perform an abortion upon themselves imperil their lives. The danger
is scarcely less when abortion is induced unlawfully by incompetent
operators; for lack of skill, the need of secrecy, and the desire of
haste all interfere with necessary aseptic technique. Everyone knows
that sad accidents befall those who submit to such operations; but it
is not generally recognized that these cases are largely responsible
for the ill-repute borne by miscarriage in general. On the other
hand, properly supervised miscarriages are attended by no greater
danger and probably less than delivery at full term.

CRIMINAL ABORTION.--The destruction of a pregnancy, except when its
continuance threatens the life of the patient, is forbidden by law.
The important ethical and religious aspects of the act which the law
thus stigmatizes as criminal we may properly neglect. Although
various religions present a diversity of teaching relative to its
moral nature, all agree in regarding it as sinful. Equally important,
however, is the fact that no matter what opinion anyone may hold as
to the morality of the act he is bound to obey the law. This is
apparently not clearly understood by the laity, for many persons
think that a physician may terminate pregnancy whenever he is so
inclined. If the liability to criminal prosecution which a physician
would assume should he comply with a request for the means of
destroying pregnancy were clearly realized, patients would not
beseech him to incur the risk of heavy find and long imprisonment
merely to gratify their own convenience or to save them from
disgrace.

The Common Law, an inheritance from England, enriched with
authoritative decisions by our own courts, is the groundwork of the
law in all the States, and its principles are binding in the absence