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36
Last year, in Acton, 3 women died from Sepsis following
the induction of abortion. Two of the deaths were very fully
reported in the press at the time. In respect of one of them proceedings
were taken against a doctor, but he was acquitted. In the
case of the second death, the person who induced the abortion was
not traced. The deceased was a single young woman employed
by the man who seduced her, and who had gone to lodge with him
and his wife before removal to the hospital where she died.
In the third instance, the woman was married but had been
separated from her husband for some years. She was removed to
hospital for treatment, and she persisted in telling those who attended
her that she had herself induced the abortion.
Our figures are too small to drawn any conclusions, but
apart from any question of figures, there is no doubt that the criminal
induction of abortion is very common not only among single
women but also married women. It is only when a death occurs
that official notice is taken of the practice, but that the induction
of abortion is common is well known to those who have to work
among married women. It is only when a death occurs that anyone
besides the actual participants comes to know anything.
Occasionally, the women after a "successful" emergence from the
ordeal will talk and they then reveal a somewhat startling state of
affairs.
It is argued that the prevalence of abortion is the result of
social and economic conditions, and is not amenable to any preventable
medical action. Any argument against facing the problem
seems to be sought for. No one wishes to discuss the matter. But
the prevalence of abortion is connected with maternal mortality
and morbidity, and with other public health problems. It is difficult
to suggest any effective remedy. It is fatuous to exhort these
people to abstinence, and it is certainly cruel to taunt them on its
criminal aspect.
Pre-Natal Clinic.
The clinic is held once a fortnight in the School Clinic
premises in Avenue Road and Dr. Bell is in charge.
24 sessions were held with a total of 241 attendances. This
does not represent the whole of the pre-natal work done. It is explained
in another paragraph that in the case of those who apply)
for admission to Park Royal Hospital, Dr. Bell usually sees the
expectant mothers when application is first made and generally
refers them then to the pre-natal clinic at Park Royal Hospital.