50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 675 Benevolent Governance in the Middle Ages
In 2022, five conservative justices of the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and Mississippi’s Gestational Age Act was upheld.

Subsequently, many states in the United States quickly reinstated abortion bans. The achievements of abortion supporters over the past 50 years vanished overnight.

However, Sun Zhiwei is certain that this is not the end. One day, this "abortion ban" will be reversed again, just like when they broke the Pope's ban.

What's strange is that while the issue of abortion is hotly debated around the world, no one objects to another approach.

That is, although abortion is difficult, you can give birth to a child and then abandon it, just like the child that Sun Zhiwei saved this time.

Tong Jiajia never forgot about this matter and discussed it with Sun Zhiwei many times afterward.

Sun Zhiwei also shared some information he knew, such as the "baby hatch".

Many years ago in Chaozhou, there was a building called "Sanyuan Pagoda" built on a small island, but it was not famous.

Later, some researchers discovered that next to this three-tiered tower, there was a strange place built by missionaries.

It was a basket with a simple frame on top to protect it from the wind and rain. Its purpose was to encourage people to put unwanted babies in it instead of throwing them into the water.

In modern times, such facilities are called "baby hatches".

The earliest known "baby hatch" was in Rome in the 12th century, nearly a thousand years ago.

It was originally established by Pope Innocent III and was called the "Rotation of the Abandoned Infants".

Its main purpose is to allow mothers who have suffered shame and hardship to abandon their children in this discreet and safe way, and at the same time to prevent infanticide.

The earliest "baby wheel" was a hollow cylinder that was inserted into a wall. After the baby was placed inside, the wheel would be turned and the child would be sent to the other side of the wall.

Then, the people outside can ring a bell so that the people inside will know that a baby has been abandoned in the box, and then someone will be sent to take the child away.

In this way, people inside and outside the wall do not need to have direct contact.

Regardless of how dark the medieval church rule was described in history books, the "baby roulette" was definitely an undeniable ray of light in that darkness.

Soon, the "baby roulette" facility spread from Italy throughout Europe.

Over those centuries, this small roulette wheel saved tens of thousands of babies. It wasn't until the 19th century that it gradually faded from people's view.

Similar institutions existed in ancient China.

Examples include the Futian Academy established in the Northern Song Dynasty, the Ciyou Bureau established in the seventh year of Chunyou reign of Emperor Lizong of the Southern Song Dynasty, and the Yuyingtang established during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

These were places in ancient China where abandoned infants were taken in, and local governments would generally provide these institutions with food, lodging, medical care, and financial subsidies.

Tong Jiajia is currently pregnant and experiencing significant mood swings, making her somewhat sentimental. After listening to what Sun Zhiwei said, she felt a little better.

"Zhiwei, do you think the gradual disappearance of the 'baby abandonment roulette' is because there are fewer and fewer cases of children being abandoned?"

On this matter, Sun Zhiwei did not want to lie: "No, in fact, the phenomenon of abandoning babies is still very common, and the disappearance of the 'baby abandonment roulette' is not due to this reason."

"What could be the reason? Such a great facility shouldn't disappear."

"There are many reasons. At that time, most of the places that were placed in the 'baby roulette' were churches, but churches had limited funds. Many churches had to cancel the 'baby roulette' because they were taking in more and more children and their funds could not be sustained."

"Furthermore, in the 19th century, people viewed the 'baby roulette' as a facility that encouraged abandoning babies." "Therefore, many people wanted to abolish the 'baby roulette' and force birth mothers not to abandon their babies and to raise them."

"The results of it?"

"As a result, the children will still be abandoned. However, without the 'baby abandonment roulette,' they can only leave their children on the street or in the garbage dump."

“In those days, it was common to see infants dying tragically on the streets of Europe.”

"This is just too pitiful." Tong Jiajia's estrogen levels are soaring and her maternal instincts are overflowing, so she is very dissatisfied with this kind of behavior.

"Yes, so European countries started to legislate and build containment facilities after that, but the effect was not obvious."

At this point, both of them fell silent.

After a long pause, Tong Jiajia finally said, "Zhiwei, I'd like to rebuild this 'baby roulette' facility in the name of the Maria Charitable Foundation after the baby is born. What do you think?"

“This is a good idea. However, in the past, the ‘baby roulette’ was associated with churches, and children sent to churches had a place to stay.”

"Now, times have changed. This facility cannot be copied directly; it needs to be adapted."

"We need to think carefully about how to do this well, so that it doesn't turn into another unfinished project."

"You're right, we should really think about it carefully."

"However, cooperation with the church is inevitable. You have a good relationship with the bishop of St. John's Cathedral, so you should be able to make use of his influence."

“That’s a good idea. If the plan is ready, I’ll talk to the church about it.”

I wonder if the money-making idea he gave Bishop Wilson last time has started to work. If it has, then things will be easier to discuss.

"Hospitals, welfare homes, and fire stations are also places that can be set up."

"Yes, it must be set up in a place with someone on duty 24 hours a day, so that once a child is put in, someone will pick the child up in time."

"Also, this facility should be like a 'baby roulette' so that the mothers of the children do not have direct contact with others, so that they are not afraid to come."

Although Tong Jiajia dislikes mothers who abandon their babies, she understands their thoughts.

"This temporary shelter for children must be able to protect them from the wind and rain, and ideally, it should be able to avoid the heat in summer and keep the children warm in winter."

Tong Jiajia, overflowing with love, really took this matter to heart; however, wasn't this condition a bit too much?

"In that case, we'll need air conditioning, and the area can't be too small; it needs to be at least the size of a small room."

"This is not easy. If it is rolled out on a large scale, the cost will be considerable, and if you want to continue, it will continue to incur expenses. How do you plan to raise the funds?"

"Moreover, this is a social problem. Although I am rich, it is impossible for me to take care of all the abandoned babies in the world by myself."

"So, we can start this, but later on, we need to get more enthusiastic people involved."

(End of this chapter)