A New Journal

A New Journal

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THE ESTABLISHMENT of another journal during a decade in which more than 1500 different medical periodicals are already being published deserves an explanation. Almost paradoxically, it is actually the large number of journals now available which justifies this new publication. Investigators in narrow fields find it impossible to cull from the tens of thousands of papers published each year those pertinent to their interests. Especially is this true in the field of fertility, involving as it does the fundamental sciences of anatomy, biology, embryology, genetics, and physiology; the clinical arts of obstetrics, gynecology and urology; and the practice of veterinary medicine. The last assumes in the study of human fertility an importance it does not equal in any other field of clinical medicine. Veterinarians have opportunities for investigating fertility and sterility which clinicians will never have; stock of certified pedigree, extensive and accurate breeding records, absolute and unlimited control of experiments in breeding, relative absence of psychosomatic factors and the possibility of early autopsy of infertile individuals. Hence it is from veterinarians that we may expect the greatest practical advances in the treatment of sterility. Yet few of their publications reach the eyes of practicing physicians. The American Society for the Study of Sterility is composed of anatomists, embryologists, endocrinologists, geneticists, gynecologists, obstetricians, pathologists, phYSiologists, urologists, and veterinarians. To assemble for its members in one volume the publications which are particularly relevant the Society herewith embarks upon its own journal. It is expected that FERTILITY & STERILITY will contain contributions of many sorts: accounts of original investigations, reports of clinical experiences, descriptions of new technics, review articles, even case reports. The scope of the journal will be wide, for the subject involves all the fundamental medical sciences. In addition to the worth of the original manuscripts there will be an ancillary value in

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A NEW JOURNAL

[Fertility & Sterility

their bibliographies, for these will consolidate for the reader references which he might otherwise search long to find. Abstracts will serve an obvious purpose. From time to time FERTILITY & STERILITY will publish reports of committees appointed by the American Society for the Study of Sterility to review current practices and policies in the treatment of infertile couples, as for example, Artificial Insemination. The journal will publish notices of meetings bearing upon its subject, correspondence, pertinent general news, and it may, if there is a demand, develop a section devoted to questions and answers. The immediate purpose of FERTILITY & STERILITY is to assist clinicians in the treatment of infertile couples. In itself this is a worthy end. But there is a further objective. We are today reminded often enough that the world is beginning to contain too many human beings. If war and famine and pestilence are conquered then indeed there may be too many. Before that time comes it will be the duty of medical men, and particularly of those physicians interested in fertility, to discover not merely how more, but how finer people, can be bred. We must learn what factors produce idiots, imbeciles, morons, and mongols; what genetic attributes if any produce epileptics, psychotiCS, and criminals; what influences lead to the yet unexplained congenital abnormalities; and we must see to it that unfortunate defectives are not conceived to suffer in and to deplete human society. To improve the quality of man, not to increase the number of human beings, should be the ultimate goal of all investigations of fertility and infertility. This journal is founded to further that design. PENDLETON TOMPKINS

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