THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1922. MATERNAL MORTALITY.

Wairarapa Age, 8 March 1922, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1922. MATERNAL MORTALITY.

The British Medical Association (NewZealand branch) became unnecessarily indignant about the publicity which they said had been given by the Pro»s to certain statements as to the undue amount of maternal mortality in New Zealapd. Deploring this “ undue pub licity,” the B.M.A. “expressed the opinion that more harm than good had been done by creating a feeling of apprehension among prospective mothers and the women of the country gener ally.” But was it the press that did

this? Our impression is that the alarming statements were made by doctors themselves —particularly Drs. Herbert, Valin tine, Truby King, Sir Don aid McGavin and Eliott. It is entir sly in the public interest that statements coming from such authoritative sources should have full publicity. The com mittee set up agreed that there was undue mortality and Urnt it was a reproach to the country. There is no doubt that the discussion at the conference will lead to some improvement. As for the fears that may be engen dered in the minds of prospective mothers, it has been impressed them over and over again—and most women understand it quite well—that “a reasonably healthy woman has lir tic to fear from risk of childbrith. ”