SEX IX LIVING FORMS 113 



and especially of modern civilization, compelled to 

 suffer many times more tlian their maternal ancestor. 

 We have sufficient evidence of this in the fact that 

 among barbarian women, who are generally less per- 

 verted physically than civilized women, childbirth is 

 regarded with very little apprehension, since it occa- 

 sions little pain or inconvenience. The same is true 

 of many women among the lower laboring classes. In 

 short, while it is true that more or less suffering must 

 always accompany the parturient act, yet the excessive 

 pain usually attendant upon the process is the result 

 of causes which can in many cases be removed by 

 l^roper management beforehand and at the time of con- 

 finement. 



After being relieved of its contents, the uterus and 

 other organs rapidly return to nearly their original 

 size. 



Changes in the Child at Birth.— In the system of 

 the child a wonderful change occurs at the moment of 

 its expulsion into the outer world. For the first time, 

 its lungs are filled with air. For the first time, they 

 receive the full tide of blood. The whole course of the 

 circulation is changed, and an entirely new process be- 

 gins. It is surprising in how short a space of time 

 changes so marvelous can be wrought. 



Nursing.— The process of development is not fully 

 complete at birth. The young life is not yet prepared 

 to support itself ; hence, still further provision is neces- 

 sary for it. It requires prepared food suited to its con- 

 dition. This is provided by the mammae, or breasts, of 

 the female, which are glands for secreting milk. The 

 fully developed gland is peculiar to the female; but a 

 few instances have been known in which it has been 

 sufficiently developed to become functionally active in 



