[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—Come off that high horse ! You do not present the facts, but a selection of facts. You also present opinions. With both I frequently disagree. But I have nothing but admiration for your Medical Correspondent's brief survey of a real problem. He covered the ground in a masterly manner, but I entirely disagree with his opinion. The natural place for a mother to have her child is in her own home—the natural people to look after her are the nurse and doctor of her choice, and the doctor will generally be the family doctor. If the facts pointed to a different conclusion, I should sorrowfully have to admit that it was better to have a baby in an institu- tion. But they don't. Hospitalization is certainly on the increase, maternal mortality is certainly not decreasing.
. Briefly we have to strive after the normal. We shall never attain it. But we can, and must, do better than we are dohig. At present we are at odds, chiefly because we spend our time flinging mud at each other.
Two points for your consideration, Sir. First, the expectant mother must find an accoucheur in whom she has confidence ; only then will she allay some of that fear, which is a potent cause of trouble, particularly amongst the sheltered -classes.
Secondly, as you publish figures of maternal mortality, publish also the figures for operative interference, say for Caesarean Section. Then perhaps you will convince the laity that it is at least ten times safer to have a baby per vies naturales than by an abdominal operation. In the past •we interfered too little, now we interfere too much.—I am, Sir, your obedient Servant, CLEMENT W. WALKER. 87 Milton Road, Cambridge.
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