140 NO STRUGGLE NO SELECTION 



In the half-century the decline in the mortality of 

 children under five years of age has amounted to 

 19*2 per cent., while the decline in the general 

 mortality of the country has amounted to 28'7 per 

 cent. It thus appears that the decline in the 

 mortality of infants and children under five years of 

 age has been far from keeping pace with the decline 

 which has taken place in the general mortality of the 

 kingdom. Almost all European countries show in a 

 similar manner that their constantly diminishing 

 death-rates are in no degree attributable to the re- 

 duction of their infant mortalities. 



Of all the countries given in the first table, Hungary 

 approximates most nearly to mediaeval conditions, as 

 shown by its heavy bill of general mortality, and, in 

 a greater degree, by its infant mortality, while in the 

 lowness of both its general and infant mortalities 

 Norway carries off the palm from the rest of Europe. 

 In either country I am able to refer only to the death- 

 rates of children under one year. 



Looking to the rapid progress of the forces of 

 civilisation in Europe, and to their action in promoting 

 the betterment and material well-being of all peoples, 

 I do not doubt that, before the present century has 

 run its course, both the general mortality and the 

 infant mortality of Hungary will have been lowered 

 to those existing in Norway at the present day. To 

 achieve this result, the present life-term of the 

 Hungarian people must be raised by 80 per cent, 

 and their present rate of infant mortality must be 



