Улісс

           MustweaccepttheviewofEmpedoclesofTrinacriathattherightovary(thepostmenstrualperiod,assertothers)isresponsibleforthebirthofmalesorarethetoolongneglectedspermatozoaornemaspermsthedifferentiatingfactorsorisit,asmostembryologistsinclinetoopine,suchasCulpepper,Spallanzani,Blumenbach,Lusk,Hertwig,LeopoldandValenti,amixtureofboth?Thiswouldbetantamounttoacooperation(oneofnature’sfavouritedevices)betweenthenisusformativusofthenemaspermontheonehandandontheotherahappilychosenposition,succubitusfelix,ofthepassiveelement.Theotherproblemraisedbythesameinquirerisscarcelylessvital:infantmortality.Itisinterestingbecause,ashepertinentlyremarks,weareallborninthesamewaybutwealldieindifferentways.MrM.Mulligan(Hyg.etEug.Doc.)blamesthesanitaryconditionsinwhichourgreylungedcitizenscontractadenoids,pulmonarycomplaintsetc.byinhalingthebacteriawhichlurkindust.Thesefactors,healleged,andtherevoltingspectaclesofferedbyourstreets,hideouspublicityposters,religiousministersofalldenominations,mutilatedsoldiersandsailors,exposedscorbuticcardrivers,thesuspendedcarcasesofdeadanimals,paranoicbachelorsandunfructifiedduennas—these,hesaid,wereaccountableforanyandeveryfallingoffinthecalibreoftherace.