Copyright; translation and all other rights reserved
by the Author
Copyright in U.S.A.

Contents

PAGE.
Preface by Dr. Jessie Murray[vii]
Letter from Professor Starling, F.R.S., &c.[x]
Author's Preface[xi]
Letter from Father St. John and Reply[xiv]
Chapter I.The Heart's Desire[1]
Chapter II.The Broken Joy[7]
Chapter III.Woman's "Contrariness"[14]
Chapter IV.The Fundamental Pulse[26]
Chapter V.Mutual Adjustment[38]
Chapter VI.Sleep[55]
Chapter VII.Modesty and Romance[66]
Chapter VIII.Abstinence[72]
Chapter IX.Children[77]
Chapter X.Society[92]
Chapter XI.The Glorious Unfolding[107]
Additions to Sixth Edition[114]
Appendix[123]
Chartsto face [32] and 33

Preface

BY
Miss Jessie Murray, m.b., b.s.

In this little book Dr. Marie Stopes deals with subjects which are generally regarded as too sacred for an entirely frank treatment. Some earnest and delicate minds may feel apprehensive that such frankness in details is "dangerous," because the effect on prurient minds might be to give them food for their morbid fancies. It is just such a fear which has been largely responsible for the silence and mystery which have for so long been wrapped round the sacred rites of mating.