The Future of Obstetrics, with Special Reference to the Development of a Maternity Service *Read 13th March 1929.

The problems of Maternity provide the greatest possible scope for organised preventive medicine. Many of the deaths and much invalidism resulting from this so-called " physiological process" can be prevented. The main criticism of the present system is that essential services are not available for many patients of the industrial class. The service rendered by a maternity hospital to patients of this class may be taken as an index of the essential requirements. It provides the following :? 1. Antenatal supervision.