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Show 3IIDW1FERT. The feeling of this cuiuniuuiiy is de-cidely de-cidely iu favor of the practising midwife mid-wife in preference to the male accoucheur accou-cheur ; a fueling we strongly endorse. But is it uot us necessary that women should be properly educated and trained train-ed for the delicate duties of the midwife mid-wife as that men should be ? The period pe-riod of parturition is one nf peril as well as of pait;; peril to the-mother, peril to her offspring. Mow many Talualjlo lives arc sacrificed through incompetency at such seasons, and how many families are thereby plunged in needless misery, it would be impossible impos-sible to say; yet there does not exist a doubt among those best informed that too many are thus thrust into eternity, amid terrible suffering, by incompetency incompe-tency where skill is so much ireeded. This is a startling fact, but it is none the less a fact. A midwife should be trained and educated to her duties, and should prove herself fully qualified to undertake them before being allowed to undertake them. There is no need to present arguments argu-ments in favor of women being the proper persons to be thus employed. Every woman . of refined feelings has within her own mind and within her own breast the best arguments that could be advanced. But even such feelings are compelled to give way where life is in perii.aud skill has to be employed regardless of sex. We are not presenting strictures upon individual individ-ual women who may be thus employed, or whose services may be iu demand. It is the system now practiced and its sometimes fearful and fatal results that are under consideration. Aud in view of existiag facts, that some women who may have had a limited experience iu ordinary cases are engaged iu the serious ser-ious duties of midwifery; aud that the services of women are sought in preference pre-ference to those of physicians or surgeons, sur-geons, it presents itself as a necessity that they should ba fully qualified for their duties. Wo propose the establishment of an institution for the training and education educa-tion of midwives. Will some who are fully competent to discuss the subject, z'ne the public the benefit of their knowledge and experience? The columns col-umns of the Herald are open for communications com-munications pertinently touching the matter. |
