[429] Thus, in Paris, in 1906, in the rich quarters, the birthrate per 1,000 inhabitants was 19.09; in well-to-do quarters, 22.51; and in poor quarters, 29.70.  Here we see that, while the birthrate falls and rises with social class, even among the poor and least restrained class the birthrate is still but little above the general average for England, where prevention is widespread, and very considerably lower than the average (now rapidly falling) in Germany.  It is evident that even among the poor class there is a process of leveling up to the higher classes in this matter.

[430] I have developed these points more in detail in two articles in the Independent Review, November, 1903, and April, 1904.  See also, Bushee, “The Declining Birthrate and Its Causes,” Popular Science Monthly, Aug., 1903.

[431] Francis Place, Illustrations and Proofs of the Principle of Population, 1822, p. 165.

[432] See, e.g., a weighty chapter in the Sexualleben und Nervenleiden of Loewenfeld, one of the most judicious authorities on sexual pathology.  Twenty-five years ago, as many will remember, the medical student was usually taught that preventive methods of intercourse led to all sorts of serious results.  At that time, however, reckless and undesirable methods of prevention seem to have been more prevalent than now.

[433] Michael Ryan, Philosophy of Marriage, p. 9.  To enable “the conservative power of the Creator” to exert itself on the myriads of germinal human beings secreted during his life-time by even one man, would require a world full of women, while the corresponding problem as regards a woman is altogether too difficult to cope with.  The process by which life has been built up, far from being a process of universal conservation, has been a process of stringent selection and vast destruction; the progress effected by civilization merely lies in making this blind process intelligent.

[434] Thus, in Belgium, in 1908 (Sexual-Probleme, Feb., 1909, p. 136), a physician (Dr. Mascaux) who had been prominent in promoting a knowledge of preventive methods of conception, was condemned to three months imprisonment for “offense against morality!” In such a case, Dr. Helene Stoecker comments (Die Neue Generation, Jan., 1909, p. 7), “morality” is another name for ignorance, timidity, hypocrisy, prudery, coarseness, and lack of conscience.  It must be remembered, however, in explanation of this iniquitous judgment, that for some years past the clerical party has been politically predominant in Belgium.

[435] It has been objected that the condom cannot be used by the very poorest, on account of its cost, but Hans Ferdy, in a detailed paper (Sexual-Probleme, Dec., 1908), shows that the use of the condom can be brought within the means of the very poorest, if care is taken to preserve it under water when not in use.  Nystroem (Sexual Probleme, Nov., 1908, p. 736) has issued a leaflet for the benefit of his patients and others, recommending the condom, and explaining its use.