BRUTE-MAN'S HELPLESSNESS 25 



are more dangerous to survival than these, although 

 they directly affect pregnant women only. 



The females of quadrupeds may during preg- 

 nancy carry a numerous litter of young in their 

 bodies, and yet without experiencing an appreciable 

 degree of increase in effort or in inconvenience; 

 they can run away from pursuing enemies, make 

 chase to capture prey or collect sustenance. For 

 the fcetal burden is near the ground, horizontally 

 distributed over the entire length of the abdominal 

 muscles. These in turn are supported from above 

 by the full strength of the vertebral column, to 

 which, on the principle of the arch or truss in archi- 

 tecture, the abdominal muscles are attached by 

 intermediate tissues. Even if a quadruped stum- 

 bles or falls, its under side is so close to the ground 

 that the risk of injury is comparatively small. 



It is very different with the pregnant female of 

 the human race. The erect attitude concentrates 

 the pressure of the fcetus-supporting tissues and 

 enlarged uterus, at the lower forward end of the 

 abdomen, making the bearing of offspring an excep- 

 tionally incapacitating strain upon almost every 

 movement, thus increasing the risks of being over- 

 taken by enemies, starving from inability to capture 

 prey or gather sustenance, and of injury or death 

 in consequence of falls or even stumbles. 



In quadrupeds the anterior, posterior, lateral, 

 peritoneal, and round ligaments firmly support the 

 uterus, and prevent it from pitching too far forward 



