The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-07-27
about.


doctor carly 10 that he may advise
with the mother In determining where
the baby shall be born. He will be
Influenced particularly by the result OF
his examination. II there Is indication
Of any unusual condition, he will prob
ably advise the mother to 90 to a hos
pital If there il good one available.
There Is an increasing tendency for
women to have their confinement take
place in hospitals, and such method
has many advantages. If the doctors
examination shows pelvic deformity
that would probably require an opera
tive procedure at child birth, he would
almost certainly desire the mother to be
In the hospital. Many physicians pre-
Ger that the woman having her first
baby should be in the hospital, and,
again, II in the course Of the waiting
period some unforeseen complication
develops It Is often advisable to have
treatment continued in a, hospital.
THE distance of the patients home
from the doctor making it impos-
sible for him to come promptly or to
carry out satisfactory prenatal or post
natal care Is another reason for sug-
costing hospital for the confinement.
The advantages of hospital are self
evident. There is at hand everything
needed in the way Of equipment, and
such an institution is ready to meet
any emergency that may arise. Too, 1t
assures the mother Of good after-care
and saves the physicians time, as, OF
course, in q hospital he can see several
patients in less time than is possible
Il they are living in distant homes.
The expense of a hospital, unless spe-
eial nursing Is required, is perhaps less
than that at home If one deducts the
salary and maintenance Of nurse and
the cost Of the supplies which must
be procured for a confinement In the
home.
THE disadvantages in hospital care
are that it removes the patient from
her own home and the oversight of her
household for a considerable period. 1t
Is possible. too, that there may be some
risk In taking the patient to hospital
If this is delayed too long.
Unquestionably, there should be in
every county of the State one or more
hospitals available for confinement
cases, as there is undoubtedly an added
unnecessary risk when obstetrical pro-
cedures are undertaken in the home
The services of hospital tend to raise
the standard of medical practice in the
rural districts. With good nursing, COM
plete case records, laboratory and X-ray
facilities furnished by the hospital, the
busy practitioner is able to study his
cases more thoroughly, often make q
more accurate diagnosis, and carry on
more satisfactory treatment in the hos
pital than in the home.
SUCH county hospital can become
a center for the physicians of the
community, to meet to exchange views,
and so more easily keep up with the
progress of their profession. However,
for long time, even in the rural dis
tricts, the average normal obstetrical
case will usually be cared for in the
home.
A public health nurse. If there is one
available, can prove herself invaluable
at this time, not only in procuring the
best available obstetrical nurse but
also In assisting and preparing the home
for the confinement. For example, if
there is a choice, bright, sunny room
should be selected. Heavy draperies
should be removed, and if possible a
single bedstead procured, about thirty
inches high, with firm mattress and SO
situated as to have the foot in good
tight by day and night. The room should
be given a housekeeping at least two
weeks before the Saby is expected.
The making or buying of necessary
supplies both for the mother and the
baby should not be delayed until the later