MIDWIFERY LECTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13781, 20 June 1908, Page 3

MIDWIFERY LECTURES.

: j Sir,—Mav Ibe .permitted to make a |«#f" ■ ! remark* with regard to your in to mow with' i | th»? authorities connected with St. Helen*,, • j over this question of nursing proficiently. . I Dr. livgli-s Hah* that In? quite failed to see ', ! how tho endowment of a medical chair could? | havo anything io do with midwifery lectures, > 5 j Sir Robert Stout, Chancellor of the New'. . j Zealand University/ kivs : " I am strongly of ; ' opinion that wo should follow American r»~L I tiicr than English models for our University.; ( and thai our hicrh.'of educational institution*# should ho fitted to help all classes of in--1 teiligent people." For myself I can sec n<» I. reason why tho endowment of a medical' chair should not broaden it out ro as to» , admit of such b'etnre*, which suroly require* intellect. Dr. Ins lis belongs to the Medical! Association, perhaps, one of the most harsh, i [ conservative union? in the world; and thati; , word—conservativeewers op h multitude j of sins, under which hard and fast rules' Dr. Inglis wishes to ire St. Helens. Tho ! Government or tho I varsity wo the only two recognised heads that could ist.no diplomas. The former in conservative, Mr.' r ! Fowlda refusing to issue them; thwefow ■ I an application to tho University was our only other resource. Dr. Inn lis must remember that fate has caused him to live in an ago of speedy . evolution, and that looks,, bolts, and bars stronger than those. that.' bind the Medical Association have hud to I give way before the triumphant, march oft* evolution. Did Dr. Tnglis qualify principal- 1 ly through his practical training, or did ho >, ree«ivo his diploma through an equalisation ' of theory arid practice? Tho Government} has granted certificates to mid wives solely ■ upon doctors certifying to their having attended so many confinements. Dr. Ingli* does not consider this good enough to equalise the theory gained by lectures given at St. llvlons. Has he lost faith in hi« brotherdoctors' capability to-dnv to judge? Miss Pipor. a registered midwife, not a doctor,: certifies tia to tho capability of the inside practical training, and yet Dr. Trrglta refuse.-" to accept a certificate from a brother-doctor •a« to the capability of t.ho practical training of the outside nurse. Dow practically \ inconsistent tho doctor is! So far as Mi** Piper's statement i. concerned, that confirms! my idea that St. Helens is run boMv in' Aft J • interests of tho resident nurses. Miss Piper; errs when she states that, qualified mirseuj go out to attend cases. Sho knows ns well! as I do that probationers haws been sent. 1 out, with o , nlv a few weolcs' knowledge. According to Mis*? Piper's summing up of, numbers no_ properly-qualified nmrse r">ir><un3 • at the hospital!—since directly she gains her' [ diploma, away . she goes and gives placo to the newcomer. . For this hospital to be car- ; ried on successfully it wwt be olaced under.' > the direct control of,tt reasonably competent' I Ministerial head, not; left to Dowartmotrtw' aik! local officials to determine and manage-' L as they deem fit:. Eimv NlCot.