowledge in any specific direction, +but make it certain that such knowledge will be sought and acquired." + +Dr. Fordyce Baker says: "The weight of authority must be conceded to be +in favor of the idea that maternal impressions may effect the growth, +form and character of a forming child." Dr. Rokitansky says: "The +question whether mental emotions do influence the development of the +child must be answered 'Yes!'" Dr. Brittain says: "The singular effects +produced on the unborn child by the sudden mental emotions of the mother +are remarkable examples of a kind of electrotyping on the sensitive +surface of living forms. It is doubtless true that the mind's action in +such cases may increase or diminish the molecular deposits in the +several portions of the system. The precise place which each separate +particle assumes may be determined by the influence of thought or +feeling. If, for example, there exists in the mother any unusual +tendency of the vital forces to the brain at the critical period, there +will be a similar cerebral development and activity in the offspring." + +Newton says: "The human embryo is formed and developed in all its parts, +even to the minutest detail, by and through the action of the vital, +mental, and spiritual forces of the mother, which forces act in and +through the corresponding portions of her own organism. And while this +process may go on unconsciously, or without the mother's voluntary +participation or direction, yet she may consciously and purposely so +direct her activities as, with a good degree of certainty, to accomplish +specifically desired ends in determining the traits and qualities of her +offspring." Professor Bayer says: "The influence of the mind of a +prospective mother upon her child, before its birth, is of tremendous +importance to its active existence as a member of society, from the fact +that it lies in the mother's power to shape its mentality, that it may +be a power for good or for evil." + +The views of that school of thought which is opposed to this old and +generally accepted idea of material impressions, are ably presented by +Dr. Saleeby, as follows: "Consider the case. The baby is at this time +already a baby, though rather small and uncanny, floating in a fluid of +its own manufacture. Its sole connection with the mother is by means of +its umbilical cord--that is to say, blood-vessels, arterial and venous. +There is no nervous connection whatever; absolutely nothing but the +blood-stream, carried along a system of tubes. This blood is the child's +blood, which it sends forth from itself along the umbillical cord to a +special organ, the placenta or afterbirth, half made by itself and half +made by the mother, in which the child's blood travels in thin vessels +so close to the mother's blood that their contents can be interchanged. +Yet the two streams never mix. The child's blood, having disposed of its +carbonic acid and waste products to the mother's blood, and having +received therefrom oxygen and food, returns so laden to the child. Pray +how is the mother's reading of history to make the child a historian? We +see now how the learning of geometry on the part of the mother before +its birth will not set her baby upon that royal road to geometry of +which Euclid rightly denied the existence--any more than after its +birth. Such a thing does not happen--UNLESS WE ARE TO CALL IN +TELEPATHY." + +All this argument may seem quite convincing--at first. But when we begin +to consider the matter carefully, we begin to perceive the weak places +in the argument as above presented. In the first place, it is known that +emotions powerfully affect the condition, quality, and "life" of the +blood. We know that cheerful emotions impart certain uplifting qualities +to the blood, while depressing emotions correspondingly react upon it. +Fear, worry, fright, jealousy, etc., are actual poisons to the blood, +and have brought on diseased conditions to the persons manifesting these +emotions. Moreover, it is known that impaired quality of the blood +reacts upon the brain. Is it so unreasonable, then, to hold that +emotional states in the mother may react upon the mental and physical +condition of the unborn child, through the blood? Does not something +similar occur in the case of the babe, after its birth, when it is +affected by the conditions of its mother's milk brought on by her +depressing emotions, fright, etc.? This would seem to explain at least +the matter of emotional reactions between mother and unborn babe. + +But the case is not closed with the presentation of the evidence of +physiology, important though that may be. There is an entirely different +field of science to be drawn upon before the case is closed. The +orthodox physiologist makes the mistake of supposing that all mental +impulses and transmission of psychic energy require the service of +nerves as channels of transmission. While such channels are usually +required, we have good reasons for believing that there are exceptions +to the rule. There have been found tiny creatures, possessing life and +energy, performing the functions of nourishment, elimination, and even +of reproduction--and yet without a nervous system. In one well-known +instance, that of the moneron, we find not only an absence of a nervous +system but also the lack of organs of any kind--and yet the creature +lives, acts, moves, eats, thinks, and reproduces itself. + +Then, again, consider the moving cells of the blood, unconnected with +the brain, unattached to the nervous system, and yet rushing to the work +of repairing a wound, or of repelling an intruding germ, in obedience to +a mental command from the controlling subconscious mental regions of the +living creature. How does the mental impulse reach these cells and +others of similar nature in the system? If we were not so sure of the +facts, might we not feel inclined to say with Dr. Saleeby, in the above +quoted sentence: "Such a thing does not happen--unless we are to call in +telepathy." + +Moreover, examining Dr. Saleeby's statement, we see mention made of the +placenta at being "half made by the embryo, and half made by the +mother." How does this co-operation and co-ordination of effort and +subconscious will arise? How does the subconscious mentality of the +embryo know that the subconscious mentality of the mother is making its +half of the placenta, or vice versa? Again, how is the subconscious +mentality of the mother affected by the presence and development of the +child--how do her mammary glands respond to the growth and development +of the child? In short, how is the manifest co-operation and +co-ordination between the "nature" of the mother and the "nature" of the +child possible, unless there exists some psychical, as well as some +physical, relation between the two beings. + +The person conscientiously considering this subject must include in his +thought the discoveries of modern psychology concerning what is known as +the "subconscious mind," which controls the unconscious and instinctive +functions of the physical body, and also receives impressions and +suggestions from the surface consciousness of its owner. This factor +being admitted to our thought on the subject, we may find it possible to +accept the idea of material impressions from mother to child operating +from the subconscious mind of the mother to that of the child. In other +words, that there is a subconscious mental connection, as well as the +physical connection, between the mother and her unborn child. + +Many careful thinkers (and observers) find it just as easy to accept the +fact of this strange "sympathetic co-ordination" between a mother and +her unborn child as it is to accept the very frequent "sympathetic +sickness" of the husband during the pregnancy of his wife--or of the +"sympathetic labor pains" so often experienced by the husband during the +confinement of his wife. Both of the latter two cases occur too often to +permit the phenomenon to be denied off hand by those who would set aside +all facts not agreeing with their particular personal theories. There is +no nervous system connecting husband and wife, and of such cases the +critic like Dr. Saleeby might say: "Such a thing does not +happen--UNLESS WE CALL IN TELEPATHY!" The fact remains that many things +actually happen which according to the orthodox physiological theories +"CANNOT happen." But they DO happen, nevertheless, whether we call it +"telepathy" or merely label it "certain facts, the exact causes of which +Science in the present state of its knowledge (or ignorance) cannot +definitely determine." One irrefutable fact outweighs a ton of mere +general denials of possibility. + +It is recorded that the mother of Charles Kingsley believed in maternal +impressions, and during her period of pregnancy exercised her +imagination and emotions in the direction of wishing, and imagining, +that the coming child should have the same love of Devonshire scenery +that so delighted her. The result proved her theory, for though Kingsley +never saw Devonshire until he was a man of thirty years of age, every +Devonshire scene had a mysterious charm for him throughout his entire +life. It is said that Robert Burns was so strongly impressed parentally +by the old Scotch songs and ballads that his mother sung during her +pregnancy, that his whole nature longed to express itself in like +measure and substance. He always believed that his poetic spirit was +kindled by this tendency on the part of his mother during the period +preceding his birth. + +The mother of Napoleon Bonaparte during several months of her pregnancy, +accompanied her husband during his military campaigns in Corsica, and +during the entire term she lived in an atmosphere of battles, military +strategy, and troops. When the boy was very young he manifested an +unusual interest in war and conquest, and his whole mind had the +military bent, although his brothers were in no wise remarkable in this +direction. The artist, Flaxman, stated that his mother had related to +him how for several months prior to his birth she had spent many hours +each day studying drawings and engravings, and endeavoring to visualize +by memory the beautiful figures of the human body drawn by the masters. +The result was that from early childhood Flaxman manifested an intense +delight in drawing; and in after life his drawings were regarded as +masterpieces. He, and his mother, always attributed his talent to the +parental impressions above mentioned. + +"Buffalo Bill" was believed to owe his characteristics to the mental +states of his mother, the family living in Missouri during the days of +frontier fights and disturbances, the mother being called upon several +times to exercise resourceful courage and fortitude. A well-known worker +along the lines of liberal Christianity is said to have attributed his +tendencies in that direction to the prayers of his mother, during her +pregnancy, that the child might be true to the teachings of the Christ, +and should be a laborer in the cause of human brotherhood. This man, +relating the fact, said: "I may have been converted before I was born." +A well-known writer along the lines of moral philosophy is believed by +friends to owe his talent to the earnest thoughts and hopes of his +mother during pregnancy--she is said to have pictured the child as a son +destined to become a great moral philosopher, her mind being so firmly +fixed on this fact that she felt it was already an assured fact. + +The Greeks were wont to surround the pregnant women with beautiful +statuary, and it is recorded that in many cases the children afterward +born closely resembled these works of art and beauty. It is claimed that +many Italian women closely resemble the face shown in Raphael's +"Madonna," copies of this celebrated picture being quite common in +Italian households. Frances Willard, the temperance worker, is said to +have very closely resembled a young woman of whom her mother was very +fond. Many family resemblances are believed to have arisen in this way, +rather than by heredity. Zerah Colburn, the mathematical prodigy whose +feats astounded the scientific world in the early part of the last +century, is said to have derived his wonderful faculty from maternal +impressions of this kind; his mother is said to have occupied much of +her time during her pregnancy in studying arithmetic and working +problems, the study being quite new to her and proving very interesting. + +Cases similar to those above quoted might be duplicated almost +indefinitely. The story is practically the same in each and every case. +The principle involved is always that the pregnant mother took a decided +interest in certain subjects, studies, and work, and that the child when +born manifested at an early age similar tastes and inclinations. But far +more important to the average prospective parent is the fact that many +authorities positively claim that ANY PREGNANT MOTHER MAY CONSCIOUSLY +AND DELIBERATELY INFLUENCE AND SHAPE THE CHARACTER, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, +AND MORAL OF HER UNBORN CHILD. + +Newton well says, on this subject: "In the cases usually given to the +public bearing on this topic, the moulding power appears to have been +exercised merely by accident or chance; that is, without any intelligent +purpose on the part of mothers to produce the results. Can there be any +doubt that similar means, if purposely and wisely adopted, and applied +with the greater care and precision which enlightened intention secure, +would produce under the same law even more perfect results. Is it not +altogether probable that an intentional direction of the vital or mental +forces to any particular portion of the brain will cause a development +and activity in the corresponding portion of the brain of the offspring? +There seems to be no reasonable ground on which these propositions can +be denied. The brain is made up of a congeries of organs which are the +organs of distinct faculties of the mind or soul. It follows, then, that +if the mother during gestation maintains a special activity of any one +brain organ, or group of organs, in her brain, she thereby causes more +development of the corresponding organ or group in the brain of the +fetus. She thus determines a tendency in the child to special activity +of the faculties, of which such organs are the instruments. It is plain, +furthermore, that if any one organ or faculty may thus be cultivated +before birth, and its activity enhanced for life, so may any other--and +so may all. It would seem, then, clearly within the bounds of +possibility that a mother, by pursuing a systematic and comprehensive +method, may give a well-rounded and harmoniously developed organism to +her child--notwithstanding her own defects, which, under the unguided +operation of hereditary law, are likely to be repeated in her offspring. +Or it is within her power to impart a leading tendency in any specific +direction that she may deem desirable, for a life of the highest +usefulness. IN THIS WAY ANCESTRAL DEFECTS AND UNDESIRABLE HEREDITARY +TRAITS, OF WHATEVER NATURE OR HOWEVER STRONG, MAY BE OVERCOME, OR IN A +GOOD DEGREE COUNTERBALANCED BY GIVING GREATER ACTIVITY TO COUNTERACTING +TENDENCIES; and, in this way, too, it would appear the coveted gifts of +genius may be conferred. In other words, it would seem to be within the +mother's power, by the voluntary and intelligent direction of her own +forces, in orderly and systematic methods, both to mold the physical +form to lines of beauty, and shape the mental, moral, and spiritual +features of her child to an extent to which no limit can be assigned." + +I think that in the pages of this particular part of the book the +prospective parent may find hints and general directions toward a +clearly defined ideal, which is carefully studied, and as carefully put +into practice will produce results far beyond the dreams of the average +man and woman. The hope is a magnificent one, and the best testimony is +in favor of the possibility of its actual realization. + + + + +LESSON VIII + +EUGENICS AND CHARACTER + + +The rapidly growing interest in Eugenics, and the scientific +consideration of the world-wide decline in the birth-rate have drawn +attention to the study of the eugenic factors which determine the +production of high ability in offspring. Many distinguished +investigators have conducted long and exhaustive investigations for the +purpose of ascertaining and summarizing all possible biological data +concerning the parentage and birth of the most notable persons born in +European countries, and to a lesser extent in America. + +The investigations are now acquiring a fresh importance, because, while +it is becoming recognized that we are gaining a control over the +conditions of birth, the production of children has itself gained an +importance. The world is no longer to be bombarded by an exuberant +stream of babies, good, bad, and indifferent in quality, with mankind to +look on calmly at the struggle for existence among them. Whether we like +it or not, the quantity is steadily diminishing, and the question of +quality is beginning to assume a supreme significance. The question then +is being anxiously asked: "What are the conditions which assure the +finest quality in our children?" + +A German scientist, Dr. Vaerting, of Berlin, published just before the +War a treatise on the subject of the most favorable age in parents for +the production of offspring of ability. He treated the question in an +entirely new spirit, not merely as a matter of academic discussion, but +rather as a practical matter of vital importance to the welfare of +modern society. He starts by asserting that "our century has been called +the century of the child," and that for the child all manner of rights +are now being claimed. But, he wisely adds, there is seldom considered +the prime right of all the child's rights, i. e., the right of the child +to the best ability and capacity for efficiency that his parents are +able to transmit to him. The good doctor adds that this right is the +root of all children's rights; and that when the mysteries of +procreation have been so far revealed as to enable this right to be won, +we shall, at the same time renew the spiritual aspect of the nations. + +The writer referred to decided that the most easily ascertainable and +measurable factor in the production of ability, and efficiency in +offspring, and a factor of the greatest significance, is the age of the +parents at the child's birth. He investigated a number of cases of men +of ability and efficiency, along these lines, and made a careful summary +of his results. Some of his results are somewhat startling, and may +possibly require the corroboration of other investigators before they +can be accepted as authoritative; but they are worthy of being carefully +considered at the present time, pending such further investigation. + +Vaerting found that the fathers who were themselves not notably +intellectual have a decidedly more prolonged power of procreating +distinguished children than is possessed by distinguished fathers. The +former may become the fathers of eminent children from the period of +sexual maturity up to the age of forty-three or beyond. When, however, +the father is himself of high intellectual distinction, the records show +that he was nearly always under thirty, and usually under twenty-five +years of age at the time of the birth of his distinguished son, although +the proportion of youthful fathers in the general population is +relatively small. The eleven youngest fathers on Vaerting's list, from +twenty-one to twenty-five years of age, were with one exception +themselves more or less distinguished; while the fifteen oldest, from +thirty-nine to sixty years of age, were all without exception +undistinguished. + +Among the sons on the latter list are to be found much greater names +(such as Goethe, Bach, Kant, Bismarck, Wagner, etc.) than are to be +found among the sons of young and more distinguished fathers, for here +is only one name (Frederick the Great) of the same caliber. The elderly +fathers belonged to the large cities, and were mostly married to wives +very much younger than themselves. Vaerting notes that the most eminent +men have frequently been the sons of fathers who were not engaged in +intellectual avocations at all, but earned their living as humble +craftsmen. He draws the conclusion from these data that strenuous +intellectual energy is much more unfavorable than hard physical labor to +the production of marked ability in the offspring. Intellectual workers, +therefore, he argues, must have their children when young, and we must +so modify our social ideals and economic conditions as to render this +possible. + +Vaerting, however, holds that the mother need not be equally young; he +finds some superiority, indeed, provided the father is young, in +somewhat elderly mothers, and there were no mothers under twenty-three +on the list. The rarity of genius among the offspring of distinguished +parents he attributes to the unfortunate tendency to marry too late; and +he finds that the distinguished men who marry late rarely have any +children at all. Speaking generally, and apart from the production of +genius, he holds that women have children too early, before their +psychic development is completed, while men have children too late, when +they have already "in the years of their highest psychic generative +fitness planted their most precious seed in the mud of the street." + +The eldest child was found to have by far the best chance of turning +out distinguished, and in this fact Vaerting finds further proof of his +argument. The third son has the next best chance, and then the second, +the comparatively bad position of the second being attributed to the too +brief interval which often follows the birth of the first child. He also +notes that of all the professions the clergy come beyond comparison +first as the parents of distinguished sons (who are, however, rarely of +the highest degree of eminence), lawyers following, while officers in +the army and physicians scarcely figure at all. Vaerting is inclined to +see in this order, especially in the predominance of the clergy, the +favorable influence of an unexhausted reserve of energy and a habit of +chastity on intellectual procreativeness. + +It should be remembered, however, that Vaerting's cases on his list were +all those of Germans, and, therefore, the influence of the +characteristic social customs and conditions of the German people must +be taken into account in the consideration. + +Havelock Ellis in his well known work "Study of British Genius" dealt on +a still larger scale, and with a somewhat more precise method, with many +of the same questions as illustrated by British cases. After the +publication of Vaerting's work, Ellis re-examined his cases, and +rearranged his data. His results, like those of the German authority, +showed a special tendency for genius to appear in the eldest child, +though there was no indication of notably early marriage in the parents. +He also found a similar predominance of the clergy among the fathers, +and a similar deficiency of army officers and physicians. + +Ellis found that the most frequent age of the father was thirty-two +years, but that the average age of the father at the distinguished +child's birth was 36.6 years; and that when the fathers were themselves +distinguished their age was not, as Vaerting found in Germany, notably +low at the birth of their distinguished sons, but higher than the +general average, being 37.5 years. He found fifteen distinguished sons +of distinguished British fathers, but instead of being nearly always +under thirty and usually under twenty-five, as Vaerting found it in +Germany, the British distinguished father has only five times been under +thirty, and among these only twice under twenty-five. Moreover, +precisely the most distinguished of the sons (Francis Bacon and William +Pitt) had the oldest fathers, and the least distinguished sons the +youngest fathers. + +Ellis says of his general conclusions resulting from this investigation: +"I made some attempts to ascertain whether different kinds of genius +tend to be produced by fathers who were at different periods of life. I +refrained from publishing the results as I doubted whether the numbers +dealt with were sufficiently large to carry any weight. It may, however, +be worth while to record them, as possibly they are significant. I made +four classes of men of genius: (1) Men of Religion, (2) Poets, (3) +Practical Men, (4) Scientific Men and Sceptics. (It must not, of course, +be supposed that in this last group all the scientific men were +sceptics, or all the sceptics scientific.) The average age of the +fathers at the distinguished son's birth was, in the first group, 35 +years; in the second and third group, 37 years; and in the last group, +40 years. (It may be noted, however, that the youngest father of all the +history of British genius, aged sixteen, produced Napier, who introduced +logarithms.) + +"It is difficult not to believe that as regards, at all events, the two +most discrepant groups, the first and last, we come upon a significant +indication. It is not unreasonable to suppose that in the production of +men of religion in whose activity emotion is so potent a factor, the +youthful age of the father should prove favorable; while for the +production of genius of a more coldly intellectual and analytic type +more elderly fathers are demanded. If that should prove to be so, it +would become a source of happiness to religious parents to have their +children early, while irreligious parents should be advised to delay +parentage. + +"It is scarcely necessary to remark that the age of the mothers is +probably quite as influential as that of the fathers. Concerning the +mothers, however, we always have less precise information. My records, +so far as they go, agree with Vaerting's for German genius, in +indicating that an elderly mother is more likely to produce a child of +genius than a very youthful mother. There were only fifteen mothers +recorded under twenty-five years of age, while thirteen were over +thirty-nine years; the most important age for mothers was twenty-seven. + +"On all these points we certainly need controlling evidence from other +countries. Thus, before we insist with Vaerting that an elderly mother +is a factor in the production of genius, we may recall that even in +Germany the mothers of Goethe and Nietzsche were both eighteen at their +distinguished son's birth. A rule which permits of such tremendous +exceptions scarcely seems to bear the strain of emphasis." + +The student, however, must always remember that while the study of +genius and exceptionable talent is highly interesting, and even, as is +quite probable, not without significance for the general laws of +heredity, still we must beware of too hastily drawing conclusions from +it to bear on the practical questions of eugenics. Genius is rare--and, +in a certain sense, abnormal. Laws meant for application to the general +population must be based on a study of the general population. Vaerting, +himself, realized how inadequate it was to confine our study to cases of +genius. + +Another investigator, Marro, an Italian scientist, in his well-known +book on puberty which was published several years ago, brought forth +some interesting data showing the result of the age of the parents on +the moral and intellectual characters of school-children in Northern +Italy. He found that children with fathers below twenty-six at their +birth showed the maximum of bad conduct and the minimum of good; they +also yielded the greatest proportion of children of irregular, +troublesome, or lazy character, but not of really perverse children--the +latter being equally distributed among fathers of all ages. The largest +number of cheerful children belonged to the young fathers, while the +children tended to become more melancholy with ascending age of the +fathers. Young fathers produced the largest number of intelligent, as +well as of troublesome children; but when the very exceptional +intelligent children were considered separately, they were found to be +more usually the offspring of elderly fathers. + +As regarded the mothers, Marro found that the children of young mothers +(under twenty-one) are superior, both as regards conduct and +intelligence, though the more exceptionally intelligent children tended +to belong to more mature mothers. When the parents were both in the same +age-groups, the immature and the elderly groups tended to produce more +children who were unsatisfactory, both as regards conduct and +intelligence--the intermediate group yielding the most satisfactory +results of this kind. + +Havelock Ellis makes the following plea for further investigations along +these lines, in the interest of the well-being of the race: "But we have +need of inquiries made on a more wholesale and systematic scale. They +are no longer of a merely speculative character. We no longer regard +children as the 'gifts of God' flung into our helpless hands; we are +beginning to realize that the responsibility is ours to see that they +come into the world under the best conditions, and at the moments when +their parents are best fitted to produce them. Vaerting proposes that it +should be the business of all school authorities to register the ages of +the pupils' parents. This is scarcely a provision to which even the most +susceptible parent could reasonably object, though there is no cause to +make the declaration compulsory where a 'conscientious' objection +existed, and in any case the declaration would not be public. + +"It would be an advantage--although this might be more difficult to +obtain--to have the date of the children's marriage, and of the birth of +previous children, as well as some record of the father's standing in +his occupation. But even the ages of the parents alone would teach us +much when correlated with the school position of the pupil in +intelligence and conduct. It is quite true that there are unavoidable +fallacies. We are not, as in the case of genius, dealing with people +whose life-work is complete and open to the whole world's examination. + +"The good and clever child is not necessarily the forerunner of the +first-class man or woman; and many capable and successful men have been +careless in attendance at lectures, and rebellious to discipline. +Moreover, the prejudice and limitations of the teachers have to be +recognized. Yet when we are dealing with millions most of these +fallacies would be smoothed out. We should be, once for all, in a +position to determine authoritatively the exact bearing of one of the +simplest and most vital factors of the betterment of the race. We should +be in possession of a new clue to guide us in the creation of the man in +the coming world. Why not begin today?" + +Considerable attention on the part of the American thinking public has +been directed toward the investigations and researches of Casper L. +Redfield. Mr. Redfield combats the orthodox scientific position that the +acquired qualities are not transmitted to offspring; and he most +positively states that such characteristics are transmitted to +offspring, and are really the causes which have tended toward the +evolution and progress of the race. But he insists upon this vital +point, namely, that the parent must already have acquired improved +quality before he can transmit improvement to the offspring--and that +before he can have acquired this improved quality, he must have lived +sufficiently long to have experienced the causes which have developed +improvement in himself. Consequently, he holds that DELAYED PARENTAGE +PRODUCES GREAT MEN. + +Mr. Redfield several years ago offered a prize of two hundred dollars to +anyone who could show that a single one of the great men of history was +the product of a succession of young parents, or was produced by a line +of ancestry represented by more than three generations to a century. But +no one ever claimed the prize money. According to Mr. Redfield's +doctrine, race improvement is and will be accomplished as the result of +effort, physical and mental, upon the part of prospective parents, +particularly if the period of effort is sustained over a considerable +number of years previous to reproduction. + +The following quotations from Mr. Redfield's writing will give a general +idea of his lines of thought and his theories. He says: + +"At some time in the past there was a common ancestor for man and the +ape. At that time the mental ability of the man was the same as that of +the ape, because at that time man and the ape were the same person. From +that common ancestor there have been derived two main lines of descent, +one leading to man and the other to the ape of today. In the line +leading to man, mental ability has increased little by little so that +today the mental ability of the man is far above that of the ape. While +it may not be literally true for each and every generation between that +common ancestor and man of the present time, still we will commit no +error if we divide the total increase in mental ability by the number of +intervening generations and say that each generation in turn was a +little superior to that which produced it. Now it happens that mental +ability is something which is inherited--is transmitted from parent to +offspring. Take that fact with the fact that there has been a regular +(or irregular) increase in mental ability in the generations leading to +man, and it will be seen that each generation in succession transmitted +to its offspring more than it inherited from its parents. BUT A PARENT +CANNOT TRANSMIT SOMETHING WHICH HE DID NOT HAVE. Where and how did those +generations get that ability which they transmitted but did not +inherit?" + +Mr. Redfield in his writings shows that what is true of the human race +is true of high-bred domesticated animals, namely, the cow of high milk +producing breeds; the fast running and trotting horses; and the highly +developed hunting dogs. To each case he applies his question: "Where and +how did those generations of animals get that power which they +transmitted but did not inherit?" In his investigations he claims to +have discovered the secret, namely, that the ancestors, throughout +several generations, had each acquired the power which it transmitted, +which added to the inherited power raised the general power of the +stock. This arose from careful breeding, and directly from the fact that +the average age of the parent was much higher in the highly-bred stock +than in the "scrub" or ordinary run of stock. In other words, DELAYED +PARENTAGE PRODUCED BETTER OFFSPRING. + +Mr. Redfield proceeds to argue from these facts as follows: "At one +time man and ape reproduced at the same average age, whereas now they +reproduce at widely different ages. Going back to the time when man and +ape separated, our ancestors survived by physical and mental activity in +securing food and escaping from enemies. As time went on man reproduced +at later and later average age until now he reproduces at about thirty +years from birth of parent to birth of offspring. When time between +generations stretched out in the man line more than it did in the ape +line, the man acquired MORE MENTAL DEVELOPMENT BEFORE HE REPRODUCED than +did the ape, and he did this because he was mentally active more years +before reproducing. The successive generations leading to modern man +transmitted to offspring more than they inherited from their parents, +and the generations which did this are the same generations which +acquired, before reproducing, the identical thing which they transmitted +in excess of inheriting. + +"Coming now to those rare men of whom we have only a few in a century, +how were they produced? It should be noted that each one had two +parents, four grandparents, and eight great-grandparents. Also that they +are certainly improvements over their great-grandparents. If they were +not such improvements, then there would be many 'rare' cases in a +century. In looking into the pedigrees of these great men it is found +that they were sons of parents of nearly all ages, but were +predominantly sons of elderly parents. While we sometimes find +comparatively young parents in the pedigree of a great man, we never +find a succession of young parents. Neither do we find an intellectually +great man produced by a pedigree extending over three generations. The +great man is produced only when the average for three generations is on +the elderly side of what is normal. The average age of one thousand +fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers in the pedigrees of +eminent men was found to be over forty years. Great men rise from +ordinary stock only when several generations in succession acquire +mental efforts in excess amounts before reproducing." + +It is the opinion of the present writer that the theories of Mr. +Redfield are in the main true, and that in the future much valuable +information will be obtained along the same lines, which will tend to +corroborate his general conclusions. One's attention needs but to be +plainly directed to the matter, and then he will see that it is absurd +to think of a creature transmitting to his offspring qualities which +neither he or his mate had inherited or acquired. If there were no +transmission of acquired qualities there would be no improvement--and in +fact, we know that the bulk of inherited qualities were at some time in +the history of the race "acquired." And, reasoning along the same line, +we may see that the young parents who have not had as yet an opportunity +to acquire mental power cannot expect to transmit it to their +offspring--all that they can do is to transmit the inherited stock +qualities plus the small acquired power which they have gained in their +limited experience. And, finally, it is seen that offspring produced at +a riper age of parenthood, continued over several generations, tend +toward unusual ability and powers. Consequently, the people or nation +with a higher average age of parenthood may logically expect to attain +greater mental powers than the peoples lacking that quality. And what is +true of a people or nation is of course true of a particular family. + +The subject touched upon in this part of our book is one of the greatest +interest to careful students of Eugenics; and is one which calls for +careful and unprejudiced consideration from all persons having the +interest of the race at heart. + + + + +LESSON IX + +THE DETERMINATION OF SEX + + +The term "The Determination of Sex" is employed in two general senses in +scientific circles. + +The first usage is that of the biologist, and it includes within its +scope merely the discovery and understanding of the CAUSES which +determine whether the embryo shall develop into a male or into a female. +In the discussion of the subject from this standpoint there is but +little, if any, attention given to the question of whether the sex of +the unborn child may be determined by methods under the control of man. +The biologist simply studies the causes which seem to lead to the +production of an individual of one or the other sex, without regard to +whether these causes, when discovered, may or may not be amendable to +human control. + +An authority, speaking of this standpoint concerning the question +referred to, says: "We may discover the causes of storms or earthquakes, +and when our knowledge of them is sufficiently advanced we may be able +to predict them as successfully as astronomers predict eclipses, but +there is little hope that we shall ever be able to control them. So it +may be with sex; a complete understanding of the causes which determine +it may not necessarily give us the power of producing one or the other +sex at will, or even of predicting the sex in any given case. Whether we +shall ever be able to influence the causes of sex-determination cannot +as yet be foretold; at present, biologists are engaged in the less +practical, but immensely interesting, problem, of discovering what those +causes are." + +The second usage of the term, includes and embraces the idea of the +voluntary determination or control of the sex of the future child, by +means of certain methods or certain systems of treatment, etc. Of recent +years, science has been devoting considerable attention to the question +of whether or not man may not be able to produce any particular sex at +will, by means of certain systems or methods of procedure. Many theories +have been evolved, and many plans and methods have been advocated, often +with the expenditure of much energy and enthusiasm on the part of the +promulgators and their adherents. + +In this lesson there will be briefly presented to you the general +consensus of modern thought on the subject, with a general outline of +the favorite methods and systems advocated by the several schools of +thought concerned in the investigation. + +Professor Doncaster, the well-known authority on the subject, says: "But +little progress has been made in the direction of predicting the sex of +any child, and, if possible, even less in artificially influencing the +determination of its sex. When the general principles arrived at are +borne in mind, it must be confessed that the prospects of our ever +attaining this power of control or even of prediction are not very +hopeful, but the possibility of it cannot be yet regarded as entirely +excluded. The general conclusions arrived at are that sex is determined +by a physiological condition of the embryonic cells, that this condition +is induced, at least in the absence of disturbing causes, by the +presence of a particular sex-chromosome. [A "chromosome" is a portion of +the chromatin, or substance characteristic of the nucleus of the cell, +this nucleus seemingly controlling the life-processes of the cell.] But +there is evidence, which for the present at least cannot be neglected, +that certain extraneous conditions acting on the egg or early embryo may +perhaps be able to counteract the effect of sex chromosome. + +"Quite generally, then, there are two conceivable methods by which the +sex might be artificially influenced in any particular case; firstly, if +means could be found of ensuring that any particular fertilized ovum +received the required chromosomes; and, secondly, by the discovery of +methods which always effect the ovum or embryo in such a way as to +produce the desired sex. Many suggestions for applying both methods have +been made, some of which have attained considerable notoriety, but +hitherto none of them has stood the test of practical experience. In the +case of the higher animals, especially of the mammals, in which the +embryo develops in the maternal uterus until long after the sex is +irrevocably decided, it is obviously difficult to apply methods which +might influence the sex after fertilization, even if it were certainly +known that such methods were ever really effective. + +"Apart from the few experiments like those of Hertwig on rearing +tadpoles at different temperatures, there have been a very few cases in +which there is even a suggestion that the sex of the fertilized egg can +be modified by environment, and the belief that this is possible has +been entirely abandoned by many of the leading investigators of the +subject. It is probable, therefore, that if it will ever be possible to +predict or determine artificially the sex of a particular child, the +means will have to be sought in some method of influencing the output of +germ-cells in such a way that one kind is produced rather than the +other. It is in this way that Heape and others interpret the results of +their investigations; they find that certain conditions affect the +sex-ratio of cells, and they explain the result by assuming that UNDER +SOME CIRCUMSTANCES MALE-DETERMINING OVA ARE PRODUCED IN EXCESS, AND +UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, FEMALE-DETERMINING." + +Professor Rumley Dawson holds to the opinion that the male-determining +and female-determining ova are discharged alternately from the ovaries. +In woman one ovum is usually discharged each month, and it is maintained +that on one month the ovum is male-determining, and in the next, +female-determining. It is obvious that exceptions must occur, for boy +and girl twins are quite common, but if the cases which support the +hypothesis are taken by themselves, and the exceptions explained away, +it is possible to make out a strong case in favor of this theory. Some +authorities hold that the right ovary produces male-determining ova, and +the left ovary female-determining, and that the two ovaries discharge an +ovum alternately, but an impartial examination of the evidence for this +belief shows that it rests on very slender foundations. Experiments on +the lower animals have shown that after the complete removal of one +ovary the female may produce young of both sexes. Women, also, have +produced children of a particular sex after the corresponding ovary has +been removed, and it is hardly possible to believe that the removal in +all these cases was incomplete. On the whole it must be concluded that +the theory is insufficiently supported by the evidence. + +Another widely promulgated and vigorously supported theory is that which +holds that the sex of the future child may be determined by specific +nutrition of the mother before conception, and in some cases after +conception. Schenk's theory, advanced about 1900, attracted much +attention at the time. He based his method on the observation that a +number of women whose children were all girls all excreted sugar in +their urine, such as happens in the case of persons affected with +diabetes. From this he suspected that the physiological condition which +leads to the excretion of sugar was inimical to the development of +male-determining ova, and that males could be produced by its +prevention. He therefore recommended that those who desire a male child +should undergo treatment similar to that prescribed for diabetes for two +or three months before conception, and held that a boy would be produced +by these methods. Although this method has had considerable vogue, it +cannot be held to have been established on a scientific basis. + +Doncaster says "The general conclusion with regard to man must therefore +be that if sex is determined solely by the spermatozoon there is no hope +either of influencing or predicting it in special cases. On the other +hand, there is considerable evidence that the ovum has some share in the +effect, and if this is so, before any practical results are reached it +will be necessary to discover which of two conceivable causes of +sex-determination is the true one. It is possible that there are two +kinds of ova, as well as two kinds of spermatozoa, and that there is a +selective fertilization of such a kind that one kind of spermatozoon +only fertilizes one kind of ovum, the second kind of spermatozoon the +second kind of ovum. If this should prove to be the case, it is possible +that means might be found of influencing or predicting that kind of ovum +which is discharged under any set of conditions. Secondly, it is +possible that the ova are potentially all alike, but that their +physiological condition may under some circumstances be so altered that +the sex is determined independently of the spermatozoon. * * * It is +hardly possible to avoid the conclusion that the sex of the offspring +may be influenced, at least under certain circumstances, by the mother. +The search for means of influencing the sex of the offspring through the +mother is not of necessity doomed to failure. No results of a really +positive kind have been obtained hitherto, and some of the facts point +so clearly to sex-determination by the male germ-cell alone in man and +other animals that many investigators have concluded that the quest is +hopeless; but until an adequate explanation has been given of certain +phenomena discovered in the investigation of the subject, it seems more +reasonable to maintain an open mind, and to regard the control of sex in +man as an achievement not entirely impossible of realization." + +Another writer on the subject has said: "Every individual among the +higher animals, whether male or female, begins as an impregnated ovum in +the mother's body. Any such ovum contains elements of constitution from +both of its parents. In the earliest existence of this impregnated ovum, +there is a season of sexual indifference, or indecision, in which the +embryo is both male and female, having the characteristic rudiments of +each sex, only indifferently manifested. In this stage, the embryo is +susceptible of being influenced by external conditions to develop more +strongly in the one or the other direction and thus become distinctly +and permanently male or female. It is evident that this is the season in +the development of the individual in which influencing conditions and +causes must operate in deciding its sex, although it is possible in some +of the lower animals to alter the tendency of sex in the embryo from one +sex to the other, even after it has been quite definitely determined. It +is well established, in fact, that differences do not come from a +difference in the ova themselves; that is, there is not one kind of ova +from the female which becomes female, while other ova become male, for +it is possible to alter the tendency toward the one sex or the other +after the ovum has been fertilized and the embryo has begun its career +of development. This possible change in sex tendency in the embryo also +proves that sex is not decided by a difference in the spermatozoa; that +is some of the sperm cells from the father are not male, while others +are female, in their constitution. + +"It is incorrect to suppose, as has been held by some theorists, that +one testicle give rise to male spermatozoa and the other to female +spermatozoa, for both male and female offspring have been produced from +the same male parent after one testicle or the other has been removed. +The same is true in cases in which either ovary has been removed from +the mother; that is, male and female offspring are produced from mothers +in whom either ovary has been removed. In like manner, the sex of +offspring is shown not to be materially affected by the comparative +vigor of the parents; thus, a stronger father than mother does not +necessarily produce one sex to the exclusion of the other. These +negative decisions are important because they simplify the solution of +the problem of sex-determination, by excluding, more or less fully, +various causes which have been supposed to operate quite forcibly in +deciding the sex of offspring. Some of the more positive agencies that +enter into the determination of sex are found (1) in the influence of +nutrition upon the embryo during its indifferent stage of sexual +development, and (2) in the constitution and general condition of the +mother before and during the early stages of pregnancy. These two +factors appear to enter more fully than any others in the decision of +the sex in offspring, and deserve the greatest consideration. The +influence of food in supplying the embryo with nourishment for its +development is, perhaps, the most potent of these determining causes." + +Investigators along the line of theory indicated in the above last +quotation, i. e., the theory of sex determination by means of +nourishment of the mother and embryo, have presented a volume of reports +which demand respectful consideration. The general report may be said to +be the discovery that ABUNDANT NOURISHMENT DURING THE PERIOD OF SEXUAL +NEUTRALITY TENDS TO PRODUCE FEMALES; WHILE LACK OF ABUNDANT NUTRITION +DURING SUCH PERIOD TENDS TO PRODUCE MALES. + +These experiments, of course, have been chiefly performed upon the lower +animals. The frog has been a favorite subject of such experiments--the +tadpole stage being the one selected, because in that stage there exists +a lack of sex, the stage being one of sex neutrality. Professor Yung's +celebrated experiments will illustrate this class of experiments. Here +were chosen 300 tadpoles, which when left to themselves manifested a +ratio of 57 prospective females to 43 prospective males. These were +divided into three classes of 100 tadpoles each. Each class was then fed +upon one of several kinds of nutritious diet in order to ascertain the +change in sex-tendency due to such food. The first set, with an original +ratio of femaleness of 54 to 46, were fed abundantly on beef, and the +ratio of femaleness was changed to 78 to 22. The second class, with a +ratio of femaleness of 61 to 39, were fed on fish (specially nourishing +to frogs), and the ratio changed to 81 to 19. The third class, with a +ratio of 56 to 44, were fed upon a still more nutritious diet (i. e., +that of frogs' flesh), and the ratio was raised to 92 to 8. In short, +the experiments showed that the increase of nourishment in diet changed +every two out of three male-tendency tadpoles into females. The +experiment was held to prove that a rich diet, affording nourishment, +during the period of sexual neutrality in the embryo, tended to develop +femaleness. + +The advocates of this theory also point to the instance of the bees. +With the bees, the larva of ordinary worker-bees are fed ordinary food, +and do not develop sex; while the larva which is intended to produce the +queen-bee is fed specially nutritious "royal food," and consequently +develops larger size and full female sex powers. If the queen is killed, +or dies, the hive of bees proceeds to produce a new queen by means of +feeding a selected larva with the "royal food" and thus developing full +femaleness in it. It is said by some authorities that in cases in which +some other of the larva accidently receive, through mistake, crumbs of +the "royal food," they, too, grow to an extraordinary size, and develop +fertility. This fact is held by the advocates of the nutrition theory to +go toward establishing the fact that abundant nourishment of the embryo, +during the neutral stage, tends to produce femaleness in it. They also +claim that caterpillars which are very poorly nourished before entering +into the chrysalis stage usually develop into male butterflies, while +those highly nourished in the said stage tend to become females. +Experiments on sheep have shown that when the ewes are particularly well +nourished the offspring will show a large proportion of females. + +A writer, favoring the theory in question, says: "In general, it is +reasonable to infer that the higher sexual organization which +constitutes the female is to be attained in the greatest number of cases +by embryos which have superior vital conditions during the formative +period. Among human beings, some facts of general observation become +significant in the light of the foregoing inferences. After epidemics, +after wars, after seasons of privation and distress, the tendency is +toward a majority of male births. On the other hand, abundant crops, low +prices, peace, contentment and prosperity tend to increase the number of +females born. Mothers in prosperous families usually have more girls; +mothers in families of distress have more boys. Large, well-fed, fully +developed, healthy women, who are of contented and passive disposition, +generally become mothers of families abounding in girls; while mothers +who are small or spare of flesh, who are poorly fed, restless, unhappy, +overworked, exhausted by frequent childbearing, or who are reduced by +other causes which waste their vital energies, usually give birth to a +greater number of boys. As a general proposition, the facts and +inferences tend to establish the truth of the doctrine with women, that, +the more favorable the vital conditions of the mother during the period +in which the sex of her offspring is being determined, the greater the +ratio of females she will bear; the less favorable her vital conditions +at such times, the greater will be her tendency to bear males. That many +apparent exceptions occur does not disprove the general tendency here +maintained. Moreover, it is impossible to know in all cases what were +the conditions of the mother's organism at the time in which her child +was in its delicate balance between predominant femaleness and maleness; +else many cases which seemingly disprove the proposition would be found +to be forcible illustrations of its truth. Still further, it is probable +that other causes besides those here mentioned act with greater or less +effect in determining the sex of offspring." + +Based upon this general theory of the relation of nutrition to +sex-determination, many methods and systems have been devised by as many +authorities, and have been followed and promulgated by as many schools. +Without going into the almost endless detail which would be necessitated +by a synopsis of these various methods and systems, it may be said that +they all consist of plans having for their object the decrease of +nutrition of the woman in cases in which male children are desired, and +the increase of nutrition in cases in which female children are sought +for. This increase or decrease in nutrition is enforced for a reasonable +period before the time selected for the conception of the child, and +also for a reasonable period after the time of conception. The decrease +in nutrition does not consist of "starvation," but rather of a "training +diet" similar to that followed by athletics, and from which dietary all +rich foods, sweets, etc., are absent. In fact, the average dietary +advocated by the "Eat and Grow Thin" writers would seem to be almost +identical with that of the "male offspring" theorists. + +Many persons who have followed the methods and systems based on the +nutrition theory above mentioned claim to have been more or less +successful in the production of the particular sex desired, but many +exceptions to the rule are noted, and some writers on the subject are +disposed to regard the reported successes as mere coincidences, and +claim that the failures are seldom reported while the successes are +widely heralded. The present writer presents the claims of this school +to the attention of his readers, but without personally positively +endorsing the idea. He is of the opinion that the data obtainable is not +as yet sufficient to justify the strong claims made for the theory in +some quarters; but, at the same time, he does not hesitate to say that +there are many points of interest brought out in the presentation of the +theory, and that many thoughtful persons seem to accept the same as +reasonably well established and logical. + +Another theory which has been heard of frequently of late years is that +in which it is held that the ova are expelled in alternating sex, each +month. Thus, if a male ovum is expelled in January, the February ovum +will be a female one, according to this theory. Under this theory if the +date of conception of a child be ascertained, and the sex of the child +noted at its birth, it is a simple matter to count forward from the +menstrual period following which the child was conceived, and thus +determine whether the ovum of any succeeding period is male or female. +It should be noted, however, that the periods are regulated by the lunar +months, and not the calendar months. The fact that twins of different +sexes are sometimes born would seem to disturb this theory--but not more +than any other theory of sex-determination voluntarily produced, for +that matter. The several schools explain this apparent discrepancy by +the familiar saying that "exceptions prove the rule." + +Another theory of sex-determination is that which holds that when +conception occurs within a few days after the last day of menstruation, +the child will be a girl; and that when conception occurs at a later +period, the child will be a boy. Methods and systems based upon this +theory are also reported as being reasonably successful in producing +satisfactory results. But, inasmuch as there appears to be a great +difference in individual women in this respect (even according to the +claims of this school of sex-determination), it would seem that it would +be difficult to proceed with certainty in the matter in most cases. One +of the writers advocating this method, says: "Conception within five +days after the end of the menstrual period is almost certain to produce +a girl child; within five days to ten days, it may be either a boy or a +girl; from ten to fifteen days, it is almost sure to be a boy; from +eighteen to twenty-five days is the period of probable sterility, in +which conception is extremely unlikely to occur." + +In conclusion, it may be said that Nature undoubtedly has certain rules +of sex-determination which govern in these cases; and that it is +possible if not indeed probable that these rules may some day be +discovered by man, and turned to account; but that it is very doubtful +whether the secret has as yet been solved by the investigators. The +writer may be pardoned for suggesting that, in his opinion, if the +discovery is ever made it will likely be found to be very simple--so +simple that we have probably overlooked it because it was in too plain +sight to attract our attention. Nature's methods are usually very +simple, when once discovered. She hides her processes from man by making +them simple, it would seem. + + + + +LESSON X + +WHAT BIRTH CONTROL IS, AND IS NOT + + +The student of the progress of human affairs, or even the average person +whose knowledge of the doings of mankind is derived from a hasty and +casual reading of the daily newspapers and the popular magazines, cannot +plead ignorance of the growing interest in the general subject which is +embraced within the content of the term "Birth Control." + +But while the general meaning of the term is at least vaguely grasped by +the average member of the human crowd--the individual to whom we refer +as "the man on the street"--we find a startling condition of mental +confusion and often positive misconception concerning the essence and +spirit of the general idea expressed by the term in question. + +While the fact is a reflection upon the average intelligence of the +general public, it must be admitted that to the average person, or "the +man on the street," Birth Control means simply the teaching and practice +of certain methods whereby men and women may indulge their sexual +appetites, in or out of marriage, without incurring the liability or +risk of conception and child-bearing. The average person does not stop +to consider that such teachings and practices do not constitute "Birth +Control" at all, but are, rather, merely the theory and practice of +Birth Prevention, desirable only to those who seek sexual indulgences +without being called upon to shoulder the responsibilities attached by +Nature to the physical sexual union of men and women. + +The term "CONTROL" does not mean "prohibition," or "prevention"; but, on +the contrary, means "governing, regulating, or managing influence." +Birth Control, in the true meaning of the term, does not mean the +prevention or prohibition of the birth of children, but rather the +encouragement of the birth of children under the best possible +conditions and the discouragement of the birth of children under +improper or unfavorable conditions. + +Birth Control, in the true meaning of the term, does not mean theories +and practices which would tend to reduce the population of the civilized +countries of the world, but rather theories and practice which would +inevitably result in the production of an adequate ratio of increase in +the population of such countries, not only by reason of a normal +birth-rate, but also by reason of a diminishing death-rate among +infants--by the production of healthier children, accompanied by the +raising of the standard of the average child born in such countries. + +Birth Control, in the true meaning of the term, therefore, is seen to +consist not of the PROHIBITION or PREVENTION of human offspring, but +rather of the GOVERNING, REGULATING, AND MANAGING of the production of +human offspring, under the inspiration of the highest ideals and under +the direction of the highest reason, for the purpose of the advancement +and welfare of the race and that of the individuals composing the race. +Instead of being an anti-social and anti-moral propaganda, Birth Control +when rightly understood is perceived to be in accordance with the +highest social aims and aspirations, and in accordance with the highest +and purest morality of the race. + +Much of the opposition toward the general movement of Birth Control +which has been manifested by many well-meaning, though misinformed, +persons, has arisen by reason of the erroneous conception and +understanding of the term itself, and of misleading information +concerning the true nature of the best teachings on the subject. This +prejudice has been heightened by certain zealous but ill-balanced +advocates of the general movement who have overemphasized the incidental +feature of the limitation of offspring under certain conditions, and who +have appealed to the attention and interest merely of those who wished +to escape the responsibilities of parenthood. This has caused much +sorrow and distress to the many persons who have the highest ideals and +results in view, and who deplore this unbalanced propaganda under the +name, and apparently under the cloak of the general movement. Such +persons have felt inclined to cry aloud "Good Lord, deliver us from our +so-called friends!" + +One of the most distressing features of the popular prejudice against +Birth Control, arising from a total misconception of the subject, has +been the widely spread and popularly accepted notion that Birth Control +is practically analogous to abortion--or, at the best, but a more +refined and less repulsive and less dangerous form of abortion. In view +of the fact that one of the important results sought to be obtained by a +scientific knowledge of Birth Control actually is the prevention and +avoidance of the crime of abortion which has wrought such terrible havoc +among the women of civilized countries, it is most distressing and +discouraging to the conscientious and high-minded advocates of Birth +Control to have it said and believed that their teachings encourage and +justify abortion. + +A reference to any standard dictionary or textbook will reveal the fact +that "Abortion" means: "the premature expulsion of the human embryo or +foetus; miscarriage voluntarily induced or produced," etc. It is seen at +a glance that the essence and meaning of abortion consists in the +destruction of the human embryo which has resulted from conception. The +embryo human child must already exist in its elemental form, before it +can be destroyed by abortion. Therefore, if no such embryo form exists, +it cannot be destroyed, and therefore there can be no abortion in such a +case. And, it may positively be stated, no true advocate of Birth +Control can possibly justify, much less advocate, the destruction of the +human embryo or foetus, which act constitutes abortion. The difference +between true Birth Control teachings and methods, and that of the +advocates of abortion, is as great as the difference between the two +poles. Instead of the two being identical or similar, they are +diametrically opposed one to the other--they are logical "opposites," +each the antithesis of the other. + +Even in those forms or phases of the Birth Control propaganda in which +the use of "contraceptives," or "preventatives" is considered justified +in certain cases--and these forms and phases are far from being the most +important, as all students of the subject know--even in these +exceptional forms and phases of the general subject the idea of abortion +is combatted, and never justified or encouraged. A "contraceptive" +agency merely tends to prevent or obviate undesirable conception; it +never acts to destroy the result of previous and accomplished +conception. A "contraceptive" merely prevents the union of the male and +female elements of reproduction, and consequently the process from which +evolves the foetus or embryo. A leading medical authority has said +regarding this distinction: "In inducing abortion, one destroys +something already formed--a foetus or an embryo, a fertilized ovum, a +potential human being. In prevention, however, one merely prevents +chemically or mechanically the spermatozoa from coming in contact with +the ovum. There is no greater sin or crime in this than there is in +simple abstinence, in refraining from sexual intercourse." + +What then must we say when we consider the higher and more advanced +forms and phases of Birth Control, those phases and forms which may be +said to be mental or emotional "contraceptives," rather than physical? +Surely these cannot be considered as identical with or similar to +abortion. And when we consider those phases and forms of Birth Control +which are concerned with Pre-Natal Culture--the culture of the child +before its birth--can one, even though he be intensely prejudiced +against Birth Control, assert that there is to be found here anything +which in any way whatsoever can be considered as relating to the theory +or practice of abortion? And what must we say of the still higher phases +in which the teachings are concerned with the mental and physical +preparation of the parents prior to the conception of the child, to the +end that the child may have the best possible physiological and +psychological basis for its future well-being? Is not this the very +antithesis and opposite of all that concerns abortion or abortive +methods? + +The trouble about all great movements designed for the benefit of the +human race is that at the beginning there is attracted to the movement, +by reason of its novelty and "newness," certain elements which seize +upon certain incidental features of the general idea, make them their +own while excluding or ignoring the more important things, and then +exploit these incidental features in a sensational way, thereby +attracting public attention and gaining much undesirable notoriety, and +as a consequence bringing discredit and disfavor, prejudice and +misunderstanding, to the general movement. + +Birth Control has passed through this apparently inevitable experience, +and has suffered greatly thereby. But the Light is being thrown on the +Dark Places, and the more intelligent portion of the public is beginning +to realize that there is another side to the shield of Birth Control. +And, as a consequence, much of the original prejudice is disappearing, +and a new understanding of the subject is arising in the minds of many +of the best individuals of the race. It is the purpose of this book to +help to dispel the ignorance and misconception concerning this great +subject of Birth Control, and to aid in presenting the higher and nobler +aspects of the general movement to the attention of those who are +concerned with the advance and progress of the race as a whole, and of +the individual members thereof. + +The student of the subject of Birth Control will fall into grievous +error if he begins his consideration of the subject under the impression +that the questions concerned therein are new to the world of living +things. If the process of Birth Control were something which had +suddenly sprung into existence in the consciousness of man, without +having an antecedent activity in the history of the race, and of living +creatures in general, we might well hesitate to go further in the matter +without the most serious and prolonged consideration of the entire +principle by the careful thought of the wisest of the race. But while +such consideration is advisable, as in the case of any and all important +problems presenting themselves for solution and judgment, it is found +that those so considering the subject have a sound and firm foundation +upon which to base their thought and to test their conclusions. + +As many thoughtful students of the subject have pointed out to us, the +question of Birth Control has been with the race practically since the +beginning of human history; and it has its correspondences in the +instinctive actions of the lower forms of life. The chief difference is +that we are now seeking to deal with these problems consciously, +voluntarily, and deliberately, whereas in the past the race has dealt +with them more or less unconsciously, by methods of trial and error, +through perpetual experiment which has often proved costly but which has +all the more clearly brought out the real course of natural processes. + +We cannot hope to solve problems so ancient and so deeply rooted as +these by merely the rational methods of yesterday and today. To be of +value our rational methods must be the revelation in deliberate +consciousness of unconscious methods which go far back into the remote +past. Our deliberate methods will not be sound except in so far as they +are a continuation of those methods which, in the slow evolution of +life, have been found sound and progressive on the plane of instinct. +This is particularly true in the case of those among us who desire their +own line of conduct in the matter to be so closely in accord with +natural law, or the law of creation, that to question it would be +impious. + +It may be accepted without an extended argument or presentation of +evidence that at the outset the prime object of Nature seems to have +been that of Reproduction. There is evident, without doubt, an effort on +the part of Nature to secure economy of method in the attainment of ever +greater perfection in the process of reproduction, but we cannot deny +that the primary motive seems to be that of reproduction pure and +simple. The tendency toward reproduction is indeed so fundamental in +Nature that it is impressed with the greatest emphasis upon every living +thing. And, as careful thinkers have told us "the course of evolution +seems to have been more of an effort to slow down reproduction than to +furnish it with new facilities." + +Reproduction appears in the history of life even before sex manifests +itself. The lower forms of animal and plant life oftener produce +themselves without the aid of sex, and some authorities have argued that +the presence of sex differentiation serves rather to check active +propagation rather than to increase it. If quantity, without regard to +quality or variation, be the object of Nature, then that purpose would +have been better served by withholding sex-differentiation than by +evolving it. As Professor Coulter, a leading American botanist, has well +said: "The impression one gains of sexuality is that it represents +reproduction under peculiar difficulties." + +To those who find it difficult to assimilate this somewhat startling +idea, we now present a brief statement of the infinitely greater +facility toward reproduction manifested by living creatures lacking in +sex-differentiation as compared with those possessing it. It is seen that +bacteria among primitive plants, and protozoa among primitive animals, +are patterns of very rapid and prolific reproduction, though sex begins +to appear in a rudimentary form in very lowly forms of life. A single +infusorian becomes in a week the ancestor of millions, that is to say, +of far more individuals than could proceed under the most favorable +conditions from a pair of elephants in five centuries; and Huxley has +calculated that the progeny of a single parthenogenetic aphis, under +favorable circumstances, would in a few months outweigh the whole +population of China. It must be noted, however, that this proviso "under +favorable circumstances" reveals the weak point of Nature's early method +of reproduction by enormously rapid multiplication. Creatures so easily +produced are easily destroyed; and Nature, apparently in consequence, +wastes no time in imparting to them the qualities needed for a high form +of life and living. + +And, even after sex differentiation had attained a considerable degree of +development, Nature seemed slow to abandon her original plan of rapid +multiplication of individuals. Among insects so far advanced as the +white ants, the queen lays eggs at the enormous rate of 80,000 a day +during her period of active life. Higher in the scale, we find the +female herring laying 70,000 eggs at one period of delivery. But in both +of these cases we find the manifestation of that apparently invariable +rule of Nature, viz., that A HIGH BIRTH-RATE IS ACCOMPANIED BY A HEAVY +DEATH-RATE, whether that high death-rate be caused by natural enemies, +wars, or disease. + +At a certain stage of the evolutionary process, Nature seems to have +awakened to a realization of the fact that it was better, from every +point of view, to produce A FEW superior beings rather than a vast +number of inferior ones. Here, at last, Nature discloses a heretofore +hidden aim, namely, the production of quality rather than quantity; and +once she has started on this new path, she has pursued it with even +greater eagerness than that of reproduction pure and simple. And here we +pause to note a principle laid down by the students of Evolution, viz., +that ADVANCING EVOLUTION IS ACCOMPANIED BY DECLINING FERTILITY. + +This new stage of Nature's processes is marked by a constant and +invariable manifestation of diminished number of offspring, accompanied +by an increased amount of time and care in the creation and breeding of +each of the young creatures. Accompanying this, we find that the +reproductive life of the creature is shortened, and confined to more or +less special periods; these periods beginning much later, and ending +much earlier, and even during their continuance tending to operate in +cycles of activity. Here, we see, NATURE, GROWN WISER BY EXPERIENCE, +HERSELF BEGAN TO EXERCISE HER POWER IN THE DIRECTION OF BIRTH +CONTROL--THE USE OF PREVENTIVE CHECKS ON REPRODUCTION. + +A writer has said along these lines: "As reproduction slackened, +evolution was greatly accelerated. A highly important and essential +aspect of this greater individuation is a higher survival value. The +more complex and better equipped creature can meet and subdue +difficulties and dangers to which the more lowly organized creature that +came before--produced wholesale in a way which Nature seems to look +back on as cheap and nasty--succumbed helplessly without an effort. The +idea of economy began to assert itself in the world. It became clear in +the course of evolution that it is better to produce really good and +highly efficient organisms, at whatever cost, than to be content with +cheap production on a wholesale scale. They allowed greater +developmental progress to be made, and they lasted better. Even before +man began it was proved in the animal world that THE DEATH-RATE FALLS AS +THE BIRTH-RATE FALLS." + +Let us compare the lowly herring with the highly evolved elephant. The +herring multiplies with enormous rapidity and on a vast scale, and it +possesses a very small brain, and is almost totally unequipped to +grapple with the special difficulties of its life, to which it succumbs +on a wholesale scale. A single elephant is carried for about two years +in its mother's womb, and is carefully guarded by her for many years +after birth; it possesses a large brain, and its muscular system is as +remarkable for its delicacy as for its power, and is guided by the most +sensitive perceptions. It is fully equipped for all the dangers of life, +save for those which have been introduced by the subtle ingenuity of +modern man. Though a single pair of elephants produces so few offspring, +yet their high cost is justified, for each of them has a reasonable +chance of surviving to old age. This contrast, from the point of view of +reproduction, of the herring and the elephant, well illustrates the +principle of evolution previously referred to. It brings clearly into +view the difference between Nature's earlier and her later methods--the +ever increasing preference for quality over quantity. Unless we grasp +this underlying principle of Nature in its wider aspects we may fail to +perceive its operations in the case of man, which latter we may now +consider. + +It is, of course, impossible to speak positively regarding the +birth-rate and death-rate of the pre-historic primitive races of +mankind, for there is not data upon which to base such a report. But +reasoning upon the basis of conditions existing among the primitive +tribes of the present time we are justified in holding that in the early +stages of the evolution of the race there was manifested a high +birth-rate and a correspondingly high death-rate. Upon the basis of +conditions now existing among savage tribes it would appear that +primitive man has a higher birth-rate than the average of mankind today, +and likewise a higher death-rate. The rapidly increasing number of +children born to the tribe was counteracted by deaths among children +caused by neglect, poverty, and disease. In some cases the population +was prevented from becoming larger than the means of subsistence +justified by the practice of infanticide. + +As to the condition of the race in the early stages of "modern" +civilization, we have modern Russia as a surviving instance of this +stage. In modern Russia we find, side by side with the progress in +neighboring nations, conditions which a few centuries ago existed all +over Europe. Here we have an enormous birth-rate, and a terrible +death-rate caused by ignorance, superstition, insanitation, filth, bad +food, impure water, plagues, famines, and other accompaniments of +overcrowding and misery. We find a mortality among young children which +sometimes destroys more than half of the children born before they have +attained the age of five years. As high as is the Russian birth-rate, it +is a matter of record that at times the death-rate has actually exceeded +it. And among the survivors there is found a startlingly large +percentage of chronic and incurable diseases, with a large number of +cases of blindness and other defects. + +Similar results follow in China, where the birth-rate is exceptionally +high, and the death-rate correspondingly large; and where there is a +large percentage of inferior physical development and pathological +defects, the evil conditions which produce death also tending to produce +deterioration in the survivors. In both of these countries we have an +example of the result of unrestricted reproduction, and unrestricted +destruction--as among herrings, so among men. And yet this condition of +unrestricted reproduction is the logical goal of certain persons who, +inspired by the best possible intentions, in their ignorance and +criminal rashness would dare to arrest that fall in the birth-rate which +is now beginning to spread its influence in every civilized land. + +In Western Europe before the nineteenth century the population increased +very slowly. The enormous birth-rate was nearly equalled by the +exceedingly heavy death-rate caused by plagues, pestilences, and famine, +and by the frequent wars large and small. The mortality among young +children was particularly heavy. Writers have pointed out that the old +family records show frequently two or three children of the same +Christian name, the first child having died and its name given to a +successor. + +During the last quarter of the eighteenth century, when machinery was +introduced and a new industrial era opened, the birth-rate rose rapidly. +Factories springing up gave increased support to many, and as children +were employed as "hands" in the mills at an early age, the richest +family was the one with most children. The population began to increase +rapidly. But soon disease, misery, and poverty arose from filth and +insanitation, immorality and crime, overcrowding and child-labor, drink +and lack of sane courses of conduct. + +In time, however, progress set in, and social reformers began the great +movement for the betterment of the environment, sanitation, shorter +hours of labor, and restriction of child-labor, factory regulation, etc. +And when the environment is bettered, the death-rate drops, and the +birth-rate accompanies it on its downward progress. As Leroy-Beaulieu +says: "The first degree of prosperity in a rude population with few +needs tends toward prolificness of reproduction; a later degree of +prosperity, accompanied by all the feelings and ideas stimulated by the +reduction of such prolificness." + +The law of the reduction of reproduction in response to the improvement +of environment is a natural law, arising from fixed biological +principles. This is because when we improve the environment we improve +the individual situated in that environment; and the improvement of the +individual has always resulted in a check upon reproduction. We must +remember, however, that this change is not the result of conscious or +voluntary action; instead it is the result of unconscious activities and +instinctive urge. As Sir Shirley Murphy has said: "Birth Control is a +natural process, and though in civilized men, endowed with high +intelligence, it necessarily works in some measure voluntarily and +deliberately, it is probable that it also works, as in the evolution of +the lower animals, to some extent automatically." + +Science shows us that even among the most primitive micro-organisms; +when placed under unfavorable conditions as to food and environment, +they tend to pass into a reproductive phase and by sporulation or +otherwise begin to produce new individuals rapidly. This, of course, +because of the fact that their death-rate is increased, and an increased +birth-rate must be manifested in order to maintain a balance. If the +environment be improved, the death-rate decreases, and this is followed +by a fall in the birth-rate, according to the constant laws of Nature +manifesting in such cases. + +The same law is seen to be manifested in the case of Man. Improve his +environment, and his death-rate drops, which is accompanied by a +falling birth-rate. Here, once more we see the application of the +scientific axiom "Improve the environment and reproduction is checked." +As Leroy-Beaulieu has said: "The tendency of civilization is to reduce +the birth-rate." And as Professor Benjamin Moore has said: "Decreased +reproduction is the simple biological reply to good economic +conditions." And as Havelock Ellis has said: "Those who desire a higher +birth-rate are desiring, whether they know it or not, the increase of +poverty, ignorance, and wretchedness." + +Among men, Birth Control has now evolved from the unconscious and +instinctive phase, and is now unfolding and manifesting on the plane of +conscious and voluntary activity. The influence of deliberate intention +and conscious design is now one of the important factors in the process. +Here at this point we reach a totally new aspect of reproduction. In the +past stages of evolution the original impetus toward reproduction has +been checked and directed by Nature, working along instinctive and +unconscious lines; and the result has been an extreme diminution of the +number of off-spring; a prolongation of the time devoted to the breeding +and care of each new member of the family, in harmony with its greatly +prolonged life; a spacing out of the intervals between the offspring; +and, as a result, a vastly greater development of each individual, and +an ever better equipment for the task of living. All this was slowly +attained automatically, without any conscious volition on the part of +the individuals, even when they were human beings, who were the agents. + +Now, however, we are confronted with a change which we may regard as, in +some respects, the most momentous sudden advance in the whole history of +reproduction, namely, the process of reproductive progress now become +conscious and deliberately volitional. Birth control, no longer +automatic, is now being directed by human mind and will precisely to the +attainment of ends which Nature has been struggling after for millions +of years; and, being consciously and deliberately directed, it is now +enabled to avoid many of the pitfalls into which the unconscious method +fell. + +Havelock Ellis says: "The control and limitation of reproductive +activity by conscious and volitional effort is an attempt by open-eyed +intelligence and foresight to attain those ends which Nature through +untold generations has been painfully yet tirelessly struggling for. The +deliberate co-operation of Man in the natural task of Birth Control +represents an identification of the human will with what we may, if we +choose, regard as the divinely appointed law of the world. We can well +believe that the great pioneers, who, a century ago, acted in the spirit +of this faith may have echoed the thought of Kepler when, on discovering +his great planetary law, he exclaimed in rapture: 'O God! I think Thy +thoughts after Thee!'" + +The following brief general history of the modern Birth Control movement +is quoted from Havelock Ellis, and will be of interest to students of +the subject: "The pioneers of modern Birth Control were English. Among +them Malthus occupies the first place. That distinguished man, in his +great and influential work, 'The Principles of Population,' in 1798, +emphasized the immense importance of foresight and self-control in +procreation, and the profound significance of birth limitation for human +welfare. Malthus, however, relied on ascetic self-restraint, a method +which could only appeal to the few; he had nothing to say for the +regulation of conception in intercourse. That was suggested twenty years +later, very cautiously by James Mill, the father of John Stuart Mill, in +the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Four years afterwards, Mill's friend, +the Radical reformer, Francis Place, advocated this method more clearly. +Finally, in 1831, Robert Dale Owen, the son of the great Robert Owen, +published his 'Moral Physiology,' in which he set forth the ways of +preventing conception; while a little later the Drysdale brothers, +ardent and unwearying philanthropists, devoted their energies to a +propaganda which has been spreading ever since and has now conquered the +whole civilized world. + +"It was not, however, in England but in France, so often at the head of +an advance in civilization, that Birth Control first firmly became +established, and that the extravagantly high birth rate of earlier times +began to fall; this happened in the first half of the nineteenth +century, whether or not it was mainly due to voluntary control. In +England the movement came later, and the steady decline in the English +birth-rate, which is still proceeding, began in 1877. In the previous +year there had been a famous prosecution of Bradlaugh and Mrs. Besant +for disseminating pamphlets describing the methods of preventing +conception; the charge was described by the Lord Chief Justice, who +tried the case, as one of the most ill-advised and injudicious ever made +in a court of justice. But it served an undesigned end by giving +enormous publicity to the subject and advertising the methods it sought +to suppress. There can be no doubt, however, that even apart from this +trial the movement would have proceeded on the same lines. The times +were ripe, the great industrial expansion had passed its first feverish +phase, social conditions were improving, education was spreading. The +inevitable character of the movement is indicated by the fact that at +the very same time it began to be manifested all over Europe, indeed in +every civilized country of the world. + +"At the present time the birth-rate (as well as usually the death-rate) +is falling in every country of the world sufficiently civilized to +possess statistics of its own vital movement. The fall varies in +rapidity. It has been considerable in the more progressive countries; it +has lingered in the more backward countries. If we examine the latest +statistics for Europe, we find that every country, without exception, +with a progressive and educated population, and a fairly high state of +social well-being, presents a birth-rate below 30 per 1,000. We also +find that every country in Europe in which the mass of the people are +primitive, ignorant, or in a socially unsatisfactory condition (even +although the governing classes may be progressive or ambitious) shows a +birth-rate of above 30 per 1,000. France, Great Britain, Belgium, +Holland, the Scandinavian countries, and Switzerland are in the first +group. Russia, Austro-Hungary, Italy, Spain, and the Balkan countries +are in the second group. The German Empire was formerly in the second +group, but now comes within the first group, and has carried on the +movement so energetically that the birth-rate of Berlin is already below +that of London, and that at the present rate of decline the birth-rate +of the German Empire will before long sink to that of France. Outside +Europe, in the United States just as much as in Australia and New +Zealand, the same progressive movement is proceeding with equal +activity." + +The same authority sums up the present attitude of the advocates of +scientific and rational Birth Control, as follows: "The wide survey of +the question of birth limitation has settled the question of the +desirability of the adoption of preventing conception, and finally +settled those who would waste out time with their fears that it is not +right to control conception. We know now on whose side are the laws of +God and Nature. We realize that in exercising control over the entrance +gate of life we are not fully performing, consciously and deliberately, +a great human duty, but carrying on rationally a beneficial process +which has, more blindly and wastefully, been carried on since the +beginning of the world. There are still a few persons ignorant enough or +foolish enough to fight against the advance of civilization in this +matter; we can well afford to leave them severely alone, knowing that in +a few years all of them will have passed away. It is not our business to +defend the control of birth, but simply discuss how we may most wisely +exercise that control." + + + + +LESSON XI + +THE FETICH OF THE BIRTH-RATE + + +To the student of the progress of the human race the consideration of +the state of public opinion regarding the Birth-rate of nations is of +great interest. To the careful observer there is evident the gradual +evolution of intelligent public opinion on this subject even in the +comparatively short space of time in which the present generation has +played its part on the great stage of human development. + +Public opinion on this subject during the period named may be said to +have passed through three general stages. These stages are, of course, +more clearly defined among the peoples of the most prosperous and +intelligent countries, as for instance, in Western Europe and America, +and particularly in England, France, and the United States. While the +peoples of certain of these countries have passed through these stages +somewhat more rapidly than have others, still it is perceived that each +of these peoples have in the main followed the same general course. + +The first stage of this evolution of popular opinion may be said to have +been begun about 1850, and to have ended about 1880. In this stage the +ideal of a large and rapidly increasing birth-rate became a popular +fetich before which all men and women were supposed to fall down and +render worship. In this period public opinion manifested great +satisfaction and joy in the evidences of a high and rapidly increasing +birth-rate. It was held that this increasing birth-rate tended toward +the success and glory of the particular nation, and incidentally to the +race as a whole. The idea of QUANTITY was elevated to the throne of +public favor, and the question of QUALITY was ignored or overlooked. + +This period was one of an unusual expansion of industry, and the rising +birth-rate was regarded as a token that the world was destined to be +exploited and eventually governed by the people of those nations who +were able to demonstrate the greatest efficiency in industrial pursuits, +and who at the same time were wise enough to increase their respective +populations by an increasing birth-rate. The populace were excited by +the idea of the dominance and prosperity of their own countrymen, while +the leaders of industry were delighted with the idea of an increasing +supply of laborers which would tend to keep down the rate of wages which +otherwise would have reached proportions which would have interfered +with competition with other countries. At the same time, the militarists +were secretly delighted by the signs of an increasing supply of military +material with which to build up gigantic armies. + +A writer on the state of public opinion on this subject during this +period has well said: "It seemed to the more exuberant spirits that a +vast British Empire, or a mighty Pan-German, might be expected to cover +the whole world. France, with its low and falling birth-rate, was looked +down at with a contempt as a decadent country inhabited with a +degenerate population. No attempt to analyze the birth-rate, to +ascertain what are really the biological, social, and economic +accompaniments of a high birth-rate, made any impression on the popular +mind. They were drowned in a general shout of exultation." + +But this period of uncritical optimism was followed by a natural +reaction. The pendulum stopped in its course, and soon began to swing in +the opposite direction. Here, about 1880, the second stage may be said +to have begun. Public opinion began to manifest a subtle change, and +this mental attitude was accompanied by a physical manifestation in the +form of a decreasing birth-rate. The rate of births began to fall +rapidly, and has continued to fall steadily since that time. + +The writer above quoted from says of this second period: "In France the +birth-rate fell slowly, in Italy more rapidly, and in England and +Prussia still more rapidly. As, however, the fall began earliest in +France, the birth-rate was lower there than in the other countries +named. For the same reason it was lower in England than in Prussia, +although England stands in this respect at almost exactly the same +distance from Prussia today (1917) as thirty years ago, the fall having +occurred at the same rate in both countries. It is quite possible that +in the future it may become more rapid in Prussia than in England, for +the birth-rate of Berlin is lower than the birth-rate of London, and +urbanization is proceeding at a more rapid rate in Germany than in +England." + +It is not difficult to arrive at the psychological reason underlying +this great change in public opinion, as manifested in this second stage. +In the first place, the wonderful era of world-expansion was arrested, +by natural causes well understood by students of sociology. The +ambitious dreams of world-empires were rudely interrupted. Moreover, +public opinion was being affected by a quiet education along the lines +of sociology and economics. + +The working classes began to perceive, on the one hand, the tendency of +overpopulation to hold down, or even decrease, the scale of wages. The +evils of over-production, and of under-consumption were dimly perceived. +And, on the other hand, the capitalists began to perceive that another +factor was at work--one which they had failed to include in their +optimistic calculations. Instead of the cheaper wage rate which they had +expected by reason of the over-abundance of human material, they found +that the growth of popular education in the democratic countries had +caused the working classes to demand greater comforts of life, and to +oppose the cheapening of human labor. And at the same time, the masses +began to revolt against the idea of raising children to become "cannon +fodder" for ambitious autocratic rulers. The masses began to protest +against selling their labor and their lives so cheaply. + +These changed viewpoints of the working classes began to result in +attempts on their part to form associations to resist the tendency on +the part of capitalists to force down the scale of wages to fit the +increased population. Trade unions flourished and became powerful, and +the same impulse carried many into the ranks of socialism, and still +beyond into the fold of anarchism and syndicalism. And, here note this +significant fact, with these new perceptions and these new movements +among the masses, THE BIRTH-RATE BEGAN TO FALL RAPIDLY. + +The writer above quoted from says of this period: "The pessimists were +faced by horrors on both sides. On the one hand, they saw that the +ever-increasing rate of human production which seemed to them the +essential condition of national, social, even moral progress, had not +only stopped but was steadily diminishing. On the other hand, they saw +that, even so far as it was maintained, it involved, under modern +conditions, nothing but social commotion and economic disturbance. There +are still many pessimists of this class alive among us even today, alike +in England and Germany, but a new generation is growing up, and this +question is now entering another phase." + +It would seem that the race is now well started in the third period, +phase, or stage of this conception of the birth-rate. Even the Great War +is not likely to seriously interrupt its ultimate progress, though +conditions in all civilized countries will unquestionably be disturbed +by the unusual conditions now prevailing and caused by the great +conflict. The spirit of this third stage seems to be that the Truth is +to be found between the two extremes, viz.: (1) the extreme of passive +optimism of the first stage; and (2) the extreme of passive pessimism of +the second stage. It realizes that there is excellent ground for hope in +better things; but it equally realizes that hope alone is vain, and will +accomplish nothing unless it is accompanied with and directed by a clear +intellectual vision manifested in individual and social action based on +that clear intellectual vision. + +The writer above quoted from says of this developing period: "It is +today beginning to be seen that the old notion of progress by means of +reckless multiplication is vain. It can only be effected at a ruinous +cost of death, disease, poverty, and misery. We see this in the past +history of Western Europe, as we still see it in the history of Russia. +Any progress effected along that line--if 'progress' it can be +called--is now barred, for it is utterly opposed to those democratic +conceptions which are ever gaining greater influence among us. Moreover, +we are now better able to analyze demographic phenomena, and are no +longer satisfied with any crude statements regarding the birth-rate. We +realize that they need interpretation. They have to be considered in +relation to the sex-constitution and the age-constitution of the +population, and ABOVE ALL, THEY MUST BE VIEWED IN RELATION TO THE INFANT +MORTALITY RATE. + +"The bad aspect of the French birth-rate is not so much its lowness as +that it is accompanied by a high infantile mortality. The fact that the +German birth-rate is higher than the English ceases to be a matter of +satisfaction when it is realized that German infantile mortality is +vastly greater than English. A HIGH BIRTH-RATE IS NO SIGN OF A HIGH +CIVILIZATION. BUT WE ARE BEGINNING TO FEEL THAT A HIGH INFANTILE +DEATH-RATE IS A SIGN OF A VERY INFERIOR CIVILIZATION. A LOW BIRTH-RATE +WITH A LOW INFANT DEATH-RATE NOT ONLY PRODUCES THE SAME INCREASE IN +POPULATION AS A HIGH BIRTH-RATE WITH A HIGH DEATH-RATE, WHICH ALWAYS +ACCOMPANIES IT (FOR THERE ARE NO EXAMPLES OF A HIGH BIRTH-RATE WITH A +LOW DEATH-RATE), BUT IT PRODUCES IT IN A WAY WHICH IS FAR MORE WORTHY OF +OUR ADMIRATION IN THIS MATTER THAN THE WAY OF RUSSIA AND CHINA WHERE +OPPOSITE CONDITIONS PREVAIL." + +The evolutionary process which all students of sociology clearly +perceive to have been underway in the matter of the attitude of public +opinion toward the birth-rate, and which is now underway with increased +impetus, is perceived to be a natural process. It is a natural process +which has been underway from the beginning of the living world. For a +long time it operated and manifested along unconscious and instinctive +lines of activity, but now it has emerged into the light of human +consciousness and manifests along the lines of conscious, voluntary, and +deliberate human action. + +In its present state of evolutionary progress human thought along these +lines has found expression in what is generally known as "Birth +Control." The process which has been working slowly through the ages, +attaining every new forward step with waste and pain, is henceforth +destined to be carried out voluntarily, in the light of human reason, +foresight, and self-restraint. The rise of Birth Control may be said to +correspond with the rise of social and sanitary science in the first +half of the nineteenth century, and to be indeed an essential part of +that movement. + +The new doctrine of Birth Control is now firmly established in all the +most progressive and enlightened countries of Europe, notably in France +and England; in Germany, where formerly the birth-rate was very high, +Birth Control has developed with extraordinary rapidity during the +present century. In Holland its principles and practice are freely +taught by physicians and nurses to the mothers of the people, with the +result that there is in Holland no longer any necessity for unwanted +babies, and this small country possesses the proud privilege of the +lowest death-rate in Europe. + +In the free and enlightened Democratic communities on the other side of +the globe, in Australia and New Zealand, the same principles and +practice are generally accepted, with the same beneficent results. On +the other hand, in the more backward and ignorant countries of Europe, +Birth Control is still little known, and death and disease flourish. +This is the case in those eight European countries which come at the +bottom of the list of the Birth Control scale, and in which the +birth-rate is the highest and the death-rate the heaviest--the two rates +maintaining such a constant correspondence as to lead to the inevitable +conclusion that they are associated as cause and effect. + +But even in the more progressive countries Birth Control has not been +established without a struggle, which has frequently ended in a +hypocritical compromise, its principles being publicly ignored or denied +and its practice privately accepted. For, at the great and vitally +important point in human progress which Birth-Control represents, we see +really the conflict of two moralities. The morality of the ancient world +is here confronted by the morality of the new world. + +The old morality, knowing nothing of science and the process of Nature +as worked out in the evolution of life, contented itself with assuming +as a basis the early chapters of Genesis in which the children of Noah +are represented as entering an empty earth which it is their business +to populate diligently. So it came about that for this morality, still +innocent of eugenics, recklessness was almost a virtue. Children were +held to be given by God; if they died or were afflicted by congenital +disease, it was the dispensation of God, and, whatever imprudence the +parents might commit, the pathetic faith still ruled that "God will +provide." + +But in the new morality it is realized that in these matters Divine +action can only be made manifest in human action, that is to say through +the operation of our own enlightened reason and resolved will. Prudence, +foresight, self-restraint--virtues which old morality looked down upon +with benevolent contempt--assume a position of first importance. In the +eyes of the new morality the ideal woman is no longer the meek drudge +condemned to endless and often ineffectual child-bearing, but the free +and instructed woman, able to look before and after, trained in a sense +of responsibility alike to herself and to the race, and determined to +have no children but the best. + +Such were the two moralities which came into conflict during the +nineteenth century. They are irreconcilable and each firmly rooted, one +in ancient religion and tradition, the other in progressive science and +reason. Nothing was possible in such a clash of opposing ideas but a +feeble and confused compromise such as we find still prevailing in +various countries of Old Europe. This is not a satisfactory solution, +however inevitable, and is especially unsatisfactory by the consequent +obscurantism which placed difficulties in the way of spreading a +knowledge of the methods of Birth Control among the masses of the +population. For the result has been that while the more enlightened and +educated have exercised a control over the size of their families, the +poorer and more ignorant--those who should have been offered every +facility and encouragement to follow in the same path--have been left, +through a conspiracy of silence, to carry on helplessly the bad customs +of their forefathers. This social neglect has had the result that the +superior family stocks have been tampered by the recklessness of the +inferior stocks. + +In America, we find the two moralities in active conflict today. Until +recently America has meekly accepted at the hand of Old Europe the +traditional prescription. On the surface, the ancient morality had been +complacently, almost unquestionably, accepted in America, even to the +extent of tacitly permitting the existence of a vast extension of +abortion, under the surface of society--a criminal practice which ever +flourishes where Birth Control is neglected. + +But today, a new movement is perceptible in America. It would seem that, +almost in a flash, America has awakened to the true significance of the +issue. With that direct vision of hers, that swift practicality of +action, and above all, that sense of the democratic nature of all social +progress, we see her resolutely beginning to face this great problem. In +her vigorous tongue she is demanding "What is all this secrecy about, +anyway? Let us turn on the Light!" And the best authorities agree that +America's answer to the demand will be of the greatest importance, and +of immense significance to the whole world. + +In concluding this portion of our discussion, I ask my readers to +consider the following quotations from writers who have touched upon the +question of the stimulation of the birth-rate by the State, for the +purpose of military policy. These quotations speak for themselves, and +need but little comment. + +The first authority, a German, whose name has escaped me for the moment, +laments the falling birth-rate in his country, and urges his own nation +to stimulate it by offering bounties; he says: "Woe to us if we follow +the example of the wicked and degenerate people of other nations. Our +nation needs men. We have to populate the earth, and to carry the +blessings of our Kultur all over the world. In executing that high +mission we cannot have too much human material in defending ourselves +against the aggression of other nations who are jealous of us and our +achievements and progress. Let us promote parentage by law; let us +repress by law every influence which may encourage a falling birth-rate; +otherwise there is nothing left us but speedy national disaster, +complete and irremediable." + +Havelock Ellis, an Englishman, says: "In Germany for years past it has +been difficult to take up a serious periodical without finding some +anxiously statistical article about the falling birth-rate, and some +wild recommendations for its arrest. For it is the militaristic German +who of all Europeans is most worried by this fall; indeed Germans often +even refuse to recognize it. Thus today we find Professor Gruber +declaring that if the population of the German Empire continues to grow +at the rate of the first five years of the present century, it will have +reached 250,000,000 at the end of the century. By such a vast increase +in population, the Professor complacently concludes, 'Germany will be +rendered invulnerable.' But Gruber's estimate is entirely fallacious. +German births have fallen, roughly speaking, about 1 per 1,000 of the +population, every year since the beginning of the century, and it would +be equally reasonable to estimate that if they continue to fall at the +present rate (which we cannot, of course, anticipate) births will +altogether have ceased in Germany before the end of the century. The +German birth-rate reached its climax forty years ago (1871-1880) with +40.7 per 1,000; in 1906 it was 34 per 1,000; in 1909 it was 31 per +1,000; in 1912 it was 28 per 1,000; in an almost measurable period of +time, in all probability before the end of the century, it will have +reached the same low level as that of France, when there will be but +little difference between the 'invulnerability' of France and of +Germany, a consummation which, for the world's sake, is far more +devoutly to be wished than that anticipated by Gruber." + +Writers of Teutonic sympathies have asserted that the aggressive +attitude of Germany at the beginning of the Great War was to be +legitimately explained and apologized for on the ground that the War was +the inevitable expansive outcome of the abnormally high birth-rate of +Germany in recent times. Dr. Dernburg, the German statesman, said not +very long ago: "The expansion of the German nation has been so +extraordinary during the past twenty-five years that the conditions +existing before the war had become insupportable." Another writer has +said: "Of later years there has arisen a movement among German women for +bringing abortion into honor and repute, so that it may be carried out +openly and with the aid of the best physicians. This movement has been +supported by lawyers and social reformers of high position." + +Thus, it would seem that a birth-rate stimulated by unusual +circumstances or by deliberate State encouragement, seemingly draws upon +it the operation of natural laws which tend to increase its death-rate +by War, as well as by an increased number of abortions, and an increased +death-rate. It would seem as natural laws operate to bring down the +population to normal by war if the other factors do not operate +sufficiently rapidly and efficiently. + +Havelock Ellis makes the following interesting statement: "If we survey +the belligerent nations in the war we may say that those who took the +initiative in drawing it on, or at all events were most prepared to +welcome it, were Germany, Austria, Serbia, and Russia--all nations with +a high birth-rate, and in which the fall of the birth-rate has not yet +had time to permeate. On the other hand, of the belligerent peoples of +today, all indications point to the French as the people most +intolerant, silently but deeply, of the war they are so ably and +heroically waging. Yet the France of the present, with the lowest +birth-rate, was a century ago the France of a birth-rate higher than +that of Germany today, and at that time the most militarist and +aggressive of nations, a perpetual menace to Europe." + +Finally, let us quote Havelock Ellis once more; he says: "When we +realize these facts we are also enabled to realize how futile, how +misplaced and how mischievous it is to raise the cry of 'Race Suicide.' +It is futile because no outcry can affect a world-wide movement of +civilization. It is misplaced because the rise and fall of the +population is not a matter of birth-rate alone, but of the birth-rate +combined with the death-rate, and while we cannot expect to touch the +former we can influence the latter. It is mischievous because by +fighting against a tendency which is not only inevitable but altogether +beneficial, we blind ourselves to the advance of civilization and risk +the misdirection of our energies. How far this blindness may be carried +we see in the false patriotism of those who in the decline of the +birth-rate, fancy they see the ruin of their own particular country, +oblivious of the fact that we are concerned with a phenomenon of +world-wide extension. The whole tendency of civilization is to reduce +the birth-rate. We may go further, and assert with the distinguished +German economist, Roscher, that the chief cause of the superiority of a +highly civilized state over lower stages of civilization is precisely a +greater degree of forethought and self-control in marriage and +child-bearing. Instead of talking about Race Suicide, we should do well +to observe at what an appalling rate, even yet, the population is +increasing; and we should note that it is everywhere the poorest and +most primitive countries, and in every country (as in Germany) the +poorest regions, which show the highest birth-rate." + +The same authority says: "One last resort the would-be patriotic +alarmist seeks when all others fail. He is good enough to admit that a +general decline in the birth-rate might be beneficial. But, he points +out, it affects social classes unequally. It is initiated, not by the +degenerate and unfit, with whom we could well dispense, but by the very +best classes in the community, the well-to-do and the educated. One is +inclined to remark, at once, that a social change initiated by its best +social class is scarcely likely to be pernicious. Where, it may be +asked, if not among the most educated classes, is any process of +amelioration to be initiated? We cannot make the world topsy-turvy to +suit the convenience of topsy-turvy minds. All social movements tend to +begin at the top and to permeate downwards. This has been the case with +the decline of the birth-rate, but it is already well marked among the +working classes, and has only failed to touch the lowest stratum of all, +too weak-minded and too reckless to be amenable to ordinary social +motives. The rational method of meeting this situation is not a +propaganda in favor of procreation--a truly imbecile propaganda, since +it is only carried out and only likely to be carried out, by the very +class which we wish to sterilize--but rather by a wise policy of +regulative eugenics. We have to create the motives, and it is not an +impossible task, which will act even upon the weak-minded and reckless +lowest social stratum." + + + + +LESSON XII + +THE ARGUMENT FOR BIRTH CONTROL + + +Let us now consider the general and special arguments advanced in favor +of rational and scientific Birth Control, as stated by the advocates +thereof. + +GENERAL ARGUMENT. The general argument in favor of Birth Control may +well be begun by the statement that rational and scientific Birth +Control is not the fixing upon the race of a new and unfamiliar practice +or policy, but is rather the scientific correction of a practice and +policy which is now followed by the majority of married persons in +civilized countries, though in a bungling, unscientific, and frequently +a harmful manner. The modern advocates of scientific methods of Birth +Control seek to replace these bungling, unscientific, and frequently +harmful methods by sane, scientific, harmless methods, approved of by +capable physicians and other experienced and capable authorities, and +under the sanction of the law rather than contrary to it. + +The advocates of Birth Control seek to place upon a scientific basis, +under cover and protection of the law, a subject which heretofore has +been but imperfectly known, and more imperfectly practiced in some form +by the majority of married couples, and which has heretofore been under +condemnation of the law so far as concerned the actual dissemination of +information concerning methods of contraception. They hold that it is +the veriest hypocrisy to pretend ignorance of the fact that the great +majority of married couples in civilized communities know and practice +to some extent contraceptive methods--usually imperfectly and +bunglingly, it must be added. + +One has but to consider the families of married couples, and to count +their children, to become aware that at least some form of contraception +has been known and practiced in many cases. This is particularly true of +the more intelligent and cultured members of civilized society, among +whom we find large families of children to be the exception, and small +families to be the general rule. Among the less intelligent and +uncultured classes the reverse of this condition is found. + +It is hypocritical folly to assert that these small families to be found +among the more intelligent classes of society are due to the fact that +the husbands and wives are physically incapable of procreating +off-spring--the mere suggestion produces an incredulous smile from the +reader. No one who is acquainted with the habits and customs of married +people would in good faith offer such an explanation. Rather is it +tacitly acknowledged by all thinking persons that such married couples +practice some form of Birth Control, or else commit the crime of +abortion. All physicians, particularly those who practice in the large +cities, are fully informed as to the appalling facts concerning the +prevalence of abortion among the women of the "respectable" classes, and +are likewise fully informed as to the terrible consequences so +frequently arising from this criminal course. + +The question, then, to many intelligent persons is not so much that of +"Should contraception be employed in order to avoid excessively large +families?" as that of "Should not contraception be employed to obviate +the crime of abortion with its terrible train of consequences?" And the +Birth Control propaganda which is so vigorously underway in all +civilized countries may be stated to be designed for the following +purposes: (1) to replace abortion, and other harmful methods of +restricting the size of families, with rational and scientific methods +of contraception; and (2) to supply to married persons the best +scientific knowledge concerning the regulation of the size of families, +and the methods of producing the best kind of children, under the best +conditions, and at the times best adapted for their proper care and +well-being. These advocates of the Betterment of the Race face the facts +of human nature and married life fearlessly, instead of trying to cover +them over with pretty words and sentimental generalities. They take +"things as they are," and not as certain persons insist that "they +should be"--they live in a world of facts and try to better things as +they find them, instead of trying to live in a fool's paradise and +contenting themselves with denying the existence of the facts which they +consider "ugly." + +Dr. William J. Robinson, one of the leading American workers in the +field of Birth Control, ably presents the main contention of the Birth +Control advocates as follows: + +"We believe that under any conditions, and particularly under our +present economic conditions, human beings should be able to control the +number of our offspring. THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE HOW MANY CHILDREN +THEY WANT TO HAVE, AND WHEN THEY WANT TO HAVE THEM. And to accomplish +this result we demand that the knowledge of controlling the number of +offspring, in other and plainer words, the knowledge of preventing +undesirable conception, should not be considered criminal knowledge, +that its dissemination should not be considered a criminal offense +punishable by hard labor in Federal prisons, but that it should be +considered knowledge useful and necessary to the welfare of the race and +of the individual; and that its dissemination should be permissible and +as respectable as is the dissemination of any hygienic, sanitary or +eugenic knowledge. + +"There is no element of force in our teachings; that is, we would not +force any family to limit the number of children against their will, +though we would endeavor to create a public opinion which would consider +it a disgrace for any family to have more children than they can bring +up and educate properly. We would consider it a disgrace, an anti-social +act, for any family to bring children into the world which they must +send out at an early age into the mills, shops, and streets to earn a +living, or must fall back upon public charity to save them from +starvation. + +"Public opinion is stronger than any laws, and in time people would be +as much ashamed of having children whom they could not bring up properly +in every sense of the word, as they are now ashamed of having their +children turn out criminals. Now, no disgrace can attach to any poor +family, no matter how many children they have, because they have not got +the knowledge, because society prevents them from having the knowledge +of how to limit the number of children. But if that knowledge became +easily accessible, and people still refused to avail themselves of it, +then they would properly be considered as anti-social, as criminal +members of society. As far as couples are concerned who are well-to-do, +who love children, and who are well capable of taking care of a large +number, we, that is, we American limitationists, would put no limit. On +the contrary, we would say: 'God bless you, have as many children as you +want to; there is plenty of room yet for all of you.'" + +Another writer, a celebrated English thinker along these lines, has said +of the general argument in favor of Birth Control: + +"It used to be thought that small families were immoral. We now begin to +see that it was the large families of old which were immoral. The +excessive birth-rate of the early industrial period was directly +stimulated by selfishness. There were no laws against child-labor; +children were produced that they might be sent out, when little more +than babies, to the factories and the mines to increase their parents' +incomes. The diminished birth-rate has accomplished higher moral +transformation. It has introduced a finer economy into life, diminished +death, disease, and misery. It is indirectly, and even directly, +improving the quality of the race. The very fact that children are born +at longer intervals is not only beneficial to the mother's health, and +therefore to the children's general welfare, but it has been proved to +have a marked and prolonged influence on the physical development of +children. + +"Social progress, and a higher civilization, we thus see, involve A +REDUCED BIRTH-RATE AND A REDUCED DEATH-RATE. The fewer the children +born, the fewer the risks of death, disease, and misery to the children +that are born. The fact that civilization involves small families is +clearly shown by the tendency of the educated and upper social classes +to have small families. As the proletariat class becomes educated and +elevated, disciplined to refinement and to foresight--as it were +aristocratised--it also has small families. Civilizational progress is +here on a line with biological progress. The lower organisms spawn their +progeny in thousands, the higher mammals produce but one or two at a +time. The higher the race, the fewer the offspring. + +"Thus diminution in quantity is throughout associated with augmentation +in quality. Quality rather than quantity is the racial ideal now set +before us, and it is an ideal which, as we are beginning to learn, it is +possible to cultivate, both individually and socially. That is why the +new science of eugenics or racial hygiene is acquiring so immense an +importance. In the past, racial selection has been carried out crudely +by the destructive, wasteful, and expensive method of elimination, +through death. In the future, it will be carried out far more +effectively by conscious and deliberate selection, exercised not merely +before birth, but before conception and even before mating. Galton, who +recognized the futility of mere legislation to elevate the race, +believed that the hope of the future lay in eugenics becoming a part of +religion. The good of the race lies, not in the production of a +super-man, but of a super-humanity. This can only be attained through +personal individual development, the increase of knowledge, the sense of +responsibility toward the race, enabling men to act in accordance with +responsibility. THE LEADERSHIP IN CIVILIZATION BELONGS NOT TO THE NATION +WITH THE HIGHEST BIRTH-RATE, BUT TO THE NATION WHICH HAS THUS LEARNT TO +PRODUCE THE FINEST MEN AND WOMEN." + +Let us now proceed to a consideration of the special arguments in favor +of rational and scientific Birth Control as advanced by its leading +advocates. + +The advocates of rational and scientific Birth Control have presented +the strongest points of their case in their replies to those opposing +the general idea, and without positively taking the stand that the +burden of the proof in the argument concerning Birth Control rested upon +those opposing the idea, have practically assumed that position. They +claim that the right to Birth Control is so self-evident, and its +application so generally recognized (though usually sought to be +smothered with silence) that the case in favor of Birth Control is +really quite apparent to anyone seriously considering the same without +prejudice. The opposing side of the question is held by them to be +represented principally by statements based on prejudice and +disingenuous statements, which are capable of being turned against those +advancing them. + +And, the present writer, likewise is of the opinion that the strongest +possible case for Birth Control is presented in the answer to the +arguments advanced by the opponents thereof. But, before proceeding to +the latter phase of the argument, it may be well to examine briefly the +several leading points of argument advanced by the advocates of rational +and scientific Birth Control, in order to clear the way for the answers +to the opposite side of the question. The reader is, therefore, invited +to consider the said points, briefly presented in the following +paragraphs: + +BIRTH CONTROL ENCOURAGES MARRIAGE. The advocates of Birth Control hold +that a scientific knowledge of contraception would speedily result in a +large increase of marriages, particularly among persons of limited +incomes. Persons who have not been able to accumulate the "little nest +egg" which prudent persons consider a requisite on the part of those +contemplating marriage and the responsibilities of rearing a family of +children, are in many cases caused to hesitate about contracting +marriage, and often relinquish the idea altogether. Many of these +persons are well adapted for marriage, being of the domestic temperament +and having the home ideal prominent in their mental makeup. + +The increasing number of bachelors and unmarried women past thirty years +of age, who are in evidence in all large centers of population at the +present time, is undoubtedly due to a great extent to the fear on the +part of these men and women regarding the proper support of a family of +children. Many men and women feel that the man is able to earn enough to +support himself and wife comfortably, by the exercise of economy, but +that the said earnings are not sufficient to provide properly for a +family of children. Some would be willing to have one or two children, +born after the couple have well established themselves, but are +appalled at the thought of bringing into the world a practically +unlimited number of little children for whom they would not be able to +provide properly. + +These people shrink at the idea of abortion, and doubt the efficacy of +the popular so-called contraceptive methods of which their friends tell +them, and they either defer the marriage until later in life, or else +give up the idea altogether as being impossible for them under the +existing circumstances. A scientific knowledge of the subject would give +to such persons--and there are many thousands of such--an assurance of +their ability to safely and properly control and regulate the size of +their families, and would lead to many a marriage which would otherwise +be out of the question. + +If it is agreed that the marriage state is the one normal to the average +man and woman, and that marriages are in the interests of society--and +few would seek to dispute this--then it would seem that anything that +would tend to encourage marriage among the right kind of persons should +receive the encouragement of society and be fully protected by the laws +of society; and that the old prejudice against the subject, and the laws +which discourage the same, and place a penalty upon the dissemination of +scientific methods leading to the said result, are unworthy of civilized +society and modern thought. + +EARLIER MARRIAGES AND CURB ON PROSTITUTION. It is generally conceded by +students of sociology that earlier marriages tend to decrease the causes +of the evil of prostitution, illicit sexual relations, and general +sexual morality; and the consequent spread and existence of the venereal +diseases which have followed in the trail of such relations. And it is +likewise conceded that prostitution is an evil, and a cancer spot upon +modern social life, and that venereal diseases constitute a frightful +menace to the health and physical welfare of the race. Therefore, it +would seem that anything which would promote early marriages among +healthy, intelligent young men and women would be a blessing to the race +and to society. And as these earlier marriages are unquestionably +prevented in a great number of cases by reasons of the fear of +inadequate financial support for large families of children, it would +seem to follow that the best interests of society would be served by the +encouragement by public opinion, under the protection of the law, of the +teaching by competent authorities upon the subject of rational and +scientific methods of Birth Control. + +HEALTH OF WIVES. The advocates of Birth Control lay considerable stress +upon the fact that a scientific knowledge of Birth Control would +practically obviate the state of broken-down health so common among +married women, particularly among those who have been compelled to bear +large numbers of children during the first few years of married life. +Many a young married woman is in bad health--often reaching the state of +chronic invalidism--as the result of having had to bear too many +children, and in too close succession. + +Not only is the above the case, but there is to be found on all sides +many cases of invalidism and shattered health caused by the horrible +practice of criminal abortion. It is doubted whether anyone outside of +medical circles can even faintly begin to realize the frequency of this +practice of abortion among the well-to-do, and those in "comfortable +circumstances"--not to speak of the countless deaths which arise from +the prevalence of this curse. Were a physician to even faintly indicate +the number of cases coming under his personal professional attention, in +which the patient is suffering from the effects of one or more +abortions, he would be accused of gross exaggeration, and would be +condemned as a sensationalist. + +Without going into detail concerning these things, the writer states +that it is a matter of common knowledge among physicians that in every +large city there are thousands of unscrupulous (including those who call +themselves physicians) who are kept busy every week in the year +performing criminal operations designed to produce abortions. Some of +these practitioners have many regular patients--women who visit them +regularly for the purpose of having abortions produced by criminal +operations. It seems almost incredible, but it is a veritable fact, that +there are to be found many women in the large cities who actually boast +to their friends of the number of operations of this kind they have had +performed on them. + +Surely, any instruction which would prevent the physical breakdown of so +many women by reason of excessive child-bearing on the one hand, and +abortion on the other hand, would seem to be worthy of the hearty +support of society, and the encouragement of its laws, rather than the +reverse. So true does this seem, that it is difficult to realize that +there are any intelligent persons who would condemn such instruction as +evil and harmful to society. That such persons do exist is a striking +proof of the persistence of ancient superstitions and the survival and +tenacity of old prejudices. + +MORALITY OF MARRIED MEN. It is a matter of common knowledge among +physicians, and students of sociology, that many married men, +particularly those living in the large cities, indulge in extra-marital +or illicit sexual relations, with prostitutes and other women of loose +morals, and this not because these men are naturally vicious, depraved +or licentious, but rather because they fear causing their wives to bear +them more children--the wives either being in delicate or broken-down +health, or else the family already too large to be reared properly in +justice to the children. + +Many persons who would see only what "ought to be," and who refuse to +see "things as they are" in modern society, will be disposed to +pooh-pooh the above statement, and to accuse those making it to be +sensational or even morbid on the subject. But those who are brought in +close contact with men and women, as are family physicians and +specialists, as well as honest students of sociology, know only too well +that the above is not an over-statement, but is rather a very +conservative recital of certain unpleasant, but true, facts of human +society. + +JUSTICE TO THE CHILDREN. The advocates of scientific Birth Control hold +that a scientific knowledge along the lines favored by them would +prevent the gross injustice to children which is now only too obvious to +anyone who candidly considers the matter without prejudice. The child +brought into the world, unwanted, undesired, unprepared for, and +unprovided for before and after birth, is handicapped from the very +start of its existence upon earth. The present state of affairs works a +terrible injustice upon countless children brought into the world in +such conditions. Nothing that the present writer could put into words +would state this fact more concisely and clearly than the following +statement made by Dr. Wm. J. Robinson, a leading authority along these +lines, who has said: + +"The responsibility of bringing a child into the world under our present +social and economic conditions is a very great one. The primitive savage +or the coarse ignorant man does not care. It does not bother him what +becomes of his offspring; if they get an education, if they have enough +to eat, if they learn a trade or a profession, well--if they don't, +also well; if they achieve a competence or a decent social position, he +is satisfied--if not, he can't help it. God willed it so. But, on the +other hand, the cultured, refined man and woman look at the matter +differently. The thought of bringing into the world a human being which +may be physically handicapped, which may be mentally inferior, which may +have a hard struggle through life, which may have to go through endless +misery and suffering, fills them with anguish. * * * * * + +"We see about us millions of working men and women who go through life, +from cradle to grave, without a ray of joy, without anything that makes +life worth living. In the higher classes we see a constant, hard, +infuriated struggle to make a living, to make a career, and the spectre +of poverty is almost as unremittingly before the eyes of the middle and +professional classes as it is before the eyes of the laborer. And all +over we see ignorance, superstition, beliefs bordering on insanity, +hardness, coarseness, rowdyism, brutality, crime and prostitution; +prostitution of the body, and what is worse, prostitution of the mind, +the hiding or selling of one's convictions for a mess of pottage. And +our prisons, asylums, and hospitals are not decreasing, but increasing +in number and inmates. + +"It is my sincerest and deepest conviction that we could accomplish +incomparably more if only a small part of the energy and money now spent +on philanthropic efforts were expended in teaching the women, the +married women of the poor, how to limit the number of their children; in +other words, how to prevent conception. It would work a wonderful reform +in the lives of the poor, and our slums would be metamorphosed in ten +years. * * * It is we who are to blame now for the large families of +the poor, and for this reason we are morally obligated to give them the +financial and medical aid that they demand. But when effectual means +are put into their hands for limiting the number of their offspring, +then they, and not we, will be to blame if they do not make use of +them. * * * * + +"The rich and the upper-middle classes, those to whom several children +would be the least burden, are quite familiar with the various means of +prevention. The poorer middle classes use preventives recommended by +their friends; these preventives sometimes succeed, sometimes fail, and +sometimes ruin the woman's health. While the very poor, the +wage-earners, those who can least afford to have unlimited progeny, +knowing no means of prevention, go on breeding to their own and to the +community's detriment. The result, as you can plainly see, is a general +lowering of the physical and mental stamina of the race. For if the +cultured and the well-to-do do not breed, or have only a few children, +while the poor and the ignorant go on having a numerous progeny for +which they cannot well provide, and which they cannot afford to educate +properly, it stands to reason that the percentage of the uneducated, the +unfit and the criminal, must go on constantly increasing. And this is +something that no lover of humanity can look upon with equanimity." + +Surely the above recited special points of argument in favor of Birth +Control seem to be statements of self-evident facts to the unprejudiced +mind, do they not? And the person of this kind who considers them +carefully for the first time usually finds himself wondering what +rational argument can be fairly urged on the other side of this +important question. And, when he acquaints himself with the arguments of +"the other side" he usually finds himself even more established in the +belief that scientific Birth Control is advisable, sane, and along the +lines of the mental evolution of the race. At any rate, it is difficult +to escape the conviction that the burden of proof needed to controvert a +proposition so nearly self-evident as intelligent and scientific Birth +Control, must be placed squarely upon the shoulders of those opposing +the proposition. + + + + +LESSON XIII + +THE ARGUMENT AGAINST BIRTH CONTROL + + +The argument against Birth Control, urged by those who are opposed to +the dissemination of scientific information on the subject, may be +reduced to a few general points. These points of objection I shall now +state, together with the rejoinder to each as given by the advocates of +the proposition. I think that these points cover the main argument +advanced against Birth Control, and I shall endeavor to state them as +fully and as fairly as possible. + +OPPOSED TO RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS. One of the most common arguments +advanced against Birth Control is the one which holds that the idea is +opposed to religious teachings. The statement, however, is usually made +in a vague general way, the charge of "irreligious" being hurled without +explanation, and usually without any attempt to show any proof of the +accusation. + +As a matter of fact, as the advocates of Birth Control have pointed out, +there is nothing whatsoever in the New Testament which in fairness may +be construed as indicating Birth Control as sinful; in fact, it has been +frequently asserted by authorities on the subject that there is nothing +to be found in either the Old Testament or the New Testament which +directly or indirectly prohibits the limitation of offspring, or which +encourages the production of an unlimited number of children regardless +of all other conditions. + +Nor do the majority of the various religious denominations seem to have +in their statements of doctrine and living anything in the nature of +prohibition along the lines indicated above. It is true, however, that +the Roman Catholic Church does quite positively, and vigorously, +condemn and prohibit the use of contraceptive methods among its members; +and I have been informed that its priests place such methods in the +category of methods producing abortion, both being regarded as +practically identical with infanticide. I have been informed, however, +that in this Church the restriction of marital relations to certain +periods of the month in which conception is held to be not so likely to +be effected, with abstinence at other periods, is a method of limiting +offspring that does not come under the ban, particularly if there be a +reasonable excuse offered for the desire to limit the size of the +family; though, as a rule, even such method is frowned upon unless the +reasonable excuse be forthcoming. + +In the case of members of the Catholic Church--and these only--there may +seem to be warrant for the objection to Birth Control as "contrary to +religion," it being assumed that the teachings and rules of the Church +constitute the true measure of "religion." To such there is, of course, +only one answer, and that is that if the teaching or practice of Birth +Control methods be held by them to be "contrary to religion" (according +to their definition of "religion") then they have merely to adhere to +the said religious teachings, and to refuse to learn anything about +Birth Control. The matter undoubtedly is one entirely for the exercise +of their own judgment and conscience. There is no desire on the part of +the advocates of Birth Control to insist that such people must limit the +size of their families--or for that matter that there is any "must" +about it for anyone whatsoever. + +But we must not lose sight of the fact that the laws and customs of +society in general are not based upon, or bound up with, the teachings +and rules of this particular Church. On the contrary, particularly in +the instance of Marriage and Divorce, many of our customs sanctioned by +our laws permit and sanction things which are not countenanced or +approved of by the Church in question. But just as persons outside of +that Church are in no way bound by the teachings or rules thereof in the +matter of Marriage and Divorce, so are they in no way bound by the +teachings and rules of the said Church concerning the limitation of the +size of families. The Church in question does not regard "civil +marriages" as true marriages at all--yet our laws, and general public +opinion, countenance such marriages; and it is extremely probable that +within a comparatively short time the status of Birth Control will +likewise manifest the same conflict between State and Church. But just +as no Catholic is COMPELLED to accept or practice civil marriage, so no +Catholic will be compelled to accept or practice Birth Control. + +Religion is entirely a matter of individual belief and faith, and binds +no one not agreeing with its precepts. There is no union of Church and +State in this country, or in most other modern civilized countries; and +we are not under the jurisdiction of the Church in matters of conscience +or conduct, unless we voluntarily so place ourselves under such +jurisdiction and control. The argument that Birth Control which is based +upon the assertion that it is opposed to the edicts or dogmas of some +particular Church organization, is found to be no true argument for the +reasons given above; and such argument must be dismissed as fallacious +by those who base their judgments and conduct upon the dictates of +science, reason, and common-sense, rather than upon the dogmas or +decrees of any Church organization. The answer to those who urge that +"Birth Control is contrary to the teachings of the Catholic Church" is: +"Well, what of it? if you are not a Catholic!" + +The force of the above objection to Birth Control becomes important when +we find that those who are opposed to Birth Control merely because their +Church condemns it do not content themselves with letting alone the +subject, but would also endeavor to fasten the rule of their Church upon +the rest of society. While such persons are undoubtedly acting in good +faith, and inspired by motives which seem good to them, they should stop +to remember that general society refuses to accept the rules of their +Church in the matter of Marriage and Divorce, and is likely to refuse a +like attempt to fasten upon it the rules of the Church in the case of +Birth Control. The general public, here and in the first mentioned +cases, will insist upon entering a plea of "LACK OF JURISDICTION." + +In the cases of persons outside of the Church in question who may +consider Birth Control to be contrary to their religious convictions and +teachings, there is to be made the same answer given above, namely, that +the advocates of Birth Control are not trying to force anything upon +those who entertain such religious or conscientious scruples--they would +leave such persons free to follow the dictates of their own conscience +or the religious teachings favored by them. But at the same time they +would demand the legal and moral right to follow the dictates of their +own conscience and reason, and would insist upon their right to receive +legal protection for the dissemination of their scientific teachings. +All that the advocates of Birth Control are claiming is the right of +free speech and free knowledge concerning this subject which they deem +concerned with the future progress and well-being of the race. + +The argument against Birth Control which is based upon the claim that it +is "irreligious," arises from the general tradition based upon the +Hebrew conception of a Deity who bade the legendary first families of +the race to "increase and multiply." According to the scriptural +narrative this authoritative command was addressed to a world inhabited +by eight people. From such a point of view a world's population of a few +thousand persons would have seemed inconceivably great. But the old +legendary command has become a tradition which has survived amid +conditions totally unlike those under which it arose. + +Under this old traditionary conception reproduction was regarded as a +process in which men's minds and wills had no part. To those holding it, +knowledge of Nature was still too imperfect for the recognition of the +fact that the whole course of the world's natural history has been an +erection of barrier against wholesale and indiscriminate reproduction. +Thus it came about that under the old dispensation, which is now forever +passing away, to have as many children as possible and to have them as +often as possible--providing that certain ritual prescriptions were +fulfilled--seemed to be a religious duty. + +Today the conditions have altogether altered, and even our own feelings +have altered. We no longer feel with the ancient Hebrew who bequeathed +his ideals, though not his practices, to Christendom, that to have as +many wives and concubines and as large a family as possible is both +natural and virtuous and in the best interests of religion. We realize, +moreover, that such claimed Divine Commands were the expression of the +prophets and rulers of the people to whom they were addressed, and in +accordance with the ideals concerning race-betterment which were held by +these self-constituted authorities. + +To the educated men and women of today, it is seen that these ideals of +human-betterment (no longer imposed upon the people under the guise of +Divine Commands, but rather by an appeal to their reason and judgment) +are no longer based upon the sanctification of the impulse of the +moment, but rather involve restraint of the impulse of the moment as +taught by the lessons of foresight and regard for the future which the +race has received. We no longer believe that we are divinely ordered to +be reckless, or that God commands us to have children who, as we +ourselves know, are fatally condemned to disease or premature death. +Matters which we formerly believed to be regulated only by Providence, +are now seen to be properly regulated by the providence, prudence, +foresight, and self-restraint of men themselves. These characteristics +are those of moral men, and those persons who lack these characteristics +are condemned by our social order to be reckoned among the dregs of +mankind. Our social order is one in which the sphere of procreation +could not be reached or maintained by the systematic control of +offspring. + +More and more is Religion perceived to be more than a mere matter of the +observance of certain ritual and ceremonies, or the belief in certain +dogmas. More and more is true religion seen to be vitally concerned and +bound up with the relations of man to man, and the welfare of society in +general. More and more is it being perceived that anything which is +decidedly anti-social, or opposed to the best interests of +human-betterment, is not truly "religious," no matter how sanctified by +tradition, or bound up with ritual and ceremonies it may be. + +The spirit of modern Christianity is seen to consist of two fundamental +principles, viz.: (1) the love of God; and (2) the Golden Rule. The +conscientious Christian who uses head and heart in harmony and unison, +cannot avoid the conclusion that the avoidance of the bringing into the +world of offspring destined by social and economic conditions to +misery, poverty, and sin, is more in accordance with the true spirit of +Christianity than opposed to it--the ancient dogmas and traditions of +the Church to the contrary notwithstanding. Modern religion is based +upon Reason as well as upon Faith, and it is safe to predict the time +when Birth Control will not only be sanctioned by "religion," but also +encouraged by it. + +IS IT IMMORAL? Akin to the objection urged against Birth Control on the +score of conflict with religious teachings, we find the one which states +that "it is IMMORAL." Morality means "quality of an action which renders +it right or good; right conduct." Right conduct or "good" action depends +upon the effect of the conduct or action upon the individual, other +individuals, or society in general. The standards of morality, right +conduct, and good actions have changed from time to time in the history +of the race, and are not fixed. Reason teaches that that which is for +the benefit of the individual and the race is and must be "moral," and +that which is harmful to the individual and the race is and must be +"immoral." + +As to whether Birth Control is helpful or harmful to the individual and +the race--moral or immoral--the individual student of the question must +decide for himself after having given the subject careful and +unprejudiced consideration. The advocates of Birth Control hold that +every fair argument and consideration of the question must bring the +unprejudiced person to the conviction that the ideals advanced by them +are in the direction of the betterment of the race, and the increased +happiness of the individuals composing the race. If such be the case, +then Birth Control must be regarded as positively "moral" in character +and principles, and its teachings directly in the interests of +"morality." + +So true is the above statement that every argument of the advocates of +Birth Control is based upon the assumption of its "morality," in the +sense of making for human betterment. If it be shown that the teachings +are in anywise "immoral," in the sense indicated, then no one would be +quicker to condemn them than the intelligent and conscientious advocate +of Birth Control, for the reason that his whole case is based upon the +inherent "morality" of his ideals. + +Any one who has made a careful and unprejudiced study of the subject of +Birth Control will discard the idea that a tendency so deeply rooted in +Nature as is Birth Control can ever be in opposition to morality. It can +only be so held as contrary to morality when men confuse the eternal +principles of morality, whatever they may be, with their temporary +applications, which are always becoming modified in adaptation to +changing circumstances. + +The old ideals of morality placed the whole question of procreation +under the authority (after God) of men. Women were in subjection to men, +and had no right of freedom, no right to responsibility, no right to +knowledge, for, it was believed, if they were entrusted with any of +these they would abuse them at once. This view prevails even today in +some civilized countries, and middle-aged Italian parents, for instance, +will not allow their daughters to be conducted by a man even to Mass, +for they believe that as soon as they are out of their sight they will +be unchaste. That is their morality. + +Our morality today is different. It is inspired by different ideas, and +aims at a different practice. We are by no means disposed to rate highly +the morality of a girl who is only chaste so long as she is under her +parents' eyes; for us, indeed, that is much more like immorality than +morality. We, today, wish women to be reasonably free; we wish them to +be trained in a sense of responsibility for their own actions; we wish +them to possess knowledge, more especially in the sphere of sex, once +theoretically opposed to them, which we now recognize as peculiarly +their own domain. + +Our ideal woman today is not she who is deprived of freedom and +knowledge in the cloister, even though only the cloister of her own +home; but rather the woman who being instructed from early life in the +facts of sexual physiology and sexual hygiene, is also trained to +exercise judgment, will, self-restraint, and self-responsibility, and +able and worthy to be trusted to follow the path which is right +according to the highest ideals of the society of which she is a part. +That is the only kind of morality which now seems to us to be worth +while. + +And, as any unprejudiced intelligent person is forced to admit, there is +nothing in the policy of scientific Birth Control to run contrary to +such an ideal of moral womanhood. + +But the relation of Birth Control to morality is, however, by no means a +question which concerns women alone. It equally concerns men. Here we +have to recognize, not only that the exercise of control over +procreation enables a man to form a marriage of faithful devotion with +the woman of his choice at an earlier age than would otherwise be +possible, but it further enables him, throughout the whole of his +married life, to continue such relationship under circumstances which +might otherwise render them injurious or else undesirable to his wife. + +That the influence exerted by a general knowledge of scientific methods +of Birth Control would suffice to entirely abolish prostitution it is +foolish to maintain, although it would undoubtedly tend to decrease the +social evil. And even the partial elimination of prostitution would be +in the interests of general morality, not only in the direction of +lessening the brutal demand of women to serve in the ranks of +prostitution, but also in many other ways of importance to society as a +whole. The decrease of venereal disease would follow a decrease in +prostitution caused by a general knowledge and practice of scientific +methods of Birth Control on the part of married people; and it must be +remembered that venereal disease spreads far beyond the patrons of +prostitution and is a perpetual menace to others who may become innocent +victims. And any influence that serves to decrease prostitution and the +spread of venereal disease, must be placed in the category of "moral," +and certainly not in the opposite one. + +The objection is frequently heard that the general knowledge of +scientific methods of contraception would lead to increased illicit +relations among unmarried persons, particularly among the young people. +This argument is apparently based upon the belief, or fear, that the +fear of conception is the only thing which prevents many persons from +indulging in illicit relations. It assumes that a large portion of our +womankind are chaste simply because of fear of pregnancy; and that this +fear once removed these women would at once plunge into such relations. +In other words, it assumes that mentally and in spirit these women are +already unchaste, but are restrained from physical unchastity by reason +of the fear of conception. + +The answer of the advocates of Birth Control takes direct issue with the +above contention. On the contrary, it asserts that the chastity of our +women is the result of their general training, education, heredity, +observance of the accepted customs and standards of their community, +religious and moral training, etc. The woman who is chaste simply +through fear, usually manages to allay that fear in one way or another, +often by mistaken methods which work great harm to the woman and the +community in general. The general knowledge of scientific contraceptive +methods might result in such women manifesting their inclinations and +desires in a "safer" manner, but this "safety" would not consist of +protection against conception (for that they already think they have) +but rather of a protection against the dangers of abortion and similar +evil practices. + +Some of the writers go further in this matter, as for instance Dr. +Robinson, who says: "If some women are bound to have illicit relations, +is it not better that they should know the use of scientific preventives +than that they should become pregnant, disgracing and ostracising +themselves, and their families; or that they should subject themselves +to the degradation and risks of an abortion; or failing this, take +carbolic acid or bichloride, jump into the river, or throw themselves +under the wheels of a running train?" + +The objection to Birth Control on the ground that it would increase +illicit relations among men and women by means of removing the fear of +physical consequences, seems to many careful thinkers to be akin to the +old objection (now happily passing away) to the dissemination of the +knowledge of the treatment of venereal diseases, and to the public cure +of such diseases, on the ground that by so doing a part of the fear +concerning illicit relations was removed, and thereby illicit relations +actually encouraged. The result of this fallacious argument was the +enormous spread of venereal diseases, to the great hurt of the race; and +the encouragement of quacks and charlatans who fattened on the gains +received from the sufferers from this class of complaints. The argument +against Birth Control on similar grounds will be seen to be equally +fallacious, and capable of equally evil consequences, if the matter be +fairly and carefully considered. + +Illicit relations, if prevented or regulated at all by society, must be +so regulated or prevented by other means than fear of conception. Such +fear, though it may deter for a short time, will usually be overcome in +time if the desire and temptation remain sufficiently strong. It is +doubtful whether any considerable number of women remain chaste for any +length of time simply by reason of fear of conception. If such fear be +the only remaining deterring factor, it will usually be swept away in +time under continued temptation, opportunity, and desire. Chastity and +virtue must have a far more solid foundation than such fear; and +experience repeatedly shows that such fear is but as shifting sand +sought to be employed as a foundation for the structure of chastity. + +There is no reason whatsoever for believing that the scientific +knowledge of contraceptive methods, if generally possessed by married +people under the sanction of the law and society, would result in any +more cases of illicit relations than exist at the present time. It +might, it is true, result in less evil consequences of such relations in +some cases, as Dr. Robinson has so clearly pointed out in the above +quotation; but the relations in such cases would exist in either event. +Fear of conception, like fear of infection, has never, and will never +entirely prevent illicit relations between men and women; and to oppose +scientific information in the one case on these grounds, is as futile as +to oppose scientific treatment in the other case on the same grounds. +And when it is considered how society in general is injured by the +withholding of such information or treatment, respectively, the argument +in favor of such suppression of scientific truth and method is seen to +be actually dangerous to society and sub-service of the public good. + +I would like to add a few words concerning the question of morality in +the matter of practicing scientific Birth Control. To me what I shall +say in the succeeding paragraphs of this chapter have a vital bearing on +the whole subject, and should be taken into serious consideration by the +fair-minded and conscientious student of the subject. Here follows my +thought in the matter: + +In my consideration of the arguments against scientific Birth Control I +am impressed with one particular thought which refuses to be silenced, +but which insists upon persistently presenting itself to my +consciousness. This particular thought may be expressed as follows: It +is admitted by unprejudiced students of the subject that the educated +and cultured portions of the civilized countries of modern times do +actually practice, to some extent, in some form, manner, or degree, the +limitation of offspring--no honest observer will dispute this statement. +This being so, does it not seem that the race should fairly and +squarely, honestly and frankly, face this question and decide whether or +not such rules of conduct are "right" or "wrong"--"moral" or +"immoral"--and to what extent, if any, they should be permitted or +encouraged to be practiced toward the ends of individual and race +happiness and betterment. + +If the decision is totally against this rule of conduct, then it should +be vigorously denounced, and all honest people should refrain from it. +If, on the contrary, the decision should be that this mode of conduct, +or some phases of it, are justified, then, in the name of Honesty and +Truth, let us turn on the full light of general information, knowledge, +and instruction on the subject, under the full protection of the laws +and public opinion. Why should we not throw aside the mask of cowardly +hypocrisy, and stand before the world showing ourselves as just what we +really are? + +My thought, in essence, is that the chief "wrong," and "immorality" +about the whole matter consists in our present practice of doing one +thing in private, and condemning the same thing in public. There can be +no excuse, to the intellectually honest person at least, for the course +of tacitly holding that a certain thing is "all right for us," while +"all wrong for the other folks." + +IS IT INJURIOUS TO HEALTH? It is sometimes urged against Birth Control +that the use of contraceptive methods is injurious to the health of +women, in some cases a long list of physical and mental ills being given +as possible of being caused by such methods. Opposed to this is the +contention of the members of the medical profession who have arrayed +themselves on the side of scientific Birth Control. The latter +authorities positively contradict the assertion that women's health is +injured by the practice of rational and scientific methods of Birth +Control; although these authorities freely admit, in fact they CLAIM, +that certain unscientific methods and practices popular among certain +persons--such as the use of certain chemicals and mechanical +appliances--undoubtedly have resulted in physical harm, and they +strongly advise against the use of such bunglesome methods. + +One of the leading medical advocates of scientific Birth Control in the +United States throws down the gauntlet squarely before those of his +profession, and others, who urge this objection to scientific Birth +Control, in the following challenging words: "I challenge any physician, +any gynecologist, to bring forth A SINGLE AUTHENTICATED CASE in which +disease or injury resulted from the use of modern methods of prevention. +I know they cannot do it." And others in the ranks of the medical +profession have made similar assertions and claims. The unprejudiced +person who will consult the best medical authorities on the subject will +unquestionably agree that the best medical opinion of the day holds that +scientific Birth Control is not in fairness to be open to this +objection. + +IS BIRTH CONTROL UNNATURAL? Another favorite argument of the opponents +of scientific Birth Control is the broad statement and claim that "all +voluntary attempts to limit procreation are unnatural," and therefore +wrong. This objection, while usually offered without any particular +argument, explanation, or proof, must be carefully and honestly met and +answered by the fair-minded advocate of Birth Control. + +In the first place, it may as well be admitted that regulation, +restriction, or control of the procreative functions by application of +the intellect or reasoning processes IS unnatural, in the sense of not +being indicated by Nature and enforced through the instinctive actions +of the race. The only instinct which primitive man seems to have had in +this case (and these he held in common with the lower animals) was that +of free and unlimited sexual intercourse, in response to his instinctive +desires, with this exception (and this exception should be carefully +noted), i. e.: that the male respected the instinctive disinclination to +cohabit during the period in which the woman was pregnant, and often +also during the period in which she nursed her infant. This instinct, +unhappily for the race, the "civilized" man has overridden until it has +practically ceased to manifest its voice. + +The lower animals, obeying this primitive instinct, do not manifest +violation of this law of Nature. On the contrary, the female will not +allow the male to approach her at such times, and will fight savagely at +any attempt to violate this instinctive law of her nature. The male +usually recognizes the existence of this law, and makes no attempt to +violate it, but should he attempt the same he is defeated by the female +as above stated. It has remained for Man alone to override and violate, +and to eventually render nul and void this wise instinctive provision of +Nature. + +But beyond this there is no "natural," instinctive regulation of the +sexual activities of animal or man, other than the desires of the male +and female. If civilized man adhered wholly to the "natural" in this +respect, he would obey the voice of instinct alone, and would show +reason and intellect the door in such matters, and would also bid +defiance to all legal or ecclesiastical authority when it sought to +"control" his activities along these lines. But, it is needless to say, +such is not the case. Not only has the Law of the Church insisted upon +certain "control" of these matters--as witness the laws against +adultery, illicit relations, incest, bastardy, etc.--but man, himself, +has asserted a greater and still greater voluntary control over the +reproductive functions as he has risen in the scale of civilization and +culture. + +Today it is only the lowest and least cultured classes of society who +(to use the expressive but somewhat inelegant term) persist in "breeding +like pigs." All other classes exercise a greater or less degree of +"control" of some kind in the matter of limitation of offspring. In +making this broad assertion I, of course, have in mind not only the +modern methods urged by the advocates of scientific contraception, but +also the "control" and regulation observed by married persons in either +total abstinence from the marital relations for a stated time, or else +the abstinence from such relations during certain portions of the lunar +month, the latter method (somewhat uncertain, however, in its efficacy +in some cases) being apparently favored by certain ecclesiastical +authorities as the "only moral" method. + +In view of the above facts, which might be enlarged and extended if +necessary, it is seen that as soon as man rises above the level of the +beast or savage--as soon as he begins to manifest culture and +civilization--he begins to exercise a certain "control" over the +procreative FUNCTION, and in the direction of the limitation of the +size of his family of offspring. The contention of the modern advocates +of scientific Birth Control is that the "new ideas" on the subject are +simply a natural and inevitable evolution from the degrees of "control" +which man has exercised since the time he emerged from savagery. The +later developments are no more "unnatural" than the earlier--nor the +accepted methods and forms any more "natural" than those which are now +opposed by the more conservative elements of society. + +When anyone begins to talk about things being "natural" or "unnatural," +respectively, he should tread softly and watch his steps carefully. For +at every step he treads upon instances of "unnatural" modes and methods +of living. Strictly speaking, it is "unnatural" to wear clothes, or to +cook food, or to live in houses, or to ride in conveyances or on +horseback. All of these things have been evolved by the use of intellect +and reason, and are not instinctive or "natural" to man. Birds build +nests, wasps build shelter, hornets build homes, bees build honey-combs, +worms build cocoons, snails build shells--all by instinct and +"naturally"--and the young of such species do not have to be TAUGHT how +to do these things. But the young of the human race requires to be +taught such things as above mentioned as having been evolved by man in +the course of his rise from savagery--instinct will not do it for them. +And all of these things outside the plane of instinct, and within the +plane of intellect, cannot be called "natural" in the strict sense of +the term. + +You think that I am exaggerating the matter, perhaps. Well, then, I ask +you to consider the meaning of the two terms which I have employed so +freely in the foregoing paragraphs: First, let us consider the term, +"NATURAL"; we find it defined as "FIXED OR DETERMINED BY NATURE, AND, +THEREFORE, ACCORDING TO NATURE, AND NOT ARTIFICIAL, ASSUMED, OR +ACQUIRED." Next, let us consider the term, "INSTINCT"; we find it +defined as "NATURAL IMPULSE, OR UNCONSCIOUS, INVOLUNTARY, OR UNREASONING +PROMPTING TO ANY ACTION." It will be seen, accordingly, that merely the +most elemental and primitive activities of man are "natural" in this +sense; and that all his acquired activities and methods are "not +natural." + +The activities of man which are in the "not natural" class may be either +desirable for the individual and the race, or else undesirable for both. +Therefore, it will be seen, all such activities must be subjected to the +test of reason and experience in order to determine whether they are in +the best interests of the individual and the race, or else opposed to +these. This is the only sane method of testing the validity and +desirability of such things--Birth Control among the others. The claim +of "not natural," if applied at all, must be extended to ALL things +which are not strictly "natural" or instinctive--it is casuistical to +apply the term in reproach to certain things and to withhold it from +others in the same general class. + + + + +LESSON XIV + +RACE SUICIDE + + +A favorite argument of certain opponents of scientific Birth Control is +that such teachings and modes of conduct tend toward Race Suicide, and +the consequent weakening and final destruction of the human race by +means of "bleeding it white" by draining from it its normal supply of +children. Those who hold this view argue that if Birth Control methods +become popular, and sanctioned by the law and public opinion, then the +race will eventually die out and disappear from the face of the earth. +Some vary the argument by insisting that those nations favoring Birth +Control would suffer decline and gradual extinction at the hands of +other nations opposed to scientific methods of regulating the number and +frequency of offspring. This is a serious charge against Birth Control, +which if proved would probably serve to array all right-thinking persons +against it. + +But the advocates of Birth Control seriously and positively controvert +and deny the validity and truth of this argument. On the contrary they +claim that scientific Birth Control would not only keep up the +population of all countries, or any country, to a normal standard +proportionate to its ability to sustain properly such population, but +will also act to render that population stronger and better, physically, +mentally and morally, and far more efficient in every way owing to +improved quality of the stock. The first requisite is met by THE +REDUCTION OF THE DEATH RATE to meet the decreasing birth-rate; and the +second requisite is met by the improvement of the stock by proper +rearing and training made possible by the decreased size of the average +family. BIRTH CONTROL SERVES TO ELIMINATE THE WASTE CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE +INFANT MORTALITY, and to thus fully counterbalance the decreased birth +rate. + +The advocates of Birth Control assert that the natural instinct of +parenthood, the love of children, and the desire for offspring and the +perpetuation of the family name and stock, are too firmly rooted and +grounded in human nature to be seriously affected by such knowledge and +practice on the part of the race. They point to the fact that in many +families in which intelligent modes of Birth Control are favored, and in +which the size of the family has been limited to a few children, the +children are, as a rule, better cared for and provided for, better +reared and better educated, than in the case of families in which +children are brought into the world without thought or reason, and +without the possibility of proper care and rearing. Birth Control, say +its advocates, will not do away with children, but will merely regulate +their number to rational limits, and at appropriate intervals between +births. Moreover, it is claimed, that while the birth-rate in such +families may be smaller, THE DEATH-RATE IS ALSO SMALLER. And, at the +last, it is the number of children that SURVIVE that counts with the +race, not those who merely are BORN. + +The fact that many persons consult physicians for a cure for sterility, +and go to great trouble and expense to further the bearing of children, +and the fact many childless couples adopt children rather than to have a +childless home, are evidence of the fact that there is no danger of the +parental instinct dying out. It is the experience of physicians +generally that the patients who desire information regarding scientific +contraceptive methods are usually those who already have as many +children as they can well take care of, and not those who wish to escape +parenthood in toto. + +We are constantly reminded that the size of the average family is much +smaller than it was a hundred years ago--but still the race is rapidly +increasing, owing to the decreased death-rate resulting from a better +knowledge of hygiene and medicine. Moreover, it is positively asserted +that the "old time large family" frequently had one father but several +mothers--the husband marrying several times in order to replace with a +new life the old wife who had broken down and died from overwork and +excessive childbearing. + +It is claimed that in Holland, in which Birth Control is recognized by +law, and where it is legally sanctioned and even encouraged among those +who are not able to support large families, statistics show that the +population is increasing more rapidly than before, owing to the +decreased mortality of infants and young children arising from the +better care of those who are born. + +Dr. Robinson says on this point: "Here we have a whole country, Holland, +in which the prevention of conception is legally sanctioned, in which +the use of preventives is practically universal--and is this country +dying out? On the contrary, it is increasing more rapidly than before, +because we have this remarkable and gratifying phenomenon to bear in +mind, that WHEREVER THE BIRTH-RATE GOES DOWN, THE DEATH RATE GOES DOWN +PARI PASSU, OR EVEN TO A STILL GREATER DEGREE. This can be proven by +statistics from almost every country in the world. For instance, in 1910 +the birth-rate in Holland was 32, and the mortality 18; in 1912 the +birth-rate fell to 28, but then the mortality rate fell still lower, +namely to 12, so we see an actual gain in population, instead of a loss. +And the physical constitution of the people has been improving * * *. +And in New Zealand, where the sale of contraceptives is practically +free, the birth rate is now 20, and the mortality rate is 10. Does that +look like race suicide? On the contrary, there is a steady increase at +the rate of ten per cent, while sickness and death of children, with +their attendant economic and emotional waste, are reduced to a minimum." + +Not only are the children of small families as a rule better cared for, +from economic reasons easy to discern, but it is also a fact that the +health of the mothers is far better, and consequently the health of the +children when born is better than the average. One has but to look +around him upon the families who boast of having had eight, ten, and +twelve children born to them, to see what a frightful average percentage +of deaths of infants and young children is present, and which brings +down the number of the survivors. + +Dr. Alice Hamilton, in "The Bulletin of the American Academy of +Medicine," for May, 1910, reports that she has investigated the families +of 1,600 wage workers, and found the following death rate per 1,000 +birth among them, viz.: + + Families of 4 children and less 118 deaths per 1,000 births + Families of 6 children 267 deaths per 1,000 births + Families of 7 children 280 deaths per 1,000 births + Families of 8 children 291 deaths per 1,000 births + Families of 9 children or more 303 deaths per 1,000 births + +Dr. Hamilton sums up her investigation as follows: + +"OUR STUDY OF THE POORER WORKING CLASS SHOWS THAT CHILD MORTALITY +INCREASES PROPORTIONATELY AS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN INCREASE, UNTIL WE +HAVE A DEATH RATE IN FAMILIES OF 8 CHILDREN AND OVER WHICH IS TWO AND A +HALF TIMES AS GREAT AS THAT IN FAMILIES OF 4 CHILDREN AND OVER." + +The facts above mentioned, and other facts of the same nature which will +be disclosed in the progress of our consideration of the matter in the +present book, have evidently been overlooked, deliberately or otherwise, +by the fanatics in this country and in Europe who have been preaching to +the people that a falling birth-rate means a decaying nation. Careful +students of sociology now dismiss altogether the statement so often +made that a falling birth-rate means "an old and decaying community." +The Germans for years have contemptuously been making this remark about +France, but today they have been forced to recognize an unexpected +vitality in the French, while, in fact, their own birth-rate has been +falling more rapidly than that of France. + +Nor is it true that a falling birth-rate means a falling population. The +French birth-rate has been steadily falling for a number of years, yet +the French population has been steadily increasing all the time, though +less rapidly than it would had not the death-rate been abnormally high. +It is not the number of babies born that counts, but the net result in +surviving children. An enormous number of babies are born in China; but +an enormous number die while still babies. So that it is better to have +a few babies of good quality than a large number of indifferent quality, +for the falling birth-rate is more than compensated by the falling +death-rate. In England, as the statistics show, while the birth-rate is +steadily falling, the population has been steadily growing. + +Small families and a falling death-rate are not merely no evil--they are +a positive good. They are a gain for humanity. They represent an +evolutionary rise in Nature and a higher stage in civilization. We are +here in the presence of a great fundamental principle of progress which +has been working through life from the beginning. + +At the beginning of life on the earth, reproduction ran riot. Of one +minute organism it is estimated that, if its reproduction were not +checked by death or destruction, in thirty days it would form a mass a +million times larger than the sun. The conger-eel lays fifteen million +eggs, and if they all grew up, and reproduced themselves on the same +scale, in two years the whole sea would become a wriggling mass of eels. +As we approach the higher forms of life, reproduction gradually dies +down. The animals nearest to man produce few offspring, but they +surround them with parental care, until they are able to lead +independent lives with a fair chance of surviving. The whole process may +be regarded as a mechanism for slowly subordinating quantity to quality, +and to promoting the evolution of life to even higher stages. + +This process, which is plain to see on the largest scale throughout +living nature, may be more minutely studied, as it acts within a +narrower range, in the human species. Here we statistically formulate it +in the terms of birth-rate and death-rate; by the mutual relationship of +the two courses of the birth-rate and death-rate we are able to estimate +the evolutionary rank of a nation, and the degree in which it has +succeeded in subordinating the primitive standard of quantity to the +higher and later standard of quality. + +Especially in Europe we can investigate this relationship by the help of +statistics which in some cases extend back for nearly a century. We can +trace the various phases through which each nation passes, the effects +of prosperity, the influence of education and sanitary improvement, the +general complex development of civilization, in each case moving +forward, though not regularly and steadily, to higher stages by means of +a falling birth-rate, which is to some extent compensated by a falling +death-rate, the two rates nearly always running parallel, so that a +temporary rise in the birth-rate is usually accompanied by a rise in the +death-rate, by a return, that is to say, towards the conditions which we +find at the beginning of animal life, and a steady fall in the +birth-rate is always accompanied by a fall in the death-rate. + +It is thus clear that the birth-rate combined with the death-rate +constitutes a delicate instrument for the measurement of civilization, +and that the record of their combined curves registers the upward or +downward course of every nation. The curves, as we know, tend to be +parallel, and when they are not parallel we are in the presence of a +rare and abnormal state of things which is usually temporary or +transitional. + +A study of the statistics of European countries furnishes us with +evidence of the facts above stated. It is instructive to perceive how +closely the birth-rate and the death-rate of the several European +countries agree. It is perceived that THE EIGHT COUNTRIES OF EUROPE +WHICH REGISTER THE HIGHEST BIRTH-RATE ARE THE IDENTICAL COUNTRIES +REGISTERING THE HIGHEST DEATH-RATE. This is as might be expected, for a +very high birth-rate seems fatally to involve a very high death-rate. +The study of the following table may prove interesting--it certainly is +instructive. In the following table the European countries having the +highest birth-rate are stated in the order of rank according to size of +such rate; and the countries having the heaviest death-rate are stated +in the order of their rank in size of such rate: + + Highest European Birth-Rate. Highest European Death-Rate. + + Russia. Russia. + Roumania. Roumania. + Bulgaria. Hungary. + Serbia. Bulgaria. + Hungary. Spain. + Italy. Serbia. + Austria. Austria. + Spain. Italy. + +Moreover, Japan, with a rather high birth-rate, has the same death-rate +as Spain; and Chile, with a still higher birth-rate, has a higher death +rate than Russia. So, we see, that among human peoples we find the same +laws prevailing as among animals, and the higher nations of the world +differ from those which are less highly evolved precisely as the +elephant differs from the herring, though within a narrower range, that +is to say, BY PRODUCING FEWER OFFSPRING AND TAKING BETTER CARE OF THEM. + +So, when we get to the root of the matter, the whole question of "Does +Birth Control tend toward Race Suicide?" becomes clear, and we are able +to answer, positively, "It certainly does not; on the contrary it tends +toward Race Progress and Race Betterment." We see that there is really +no standing ground in any country for the panic-monger who bemoans the +fall of the birth-rate, and storms against small families. The falling +birth-rate is a world-wide phenomenon in all countries that are striving +toward a higher civilization along lines which Nature laid down from the +beginning. We cannot stop it if we would, and if we could we should be +merely impeding civilization. It is a movement which rights itself and +tends to reach a just balance. + +Instead of trying to raise the birth-rate by offering a bonus on babies +as has been proposed in some quarters, it would be saner and better +calculated for the betterment of the race to offer a bonus upon young +men and women who attained maturity with a definite high standard of +physical and mental development. As a writer on the subject has well +said: "But we need not therefore fold our hands and do nothing. There is +much still to be effected for the protection of motherhood and the +better care of children. We cannot, and should not, attempt to increase +the number of children born; there is still far more misery in having +too many babies than in having too few; a bonus on babies would be a +misfortune, alike for the parents and the State. BUT WE MAY WELL WORK +FOR THE BETTER QUALITY OF BABIES. There we should be on very safe +ground. More knowledge is necessary so that all would-be parents may +know how they may best become parents, and how they may, if necessary, +best avoid it. Procreation by the unfit should be, if not prohibited by +law, at all events so discouraged by public opinion that to attempt it +would be considered disgraceful. Much greater public provision is +necessary for the care of mothers during the months before, as well as +in the period after, the child's birth. Along such lines as these we may +hope to increase the happiness of the people and the strength of the +State. We need not worry about the falling birth-rate." + +The more that one intelligently examines the argument against Birth +Control based upon fear of Race Suicide, the more one becomes convinced +that not only is there "nothing to it," but that every fact brought to +light in the inquiry reveals itself in the nature of proof of the +desirability of Birth Control as a factor of Race Evolution, rather than +evidence to the contrary. Therefore, the more inquiry and investigation +that such argument brings forth, the stronger is the case disclosed for +Birth Control, and the greater the amount of public opinion created in +its favor. + +In all considerations of the general question of Race Suicide, one must +take note of the general question of Eugenics or Human Breeding. This +because the sound breeding of the race operates in a direction +diametrically opposed to Race Suicide, while unsound breeding operates +directly in favor thereof. + +When we consider the general subject of Eugenics we touch upon the +highest ground, and are concerned with our best hopes for the future of +the world. There can be no doubt that Birth Control, considered as a +phase of Eugenics, is not only a precious but also an indispensable +instrument in moulding the coming man to the measure of our developing +ideals. Without Birth Control we are powerless in the face of the awful +evils which flow from random and reckless reproduction. With it we +possess a power so great that some persons have professed to see in it a +menace to the propagation of the race, amusing themselves with the idea +that if people possess the means to prevent the conception of children +they will never have children at all. It is not necessary to discuss +such a grotesque notion seriously. + +The desire for children is far too deeply implanted in mankind and +womankind alike ever to be rooted out. If there are today many parents +whose lives are rendered wretched by large families and the miseries of +excessive child-bearing, there are an equal number whose lives are +wretched because they have no children at all, and who snatch eagerly at +any straw which offers the smallest promise of relief to the craving. +Certainly there are people who desire marriage, but--some for very sound +and estimable reasons and other for reasons which may less well bear +examination--do not desire children at all. + +For the class of married people who do not desire children at all, +contraceptive methods, far from being a social evil, are a social +blessing. For nothing is as certain as that it is an unmixed evil for a +community to possess unwilling, undesirable parents. Birth Control would +be an unmixed blessing if it merely enabled us to exclude such persons +from the ranks of parenthood. We desire no parents who are not competent +and willing parents. Only such parents are fit to father and to mother a +future race worthy to rule the world. + +It is sometimes said that the control of conception, since it is +frequently carried out immediately upon marriage, will tend to delay +parenthood until an unduly late age. Birth Control has, however, no +necessary result of this kind, and might even act in the reverse +direction. A chief cause of delay in marriage is the prospect of the +burden and expense of an unrestricted flow of children into the family; +and it is said that in Great Britain, since 1911, with the extension of +the use of contraceptives, there has been a slight but regular increase +not only in the general marriage rate but also in the proposition of +early marriage. The ability to control the number of children not only +enables marriage to take place at an early age, but also makes it +possible for the couple to have at least one child soon after marriage. +The total number of children are thus spaced out, instead of following +in rapid succession. + +It is only of late years that the eugenic importance of a considerable +interval between births has been fully recognized, as regards not only +the mother--this has long been recognized--but also the children. The +very high mortality of large families has long been known, and their +association with degenerate conditions and with criminality. However, of +recent years, evidence has been obtained that families in which the +children are separated from each other by intervals of more than two +years are both mentally and physically superior to those in which the +interval is shorter. Investigators have found that children born at only +a short interval after the birth of a previous child are notably +defective, even at the age of six, in a large percentage of cases; and +when compared with children born at a longer interval, or with first +children, they are, on the average, three inches shorter and three +pounds lighter. These are facts of the most vital significance. + +Thus when we calmly survey, in however summary a manner, the great field +of life affected by the establishment of voluntary human control over +the production of the race, we can not see a cause for anything but +hope. It is satisfactory that it should be so, for there can be no doubt +that we are here facing a great and permanent fact in civilized life. +With every rise in civilization, indeed with all evolutionary progress +whatever, there is what seems to be an automatic fall in the birth-rate. +That fall is always normally accompanied by a fall in the death-rate, so +that a low birth-rate frequently means a high rate of natural increase, +since most of the children born survive. + +Thus in the civilized world of today, notwithstanding the low birth-rate +which prevails as compared with earlier times, the rate of increase in +the population is still appalling--nearly half a million a year in Great +Britain, over a million in Austro-Hungary, and three-quarters of a +million in Germany. When we examine this excess of births in detail we +find among them a large proportion of undesired and undesirable +children. There are two alternative methods working to diminish this +proportion: the method of regulating conception under the methods of +scientific Birth Control, or the bungling substitutes for the same, on +the one hand, and the method of preventing live births after conception +by means of the abominable practice of abortion. + +There can be no doubt about the enormous extension of the practice of +abortion in all civilized countries, even although some of the +extravagant estimates of its frequency in countries, the United States +for example, be discarded as unwarranted. The burden of bearing +excessive children on the overworked and underfed mothers of the working +classes becomes at last so intolerable that almost anything seems better +than another child. As a woman in Yorkshire once said to an English +investigator of this evil: "I'd rather swallow the druggist's shop and +the man in it, than have another kid." + +A community which takes upon itself the responsibility of encouraging +abortion lays itself open to severe criticism. And it must be admitted +that just as all those who work for Birth Control are really diminishing +the frequency of abortion, so every attempt to discourage Birth Control +promotes abortion. We have to approach this problem calmly, in the light +of Nature and reason. We have each of us to decide on which side to +range ourselves. For it is a vital problem concerning which we cannot +afford to be indifferent. + +There is no desire here to exaggerate the importance of Birth Control. +It is not a royal road to the millennium of the race; and like all other +measures which the course of progress forces us to adopt, it has its +disadvantages. But fairness and honest thought should admit freely that +so far as is concerned the question of its being a factor toward Race +Suicide, we must pronounce a verdict of "Not Guilty" upon Birth Control. +On the contrary, the contrary course of teaching and practice, if +carried to their full logical conclusion, would inevitably bring the +race to such a stage of degeneracy, and retrogression to primitive type, +that a fate far worse than suicide would befall the human race. For the +race, as well as the individual, may commit "suicide" and an end to its +career, not only by a will-not-to-live but also by a will-to-degenerate. + +The face of Birth Control is set toward the rising sun of Race +Betterment, not toward the setting sun of Racial Decline. Its ideas are +those of Race Life, not of Race Death. It bids the race not to perish, +but rather to live on in greater strength, happiness, and efficiency. +Birth Control is in full accord with the Racial Will-to-Live, and not +opposed to it. All humanity, all civilization, all human progress, call +upon us to take our stand upon this vital question of Birth Control. +And, as a writer has well said, in doing so we shall each of us be +contributing, however humbly, to that "one far-off event, to which the +whole creation moves." + + + + +LESSON XV + +BIRTH CONTROL METHODS + + +The general subject of Birth Control necessarily includes the special +subject of Birth Control Methods, viz., of the methods of association +between husband and wife under which offspring is conceived only at such +times as desired, and consequently only in the number desired. + +These methods may be grouped into three general classes, as follows: + +I. METHODS OF CONTINENCE (TOTAL OR TEMPORARY). In the practice of the +methods under this class, there is an avoidance of sexual relations +between husband and wife, either continuously or for certain periods +during which the liability to conception is great. + +II. METHODS OF SEMI-CONTINENCE. In the practice of the methods under +this class, there is a partial manifestation of the sexual relation +accompanied by an absence of the manifestation of the procreative +functions. + +III. METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION. In the practice of the methods under this +class, the usual manifestations of the sexual relation are observed, +accompanied by an avoidance of the union of the male and female elements +of reproduction which result in conception. + +The student of the subject of Birth Control, of course, familiarizes +himself or herself with each of the several classes of methods above +noted, for the purpose of understanding the characteristic distinctions +between them, and the respective advantages and disadvantages of each +class. In the following pages each class will be briefly considered, +that the student may acquire a general understanding thereof, and may be +enabled to reason intelligently concerning them. In this presentation +there will be sought a fair statement of each class, without any desire +to influence the student for or against either of them. + + +Continence. + +Continence (which in this special sense means the avoidance of sexual +relations between husband and wife), in the strict sense, is based upon +the idea that the sexual relation should not be exercised except for the +purpose and intent of procreation. In the restricted usage of the term, +it refers to the abstinence from sexual intercourse during stated +periods in which the liability to conception is greatest. + +Rev. Sylvanus Stall, the author of several widely-read works on the +subject of Sex, says of strict continence: "One theory is that the +reproductive function is not to be exercised except for the purpose of +procreation. * * * There are some married people, more numerous than +some suppose, who have adopted the idea of uniform continence, and who +call the reproductive nature into exercise for the purpose of +procreation only, and who assert that the maintenance of continence +secures not only the greater strength and better health, but greater +happiness also. * * * While the results of our investigations do not +enable us to assert that it is the true theory, we are yet prepared to +say that it is worthy of thoughtful consideration. If it is possible for +married people to maintain absolute continence for a period of six +months or a year, it must be conceded that it would be possible to +extend that time to a longer period. The maintenance of this theory +would require such a degree of self-control as is far beyond the +possession of the great mass of humanity. We fear, also, that there are +but few, even if they entered upon a life union with such thought and +intention, who would be willing to maintain their principles for any +considerable period. * * * The other theory, and that which many men +and women who are eminent for their learning and religious life hold to +be the correct theory, is that while no one has a right to enter upon +the marriage relation with the fixed purpose of evading the duty of +parenthood, yet that procreation is not the only high and holy purpose +which God has had in view in establishing the marriage relation, but +that the act of sexual congress may be indulged in between husband and +wife for the purpose of expressing their personal endearments, and for +quickening those affections and tender feelings which are calculated to +render home the place of blessing and good which God intended. * * * It +is held by those who advocate this theory, that while it would be +possible to restrict the exercise of the reproductive functions to the +single purpose of procreation, yet in the great majority of instances +the effort to live by that theory would generally result in marital +unhappiness. * * * Due regard is not only to be paid to the perpetuity +of the race, but to the well-being and perpetuity of the individual." + +The advocates of continence, except for the purpose of procreation, +advance many arguments and evidence to justify their contention that +this is the only course justified by Nature and Morality. We need not +present this argument here, for it is outside the particular question +now under consideration. However, in all fairness and justice, there +should be presented here the general outline of their argument that +there is no rational basis for the widely accepted idea that abstinence +from sexual relations is in any way harmful or detrimental to the health +and physical well-being of the human race. + +The advocates of continence cite the cases of many continent men who +have been noted for their vigor and activity; and claim that such cases +also justify their claim that continence makes for the sound mind in the +sound body of mankind. The following quotations from authorities will +give the general spirit of this contention. + +Dr. Kellogg says: "It has been claimed by many, even physicians, and +though with but a slight show of reason, that absolute continence, after +a full development of the organs of reproduction, could not be +maintained without a great detriment to health. It is needless to +enumerate all the different arguments employed to support this position, +since they are, with a few exceptions, too frivolous to mention." Dr. +Mayer says: "This position is held by men of the world, and many +physicians share it. This belief appears to us erroneous, without +foundation, and easily refuted. No peculiar disease nor any abridgement +of the duration of life can be ascribed to such continence. * * * Health +does not absolutely require that there should ever be an emission of +semen, from puberty to death, though the individual live a hundred +years." Dr. Kellogg also says: "This has been amply confirmed by +experiments upon animals, as well as by the experience of some of the +most distinguished men who have ever lived, among whom may be mentioned +Sir Isaac Newton, Kant, Paschal, Fontenaille, and Michael Angelo. These +men never married, and lived continent lives. Some of them lived to be a +very great age, retaining to the last their wonderful abilities. In view +of this fact, there is certainly no danger." + +Another writer has said: "The Greek athletes training for the great +Olympic Games were compelled to observe strict continence, the +experience being that by this course they were able to conserve their +vigor and strength much better. The prize-fighters of today are +compelled by their trainers to observe strict continence during the +period of training. Many of the former champions who went to pieces +suddenly, owe their downfall to a violation of this rule." Another has +said: "Chastity, even continence, is the prime necessity of the +successful athlete." Dr. Kellogg forcefully says: "Breeders of stock who +wish to secure sound progeny will not allow the most robust stallion to +associate with mares as many times during the whole season as some of +these salacious human males perform a similar act within a month." + +Dr. Warbasse has said: "Testicular fluid in the seminal vesicles, under +unexciting conditions, does not require to be discharged at intervals. I +have not been able to find in the studies of the physiologists that its +retention is abnormal or unhygienic. * * * I do not conceive of a man +suffering from the ills of continence who has been cast away on a desert +island, with no immediate prospect of relief, and whose mind and hands +are occupied with raising grain, catching fish for subsistence, and +constructing a boat for escape. All that has been said of men may be +said of women." + +Dr. Talmey has said: "Continence, if long continued, has been claimed to +be the cause of impotence. But there is no valid reason for this belief. +To prove the harmfulness of continence an analogue is brought forward +between the atrophy of a muscle in enforced idleness and the injury to +the sex organs in enforced abstinence. But the proof is somewhat feeble. +The essential organs of generation are not muscles, but glands, and who +has ever heard of a tear gland atrophying for lack of crying. * * * +There is no valid proof of the harmfulness of total abstinence in a +healthy individual. A perfectly healthy man is never injured by +abstinence. At least there is no sufficient proof that he ever was; but +there are unmistakable proofs that total abstinence does not harm the +individual." + +Dr. Stockham has said: "The testes may be considered analogous to the +salivary and lachrymal glands, in which there is no fluid secreted +except at the demand of their respective functions. The thought of food +makes the mouth water for a short time only, while the presence of food +causes abundant yield of saliva. It is customary for physicians to +assume that the spermatic secretion is analogous to bile, which, when +once formed, must be expelled. But substitute the word 'tears' for bile, +and you put before the mind an idea entirely different. Tears, as +falling drops, are not essential to life and health. A man may be in +perfect health and yet not cry once in five or even fifty years. The +lachrymal fluid is ever present, but in such small quantities that it is +unnoticed. Where are tears while they remain unshed? They are ever +ready, waiting to spring forth when there is an adequate cause, but they +do not accumulate and distress the man because they are not shed daily, +weekly, or monthly. The component elements of the tears are prepared in +the system, they are on hand, passing through the circulation, ready to +mix and flow whenever they are needed; but if they mix, accumulate and +flow without adequate cause, there is a disease of the lachrymal glands. +While there are no exact analogies in the body, yet the tears and the +spermatic fluids are much more closely analogous in their normal manner +of secretion and use than are the bile and the semen. Neither flow of +tears nor of semen is essential to life or health. Both are largely +under the control of the imagination, the emotions, and the will; and +the flow of either is liable to be arrested in a moment of sudden mental +action." + +Parkhurst says: "The prostatic fluid, according to Robin, is secreted at +the moment of ejaculation. The remaining element of the spermatic +secretion is produced, under normal circumstances, only as required, +either for impregnation or for the maintenance of the affectional +function. The theory that the sperm is naturally secreted only as it is +required, brings it into harmony with other secretions. The tears, the +saliva, and the perspiration, are always required in small quantities, +and the secretion is continuous; but if required in great quantities, +the secretion becomes great almost instantly. The mother's milk is +chiefly secreted just as it is required for the infant, and when not +required the secretion entirely ceases; yet it recommences the moment +the birth of another child makes it necessary. * * * A man accustomed to +abstinence will not suffer from any accumulation of secretions, while a +man whose absorbing glands have never had occasion to take up the +secretions will be in trouble; just as a dairy cow which has not been +milked will be in trouble, though if running wild she would never have +any necessity for milking. * * * The objection that man needs physical +relief from a continuous secretion is answered by the admitted fact that +men not deficient in sexual vigor live for months, and probably for +years, in strict abstinence, and with no physical inconvenience such as +is often complained of by men who happen to be deprived of their +accustomed indulgence for a week or two at a time." + +Dr. Nystrom, the eminent Swedish writer on the subject, however, utters +the following warning to those who would make hasty generalizations on +the subject: "In speaking of relative abstinence or regulation and +command of the sexual instinct, I warn against absolutism in this +regard, and especially against the generalizing of abstinence as +possible for everybody. Although abstinence during an entire lifetime +does not injure certain individuals, it cannot be endured by others for +some length of time without undesirable consequences. I therefore oppose +the principle of absolute continence as in the main false. It may +possibly be applied to a few deeply religious or philosophical persons, +but not to the majority of normal people, despite good resolutions and +habits. * * * We must consider the different bodily constitutions and +passions--why some people without difficulty, others with the greatest +difficulty, can master their feelings regarding sexual relations. * * * +May those who try to better humanity in sexual respects first give their +attention to the subject when well prepared with a rich experience and +deep study, for otherwise they cannot give advice which can be followed, +and their work should fail as being contrary to human nature." + +TEMPORARY CONTINENCE. Many married couples who are desirous of +preventing too-frequent conception, or conception following too soon +after the birth of the youngest child, practice the method of refraining +from the marital sexual relations during certain periods in which +conception is most likely to occur. This custom is said to be favored by +those acting under the advice of their religious instructors, and who +regard all methods of birth-control other than continence as sinful. +Even the most orthodox objectors to birth-control as a general principle +seem to regard this particular method as free from objection, providing +that the married couple do not seek to entirely escape parenthood in +this manner. + +This plan is based upon the well-known, and well-established +physiological principle that THE TIME IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE MENSTRUAL +PERIOD, AND STILL MORE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PERIOD IS THE MOST +FAVORABLE TO CONCEPTION. Impregnation is most likely to occur just after +the menstrual period; while from about two weeks after the beginning of +the period, to a few days before the beginning of the next period, is +the time of comparative sterility when impregnation and conception are +the least likely to occur. Consequently, the authorities hold that the +period of from ten to fifteen days after the END of the menstruation is +one peculiarly free from the probability of impregnation and conception. + +This plan of temporary continence, continuing during the period in which +conception is most probable, and terminating when that period has +passed each month, until the new period approaches, is followed by many +married couples with the full approval of the conscience and their +religious guides. In many cases the result fulfills the expectations, +though as there is a considerable variation observed among different +women there is no absolute certainty to the plan considered as a +birth-control method--at the best it is but taking advantage of the law +of probabilities, the chances being in favor of the result sought. + + +Semi-Continence. + +Semi-Continence (in the sense in which the term is employed herein) +consists of the abstinence from the exercise of the procreative +functions, while there is a partial manifestation of the sexual +relation. Under various fanciful names, backed by as many curious +theories, this birth-control method is practiced by very many married +couples in this and other countries. + +Among the earlier advocates of this general class of birth-control +methods was Noyes, the founder of the one-time famous Oneida Community, +who taught the doctrine of what he called "Male Continence." The gist of +his teaching was as follows: That the sexual relation (in its entirety) +should be exercised solely for the purpose of reproduction, all else +being contrary to nature. But, he held, notwithstanding this, there was +possible and proper a certain degree of such physical relation which, +while not opposing Nature's laws of reproduction, yet was sufficient to +afford a complete manifestation of the "affectional desire and +function." In other words, as a writer has expressed it, "that one might +manifest a marked degree of sexual gratification and still remain +continent, while feeling none of the irksome restraints of continence." + +Noyes claimed that his community followed this plan with satisfactory +results, the ordinary sexual relations being manifested only when +reproduction was specially desired and deliberately decided upon. Noyes +claimed that in this way there was no secretion of the seminal fluid, +and therefore no waste of the same, and no unnatural practices such +attached to the common custom of "tricking Nature" by methods of +preventing impregnation and conception. Parkhurst (who, as we shall see +presently, followed Noyes) objected to the Noyes plan, claiming that "it +necessarily stimulates into activity the generative functions of the +sexual batteries, and this not only causes a wasteful use of sperm, but +diverts the sexual batteries from their affectional function, +diminishing amative attraction." + +In the year 1896, Dr. Alice B. Stockham, of Chicago, published a book +called "Karezza" which has since attained an enormous sale, the leading +principle of which seems to have been almost similar to that of Noyes, +as above stated. The book was built around the idea previously announced +by the same author in an earlier book, which she stated as follows: "By +some a theory called 'secular absorption' is advanced. This involves +intercourse without culmination." In her book "Karezza" this author +further stated: "Karezza so consummates marriage that through the power +of will, and loving thoughts, the crisis is not reached, but a complete +control by both husband and wife is maintained throughout the entire +relation, a conscious conservation of the creative energy. * * * It is +both a union on the affectional plane, and a preparation for the best +possible conditions for procreation." + +About 1882, Henry M. Parkhurst published a booklet called "Diana," which +since that time has passed through several editions, and has had a large +number of readers. The principle advocated is radically different from +that of Noyes or Dr. Stockham, above mentioned, although some of the +writings of Dr. Stockham seem to favor the Parkhurst idea as much as the +one advanced by herself. Parkhurst, as we may see by reference to a +quotation from him in connection with the Noyes' idea, did not approve +of the "male continence" as taught by the latter, although he seems to +have considered it a step in the right direction. + +The gist of the Parkhurst idea is expressed in the following quotations +from his booklet, "Diana": "In order to secure proper and durable +relations between the sexes, it is necessary to live in harmony with the +law of Alphism, that is ABSTINENCE EXCEPT FOR PROCREATION. But if that +principle is adopted alone, no means being taken to provide for the due +exercise of the sexual faculties, it will likely be abandoned or lead to +a life of asceticism. In order to make Alphism practicable for ordinary +men and women, another law has to be observed, that is, the law of +SEXUAL SATISFACTION FROM SEXUAL CONTACT; understanding by the term +'contact' not merely physical external contact, but using the term in +its more general sense to include sexual companionship, or even +correspondence, bringing the minds into mental contact. The observance +of this law will lead to complete and enduring satisfaction in +abstinence. + +"It is an observed fact that contact incites to activity the affectional +action, * * * extending over the whole frame, and by their activities +satisfies them, without calling into action the special generative +function of the generative organs. And it is also an observed fact that +the repression of this affectional activity naturally creates a desire +for the exercise of the other; so that a true remedy for sexual +intemperance is the full satisfaction of the affectional mode of +activity by frequent and free sexual contact. Sexual satisfaction may be +obtained by personal presence, conversation, a clasp of the hands, +kissing, caressing, embracing, personal contact with or without the +intervention of dress. + +"The exercise of the affectional function tends to satiety and +exhaustion in the same way as all other physical or mental exercise; but +if it is not carried to excess it is a permanent benefit. * * * The +principle of Alphism will tend to diminish prostitution, not only by +diminishing sexual intemperance, even if the principle is not at once +accepted in practice to the full extent, thus diminishing the temptation +of the present generation, and the hereditary temptation of future +generations; but also by correcting the physiological error which has +led astray so many, i. e., that total abstinence is not conducive to +health, or to the highest physical pleasure, but that the ordinary +physical relation is an essential feature in male existence. + +"To avoid misapprehension, these two theories should be clearly defined +and the distinction between them explained. The doctrine of Alphism is +confined to one principle, i. e., THE LAW OF ABSTINENCE EXCEPT FOR +PROCREATION. Those who believe in this doctrine may be divided into +different classes. Some believe in it as a matter of duty, to be +enforced by precept and self-denial; and some believe in it as a matter +of right, requiring no self-denial. In the latter is included the +doctrine of 'Diana,' which may be defined as THE LAW OF SEXUAL +SATISFACTION FROM SEXUAL CONTACT. In other words, Dianism is Alphism as +the result of sexual equilibration." + +The general idea of Parkhurst, and those who have followed his teachings +in some modified or adapted form, may be said to be based upon the +following general proposition: That there is a dual function in the +sexual relations, which may be stated as follows: (1) the function +exercised from purely physiological causes, and which expresses the +desire for the relation resulting in procreation; and (2) the function +exercised from emotional causes, and which expresses what may be called +the "affectional desire," i. e., the desire for the embrace, caress, +fondling, and general companionship with the loved one of the other sex. + +The first one of these phases, i. e., the reproductive function, is +manifested by the lower animals as well as by man, and is elemental and +primitive in character. It is often manifested by man without the +accompaniment of the affectional function, and at times seems to be +almost entirely divorced from the idea of high human affection. The +second one of these phases, i. e., the affectional function, usually +accompanied the procreative function in the human sexual relation, at +least in the highest forms of that relation. But also, it may be and +often is manifested independently of the procreative function by men and +women of refinement. In fact, it would seem to be the form of physical +attraction accompanying the very highest phase of love, particularly in +women. + +It is this affectional function which is manifested by betrothed lovers +in their beautiful period of mutual understanding, sympathy, and +affection. It is that characteristic of the courting days which is so +precious to the woman, but which is too often sadly missed by the wife +after the honeymoon. It exists often before the fires of passion are +kindled, and it persists often after the flame of passion has died away. +It is the expression of the purest love of youth, and of the tenderest +affection of age. It is this form of sexual relation, physical though it +may be, that is the outgrowth of evolution in man. May it not be that in +this way man has "improved upon the sexual habits of the animals"; and +that when man violates the natural restrictions held sacred by animal +life, and indulges in excessive sexual relations in and out of season, +that he is really manifesting a degenerative tendency instead of taking +an upward step on the evolutionary scale. + +There have been many excellent authorities who have held that this +affectional function, and its manifestation, is far better calculated to +satisfy the sexual instincts of advanced men and women than is the +ordinary physical sexual relation. They claim that in the higher form of +this affectional relation is to be found the secret of the joy, bliss, +and happiness of the betrothed lovers, which alas! too often disappear +when the other form of the relation is manifested, particularly when +manifested to excess in the manner customary to so many married men. +They claim that in the recognition of this fact of human life and love +is to be found the secret of married happiness between wedded advanced +and cultured individuals. They assert that the experience of the race, +rightly considered and understood, full proves this contention. + +Edward Carpenter has the following to say on this point: "It is a matter +of common experience that the unrestrained outlet of the purely physical +desire leaves the nature drained of its higher love-forces. * * * There +are grounds for believing in the transmutability of the various forms of +the passion, and grounds for thinking that the sacrifice of a lower +phase may sometimes be the only condition on which a higher and more +durable phase can be attained; and that, therefore, restraint (which is +absolutely necessary at times) has its compensation. Anyone who has once +realized how glorious a thing love is in its essence, and how +indestructible, will hardly need to call anything that leads to it a +sacrifice; and he is indeed a master of life who, accepting the grosser +desires as they come to his body, and not refusing them, knows how to +transform them at will into the most rare and fragrant flowers of human +emotion * * * Between lovers, then, a kind of hardy temperance is to be +recommended--for all reasons, but especially because it lifts their +satisfaction and delight in each other out of the regions of +ephemeralities (which too often turn into dull indifference and satiety) +into the region of more lasting things--one step nearer at any rate to +the eternal kingdom. + +"How intoxicating, indeed, how penetrating--like a most precious +wine--is that love which is the sexual transformed by the magic of the +will into the emotional and spiritual! And what a loss, on the merest +ground of prudence and the economy of pleasure, is the unbridled waste +along physical channels! So nothing is so much dreaded between lovers as +just this--the vulgarization of love--and this is the rock upon which +marriage so often splits. There is a kind of illusion about physical +desire similar to that which a child suffers from when, seeing a +beautiful flower, it instantly snatches the same and destroys in a few +moments the form and fragrance which attracted it. He only gets the full +glory who holds back a little, and he only truly possesses who is +willing if need be not to possess. * * * It must be remembered, however, +that in order for a perfect intimacy between two people their physical +endearment must by the nature of the case be free to each other. The +physical endearment may not be the object for which they come together; +but, if it is denied, its denial will bar any real sense of repose and +affiance, and make their mutual association restless, vague, tentative +and unsatisfied. I think, from various considerations, that, generally, +even without the actual physical sex-act, there is an interchange of +vital and ethereal elements--so that it may be said that there is a kind +of generation taking place within each of the persons concerned, through +their mutual influence on each other, as well as that more specialized +generation which consists in the propagation of the race." + +Count Tolstoi said on this subject: "The difference in organization +between man and woman is not only physiological but extends also into +other and moral characteristics, such as go to make manhood in man, and +womanhood (or femininity) in woman. The attraction between the sexes is +based not merely upon the yearning for physical union, but likewise upon +that reciprocal attraction exerted by the contrasting qualities of the +sexes each upon the other, manhood upon womanhood, and womanhood upon +manhood. The one sex endeavors to complement itself with the other, and +therefore the attraction between the sexes demands a union of spirit +precisely identical with the physical union. + +"The tendency toward physical and spiritual union forms two phases of +manifestation of one and the same fountain-head of desire, and they bear +such intimate relations to each other that the gratification of the one +inclination inevitably weakens the other. So far as the yearning for +spiritual union is satisfied, to that extent the yearning for physical +union is diminished or entirely destroyed; and, vice versa, the +gratification of the physical desire weakens or destroys the spiritual. +And, consequently, the attraction between the sexes is not only physical +affinity leading to procreation, but is also the attraction of opposites +for one another, capable of assuming the form of the most spiritual +union in thought only, or of the most animal union, causing the +propagation of children, and all those varied degrees of relationship +between the one and the other. The question of upon which footing the +relation between the sexes is to be established and maintained, is +settled by deciding what method of union is regarded at any given time, +or for all time, as good, proper, and therefore desirable. * * * + +"The nearer the union approaches the extreme physical boundary, the more +it kindles the physical passions and desires, and the less satisfaction +it gets; the nearer it approaches the opposite extreme spiritual +boundary, the less new passions are excited and the greater is the +satisfaction. The nearer it is to the first, the more destructive it is +to animal energy; the nearer it approaches the second, the spiritual, +the more serene, the more enjoyable and forceful is the general +condition. * * * Taking into consideration the varying conditions of +temperament, and above all what the contracting parties regard as good, +proper, and desirable, marriage for some will approach the spiritual +union, and for others the physical; but the nearer the union approaches +the spiritual the more complete will be the satisfaction. The substance +of what has been said is this: that the relation between the sexes have +two functions, i. e., the reproductive, and the affectional; and that +the sexual energy, if only it have no conscious desire to beget +children, must be always directed in the way of affection and love. The +manifestation which this energy assumes depends upon custom or reason; +the gradual bringing of the reason into accord with the principles +herein expounded, and a gradual reorganization of customs consonant with +them, results in saving men from many of their passions, and giving them +satisfaction for their higher sexual instincts and desires." + +Some capable writers on the subject have held that in the practice of +the methods of semi-continence, such as have been referred to in the +foregoing pages of this part of the book, there may lie the danger of +excessive stimulation of the sexual centres, without the safety-valve of +the physical and nervous relief which follows as a natural sequence in +the ordinary sexual relations. The advocates of these methods, however, +reply that such objections while valid in the case of persons who +practice the same only because opportunity prevents the performance of +the usual physical relation, still have no true application to those who +adopt these methods in a conscientious and honest manner, and who +maintain THE PROPER MENTAL ATTITUDE toward the whole question. + +These advocates say that the MENTAL EFFECT upon the secretions of the +body must be taken into account in all considerations of the question. +They say that just as the gastric juice will begin to flow in response +to the mental image or idea of food, and the mother's milk in response +to the cry of the child for food, so do the sexual secretions, direction +of the circulation, and other physiological activities result from the +mental pictures or idea of sexual congress. They hold that if the mind +of the husband be filled with mental images of sexual congress, then +there is set into operation the process of secretion of seminal fluids, +and the consequent engorgement of the blood-vessels concerned therewith, +which are denied the normal physiological relief, and accordingly +produce bad effects upon the nervous system. But they likewise claim +that if the mind of the husband entertains ideas merely of physical +endearment and caress as "an end to itself," then there is no mental +incentive toward the secretion of the seminal fluids, and the constant +engorgement of the blood-vessels, and no nerve force is generated--and +therefore no nerve-shock is experienced by reason of frustrated +manifestation and expression. + +Parkhurst says regarding the point just mentioned: "In the relations +between the sexes, the question of how the association of the husband +and the wife shall stimulate the affectional or generative action or +sexual batteries must depend greatly upon their habits of association. +We have only to accustom ourselves to associating the relation with the +affectional action, by repeated repetition when the affectional action +is all that is felt or thought of, in order to cultivate such habits and +associations as will make the association tend to REPRESS passional +desires, by the direction of the sexual forces into the channel of +affectional attraction and functioning. * * * The form of the sexual +manifestation will be largely influenced, by the mind, and largely by +force with these principles, and the gradual formation of habits +consistent therewith, will make more and more evident their beneficial +operation." + +There is much interest now being taken by thinking people in some phases +of the general subject of semi-continence, and many thoughtful and +conscientious persons find in it at least the promise of a worthy and +honest solution of the problem of Continence as applied to Birth +Control. Such persons claim to find in this general class of Birth +Control methods a happy medium between the rigid practice of absolute +Continence in the marriage relations, on the one hand, and the more +popular methods of Contraception, on the other hand. + + +Contraception. + +We now come to the consideration of the subject of Contraception, pure +and simple, the methods of which contemplate the manifestation of the +usual physical sexual relations between husband and wife, accompanied by +an avoidance of the union of the male and female elements of +reproduction which result in conception. + +It should once more be positively emphasized that BY CONTRACEPTION IS +NOT MEANT ABORTION. ABORTION means "the premature expulsion of the human +embryo or foetus; miscarriage." CONTRACEPTION, on the other hand, means +simply the prevention of the union of the male and female elements of +reproduction, and consequently, the preventing of the process which +evolves the foetus or embryo. CONTRACEPTION IS PREVENTION; ABORTION IS +DESTRUCTION. There is here a difference as wide as the poles. As Dr. +William J. Robinson says, in a paragraph previously quoted in this +book: "In inducing abortion, one destroys something already formed--a +foetus, or an embryo, a fertilized ovum, a potential human being. In +prevention, however, one merely prevents chemically or mechanically the +spermatozoa from coming in contact with the ovum. There is no greater +sin or crime in this than there is in simple abstinence, in refraining +from sexual intercourse." + +Unfortunately for the cause of scientific Birth Control in America, the +laws of the United States (and of most of the separate States) at +present prevent the public dissemination by written or printed words, or +by public teaching of information concerning the contraceptive methods +known to all intelligent physicians and others who have made a +scientific study of the subject. The conveyal of such information, in +the manner stated, is made a criminal offence, subject to heavy fines +and imprisonment. Though there is a strong movement underway on the part +of many intelligent and earnest citizens of this country, having for its +object the repeal of such prohibitive laws, and the passage of careful +legislation designed to give the dissemination of such instruction a +legal and certain status, under the restrictions imposed by common +sense, intellectual honesty, and the best interests of the race--to +place it upon the same footing as in certain advanced European +countries--the fact remains that at the present time no person may give +such information without subjecting himself to indictment and probable +conviction as a law-breaker and enemy of society. UNDER THE +CIRCUMSTANCES, OF COURSE, THERE HAS BEEN, AND WILL BE, NO ATTEMPTS TO +FURNISH SUCH FORBIDDEN INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK. So long as these laws +stand unrepealed on the statute books, they must be observed by all law +abiding citizens. + +Dr. Wm. J. Robinson, an authority on the subject, says: "We believe +that under any conditions, and particularly under our present economic +conditions, human beings should be able to control the number of their +offspring. They should be able to decide how many children they want to +have, and when they want to have them. And to accomplish this result we +demand that the knowledge of controlling the number of offspring, in +other and plainer words, the knowledge of preventing undesirable +conception, should not be considered a criminal offence punishable by +hard labor in Federal prisons, but that it should be considered +knowledge useful and necessary to the welfare of the race and of the +individual; and that its dissemination should be as permissible as is +the dissemination of any hygienic, sanitary or eugenic knowledge." + +THE ONLY POSSIBLE RELIEF FROM THE PRESENT CONDITION IS SEEN BY CAREFUL +THINKERS TO BE IN THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC AS TO THE NEEDS OF THE +CASE, AND THE PRESENTATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF +RATIONAL AND PROPER BIRTH CONTROL, TO THE END THAT PUBLIC OPINION, ONCE +SEEING THE TRUTH IN THE CASE, MAY BE SUFFICIENTLY STRONG AS TO BRING +ABOUT A CHANGE IN THE PRESENT ANTIQUATED AND BIGOTED LAWS. BUT, SO LONG +AS THE LAWS REMAIN ON THE STATUTE BOOKS, THEY MUST BE OBSERVED AND +OBEYED. EDUCATION, NOT ANARCHY, IS THE TRUE REMEDY. + +The following general remarks on the subject of Contraception, by +Havelock Ellis, the well-known English authority of the subject of Sex +in Modern Society, may perhaps prove interesting to students of the +general subject: Ellis says: "Many ways of preventing conception have +been devised since the method which is still the commonest was first +introduced, so far as our certainly imperfect knowledge extends, by a +clever Jew, Onan (Genesis, Chap. XXXVIII) whose name has since been +wrongly attached to another practice with which the Mosaic record in no +way associates him. There are now many contraceptive methods, some +dependent on precautions adopted by the man, others dependent upon the +woman, others again which take the form of an operation permanently +preventing conception, and, therefore, not to be adopted save by couples +who already have as many children as they desire, or else who ought +never to have children at all and thus wisely adopt a method of +sterilization. It is unnecessary here, even if it were otherwise +desirable, to discuss these various methods in detail. It is even +useless to do so, for we must bear in mind that no method can be +absolutely approved or absolutely condemned. Each may be suitable under +certain conditions and for certain couples, and it is not easy to +recommend any method indiscriminately. We need to know the intimate +circumstances of individual cases. For the most part, experience is the +final test. + +"Forel compared the use of contraceptive devices to the use of +eyeglasses, and it is obvious that, without expert advice, the results +in either case may sometimes be mischievous or at all events +ineffective. Personal advice and instruction are always desirable. In +Holland nurses are medically trained in a practical knowledge of +contraceptive methods, and are thus enabled to enlighten the women of +the community. This is an admirable plan. Considering that the use of +contraceptive measures is now almost universal, it is astonishing that +there are yet so many 'civilized' countries in which this method of +enlightenment is not everywhere adopted. Until it is adopted, and a +necessary knowledge of the most fundamental facts of sexual life brought +into every home, the physician must be regarded as the proper adviser. +It is true that until recently he was generally in these matters a blind +leader of the blind. Nowadays it is beginning to be recognized that the +physician has no more serious and responsible duty than that of giving +help in the difficult path of sexual life. Very frequently, indeed, even +yet, he has not risen to a sense of his responsibilities in this matter. +It is well to remember, however, that a physician who is unable or +unwilling to give frank and sound advice in this most important +department of life, is unlikely to be reliable in any other department. +If he is not up to date here, he is probably not up to date anywhere. + +"Whatever may be the method adopted, there are certain conditions which +it must fulfill, even apart from its effectiveness as a contraceptive, +in order to be satisfactory. Most of these conditions may be summed up +in one: the most satisfactory method is that which least interferes with +the normal process in the act of intercourse. Every sexual act is, or +should be, a miniature courtship, however long marriage may have lasted. +No outside mental tension or nervous apprehension must be allowed to +intrude. Any contraceptive proceeding which hastily enters the +atmosphere of love immediately before or immediately after the moment of +union is unsatisfactory and may be injurious. It even risks the total +loss of the contraceptive result, for at such moments the intended +method may be ineffectively carried out, or neglected altogether. No +method can be regarded as desirable which interferes with the sense of +satisfaction and relief which should follow the supreme act of loving +union. No method which produces a nervous jar in one of the parties, +even though it may be satisfactory to the other, should be tolerated. +Such considerations must for some couples rule out certain methods. We +cannot, however, lay down absolute rules, because methods some couples +may find satisfactory prove unsatisfactory in other cases. Experience, +aided by expert advice, is the only final criterion. + +"When a contraceptive method is adopted under satisfactory conditions, +with a due regard to the requirements of the individual couple, there is +little room to fear that any injurious results will be occasioned. It is +quite true that many physicians speak emphatically concerning the +injurious results to husband or to wife of contraceptive devices. +Although there has been exaggeration, and prejudice has often been +imported into this question, and although most of the injurious results +could have been avoided had trained medical help been at hand to advise +better methods, there can be no doubt that much that has been said under +this head is true. Considering how widespread is the use of these +methods, and how ignorantly they have often been carried out, it would +be surprising indeed if it were not true. But even supposing that the +nervously injurious effects which have been traced to contraceptive +practices were a thousandfold greater than they have been reported to +be--instead of, as we are justified in believing, considerably less than +they are reported--shall we therefore condemn contraceptive methods? To +do so would be to ignore all the vastly greater evils which have +followed in the past from unchecked reproduction. It would be a +condemnation which, if we exercised it consistently, would destroy the +whole of civilization and place us back in savagery. For what device of +man, ever since man had any history at all, has not proved sometimes +injurious? + +"Every one of even the most useful and beneficial of human inventions +has either exercised subtle injuries or produced appalling catastrophes. +This is not only true of man's devices, it is true of Nature's in +general. Let us take, for instance, the elevation of man's ancestors +from the quadrupedal to the bipedal position. The experiment of making a +series of four-footed animals walk on their hind-legs was very +evolutionary and risky; it was far more beset by dangers than is the +introduction of contraceptives; we are still suffering all sorts of +serious evils in consequence of Nature's action in placing our remote +ancestors in the erect position. Yet we feel that it was worth while; +even those physicians who most emphasize the evil results of the erect +position do not advise that we should go on all-fours. It is just the +same with a great human device, the introduction of clothes. They have +led to all sorts of new susceptibilities to disease and even tendencies +to direct injury of many kinds. Yet no one advocates the complete disuse +of all clothing on the ground that corsets have sometimes proved +harmful. It would be just as absurd to advocate the complete abandonment +of contraceptives on the ground that some of them have been misused. If +it were not, indeed, that we are familiar with the lengths to which +ignorance and prejudice may go we should question the sanity of anyone +who put forward so foolish a proposition. Every great step which Nature +and man have taken in the path of progress has been beset by dangers +which are gladly risked because of the advantages involved. We must +never loose sight of the immense advantages which Man has gained in +acquiring a conscious and deliberate control of reproduction." + + THE END. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + + +Numerous minor typographical errors have been corrected without note. +Variations in spelling (e.g. fetus/foetus), capitalization, and +hyphenation have not been standardized. Where a misspelling was used five +or more times (e.g. umbillical), no correction has been made. No attempt +has been made to correct factual errors or poorly constructed sentences. + +The following corrections were also made to the text: + +p. 11: femininists to feminists (modern feminists) + +p. 12: phenomena to phenomenon (phenomenon of pregnancy) + +p. 27: laceration to lactation (lactation or nursing) + +p. 27: is to are (there are found severe cramps) + +p. 36: "of" added (period of gestation) + +p. 73: degeration to degeneration (degeneration and actual Race Suicide) + +p. 84: "in" added (in men in general) + +p. 85: "for" added (for inebriety) + +p. 92: strongly to strong (the woman most strong sexually) + +p. 104: "the" added (the best ability and capacity) + +p. 110: "are" added (there are unavoidable fallacies) + +p. 113: grandparents to great-grandparents (eight great-grandparents) + +p. 135: individualation to individuation (greater individuation) + +p. 139: "is" added (This is because) + +p. 143: below to above (shows a birth-rate of above 30) + +p. 154: "of" added (who of all Europeans) + +p. 170: preventitives to preventives (use preventives recommended) + +p. 190: weaking to weakening (consequent weakening) + +p. 192: passi paru to pari passu (goes down pari passu) + +p. 196: furnish to furnishes (furnishes us with evidence) + +p. 198: "of" added (general question of Eugenics) + +p. 200: "not" added (we can not see a cause) + +p. 203: SEMI-CONCEPTION. to SEMI-CONTINENCE. (METHODS OF +SEMI-CONTINENCE.) + +p. 209: "are" removed ("some people are without" to "some people +without") + +p. 217: "be" removed ("must be by the nature" to "must by the nature") + +p. 222: potention to potential (potential human being) + +p. 226: "both" removed ("to both husband or to wife" to "to husband or +to wife") + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Private Sex Advice to Women, by R. B. 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