Ulcerative Colitis
This investigation amounts to a classification of the symptoms of inadequate organization for the care of young mothers and babies and appears to be a further attempt to denigrate the efficacy of the natural processes of healthy motherhood similar to that made by the same unit in August, 1956.
Abstract
Isles will resent the implications in this report. In the discussion, we read dogmatic statements for which there is no supporting evidence. This investigation amounts to a classification of the symptoms of inadequate organization for the care of young mothers and babies; there is no contribution to the solution of the main problem, its causes, or its avoidance. It appears to be a further attempt to denigrate the efficacy of the natural processes of healthy motherhood similar to that which was made by the same unit in August, 1956.' The purpose of this disparagement of a natural function might be obscure if the ultimate goal of mechanistic materialism in childbirth were not so obvious. The laws of Nature are blamed because the social structure is faulty. No reference is made to the antenatal preparation or the conduct of labour; there is no mention of interference without clinical indication. These matters profoundly influence a woman's desire and ability to feed her baby at the breast. We can forgive a quota of failures in women and in breasts, but we do not forgive lightly calculated slurs upon the most cherished gift of motherhood in order to hide the ineptitude of those who should be responsible for its felicitation. May our colleagues overseas be assured that this treatise does not represent the considered opinion of experienced obstetric and paediatric clinicians.-I am, etc.,