Part 18

The boy, on the contrary, looked for daily, withholds his advent, often from week to week; and this must be recognised as the normal distinction.

* * * * *

Nature works slowly and discreetly; she is chary of revealing her secrets, and few of those, eager for practical results, could have afforded the life-time of work, which I have been able to give, for the continuous investigation that was necessary.

As regards my personal experience and the results obtained I can but say that they have uniformly realised my highest expectations. In every case where my formula was employed, there has been success, and I can point to thousands of accurate results. The theory, as a whole, has worked out consistently all the time, and in the few cases where a disappointment has occurred it has invariably been proved to the hilt that the formula was not accurately followed.

I recall the case of a lady who had my formula for a boy; she wrote to me in October, 1913:

I came across a doctor who holds opposite theories to ours, i.e., first ten days a girl, last ten days a boy, based on his practice, which is pretty large. I was disappointed to find anyone whose experience worked out contrary to yours. I am by way of having an infant in December, having followed out your theory. So we shall have to wait and see results, but I feel rather disappointed....

Result—a boy born December, 1913.

This is one of many similar epistles, but in each case the issue has been as arranged for. It is curious to note here that, apart from accidents, a child is born on the actual day of the week that it was conceived; and this detail might well be made use of with reference to the future day of its birth.

* * * * *

This book may come as a shock to some biologists, especially those who have been unable to give to these matters the close practical observation necessary for solving such a problem as that with which it deals. It may appear to them outrageous that a mere woman should write so openly, putting the choice of her children’s sex within the reach of every mother, and, without compunction or hesitation, expounding these secret laws of nature for the benefit of humanity.

It is, however, unlikely that any male practitioner would have found the time, even supposing he had the mind and the opportunities to follow up this exclusive study of one subject in all its minor details and side-issues. It is only a woman who could possibly have made the unique series of observations that I have found absolutely necessary in the pursuit of knowledge so long denied to parenthood. Could any but a woman have ferreted out the exact dates and times of conception in scores of pregnancy cases, or follow minutely every detail and symptom, week by week, month by month, up to the time of parturition?

The very simplicity of my formula, which in no way disturbs the course of nature’s laws, has often provoked the comment, “Surely it’s all too simple to be true. Why was it never found out before?” In reply I would remind my readers of Christopher Columbus and his egg! And is there not a saying, “The greatest truths are the simplest?”

My final word is this: Time will prove, more and more abundantly, that the knowledge disclosed to us by nature’s teaching deeply concerns the whole scheme of life, and must have its effect on the welfare of the human race.

There may be—there is—more to learn and to discover. I do not assume complete knowledge of every contingent problem, but what I set out to do has been accomplished in so far that every woman can, with certainty, claim complete mastery in the regulation of the sex of her offspring.

APPENDIX

When widespread attention was called in the Press, some months before the publication of this book, to the nature of my discovery and the theory I have based on it, there were not wanting one or two critics who thought fit mildly to question it, doing so, incidentally, with only very partial knowledge.

By far the best answer to such criticisms is the fact of the practical success of my theory as demonstrated by actual results. Extracts from a few of the great number of letters received, which were naturally of a private and confidential nature, are here set forth and these could be multiplied indefinitely. Nothing could, to my mind, be more distasteful than anything savouring in the slightest degree of advertisement, but I feel bound to use what is the most effective of all methods in bringing home to enquirers proof of the success which has attended the application of my theory. I should add that all the letters received were purely spontaneous expressions of gratitude:

A. In the following cases Boys were desired:

“I had a small son born last September. I was most delighted with his sex ... after two little girls, and I wish to thank you for your assistance and advice.” (1914)

“It all happened exactly as you said, every date was correct, my boy weighed 10 lbs. at birth; thanking you again for all your kind help.” (1913)

“You will be sorry to hear that I had a miscarriage.... But it was a boy according to your theory—thus proving that your advice was correct.” (1915)

“I must tell you that my wife had a boy on the afternoon of the 1st. She desires me to write and thank you for your advice.” (1915)

“Our wee boy arrived two weeks ago—yet another triumph for you. I cannot tell you how thankful I am for all your good advice.” (1916)

“It is splendid having this baby-boy after four girls; it has changed our whole life.... A thousand thanks.” (1920)

“It was kind of you to provide Mrs. C. with a son! There were great rejoicings, after three daughters.” (1912)

“I followed out the instructions and the results are magnificent.” (1914)

“I followed your directions and started a child ... it was a boy, proving your theory correct: eighteen months later, again following your instructions, I had another boy.” (1915)

“I am forty-one, my two girls are twelve and ten. Since the doctor said I could have another child, I have unfortunately had no result; I should not think of another if it was going to be a daughter, but I should love a son.” (1918)