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42
For this purpose, I circularised the following letter, which is selfexplanatory:—
"I am investigating the question of still-births for statistical
and other reasons. It is a subject, respecting which I find it
extremely difficult to get information.
I should be glad if you could give me any help in the matter.
During the year 1924 the following case was notified to me by you
as occurring in your practice:—
Would you mind telling me what, in your opinion, was the
cause of the still-birth? For instance, was it due to:—
(a) difficult labour?
(b) mal-presentation?
(c) specific disease in the parents?
(d) kidney or heart disease in the parents?
(e) any other cause?
I should also be grateful of any suggestions you may care to
make as to the prevention of still-births generally."
It is an interesting point to note that in not one of the 26 cases did
I receive a rebuff (at the time I thought this probable). In fact,
answers received from the general practitioners were all of a friendly
nature and, in some cases, contained suggestions which were most
helpful. I like to record this fact, because it sometimes happens that
any action like this is regarded as being officious or interfering.
From the replies received, it was found that the causes of the 26
still-births were as follows:—
6 mal-presentation.
5 difficult labour.
4 macerated foetus.
2 premature birth.
1 contracted pelvis.
1 undeveloped twin.
1 anencephalic monster.
1 mother suffering from acute septicaemia.
1 age of mother—over 40.
1 child had been dead for several days, cause unknown.
3 no information obtainable—occurred in nursing homes.