DOCTORS PUZZLED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1945, Page 5

DOCTORS PUZZLED

Rise In Birthrate Throughout

World

WARTIME PHENOMENON

LONDON, July 9. ,

"The rise in the birthrate throughout the world is called "one of the most astonishing accompaniments of the war" by the medical journal, The Lancet. "This fact is paralleled in the field of human endeavour only by the unexpectedly high level of mental stability shown by the mass of the people," The Lancet says. "There can be little doubt that these two things are linked together in some way, but how, and in what form, we have yet to discover." The journal thinks the shortage of contraceptives might account for a very small proportion of the additional births, but has certainly not been a major factor. Moreover, the biological revolution of the past 60 years, during which sex has been separated from child bearing can hardly have been wiped out since the outbreak of this war. . .. . . "The overwhelming magnitude of the problems of war and security against want may have increased the individual's sense of isolation in the community," The Lancet continues. "Marriage has been a shockabsorber, and children once again a main source of interest and pleasure. , ~. ' , "In a sense the people, frightened and unable to understand the world around them, have withdrawn into the home."