556 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



earliest germinal embryo to its final, simple, animal 

 existence in aged decrepitude and complete mental 

 imbecility. ' ' * 



' ' There are those who would fain make light of this 

 crime by attempting to convince themselves and others 

 that a child, while in embryo has only a sort of vege- 

 tative life, not yet endowed with thought and the abil- 

 ity to maintain an independent existence. If such a 

 monstrous philosophy as this presents any justification 

 for such an act, then the killing of a newly born infant 

 or of an idiot may be likewise justified. The destruc- 

 tion of the life of an unborn human being, for the 

 reason that it is small, feeble, and innocently helpless, 

 rather aggravates than palliates the crime. Every act 

 of this kind, with its justification, is obviously akin to 

 that savage philosophy which accounts it a matter of 

 no moment, or rather a dutj^, to destroy feeble infants, 

 or old, helpless fathers and mothers." t 



Instruments of Crime.— "The means through 

 which abortions are effected are various. Sometimes 

 it is through potent drugs, extensively advertised in 

 newspapers claiming to be moral!— the advertisements 

 so adroitly worded as to convey under a caution the 

 precise information required of the liability of the drug 

 to produce miscarriages. Sometimes the information 

 is conveyed through secret circulars; but more com- 

 monly the deed is consummated by professed abor- 

 tionists, who advertise themselves as such through 

 innuendo, or through gaining this kind of repute by 

 the frequent commission of the act. Not a few women, 

 deterred by lingering modesty or some sense of shame, 

 attempt and execute it upon themselves, and then vol- 

 unteer to instruct and encourage others to go and do 

 likewise. ' ' t 



* Gardner, t Black. 



