This article presents evidence that sterility is primarily physiological and of pathogenic origin. Societal causes of infertility are described and an explanation for the contrast between the Fulani and other North Cameroonian people is given. Demographic and cultural data are obtained from previous work amongst the Fulani. According to previous surveys fertility among the Fulani has been declining since 1935 while remaining constant at a high level among other societies. The low fertility of Fulani women cannot be attributed to custom or economic and environmental effects. It is hypothesized that low fertility is a direct consequence of diseases that result in sterility and of social behavior that brings about their dissemination. Clinical reports of a high incidence of venereal disease justifies a provisional acceptance of venereal disease origins as the primary cause of individual sterility in North Cameroon. Societal causes of population decline operate on the transmission of venereal disease within society. Competition between rulers the former sexual and economic exploitation of slaves individualization of the economy attitudes toward marriage and other societal factors are described. For example following the massive administration of antibiotic drugs in response to venereal diseases in south and east Cameroon there was a significant rise in fertility. It is suggested that since 1800 there has been a shift in the demographic parameters of the Fulani of North Cameroon.
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David et al. (1981) studied this question.