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Abstract

The widespread debate about the falling birth rate and contraception in Germany and France culminated before 1914. Physicians took a considerable part in this discussion about mental modernization. They were the first to discover and describe the concrete means of reducing births. the liberal reaction to contraception was a 'laisser-faire' attitude which dominated medical responses until 1900, in France even longer. A minority of doctors became politically active Neo-Malthusians or even defenders of birth control as a means of improving race. The majority of physicians, however, remained hostile to contraception. Both groups used this issue to improve their social standing. Arguing morally, doctors took over the role of the priest; arguing scientifically, they shared the growing prestige of science; arguing nationalistically, they presented themselves as important advisors to the fatherland.