This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: . CHAPTER VIII Obstetrical Facts And Comparative Statistics In the preceding pages several statements were made which will to the average mind seem farfetched. To believe that the obstetrical mortality of today is as great as it was before the discovery of anesthesia and antiseptics, is difficult unless one is confronted with facts.

It is probable that very few physicians realize that with the great progress of preventive medicine and aseptic surgery that there has not been a similar increase in the safety of maternity. The responsibility for the present high mortality cannot be laid at the door of the midwife, for physicians confine a far greater percentage of the women today than a half century ago. By means of liberal quotations from the writings of obstetrical authorities, together with mortality statistics of the several countries the author has hoped to arouse the reader to realize the great need of better, safer obstetrics. The mortality records of the United States show that there are only two and one-half times as many women of childbearing ages who die from tuberculosis as die each year from puerperal sepsis and other obstetrical complications, and when we consider that not more than one woman in fifteen of the female population between 15 and 45 is delivered of a full-term child during the year the awfulness of existing conditions becomes more apparent. De Lee says of puerperal sepsis: "It kills one in four hundred women delivered of full term children; it leaves as incurable invalids at least ten times this number." De Lee: "Obstetrics" p. 872.) That puerperal sepsis may be largely eliminated is shown by the records of the large maternity hospitals and by the experience of trained obstetricians.

Obstetrical operations should be.