View report page

it is far better to have a race of self-supporting, virile
citizens than a multitude of weaklings! There should not be
need for half the Hospital accommodation now demanded
with the legitimate use of contraception, especially with the
unemployed, semi-starved people in the North.
On the other hand one can deplore the fact that many
strong, healthy couples prefer a motor car to even only two
children—they may be full of regret in later years—having
no family.
One great advantage of contraception is that women who
are not strong and desire four or five children can "space"
them every two or three years.
There is not a word of truth that the use of contraceptives
is harmful.
There are four well known methods in use—fairly sure
and safe, but not absolutely foolproof, but this is not the
place to discuss them.
You will be asked to consider the establishment of a
Clinic, but whether you decide on this or on the joint action
with those already established by neighbouring Councils,
remains to be seen. I shall be reporting to the Special SubCommittee
on the matter again in the near future.
ABORTION.
It would be very difficult to estimate The Prevalence of
Abortion in the district, because very little information is
forthcoming, no official notification is made, no register kept,
and therefore no statistics can be given.
There is good reason, however, to believe that abortion
very trequently occurs, and that the results are often seen
by the resident medical practitioners. Besides this it is often
frankly acknowledged.
By some, abortion is regarded as a comparatively light
and trivial matter, by others as most serious and immoral,
and it is certainly disappointing to those who desire a family.
It will be seen, therefore, that abortion may be voluntary,
that is, induced, or accidental and involuntary. In the
former case it will be sought by drugs, by violent exercise,
by instrumentation, or by legitimate medical advice and
assistance. If involuntary it will occur by accident, by
certain physical incompatibilities, or by inherited or acquired
diseases, such as syphilis, alcoholism, chronic kidney trouble,
etc.
45