LISTER AND THE FUTURE [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Sin,—Your readers must be grateful for the excellent sug- gestion in "Crusader's" article in this week's issue, advocating the formation of a Listerian Order for the production of " those who give birth to the life cf the world to come." Loss of motherhood through septic infection at child-birth is inexcusable in any sanely, organized community; but it is not only the loss of motherhood that is to be deplored, but sometimes also that of the child, and so a double casualty list is created, through which follows an untold potentially cumulative loss of life in the years to come.
Are we not unduly inclined to protect life at the wrong end, and to leave to circumstance the essential need of conserving each fresh life at its beginning ? I know much is being done in this direction, and in child 'welfare ; but surely, no higher
and more practical honour could be paid to the great surgeon than the establishment of such an Order as "Crusader" suggests.
To-day it is the weight of public opinion that in the end moves and impels, and such an Order, based upon " trained men and women, clean to the finger tips," would surely find ample public support and encouragement. It would, moreover, turn to practical issue the high tide of the centenary appreci- ation and eulogy, of which so many minds are full.—I am,
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