THE LAW OF HUMAN INCREASE. 



45 



livery, a woman with this organization suffers less passes through all 

 its stages safer, and recovers from its effects quicker and better than 

 those having any kind of a different organization. 3. In the matter 

 of nursing offspring, which constitutes a very important part of child- 

 bearing, this healthy, well-balanced organization is very necessary. 

 The fact that only about one half of the New England women can 

 properly nurse their offspring is very significant of some cbange of 

 organization that there is a failure in the development of the mam- 

 mary glands and the requisite power of the digestive organs and this 

 incapacity for nursing is constantly increasing. And, in the fourth 

 place, the difference in the physical character of offspring is very 

 significant. This is determined in a great measure by that of the 

 mother. The more healthy and perfect her organization, and the 

 better the balance of all her organs, the sounder and the more per- 

 fect will be the development of her offspring. The health and life of 

 the child demand it. 



This theory of human increase derives strong evidence from an 

 analogous law in the animal and vegetable kingdoms. It is well 

 known that great improvements have been made within the present 

 century in domestic animals, and this, too, by the application of phys- 

 iological laws. To such an extent have the results of observation 

 and experiment been here carried, that this process of change and 

 improvement has been reduced almost to a science. The terms here 

 used " pure blood," " thorough-bred," " pedigree," " breeding in-and- 

 in," and " cross-breeding " may all be explained by two great leading 

 principles. One is a general law of propagation, based upon a perfect 

 standard ; and the other is the law of inheritance, subject to certain 

 conditions. The three first-named terms have originated more from 

 an observance or carrying out the first law breeding from the best 

 stock ; but the two latter terms depend more upon the effects of in- 

 heritance. The results of the experiments in improving domestic 

 stock indicate clearly that there must be some settled rules or laws in 

 the process ; and, if so, is there not some great general law governing 

 and controlling all others? A similar law of propagation exists in 

 vegetable physiology. It is a fact well attested by gardeners that, in 

 order to produce flowers and fruit, the soil must not be too rich nor 

 too poor ; if the plant or tree grows too luxuriously, its branches or 

 roots must be pruned ; while, on the other hand, if unthrifty, it must 

 receive better culture and its roots be enriched before it will become 

 fruitful. It is well understood by gardeners that, in order to raise the 

 best fruit and vegetables, the fairest and best-looking seed must be 

 selected. So in setting out plants and trees the best-looking and well- 

 balanced specimens are always selected. Other facts and illustrations 

 might be cited from this source to prove that some general law 

 governed in the growth and changes of organic life. 



Again, arguments in favor of a general law of increase may be de- 



