"PROFESSIONAL- EXIGENCIES"

NZ Truth, Issue 1290, 28 August 1930, Page 15

"PROFESSIONAL- EXIGENCIES"

Argument Against Students In St. Helens Supported byEminent Authority On Obstetrics (By Mrs. Thompson, Matron and Owner of one of the largest Private Surgical and Maternity^Hospitals m Sydfley, m a special interview with "N.Z. Truth.") The question of childbirth of which we hear so much and understand so little, has become a subject of vital importance tothe nation and mothers of our race. Despite the fact that the public ha.ye been called on, from time to time, for support and sympathy and have responded whole-heartedly they still remain ignorant of the vital issues at stake m this great factor of human life.

THE medical profession, as a whole, keep all information on obstetrics closely guarded, and this attitude was specially demonstrated quite recently at a meeting called ' by Dr. Agnes Bennett at the Town Hall, Wellington. , ; It is understood 1 that Dr. Bennett receives a retainer of some £300 per annum for her work at St. Helens Hospital, Wellington: ; At that meeting, the writer asked Dr.. Bennett several questions pertaining to midwifery from a medical standpoint. At first, Dr. Bennett said that she felt justified m refusing to answer these questions, but On a motion being put to the meeting, the women decided that the questions should be answered. Before referring to these questions, it might be as well to touch briefly : on the subject of obstetrics up. to the time of delivery and also to quote from that eminent authority, Dr. Jellett, pertinent references which do not harmonise ■ with Dr. Agnes Bennett's advocacy, because Dr. Jellett is chiefly ■ concerned with the mother and not the medical student or pupil nurse. Note his humanity, tenderness and sympathy, and then compare . it with the cold, professional exigencies demanded by, m some cases, direct interests. ; Dr. Jellett says m his work: "The management of pregnancy is, m the main, merely an extension of what ought to be the ordinary hygienic pre-

cautions of a woman. The great and— for a healthy woman — the only necessity is to live during pregnancy as far as possible m conformity with the dictates of nature. "The mental condition, of the patient must be carefully watched, and all causes of melancholy, irritation and fright avoided as far as possible, while her surroundings should be such that will promote happiness and an eveji temperament." Recognised Authority Surely, it was conditions such as these which prompted the late Right Honorable Richard Seddon to provide for the women of this country when ho instituted his first St. Helens Hospital? It may be added that Dr. Jellett's text-book on midwifery is a recognised authority, and it is on this -teaching that alt nurses are examined for their certificates. Maternity, m the first place, is not a disease, nor is it an unnatural condition— quite : the contraryIt is the one great mission m life that woman was created for, and provided that she accepts her condition and realises her responsibility to herself and her unborn child, there should be no reason for. alarm and worry as depicted by so many people who handle the subject publicly. On the subject of internal examination, Dr. Agries Bennett reluctantly admitted the number of these which

would be ;■ carried out by the medical students and pupil nurses. These are absolutely necessary so , far as the patient is concerned. Dr. Jellett says: "Avoid all meddlesome and dangerous interference,' 1 and he allows that one such examination is necessary. Yet for the benefit of the medical student and pupil nurse, the poor unfortunate woman is expected to allow some four or five such examinations to be made. It is monstrous! It is a recognised fact that the student should have his training, but why should not this training be made 1 general — treating all mothers alike? Where fees are taken the patients have a right to demand equal consideration. Tliis question is solved m Australia largely by haying -women's free hospitals and, m most cases, the class of women called upon to afford the students experience is the unmarried , and dissolute type, m whom the innate refinement found m married mothers is sadly lacking. : No hospital is entitled to class married mothers with unmarried women. Sentiment cannot be allowed to blind the people ' to the true facts of this vexed question. i Married mothers build a nation — un- ' married mothers burden it by, firstly their own lives, and, secondly, m most cases, the child becomes a charge on the State for which we are all ulti- . mately taxed. ,