Indeed, in no other way could this immense destruction of infant life take place. I know of physicians here in Chicago who have and do no other business. I have in mind one palatial residence on Michigan avenue patronized exclusively by the rich. It is presided over by a strictly ethical physician. This man's fee is from one thousand to five thousand dollars.
The poor content themselves with less pretentious places and prices. I know of physicians on the north side and the west side who do this work for five and ten dollars. They have as many as ten and twelve cases a day.
Up to a few weeks ago all of the Chicago papers contained a list of advertisements under the classification of medical, about as follows:
- "Maternity Hospital—Ladies taken care of before and after confinement."
- "Mrs. Dr. B——, licensed midwife, takes ladies for confinement, etc."
- "Dr. Anna B—— Elegant home for ladies expecting confinement, etc."
The above are only samples of a long list of advertisements of similar tenor which appeared daily in the Chicago press for twenty-five years. These advertisements attracted the attention of people in the country. They were not designed to attract city people. People residing here seldom patronize them on account of the high prices usually charged. They know cheaper doctors. Girl from the smaller towns and the farms are the ones sought.
The girl applying for relief at any of these places was usually told that abortions were unlawful and dangerous to life. She was strongly advised to stay in the hospital, which offered perfect seclusion, until the full period when the child would be naturally born and without danger to either of them. This advice was generally accepted and the price agreed upon paid. This was always all the girl had with her, and the promise of more. The amount ranged from one hundred to five hundred dollars.
The money paid over, the girl was shown to a pleasant room, and invited to make herself at home. There were always other girls there, usually under assumed names. They kept coming and going every few days. None remained longer than ten days.
After the girl had been there a couple of days the madam announced that the doctor would call on her that day and make an examination, so as to approximate the time of baby's arrival.
With a very small instrument the abortion was produced while making the examination, the patient knowing nothing of it. This is done so deftly that labor pains do not come on for sometimes two days afterwards.
In ten days the patient is ready to leave the hospital. The fee having been paid, both parties are usually satisfied, and the girl, if she is wise, makes her misfortune a stepping stone to something better.