woman.

If a mother goes for three consecutive years without becoming pregnant
the chances are that she will have no more children. Consequently if
other children are desired it is unsafe to rest upon the assumption that
a woman will again be a mother simply because she has been one in the
past. Many conditions could, and may, have occurred since the last
pregnancy (and may be as a result of that pregnancy) to change her
natural fertility into a condition of temporary sterility. An
examination should therefore be made before too long an interval elapses
and the facts learned. It will usually be found in such cases that a
displacement or laceration, or at most, some cause easily remedied is
immediately responsible for the apparent barrenness.

CONDITIONS WHICH AFFECT THE FERTILITY OF WOMEN

CLIMATE.--It is a well-known fact that more children are born in
southern regions than in northern countries. It may be asserted,
therefore, that climate affects the fertility of the race.

STATION IN LIFE.--Children are more numerous among the poor than among
those who are wealthy and enjoy the luxury of riches. This condition
cannot, however, be construed as a true expression of fertile
efficiency. It is more a comparison of ethics, and when we express it
thus we are giving it its most charitable name.

SEASON OF THE YEAR.--The spring of the year, being more favorable to
fecundity, exerts an influence over the increase of population. Nursing
mothers are as a rule sterile until after weaning time. This is not
always so however, and the possibility of pregnancy taking place while
nursing a baby, and before menstruation is reestablished must be
reckoned with as it occurs quite frequently.

AGE.--Age may be said to affect the fertility of women inasmuch as
sterility is the natural and proper condition before menstruation is
established and after menstruation ceases.

THE TENDENCY TO MISCARRY.--Because a woman has never given birth to a
living child is no proof that she is sterile. Many women have the
ability to conceive but for some reason they have acquired the
misfortune, or the "knack," of miscarrying. This is a condition of the
gravest significance and will be considered at length in its proper
place.

The influence of a temporary separation has had excellent results in a
great many historical cases. Where the married couple seem to be lacking
in some one or other of the emotional or temperamental qualifications,
it is a