Safe Childbirth

This book is not a discussion of vital statistics, as the name might imply but rather the observations of a life-time study of obstetrics in many countries, some in the far corners of the globe. The author is convinced that if the process of childbirth is to be made more safe certain essentials are requisite. Chief of these are: 1. The round pelvic brim. 2. Flexible pelvic joints. 3. Natural posture during labor. Her condusions regarding the first of these are particularly interesting to the reviewer because his own studies have shown that the round and not the oval brim (as usually supposed) is representative of the "normal" female pelvis. Dr. Vaughan's studies have carried her into such fields as anthropology, veterinary science, anatomy, biochemistry, religion, and tradition with the result that an abundance of interesting data from these sources is set down. She supports, in a convincing way, her contention that "difilcult childbirth is not a matter of chance, nor is it dependent upon the will of Heaven, but it follows the violation of the fundamental laws of health." This is an original and stimulating work which cannot fail to interest all those who are thinking along lines of betterment for obstetric procedures. -HERBERT THOMS.