During the siege of Paris food was scarce in that
city. People of all classes had to live quite frugally. They could not
overeat as in the untroubled time of peace and prosperity, and the
result was that both the mothers and the babies were healthier. The
infant mortality was only a little over one-fifth of what it was
previously. If the French people had heeded the lesson the statesmen and
philosophers of that nation would not today have to worry about its
almost stationary population.
It would be much better if fewer children were born and those few were
healthier. What good does the birth of the army of 425,000 children
which perishes annually accomplish? It leaves the nation poorer in every
way. A mother tired and worn with wakeful vigils, and at last left with
an aching heart through the loss of her child, is not worth as much as
she who has a crooning infant to love, and through her mother-love
radiates kindness and good cheer to others. The conditions that weed out
so many of our infants tend to weaken the survivors.
It costs too much to bring children into the world to waste them so
lavishly. This may sound peculiar, but it is enlightened selfishness,
which is the highest good, for it brings blessings upon all.
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