ave thousands and thousands of
healthy, robust, contented women, fit and willing to assume the onerous
duties concomitant with motherhood. All their enthusiasm, however, is
expended in the effort to keep "in the ring," to overcome the effects of
the poison of constipation, to preserve their youth and freshness, to
undo what neglect has accomplished. It is because of the failure of this
simple function that my lady seeks the masseur, the facial artist, the
society doctor, the beauty expert, and the thousand and one agencies,
which an extravagant and profligate age has made necessary to foster the
efficiency of its votaries.

I am optimistic, however, regarding the future. I believe the human race
is improving, despite the disadvantageous surroundings and conditions
which hamper honest effort and stultify truth. A higher efficiency is
the goal, and the intention is to obtain this desideratum by fair and by
just means. There is an awakening, an unrest, a groping for knowledge in
almost every field of human endeavor, and there is none in which the
yearning for fact, for truth, for instruction, is stronger and keener,
than in the world-wide movement in the interest of a better motherhood,
and in a more serious study of child life. It is an encouraging sign, a
hopeful promise, of what the future has in store.

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT DUTIES OF MOTHERS.--The immediate lesson to be
learnt from the facts just recounted is to instruct mothers in their
duty toward their daughters. If each mother would retain the confidence
of her daughter sufficient to instruct her in the duties which are
important, how much needless suffering would be saved. To know as a
matter of fact whether the daughter's bowels are in good condition will
appeal to all who read this as being of very great importance. It is not
only necessary to know if they have a movement every day, it is
necessary to know the character of the daily movement; whether it is
hard and dry and necessitates straining,--the evil consequences of
which, in young girls, is very serious indeed,--or if it is habitually
loose and suggestive of what has been described as incomplete
constipation.

If the mothers of America would consecrate themselves to this simple
task, who could tell in mere words the effect it would have on the race
yet unborn? There are problems of scientific intent, and of fancy names,
that engage the attention of philanthropically inclined ladies, and
which are embla