The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-15
WOMEN WITH NERVE
The Health Officer Directs His Atten-
ton to a Certain Class.
PRACTICE WITHOUT LICENSE
DR.. Spelman VIII Continue to Urge
the Council to Take Action in
This Very important Mat
terra Notice.

Health Officer DR.. ]. f. Spelman is on
the war path and there is trouble in the
air for certain women of this city who
are engaged in the practice of midwifery.
1t is a common occurrence among GER
tain classes of people at a stage of life
most critical to mother and child, to call
upon some woman ignorant of all medi-
cal skill, careless of the most essential
matters of health, to officiate upon these
important occasions. Two lives hang in
the balance, and are risked to an extent
that is far greater than natures risk,
which is great enough. 10 what end it is
impossible to say. The slightest error, a
few moments delay. is fatal
In the absence of any bureau of vital
statistics ii is impossible to say to what
extent the evil reaches. Babes are born
and buried sometimes in the dooryards,
sometimes on the hillsides, and no one is
the wiser The children may even be
taken to the cemetery and be buried by
an undertaken, and so long as circum-
stances do not excite suspicion-such
cases seldom do-the public, and even
parents themselves, never know the
cause of death. Stillborn is word that
covers multitude of mistakes made by
attendants through carelessness or igno-
rance, either of which is criminal.
Without this bureau of vital statis-
tics" said the doctor, lit is impossible to
have any accurate record of the births
and deaths in the city. l cannot under
stand why the council has not taken ac-
ton in the matter, for ii has been repeat
eddy brought to the notice of the alder
men in my reports and by the Standard
that 1t is needed. Such an ordinance, with
the proper penalty attached, would be ef-
fective and the medical profession would
make 1t so. The council will undoubtedly
provide for this soon, and it cannot be
done too soon.
THE state law which regulates the Ii.
censing of physicians, also provides for
the licensing of midwives but I do not
believe there is a regularly licensed mid
wife in Anaconda, and very few in the
state. The courts hold thai sufficient ev-
idence of practicing midwife v Is attend
ance in an obstetrical case, and yet IT is
bard TO prove. The offenders. If corne-ed,
profess to be nurses, and declare that
they act only in an emergency if it hap
pens that a physician has to be called
upon later in the case. Yet they are at
work in this city to-day with all the
effrontery possible, parading the streets
with their little hand satchels and aping
the airs of professional physicians. II
they were genuine midwives such as the
law recognizes, nothing would be said;
they would be fully as capable of acting
as a doctor. They would have had
course in obstetrics and have passed an
examination by the medical board, and
would have diplomas certifying TO that
effect. A good old Dutch Hebame would
give fully as good care to her patients
as a physician, but these imposters,
whose only school is experience, and who
are not graduates even from that are
exceedingly dangerous in the conmu-
nifty
i cannot think that people hire them
as measure of economy, for ii certainly
Is cheaper to secure the services of a
reputable nlVSiCiap Tho mi xrrffo
SIS, the physician $685. and ii very seldom
occurs that additional expenses are NOT
incurred by the incompetency of the mid
wife which increases the smaller fee till
II Is much greater than the fee fixed by
the medical association. 1t is therefore
less expensive to the parents from a
financial standpoint. and leaving out the
Question entirely. the more important
considerations, the life and health of the
mother and babe
In accord with the sentiment OF the
physicians of the city and the health ordi-
nance, l propose to make another effort
TO enforce the law of the state and city
The following notices have bean nro.
pared and will be mailed TO the offenders
ana followed up with q vigorous prosecu-
ton If necessary"
'Madam-Practicing Midwife. city.
You are hereby notified that practicing
mldWiiery In this city without a license
IN "IiV'' Niolauon OF the statutes of |
the state, and that a continuance OF the |
aforesaid practice is punishable as pro- |
vided by law.
provision is made for regulating the |
practice of midwifery I'm this city. which |
necessitates examination before the state /
medical board. These examinations arc I
held semi-annually at the city of Hell |
ena, and you will be expected to appear |
before this board or undergo prosecution /
according TO law. No further notification |
will be given.
u F. Spelman. NJ D.
Health officer.
Anaconda, Mont"