EGOISM IN THE HUMAN RACE 241 



physical forces are tlie purely sociological influences. 

 In tlie lower strata of society in some countries the 

 regiment, with its brilliant uniforms, its fascination 

 of glory, draws the young man from the home life 

 and alienates him from the kind of life that encour- 

 ages the creation of a family. Every move toward 

 building up an army or navy, either by voluntary 

 enlistment or by conscription, is tending to draw 

 away the individuals, especially among the lower 

 classes, from the lines of life which would enable 

 them to leave posterity. Again, in all of our cities 

 social orders, clubs, lodges, etc., are becoming mighty 

 factors in checking the reproductive possibilities of 

 the race. Just as fast as the club or the lodge occu- 

 pies the interests of the individual, just so fast does 

 his interest in family life and his desire for a family 

 disappear ; and thus these social clubs are putting a 

 very decided check upon the reproductive efficiency. 

 The prevalence of alcoholism, together with the influ- 

 ence of the saloon upon the individual, is another 

 check to reproductive efficiency. Whatever position 

 one may assume on this general question of the use 

 of alcohol, there is no doubt that its influence upon 

 mankind decreases the number of vigorous off- 

 spring. The reproductive ability is dependent upon 

 the development of home life, and alcoholism de- 

 stroys home life. Where the saloon takes the men 

 away from their families, where alcohol destroys 

 their interest in the family, the power of rearing 

 offspring is vastly impaired. Again, the universal 

 want which is developed in the lower strata of 

 society has its influence in checking reproduction. 

 While actual starvation seldom occurs, and while 

 every individual, even in the poorer classes, is a 



