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Volume 1 40 |
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A–Z |  |
HOSTAGES OF FORTUNE WHOSE LOT IS NOT TOO HAPPY IN AN INDIAN TOLDO OF PARAGUAY
| Large families are not usual among the Paraguayan Indians, whose precarious and nomadic life would be greatly embarrassed by such a responsibility. There is, indeed, among the Lenguas an organized system of birth control, and infanticide is still large practiced. Twins are deemed unlucky, and generally both are put to death. The first child is also often killed at birth, the excuse alleged being that it is never physically strong, owing probably to girls becoming mothers too young. Yet the mothers themselves are by no means devoid of natural maternal affection |