1 66 PRENATAL CULTURE. 



begun, that his obligations for training are at 

 an end, especially, if he becomes indifferent, 

 the mother may become discouraged, or careless 

 and the prenatal training be neglected, just at 

 the time when it would be most potential for 

 good. 



The time required for prenatal training previ- 

 ous to tne initial of life, depends largely upon the 

 Preparation. parents and their adaptability. Many are so 

 afflicted physically, or mentally, that for the sake 

 of posterity they should abstain from becoming 

 parents at all; others less unfortunate, but who 

 have some constitutional weakness, mental or 

 moral defect, require years of systematic train- 

 ing if their children are to be even fairly well- 

 born. Where parents possess a fair degree of 

 physical strength, mental and moral vigor, and 

 the adaptability is reasonably good, most excel- 

 lent results may be obtained by a year or even 

 less, of careful preparation. If there is any 

 physical, or mental weakness, any abnormal 

 propensity to be overcome, then more time is 

 desirable. Again, some natures respond much 

 more readily to training than do others, so it is 

 impossible to lay down any definite rule except, 

 that, the more thorough the preparation the bet- 

 ter. 



In succeeding chapters, I shall give some 

 specific directions under the head of "Maternal 

 Impressions" for prenatal culture that are appli- 

 cable mainly to the period of gestation. In this 

 and the following chapter, I desire to offer some 

 suggestions calculated to aid parents in preparing 

 themselves, physically, mentally and morally for 



