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To the lay mind parturition is regarded as a purely
normal function, and one that should be performed in almost
every case without incident or accident. This is an absolute
fallacy. With highly civilised races the perfectly normal
case does not occur in more than eight or ten per cent of
those delivered. There is nearly always some trouble during
the first fortnight. It is quite impossible to predict what
will happen in any human affairs, least of all with women
at these times. Now there are many factors, fundamental
and contributory, that have to be considered in this matter.
The whole subject is being approached and discussed as
though it were new, or as if, in past years, we had been
groping in the dark and were now on a downward course.
It is not a new problem, but it is true to say that it is only
in recent months that the general public has realised that
this mortality is high, and should be reduced, and it is
because of this opinion that the Ministry of Health, the
Public Health Authorities and the Medical profession are
determined to explore every source of trouble likely to
throw light upon this serious problem.
In every enquiry as to causation you will note that some
share of responsibility will be assigned to very different
quarters. It may be to
Lack of Ante-Natal care;
Attempts at Abortion;
Malnutrition;
Undue Haste and Instrumental Interference;
Lack of proper use of Antiseptics, etc;
and you will hear various arguments advanced which only
state half the case, for instance, certain Maternity Hospitals
have only a 7.5 mortality rate per 1,000 live births, therefore
the death rate should not be higher elsewhere!! But
no mention is made of the fact that only the apparently
absolutely normal cases have been admitted to these hospitals,
verified of course by Ante-Natal examination and previous
history.
Again you will hear that it has been proved that the
mortality rate is lower in the slums than in Belgravia — but
no mention is made to the fact that they may be living more
naturally and may be in some respects physically better
fitted, if well fed, for Maternity, and it is possible that
dwellers in Slum-land often may be immune to their own
germs!
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