SCIENCE AND DEATH 277 



microbes may be kept in check by the microbes of 

 sour milk. He points out that the Bulgarians, 

 who consume large quantities of milk, usually live 

 to an old age. 



However that may be, there can be little doubt 

 that the average length of life of the human race 

 is likely to increase, both because length of life is 

 a variation with survival- value (i.e. it gives offspring 

 of long-surviving parents, who have a better con- 

 stitutional and environmental chance of surviving), 

 and because surgical and medical art and better 

 conditions of living all tend to prolong life. 



It is probable also that life will not only grow 

 longer but happier ; that old age will become the 

 happiest time of life, and that the foolish fear of 

 death will be replaced by a wondering desire for 

 the " undiscovered country." 



Many fear death not because of the mystery of 

 it, not because of the terrors with which a blas- 

 phemous theology has tried to invest it, but simply 

 because of the pain of it. But in most cases death 

 is as painless as sleep, and in many cases death is 

 like a beatitude, full of peace and beauty. Even 

 when the breath is panting and the pulse flagging, 

 the conscious mind may be filled with visions of 

 joy. Many die with a smile on their hps. And 

 what though there be pain and struggle, shall we 

 not face it, so long as conscious will is left in 



