SEXUAL HYGIENE 151 



nothing of the many reasons which might be urged on 

 other grounds. 



1. During the development of the body, all its ener- 

 gies are required in perfecting the various tissues and 

 organs. There is no material to be spared for any 

 foreign purpose. 



2. The reproductive act is the most exhaustive of all 

 vital acts. Its effect upon an undeveloped person is to 

 retard growth, weaken the constitution, and dwarf the 

 intellect. 



3. The effects upon the female are even worse than 

 those upon the male ; for, in addition to the exhaustion 

 of nervous energy, she is compelled to endure the bur- 

 dens and pains of child-bearing when utterly unpre- 

 pared for such a task, to say nothing of her unfitness 

 for the other duties of a mother. With so many girl- 

 mothers in the land, is it any wonder that there are 

 so many thousands of unfortunate individuals who 

 never seem to get beyond childhood in their develop- 

 ment? Many a man at forty years is as childish in 

 mind, and as immature in judgment, as a well-devel- 

 oped lad of eighteen should be. They are like withered 

 fruit plucked before it was ripe ; they can never become 

 like the mellow and luscious fruit allowed to mature 

 properly. They are unalterably molded ; and the sad- 

 dest fact of all is that they will give to their children 

 the same imperfections; and the children will trans- 

 mit them to another generation, and so the evil will 

 go on increasing, unless checked by extinction of the 

 line. 



Mutual Adaptation.— Another question of very 

 great importance is that of the mutual adaptation of 

 individuals. To this question we can devote but a very 

 brief consideration, and that will be more of the nature 



