MATERNAL MORTALITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2758, 15 July 1924, Page 2

MATERNAL MORTALITY.

OUTS POTCEX CRI TTC'TSAL MAGISTERIAL inquiry sugo OUSTED. The June number of the “White Ribbon” contains the following on flie above subject:— “The above subject has been exercising the minds of politicians, doctors, and laymen, ami rightly so. The findings of the Kelvin Commission have deepened the uneasiness felt by many wo-

men for- to women, this is a vittil question. Presumably tin’s Commission was ,-et up to find <>ut the truth, and to report upon if, and to bring its verdict without fear or favour. But as soon as jl;e verdict is made known, the Commission is sharply reprimanded by the Minister of Health because it spoke out about “the extraordinary languor of the District Healtlie Office." Yes, that is at the root of all the trouble. You may enquire to satisfy the public, but “Hands off" the medical profession. Are doctors infHilible? Methinks facts tell a different story. The Committee set up by the National Council of Women to consider this question certainly asked for the measure likely to prove most effective, that is that all cases of maternal mortality should be the subject of a Magesterial enquiry. And why not ? Birth is a natural tunction, and it' anything- goes wrong and life is iost. the fullest enquiry should he made as to why. This not only or ever chiefly to punish the guilty, hut to save other mothers. It is the secrecy with which such cases are treated which arouses suspicion. If everything is straight and above hoard in cases like these, why do doctors, in cases of death within a few day.-- of confinement, give certificates for "Heart Failure*’? Certainly the patient died of heart failure, hut a Magistrate should en-quire-as to what caused that failure. Why do hospitals in eases of maternal mortality get the friends to advertise the death as occurring at home and not at hospital. If a patient dies in a hospital other expectant mothers have the right to know the risk they run in entering the hospital. Then, too, these enquiries would fix the blame in the right quarter. Private maternity homes arc in many eases beautifully kept, and their matrons tine conscientious women, who do their best tor their patients. But no care on the pari of the nurse can save the patient whom a doctor, with criminal negligence, comes to from a septic case. He brings infection with him and too often the nurse is the sufferer. Even the Health Department is not. free from blame here. When a doctor notifies a septic ease to the Health Office, should they not stop him from attending other maternity cases for a certain time? But they don’t. He notifies and goes from the case he notifies to attend another confinement and the young mother becomes infected. If the Government are in earnest in their endeavour to lessen maternal mortality, let them have an impartial enquiry before a Magistrate upon each case. Let no professional etiquette save a guilty doctor. Let i \ (.-ii the Health Department he found guilts if it has failed to safeguard the lives of mothers. Above all, let them ,-et up a Commission of women, doctors, midwives, maternity nurses and a few capable, sensible women who have reared families and who have knowledge and experience which no man can have."