Page:Wrong and Right Methods of Dealing with Social Evil - Elizabeth Blackwell (1883).djvu/76

66 that these Societies, under the pretence of protecting women and children, wickedly tampered with medical evidence." "Among the lower classes acts of indecency were very common, and children became familiarized with those acts at a very tender age. He regarded the age of thirteen as much too high."

Such are the arguments used in a Christian nation, by the people's representatives in Parliament, to prevent the protection of the law being given to poor, ignorant, exposed girlhood!

Although the instinct of every affectionate parent will instantly detect the cruel cynicism of the foregoing opinions, yet it is necessary here to point out clearly the false physiology, as well as the destructive morality, on which these arguments are based.

First.—The physiological statement that mental capacity corresponds with physical growth is entirely false. The true physiological doctrine is, that precocious physical development hinders moral development.

Consequently, the earlier the physical possibility of becoming a parent in the boy or girl, the more carefully law and education should protect this important