330 



The Journal of Heredity 



obtained from Minnesota farmers. A 

 few Marquis samples were obtained 

 from North Dakota and Montana. In 

 nearly every case some white seeds 

 (unpigmented) were found, and as a 

 rule these bred true to the general char- 

 acters of the variety. One such sort in 



a Marquis sample bred true for hairy 

 chaff and closely approached the Mar- 

 quis in seed shape. Results of this na- 

 ture could be explained as mutations. 

 In the light of the data here given, it 

 seems more logical to consider that they 

 are the result of natural crosses. 



Population Problems in France 



Ever facing difficult problems of in- 

 fant mortality and population, France 

 since the beginning of the war, has had 

 to contend with even more serious 

 phases of the same questions, and this 

 country can profit greatly by a consider- 

 ation of the steps taken by France in 

 regard to employment of pregnant 

 women. 



The question of preserving the race 

 at its source has been a grave one. The 

 number of births at Paris has fallen 

 from 48,917 during the twelve months 

 ending in August, 1914, to only 26,179 

 for the twelve months ending August, 

 1916. In the first year of the war, 

 2,491 women were delivered without 

 public aid; in the second year, 1,250 

 women. In the year ending August, 

 1916, over 95% of all live births were 

 assisted by public benefit. The nurnber 

 of live births in entire France has declined 

 from 1,011,362 in 1876 to 745,539 in 

 1913, largely due to voluntary childless- 

 ness. 



Hence the employment of pregnant 

 women becomes a question which 

 has received much consideration. Dr. 

 Adolphe Pinard, of the University of 

 Paris, has headed those who condemned 

 m toto such employment. Dr. Paul 

 Strauss, president of the Central Office 

 of Maternal and Infantile Assistance, 

 has taken a different view, and together 

 with many others, has contended in 

 favor of emi)loyment, so regulated as 

 to provide adequate protection for 

 women workers during pregnancy and 

 lactation as well as for infants and 

 children. 



This sharp divergence of view caused 

 the appointment of a committee con- 

 sisting of Pinard, Strauss and eight 



other specialists in obstetrics and 

 pediatrics. Their report was made to 

 the Academy of Aledicine in the form 

 of six resolutions, and after much dis- 

 cussion, the work of the Academy and 

 its committee was crystallized as follows : 



1. Pregnant women and nursing 

 mothers employed in factories, and 

 especially in munitions factories, should 

 be subjected only to tasks whose nature 

 and duration require but moderate 

 effort. Every occupation likely to in- 

 volve gradual or sudden injury, undue 

 fatigue or insufficient sleep, should be 

 forbidden; the half-day system is 

 preferable. Prospective and nursing 

 mothers should be relieved from night 

 work and every task which might be 

 harmful to pregnancy or lactation. 



2. Rest from labor should be com- 

 pulsory for four weeks preceding con- 

 finement. , 



3. Medical advice should be provided 

 free on maternal and infant hygiene. 

 Labor should be modified or suspended 

 by advice of a physician. A female 

 supervisor is necessary to secure the 

 best results. 



4. Provisions should be made so that 

 mothers may nurse their infants; pre- 

 miums should be awarded to mothers 

 who nurse their infants while continu- 

 ing in employ. 



5. Indemnities should be provided to 

 compensate for suspension or loss of 

 pay. 



6. Rest and retiring rooms for 

 mothers, infants, and older children 

 slu)ul(l be jirovided. 



A committee consisting of nine mem- 

 bers is now at work and should soon 

 bring in a report no less important than 

 that quoted. 



