Page:Contraception; 1st ed. (IA in.ernet.dli.2015.94163).pdf/14

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

INTRODUCTION

dren, but it is only a matter of degree. The other argument is that which, so far as I know, Dr. Marie Stopes has the honour of bringing out into a clear light; I mean the possibility of a normal and beautiful married love. I may be allowed to recall that, writing in 1914, I expressed the hope that the sexual act would not only be deprived of all unworthy suggestions and associations but would come to be looked upon as entirely noble and good. No one has contributed more to the ultimate attainment of this result than has Dr. Marie Stopes, and the courageous advocacy of birth control is an essential part of the service she has done. She has rightly insisted that the sexual act is of benefit physically, mentally and spiritually, and must be so regarded in itself and apart from its other purpose, also a noble one when properly used, of creating new souls.

If I may venture to say so, it seems to me that the question should be looked upon as one of normal, physiological behaviour and, for that reason, practical instruction should be distinct from the cure of disease. The scope of the medical profession needs to be enlarged on the health side, with a different kind of training, not so much with an eye on disease as on

xii.

This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.