Modification of Punishment for Abortion
The constant increase of criminal abortion and consequent childbed fever have attracted attention in Germany and in other countries. Increase of abortion has been observed in Germany since 1890. Whereas, between 1880 and 1890, there were only nine or ten miscarriages to 100 pregnancies, at present there are from fifteen to twenty—in some regions almost forty. According to Freudenberg, during 1909-1921, from 10 to 40 per cent of the pregnancies in Berlin were terminated by abortion, while similar statistics are reported from other cities. Professor Bumm reported that, according to statistics collected by the University Woman's Clinic, between 1860 and 1880, 10.6 per cent of the pregnancies were terminated by abortion; from 1890 to 1900, 19 per cent, and during the first decade of this century, 24 per cent. Of 100 women who, in 1916, within four weeks, presented themselves at the policlinic on account