Transcriber's Notes:
Variations in spelling and hyphenation remain as in the original.Ellipses match the original. A complete list of typographicalcorrections follows the text.
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THE THEORETICAL BABY AT 18 MONTHS.[1]
HOMO-CULTURE;
OR,
THE IMPROVEMENT OF OFFSPRING THROUGH
WISER GENERATION.
BY M. L. HOLBROOK, M. D.,
EDITOR OF "THE JOURNAL OF HYGIENE," AUTHOR OF "HYGIENE
OF THE BRAIN," "HOW TO STRENGTHEN THE MEMORY,"
"ADVANTAGES OF CHASTITY," ETC., ETC.
A New Edition of "Stirpiculture," Enlarged and Revised.
New York:
M. L. HOLBROOK & CO.
London:
L. N. FOWLER & CO.
1899.
[2]
Copyright by
M. L. Holbrook.
1897.
Entered at Stationers' Hall.
[3]
PREFACE.
During all ages since man came to himself, there have been enlightenedones seeking to improve the race. The methods proposed have beenvarious, and in accordance with the knowledge and development of thetime in which they have appeared. Some have believed that education andenvironment were all-sufficient; others that abstinence fromintoxicating drinks would suffice. A very considerable number have heldthe idea that by prenatal culture alone the mother can mould her unbornchild into any desired form. The disciples of Darwin, many of them, haveheld that natural and sexual selection have been the chief factorsemployed by nature to bring about race improvement.
No doubt all these factors have been more or less effectual, but thetime has come for man to take special interest in his own evolution, tostudy and apply, so far as possible, all the factors that will in anyway promote race improvement. In the past this has not been done. We arenot yet able to do it perfectly, our knowledge is too deficient, lack ofinterest is too universal, but we can make a beginning; greaterthoughtfulness may be given to [4]suitable marriages; improved environmentmay be secured; better hygienic conditions taken advantage of; food maybe improved; the knowledge we have gained in improving animals andplants, so far as applicable, may aid us; air, exercise, water,employment, social conditions, wealth and poverty, prenatal conditions,all have an influence on offspring, and man should be able, to someextent, to make them all tell to the advantage of future generations.
Whatever the conditions of existence, man is able by his intellec