been literally visited. Deformed, idiotic, undeveloped in- fants are often the product of such pregnancies, while those hideous objects known as "monstrosities" owe their abnormal development to this above all other causes!
If, then, excessive coition during pregnancy is followed by such disastrous consequences, the effect of even moder- ate indulgence can be only less in degree. It must cer- tainly exert some influence, and to that extent is injurious. The best that can be said of it is that it is a questionable means of preserving a husband's virtue.
During lactation, also, the physiological aim of sexual intercourse is in abeyance, as indicated by the suspension of the menstrual function. It is certain that the whole resources of the female economy, while nursing her infant, are absorbed and occupied. She is living for two, and needs to be free from physical and mental burdens. Nev- ertheless, as instances of pregnancy occurring during lac- tation are not wanting, the fact shows that the end of sexual intercourse is possible, and therefore the act is not, in itself, against nature. It were best, however, to confine the indulgence within the most severe limits of prudence. We are positive that six weeks after the birth of a child is the very earliest that marital approaches should be attempted under any circumstances.
All that we have thus far stated in this chapter has had reference to early married life. The parties were pre- sumed to be young, or, at least, not to have passed the period of middle life. As age advances new laws gain the ascendency in the married life. In well-regulated lives the sexual passions become less and less imperious, dimin- ishing gradually, until at an average age of forty-five in the woman, and fifty-five in the man, they are but rarely awakened, and seldom solicited. It is as though nature
