MATERNAL MORTALITY

Evening Star, Issue 21053, 16 March 1932, Page 12

MATERNAL MORTALITY

POSITION IN NEW ZEALAND PRESENTATION TO 00 RILEY interesting remarks on the incidence of maternal mortality in New Zealand and the teaching of obstetrics were made yesterday afternoon by Dr F. R. Riley, when a presentation was made to him by the University Council on the occasion of his retirement from the position 0, professor of midwifery and gynaecology The presentation took the form of an engrossed scroll of the minutc previously passed by the council expressing appreciation of Dr Riley’s long and valuable services. Sir Thomas Sidey (Chancellor) said tho council had already passed a resolution of appreciation of Dr Riley's services, but it was felt they would like to hand the resolution personally to him, and lor that reason they had asked him to be present. They hoped it would bo a memento of his kmg association with the University. Hie council rejoiced in the fact that its relations with Dr Riley during his years of service had always been excellent. They knew he had been very popular with the staff, and had been held in the highest esteem by tho students. (Applause.) “ The council expresses to you its appreciation of your devoted services, and of the able services which you have rendered to the University, at times! in difficult circumstances,” continued the Chancellor. “ I can only say that the council wishes yourself and your family every happiness and prosperity in the future, and trusts that you will long be spared to give the benefit of your skill and experience. I have great pleasure in handing you this little memento.” (Applause.) Dr Riley thanked them all for the very happy memento of his association • with the University. He felt it a great honour. It had always been a source of great gratification to him that the Uni- / versity did not regret his long service. He had always felt it a great honour and privilege to be associated with the University of Otago, and he could honestly say he had done his duty to the best of his ability. He was leaving the chair with regret, but that regret was tempered by the knowledge that ho had won the approval of the University. Perhaps he might take the opportunity of saying a few words about his department. The teaching of obstetrics had been severely criticised during 'the campaign which had been conducted for the reduction fo maternal mortality. While he was in sympathy with any movement of the kind that might be'made he would like to say that the position in New Zealand was not so bad as had been suggested at the time. Statistics showed that New Zealand practically headed the list of all tlio dominions and colonies. It was in a better position than the United States, Germany, and Scotland. The number of deaths in New Zealand last year had been 4.79 per 1,000, and in England 4.21 per 1,000. There was, therefore, no great discrepancy. Sir Thomas Sidey had referred to , .• difficulties which the speaker had had to face. The main difficulty had been the securing of suffi-' cicnt maternity cases to give the students instruction. For a long time the school ha-d been denied admission to St. Helens Hospital, but happily that time had passed. Last year the school had had 90 cases out of 179. This year the proportion was still greater. The teaching of nurses at St. Helens ~ad ceased, and practically all cases were available for students. There were now fewer objections to being attended by students. Last year there had been fifteen, and this year only one. The matron was doing her best to help. The next difficulty had been the lack of a residential maternity hospital. That was in th air. and probably would be for some time. It would be a very great help if some residence could be'obtained for students on maternity duty. The amount of time allowed' for "midwifery and gymecology had been quite inadequate, especially for the latter subject. As the sixth year of the course was spent vn hospitals there remained only five years for instruction at the school. The first three years were devoted to preliminary subjects, and only two years were left for clinical subjects, That period of two years was n-velessly overloaded. It was exceedingly difficult to obtain sufficient time to devote to the subjects which had taught. Something would have to he done to overcome the position. His own view was that tho three years devoted to preliminary subjects should ,bo reduced, but others thought that the position could best be met by a short course during the summer session. Whatever was done the difficulty would have to he faced in order to enable Dr Dawson, his successor, u) make the best use of his position. Dr Riley added that he thought that Dr Dawson was an exceedingly good man, who would upi hold the traditions of the school. He Hhanked them most heartily and most sincerely for the handsome testimonial, and he would always value it in memory of the days that were gone. (Applause.)