There is yet another way in which this idea might be carried out. (_a_) Everyone wishing to marry should provide, in addition to the various documents which are now requisite to the official sanction of marriage, a medical certificate to the effect that he is free from any disease which should prevent his marriage with the other party named in the certificate. Many, indeed, wish that, in addition to this certificate, another should be provided, to the effect that of the two parties about to enter into marriage, the woman will be presumably competent to suckle her child, to bring it up, and to educate it; the man, that he will presumably be competent to undertake the two duties last named. (_b_) Before the marriage is solemnised, the physicians of both parties should hold a consultation, and decide jointly whether the marriage is permissible. (_c_) Everyone who enters into marriage should be under statutory obligation to insure his life, and this also involves a complete medical examination. (_d_) Many consider that the following method of procedure would suffice. Before the marriage is solemnised, both parties should be medically examined, and the result of the medical examination of each should be communicated to the other. If they then wish to proceed with the marriage, no further obstacles should be interposed. _The Tendency of Evolution._--The importance of marriage-prohibitions on hygienic grounds is continually increasing. Recent legislation in many States of the American Union furnish us with the best examples of this evolutionary tendency. In the social life of the future, marriage-prohibitions on hygienic grounds will play a very important part. The detailed treatment of this question at any particular time and in any particular country will of course depend upon the acquirements of medical science. It is probable that the general principles will be statutorily determined, and that medical examination will ultimately be made compulsory in the case of everyone contemplating marriage. CHAPTER III THE PROTECTION OF ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN