motherhood. This
has meant a greatly higher death rate among illegitimate infants, a
higher crime and a higher dependency rate."

The fifth of the dysgenic influences which has been fostered by the
institutional taboo is uncovered by recent studies of the effect of
certain emotions on the human organism. The life of woman has long been
shadowed by the fact that she has been the weaker sex; that even when
strong she has been weighted by her child; and that throughout the
period of private property she has been the poor sex, dependent on some
male for her support. In an age of force, fear has been her strong
emotion. If she felt rage it must be suppressed. Disappointment and
discouragement had also to be borne in silence and with patience. Of
such a situation Davies says:

"The power of the mind over the body is a scientific fact, as is
evidenced by hypnotic suggestion and in the emotional control over the
chemistry of health through the agency of the internal secretions. The
reproductive processes are very susceptible to chemic influences. Thus
the influences of the environment may in some degree carry through to
the offspring."[2]

The studies of Drs Crile and Cannon show that the effects of fear on the
ganglionic cells are tremendous. Some of the cells are exhausted and
completely destroyed by intensity and duration of emotion. Cannon's
experiments on animals during fear, rage, anger, and hunger, show that
the entire nervous system is involved and that internal and external
functions change their normal nature and activity. The thyroid and
adrenal glands are deeply affected. In times of intense emotion, the
thyroid gland throws into the system products which cause a quickened
pulse, rapid respiration, trembling, arrest of digestion, etc. When the
subjects of experiments in the effect of the emotions of fear, rage,
etc., are examined, it is found that the physical development,
especially the sexual development, is retarded. Heredity, age, sex, the
nervous system of the subject, and the intensity and duration of the
shock must all have consideration. Griesinger, Amard and Daguin
emphasize especially the results of pain, anxiety and shock, claiming
that they are difficult or impossible to treat.

To the bride brought up under the old taboos, the sex experiences of
early married life are apt to come as a shock, particularly when the
previous sex experiences of her mate have been gained with women of
another class. In