The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 2 (of 4) / A Personal Guide to the New Science of Better Living and Better Babies

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24854

Title

The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 2 (of 4) / A Personal Guide to the New Science of Better Living and Better Babies

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

W. Grant Hague's *The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 2* offers a frank, early-20th-century guide to sex hygiene and child rearing. Blending medical authority with eugenic ideals, the text addresses venereal diseases, puberty, artificial feeding, and constipation, urging parents to embrace plain truth for the sake of a "better race" and healthier families.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The Eugenic Marriage, Volume 2*, Dr. W. Grant Hague presents a didactic and urgent guide to the 'new science of better living,' arguing that health must be earned through strict adherence to natural laws. The text begins with sex hygiene, emphasizing that parents must speak plainly to children about venereal diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis. Hague warns that ignorance leads to self-abuse and social ills, noting that infected wives often face sterility or miscarriage. He asserts that parents are inadequately informed and must take the duty of sex education seriously to prevent boys from succumbing to the 'social evil' before puberty. The volume transitions to detailed infant care, starting with the preparation for a baby's arrival, including cord care and the first bath. Hague distinguishes between the harmless overflow of milk caused by overfeeding and the dangerous, sour, curdled milk resulting from poor quality or fermentation. He provides extensive formulas for artificial feeding, discussing milk modification, peptonized milk, and various broths. A significant portion addresses the development of good and bad habits, such as sleep patterns and toilet training. Hague strongly advises against over-reliance on comforters and the habit of feeding a baby every time it cries, arguing that regularity is essential for health. A comprehensive treatment for constipation is offered for infants, women, and children. Hague identifies causes such as negligence, lack of exercise, insufficient water intake, and poor diet. He advocates for a diet rich in bulk, water, and specific laxatives like olive oil, while strongly condemning the abuse of cathartic drugs and aperient waters, which he views as a national curse that damages long-term health. The text also covers the dangers of hot baths and dry foods that extract liquid from the bowel. Throughout, Hague maintains a tone of moral responsibility, insisting that there are no miracles in health; one must deserve it through systematic attention to bodily functions, fresh air, and a disciplined lifestyle to ensure the birth of a 'better race' and the well-being of future generations.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Science
• Marriage