of irregular sexual indulgence, which
retains its power even over those who are bound to perpetual celibacy"
(p. 147). No one will say, I believe, that the custom of early marriages
in Ireland has any injurious effects on the health of either parents or
children. Nor need it necessarily have such effects on those of our
American young men and women who lead regular lives and are not
enfeebled by unnatural vices or demoralized by dainty food and luxurious
manners.

A wise physician has many proper ways of providing for the health and
strength of both parents and children without advocating practices which
are a snare for innocence. Let him insist with all his patients on the
cultivation of healthful habits for the family and the individual;
wholesome and not over-delicate food; moderation in eating and drinking;
regular and manly exercise, especially in the open air; early hours for
retiring and rising. But, above all--and this is directly to our present
purpose--let him show the greatest regard for the laws of morality, the
main support of individual and social happiness. His views upon such
matters, manifested alike in his conduct and his conversation, but
especially in his management of cases involving the application of moral
principles, will go far to influence the community in which he moves.
His task is to be a blessing to his fellow-men, a source of happiness
and security to individuals and to society.

LECTURE VI.

THE PHYSICIAN'S PROFESSIONAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES.

Gentlemen, so far I have explained the duties which the physician has in
common with all other men, and which arise directly from the natural law
independently of any civil legislation. The natural law requires the
Doctor to respect the life of the unborn child, thus forbidding
craniotomy and abortion. It also obliges him to protect his patients
from the baneful effects of venereal excesses. Over these matters human
law has no control, except that it may and ought to punish such overt
acts as violate the rights of individuals, or seriously endanger the
public welfare.

We shall now consider the physician's natural rights and duties in
regard to matters which civil and criminal legislation justly undertake
to regulate. One of the chief functions of civil authority is to provide
for the observance of contracts. Now, the physician in his professional
services acts under a double contract, a contract with the state and a
contract with his ind