And, in the first place, it might be asserted with some truth, that such is indeed the case. For, on the one hand, it was from physicians, as is proved by early medical literature, that the mistaken notions, both of the law and of the people, regarding intra-uterine vitality, were derived; and on the other, the apathy and silence still existing on this subject among medical men, though thousands and hundreds of thousands of human lives are thus directly at stake, and are annually sacrificed, can only be explained on one of two suppositions,—either that we do not yet really believe in the existence of fœtal life, though professing to do so, or that we are too timid or slothful to affirm and defend it. By the one alternative a gross lie seems proved; by the other a degrading and strange inconsistency.
But, I believe, this apparent negligence proceeds only from ignorance of the real duty of the profession. It is my aim, while setting forth a deliberate and carefully prepared opinion upon this point, to inspire, if possible, in my fellow-practitioners throughout the land, somewhat of the holy enthusiasm sure in a good cause to succeed despite every obstacle, and an earnest, uncompromising hostility to this result of combined error and injustice, the permitted increase of criminal abortion.
Enough has already been said to show that there is need of increased vigilance on the part of medical men, lest they themselves become innocent and unintentional abettors of the crime.[256] If, on the other hand, the community were made to understand and to feel that marriage, where the parties shrink from its highest responsibilities, is nothing less than legalized prostitution, many would shrink from their present public confession of cowardly, selfish and sinful lust. If they were taught by the speech and daily practice of their medical attendants, that a value attaches to the unborn child, hardly increased by the accident of its birth, they also would be persuaded or compelled to a similar belief in its sanctity, and to a commensurate respect.
But it is asked, is our silence wrong? Is there not danger otherwise of increasing the crime? These are the questions not of wisdom, or prudence, or philanthropy, but of an arrant pusillanimity. Vice and crime, if kept concealed, but grow apace. They should be stripped of such protection, and their apologists, thereby their accomplices, condemned. Answers, however, are ready at hand to the questions proposed.
“It is one of the great desiderata of registration, that more particularity should be observed in collecting facts relating to the subject of the still-born.”[257]
“Has it been sought,” society demands of the profession, “to account for the peculiarities relating to the still-born, and to combat the causes which in certain circumstances swell their number in so deplorable a manner?”[258]
“An honest and fearless expression of these causes and circumstances, on the part of medical men, would bring to light an amount of knowledge that might be useful in checking this horrible and increasing waste of life.”[259]
“Such an exercise of his knowledge, experience, and true moral courage, is not only the province, but the conscientious duty of the physician.”[260]
“It should be constantly borne in mind, that there is here a high and stern morality, that should stimulate the medical profession in the exercise of their utmost effort and ingenuity, with the view to master and disclose the secrets of these villainous practices; the more villainous, because they are very generally conceived in fraud, practiced in deception, upon innocent and unsuspecting victims, and result the most commonly in the destruction of two lives at once.”[261]