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7. In its Final Report (1932), page 130, the Departmental
Committee on Maternal Mortality and Morbidity wrote as
follows:—
"The Committee desire to call special attention to the
importance of the avoidance of pregnancy by women suffering
from organic disease such as tuberculosis, heart disease,
diabetes, chronic nephritis, etc., in which child-bearing is
likely seriously to endanger life. They consider that advice
and instruction in contraceptive methods should be readily
available for such women, and their husbands, from private
practitioners, at hospitals or at gynaecological clinics set up
by Local Authorities under the Public Health Acts in accordance
with suggestions made by the Ministry of Health in
Circular 1208 (1931).
"It should, however, be recognised that there are no
entirely reliable appliances for the prevention of pregnancy,
and that it is often impracticable for women in working-class
homes to use approved methods in a satisfactory and effective
way."
The question of providing facilities for giving such advice within
the limits laid down in the Ministry's Memorandum 153 (M. and
C.W.) is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Local
Authority. It may be added that centres or clinics for the purposes
here described need not be elaborately or expensively
equipped as the necessary apparatus, furnishing and outfit is of
the simplest character. Its purpose is to aid and advise married
women who are suffering from any physical or mental condition
detrimental to pregnancy, to their health as mothers, or to the
health of their prospective or existing children.
8. Medical knowledge and experience has not, as yet, given
us any particular artificial method of contraception upon which
absolute reliance may be placed. That is to say, there is no
single artificial and non-operative means which has hitherto
either received unanimous medical approval or ensures its users
against failure or mishap. Various inquiries and researches are
at present being pursued in this subject.
9. There is some evidence which appears to suggest that the
recent increased practice of artificial contraception has been running
parallel with an increase in the practice of abortion. Whilst
the methods of artificial birth control are different from those of
the abortionist, there is a psychological relation which, however
erroneous in validity, makes them akin, and possibly in some
instances the one habit might tend, habituate or incite to the other.
Thus the unwise or indiscriminate use of artificial contraceptives
might, directly or indirectly, lead to the practice of abortion.
10. A few words may be added in regard to the present
official practice of the Ministry. So far as Maternity and Child
Welfare Centres (including Ante-natal Centres) are concerned,
these Centres can properly deal only with expectant mothers,
nursing mothers, and young children, and it is not the designed
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