556 POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



the significant lesson taught is seen in the possibilities which even a 

 lower birth rate may yield. The continued triumph of knowledge 

 and humaneness draws comfort from the recent history of other Euro- 

 pean nations. A comparison of birth rates, death rates and excess of 

 births between the period 1861-80 and 1885-96 shows that in nearly 

 every important European country birth rates have declined. Yet 

 no alarming tendency to depopulation has manifested itself, because 

 the decreasing death rates permit a greater net increase of lives. Con- 

 sequently the rate of increase was augmented during this period in 

 Hungary, Prussia, Austria, Italy, Holland and Belgium, but declined 

 slightly in England, France and Scandinavia. Some of these nations 

 have a mortality which is even now considered excessive and which, 

 if proper measures are inaugurated, can be considerably reduced. Hun- 

 gary with a birth rate in recent years of 40.4 had a smaller percentage 

 of increase than Sweden whose rate was only 27.1, while the Russian 

 mortality was higher than England's birth rate and but little below 

 that of Germany. 



Several observations may be made in respect to the foregoing facts : 



First and foremost: The physiological advantage of contributing 

 to a growing population by means of lowering the death rate rather 

 than by increasing the rate of birth. Mental anguish, physical and 

 economic cost, would thus be reduced to a minimum. It is the method 

 of enlightened civilization. The burden of our mothers is not lightly 

 borne, let them enjoy the fruits of their suffering. 



Second : The marvelous reduction in the former rate of infant 

 mortality indicates what social reform may accomplish, and what a 

 saving of lives may follow. 



Third: The differences between rural and urban death rates sug- 

 gest the character of the environment needed for the increased health- 

 fulness of cities. 



Fourth: The contrasting conditions disclosed in single American 

 cities and the gratifying results of sanitary measures, milk inspection, 

 and advancing intelligence pave the way for a growing hopefulness. 



Realizing the importance of the principles which our vital statistics 

 establish, society can insist more strenuously upon preventive reforms. 

 It can reduce the waste of infant lives, and conserve our potential 

 population. Let us ascertain whether our population is sufficiently 

 fecund by giving every new-born babe a fair opportunity for life. 

 Whether ' race suicide ' will then have a national aspect, society will 

 be better able to judge. Certain classes are indeed chargeable with a 

 low birth rate, but for the masses the more important problem is a 

 diminishing infant mortality. When the best of society's efforts in 

 this direction have been realized, then a solid basis for subsequent 

 reasoning concerning the probable future of our race will have been 

 established. 



