234 ^^^ POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



to sho-w an effect upon the bodily condition even of those whom it has 

 affected. 



If, as appears to be the case, a markedly increased mortality at- 

 tends upon the rapid civilization of a race, to what are we to ascribe 

 it ? Obviously, not to the same influences which, in a cultivated na- 

 tion, we have found to be sources of physical weakness. For in the 

 latter case the factors are such as have acted through several genera- 

 tions ; while in the former they are expended most strongly on the 

 generation upon which the sudden change of regime has fallen, and 

 which has not yet had time to develop (for instance) a neuropathic 

 tendency. In considering some of the additional and peculiar ele- 

 ments operating in these peoples, we may say, first, that the diminished 

 number and vigor of the population are in some degree a temporary 

 result of the sudden abolition of polygamy. It is true that observation 

 shows clearly that monogamous parents propagate a more vigorous 

 and on the whole a more numerous race than polygamous ones. In 

 the latter case more children are born, but much fewer grow up, and 

 those who do attain years of manhood are less virile than in nations 

 where the unions are single.* An Oriental gentleman remarked to a 

 European traveler that by his various wives he had had sixty chil- 

 dren born to him, but that only seven had lived to grow up. This 

 may perhaps be taken as a fair indication of the results of such unions. 

 But, while polygamy is as debasing to the physical as to the moral na- 

 ture, it is entirely possible that the primary effect of a sudden aboli- 

 tion of multiple marriages may be a reduction in the birth-rate, while 

 the children that are born do not as yet participate in the physical 

 benefits which, after two or three genei'ations, will follow the im- 

 proved marital relation. 



Again, we have to consider the so-called " vices of civilization " — 

 a term which, in itself, involves a contradiction. Properly speak- 

 ing, the alcohol and opium habits, and other diseases (not to be here 

 mentioned), form no part of civilization. There should be no con- 

 nection between it and any vice. The word, in its true and original 

 meaning, signifies a fault, an abnormality. Surely, the blemish which 

 occurs on any growth is not to be fairly reckoned as a part of that 

 growth. Civilization is not responsible for its so-called vices. Yet 

 the fact is indisputable that these evil habits and passions are, as it 

 were, beasts of prey, skulking along the march of progress, seizing 

 upon those who fail or falter by the way, and indeed finding their 

 victims among all but the best-disciplined and the most steadfast of 

 the host. They do not belong to civilization, but they invariably 

 attend upon it ; and the people along the line of progress are, until 

 they become firmly incorporated in the moving column, especially sub- 

 ject to becoming the prey of those hyenas. 



The most frequent agent which establishes connection between 

 * Vide " Journal of the Statistical Society," vol. xxviii, p. 271. 



