and secrecy which surround this event, show how far we are
from rationalizing this function.

Even medical men show the influence of old superstitions when they
refuse to alleviate the pains of childbirth on the grounds that they are
good for the mother. Authorities say that instruction in obstetrics is
sadly neglected. A recent United States report tells us that preventable
diseases of childbirth and pregnancy cause more deaths among women than
any other disease except tuberculosis.[4]

The belief in the possession by woman of an uncanny psychic power which
made her the priestess and witch of other days, has crystallized into
the modern concept of womanly intuition. In our times, women "get
hunches," have "feelings in their bones," etc., about people, or about
things which are going to happen. They are often asked to decide on
business ventures or to pass opinions on persons whom they do not know.
There are shrewd business men who never enter into a serious negotiation
without getting their wives' intuitive opinion of the men with whom they
are dealing. The psychology of behaviour would explain these rapid fire
judgments of women as having basis in observation of unconscious
movements, while another psychological explanation would emphasize
sensitiveness to suggestion as a factor in the process. Yet in spite of
these rational explanations of woman's swift conclusions on matters of
importance, she is still accredited with a mysterious faculty of
intuition.

A curious instance of the peculiar forms in which old taboos linger on
in modern life is the taboos on certain words and on discussion of
certain subjects. The ascetic idea of the uncleanness of the sex
relation is especially noticeable. A study of 150 girls made by the
writer in 1916-17 showed a taboo on thought and discussion among
well-bred girls of the following subjects, which they characterize as
"indelicate," "polluting," and "things completely outside the knowledge
of a lady."

1. Things contrary to custom, often called "wicked" and "immoral."

2. Things "disgusting," such as bodily functions, normal as well as
pathological, and all the implications of uncleanliness.

3. Things uncanny, that "make your flesh creep," and things suspicious.

4. Many forms of animal life which it is a commonplace that girls will
fear or which are considered unclean.

5. Sex differences.

6. Age differences.

7. All matters relating to the double standard of morality.