252 
Distribution of Fertility 
mission concluded " That there is a diminution of fecundity and fertility in recent 
years which is due to : 
(a) Deliberate prevention of conception and destruction of embryonic life ; 
{b) Pathological causes consequent upon the means used and the practices 
involved therein ; 
"and from the evidence of medical witnesses, police officers and others, we are led 
to the conclusion that : 
(a) The practice of preventing conception by artificial means is common 
among all classes of the community and in all parts of the State ; 
(6) This practice has greatly increased during the last 15 years; and 
(c) The extension of the deliberate and intentional avoidance of procreation 
by means used to prevent conception is a main factor in producing the decline in 
birthrate, which we have ascertained to have taken place in New South Wales 
since the year 1888." 
Fig. 6. Curve of Fertility. Duration of Marriage 15 years and upwards. Experience of 
New South Wales Census 1901. 
lie 
0 1 
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 H 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 
Ntiinber of Children in Family. 
X \ 6 -0225/^ X \ 9-2039 
Equation to Curve ?/ = 109 -9507 1 + 
12-3.500 J 
Mean Family = 6-95103. 
Modal „ =6-68020. 
5/ X \9 -2( 
V "17-1645/ 
