WHEN THE MOTHERS FAIL 35 



fertility and lactation the human race is only paying 

 the natural price for its freedom to 



" Move upward, working out the beast, 

 And let the ape and tiger die." 



Where there are so many complex and conflicting 

 factors, few of which have been adequately explored, 

 it is well to guard against hasty judgments based 

 upon partial knowledge. It is with the utmost 

 reservation, therefore, that I suggest the identity, 

 or close relation, of the decline of lacteal ability 

 with the decline of fertility. It is to be fervently 

 hoped that, as advised by the British Interdepart- 

 mental Committee on Physical Deterioration,^' much 

 closer attention will be paid to this question in the 

 future than has heretofore been given to it; for it 

 unquestionably is of fundamental importance in the 

 study of many of our most urgent and vital prob- 

 lems. 



IV 



Whatever reasons for the decline of breast-feeding 

 may be disclosed by subsequent investigation, and 

 whether it proves to be a sign of degeneracy or of 

 progress, of its importance there can be but one 

 opinion. It necessitates the development of a sys- 

 tem of artificial feeding for infants, really of artifi- 

 cial motherhood. Something of a sensation would 

 be caused if it were announced by some reputable 



