The Adoption of Children 211 



these separate periods and shown how a pro- 

 longing of each depends largely upon the proper 

 handling of the previous one.^ Of late, most 

 health work has been devoted to the early years, 

 with the result of a great saving of infant and 

 child life. The expectation of life at birth is 

 now about ten years greater than it was thirty 

 years ago. This must eventually result in a 

 general prolongation of human life, although 

 it has not yet had time to accomplish such a 

 result. 



In various ways, the first and last years of 

 life may be among the most fruitful ; if properly 

 envisaged they are likewise the most interesting. 

 At the beginning, the strong foundations for a 

 sound, vigorous existence may be laid. When 

 this is done, the vigor -will continue in a long 

 and productive manner. Thus the ending may 

 not be clouded, but rather be full of wise ex- 

 perience, kindly outlook and mellowed vision. 



History gives numerous instances where 

 highly productive work was accomplished dur- 



1 Health First : The Fine Art of Living — Century Ck). 



