REPRODUCTION 395 



uterus to make way for the descent of the child. At a 

 variable time the membranes are broken and the fluid is 

 released. Gradually, with labor and suffering, the child is 

 urged through the ring of the pelvis and the external 

 opening of the genitalia. Its delivery is shortly followed 

 by the expulsion of the placenta. The ordeal of child-birth 

 is a severe one, but it should be viewed as a normal and not 

 a monstrous event. Happily, its pains and dangers have 

 been greatly lessened by modern medical skill. 



It is easily possible to exaggerate the changes which come 

 to the baby at birth. One should not think of it as sud- 

 denly and mysteriously "coming to life" at this moment. 

 It must indeed begin to breathe for the first time, and the 

 alimentary tract is now to be brought into use, but in many 

 respects the bodily activities continue much as they have 

 been. The heart has been beating from a very early em- 

 bryonic period. Impulses from the central nervous system 

 have frequently flashed to the skeletal muscles and called 

 them into aimless play. The unborn child has been 

 shielded against heat-loss through being enveloped by 

 maternal tissues having its own temperature; in large 

 measure this protection has to be continued in early in- 

 fancy. More than one writer has suggested that the sleep 

 of the newborn corresponds closely with the condition 

 before birth. 



Heredity and Conduct. The momentous and fascin- 

 ating subject of inheritance has been investigated of late 

 with a thoroughness never before possible. The liter- 

 ature is large and much of it is difficult reading. The 

 salient facts have been gathered in two or three books 1 

 to which reference may be made. Only one question can 

 receive any attention here. This is that most serious and 

 haunting one which every young man is bound to ask. 

 How far does my conduct bear upon the welfare of the 

 children I may have? Will they be stronger and better 

 because of discipline I have imposed upon myself? Will 

 my indulgences set limits to their self-control? If a man 



1 See references, p. 414. 



