be wasted in raising it up to that standard, from which it has
fallen by a chill.

Ladies, these are subjects on which I must beg to speak a little
more at length, premising them by one statement, which may seem
jest, but is solemn earnest--that, if the medical men of this or
any other city were what the world now calls "alive to their own
interests"--that is, to the mere making of money; instead of
being, what medical men are, the most generous, disinterested, and
high-minded class in these realms, then they would oppose by all
means in their power the delivery of lectures on natural
philosophy to women. For if women act upon what they learn in
those lectures--and having women's hearts, they will act upon it--
there ought to follow a decrease of sickness and an increase of
health, especially among children; a thrift of life, and a thrift
of expense besides, which would very seriously affect the income
of medical men.

For let me ask you, ladies, with all courtesy, but with all
earnestness--Are you aware of certain facts, of which every one of
those excellent medical men is too well aware? Are you aware that
more human beings are killed in England every year by unnecessary
and preventable diseases than were killed at Waterloo or at
Sadowa? Are you aware that the great majority of those victims
are children? Are you aware that the diseases which carry them
off are for the most part such as ought to be specially under the
control of the women who love them, pet them, educate them, and
would in many cases, if need be, lay down their lives for them?
Are you aware, again, of the vast amount of disease which, so both
wise mothers and wise doctors assure me, is engendered in the