LAWS OF MULTIPLICATION. 271 



limitation would have a useful influence, although in itself confessedly 

 incomplete. The so-called artificiality of control is here reduced to a 

 minimum, and the suggestion is obviously in harmony with that 

 increased temperance which all must allow to be desirable. 



(b) In the second place, there are methods employed by the males, 

 such as that of withdrawal before the emission of the seminal fluid, a 

 habit common enough both^ in savage and civilized communities. 

 Fertilization is in this way absolutely prevented, but apart from a more 

 general objection to be afterwards emphasized, such a practice is 

 maintained by some to be injurious to the male, and yet more to the 

 female. Moreover, although the risks of over-population and female 

 exhaustion by child-bearing are here minimized, there is still risk of 

 male exhaustion. 



(c) Thirdly, although again under the severe criticism of some of 

 the medical experts, there are means employed by the females for 

 securing by means of pessaries that the spermatozoa do not come into 

 contact with the ovum, or by means of washes that the male elements 

 are rendered ineffectual. In reply to the medical objections to both 

 these methods of artificial check, it is answered (a) that it may in 

 many cases be necessary to choose between two evils, of which the risk 

 involved in the artificial check may be much less than that involved in 

 continued child-bearing; (<$) that it is hardly a fair argument as yet to 

 urge that the proposed checks of neo-Malthusianism are fraught with 

 danger. As to the popularly supposed preventive check of prolonged 

 nursing one baby in the hope of thereby preventing a new conception, 

 it is necessary to emphasize that nursing does not effect this, and that 

 the prolongation of the lacteal function and diet beyond their natural 

 limits is seriously injurious alike to mother and offspring. 



Even recognizing some of these objections, the neo-Malthusians 

 urge the number of distinct advantages, — the reduction of the present 

 rapid rate of increase; the possibility of earlier marriages, and a 

 probable diminution of vice; an increase in the fitness oftheraceby 

 lessening the propagation of unfit types and the exhaustion of the 

 mothers by too frequent child-bearing. Supposing, again, the 

 general adoption of the proposal, the neo-Malthusians insist upon the 

 possibility of a heightened standard of comfort among the poorer 

 members of the community, and the removal of obstacles to marriage 

 which stands in the way of those who ought to marry but ought not to 

 be parents. 



Without urging medical objections above referred to, — for in 

 regard to the discussion of these, professional experts must bear the 

 responsibility, — we must emphasize several counter-arguments. Thus 

 it has been maintained, though with no great degree of certitude, that 



