INITIAL IMPRESSIONS. 2 1 1 



removed from this period; doubtless this is due 

 to the greater vigor of the mother at this time. 

 ^ With the foregoing facts in mind we are pre- 

 pared to consider the conditions most favorable Birth, 

 for the creation of a new life. First, and per- 

 haps least in importance, is the question of the 

 time or season most desirable. All nature indi- 

 cates that the spring time, all things considered, 

 is the best time for a child to be born. Particu- 

 larly is this true in a climate where there is a 

 great variation of temperature between summer 

 and winter. If a child is born in the spring it 

 has the advantage of the pure invigorating air 

 when its life is most susceptible. It can be taken Advantagcs O f 

 out of doors without danger of injury, and in the Springtime, 

 many ways have advantages that it could not 

 were it born in the fall ; moreover, t the bugbear of 

 babyhood, teething, if the child is born in the 

 spring does not begin until the hot weather is 

 almost over, and by the second summer the dan- 

 ger in teething is past. 



It is highly important that the physical vigor 

 of both parents be at high tide at the time of the 

 initial of the new life. : Conception should 

 take place when either parent is tired, exhausted 

 or in any way indisposed. Even if it is neces- 

 sary to take a little vacation it will pay a thousand 

 times. Dr. Cowan's suggestion of a month's 

 preparation is commendable. The father can well 

 afford to relax the strain of business and the 

 mother her duties and give a few weeks' time to 

 the upbuilding of their vitality in order that their 

 offspring may have the advantage of a high de- 

 gree of physical vigor. Even a short vacation, 



