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Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1932, Page 4

In the course of a recent address .Professor. J.. B. Dawson of Dunedin made reference to the fact that the infantile death rate in -1907 was .80 per 1000 births and in 1930 had been reduced to ;34 per 10L0. The- problem of noo-natal deaths continued the Professor, I- was intimately connected with that of maternal mortality and morbidity; if \ve can reduce tl)ese we shall certainly improve the chances of the children. Much has been said' and written of the maternal mortality of New Zealand. The'medical profession has been severely, taken to task, and it has been pointed out how disappointing the figures of the Dominion are.when compared with those of other countries, notably Scandinavia and Holland. He had recently visited many European countries, and among other matters paid careful attention to the matter of maternal mortality. Two things soon became very clear to • riie: Hj That it is misleading and useless to compare international statistics unle&s their origin and method of compilation are carefully studied : and analysed. (2) That New Zealand need not be ashamed of her maternal mortality figures, which, when analysed, will hear comparison with those of any other country. He was certain that in order to lower the infantile death-rate in the first month of life, attention must he mainly dir;cfed to the mother. He considered the development of tills work to lie the greatest advance made bv medicine in this country. It is a manifestation of the truest and mast valuable form of science,' that of prevention; an efim-t to prevent rather than to cure. Efficient antc-nata] work can only be carried out bv a doctor, n->d o”e w<Jj trained and interested in the welt. This was tantamount to saying that the nnte-natil work carried out b.v the Blanket nurses is not efficient. He would rather say it is incomplete, as he would not disparage their work or under-rato the value of the advice they give, realising that they forward such excellent reports to the patient’s

doctor. This work is all to'the good, but from his point of view it is inadequate. to check the inroads made under the lives of women and children. Re • was opposed, to the creation of ante-natal clinics except in connection with the maternity hospitals. The essential of satisfactory ante-natal work is that it should be doue by those responsible for the future confinement of the patient. /. •*' •