A. Bluhm.Medicine and Eugenics.395
Nevertheless, as is proved by the foregoing observations, the race is
benefited when the development of rickets and the inadaptability for bearing
associated with it, is prevented.
It is also not out of the question that, in the course of generations, a
regeneration of the “ germ plasma ” may come about if continued success
is maintained in preventing the development of rickets. The comprehensive
study of rickets, the real nature of which we do not yet know, in spite of a
plentiful supply of literature on the subject, is an important task for
Eugenists. In our efforts to avoid the ill-effects of Obstetrics, we must lay the chief
emphasis on the instruction of the obstetrician.
The chief of the German obstetricians, Hegar, says with truth that no
single branch of the medical profession has so far troubled itself so little
about prophylaxy as has Obstretrics.
The present day obstetrician considers only the effect of the moment. He
announces it with pride when he has delivered, by a Caesarian section, a
crippled imbecile of a living child. He discusses in word and writing
whether a mother, in case the birth of a living child can only be brought
about by means of an operation threatening her own life, is justified in
refusing that operation, and altogether forgets that in such a case the
child generally means a loss to the nation instead of a gain.
We must seek to awaken the “race conscience” of the obstetrician.
He must no longer blindly seek to produce for the mother a living child,
but must ask himself, in individual cases, whether he can take the respon
sibility as regards the race.
Only when a different, a Eugenic, spirit influences Obstetrics, will it
become a blessing and not a curse to the race.
If the obstetrician is permeated by the spirit of Eugenics, then he, more
than any other person, can contribute to the diffusion of this spirit among
broader strata of the peoples, and bring it to pass that the saying of
Friedrich Nietzsche about marriage may become the universal blessing of his
nation— “ Marriage, so name I the will of two, to call into existence one, who is
more than they who called him into existence ! ”
