Evidence sufficient has been collected to show that no one panacea will enable us either to possess a perfectly healthy building, or to improve existing hospitals.
Much has been written about the saving effect of small hospitals; but it is certain, from what has been already said, that the small-hospital idea is not sufficient of itself. It is, however, a very important idea, because all hospital problems are simplified by subdivision of the buildings. So far as we know, every one who has carefully studied the subject has given a preference to small lying-in establishments over large ones; but we should certainly be disappointed if we trusted to smallness of size alone for reducing the mortality.
The evidence further shows that in any new plan infirmary wards must be kept quite detached from lying-in wards. They should be in another part of the ground, and should be provided with their own furniture, bedding, utensils, stores, kitchen, and attendants.
The same arrangement, at least in principle, should be carried out at all existing lying-in establishments, and every case of disease should at once be removed from the lying-in wards to the infirmary, and be separately attended there.
In our proposed midwifery school the whole attendance would be supplied by midwives and pupil midwives, with a physician accoucheur, to make his visit twice a day, to be sent for in time of need, and to give instruction to the pupil midwives by lectures and otherwise; and in this way we should escape the dangers of introducing medical students.
Applying the same principle to lying-in wards to which medical students are admitted, there can be no doubt that a responsibility of the very gravest kind attaches to all teachers and managers of lying-in hospitals who do not satisfy themselves that students admitted as pupils have nothing to do, either with general hospital practice, or with anatomical schools, during the period. Midwifery instruction should be treated as a matter quite apart.
What has been already said need scarcely be repeated, about the dangers of connecting midwifery wards with general hospitals. The simple facts are sufficient to show that all midwifery wards of this class should be at once closed.
As a general result of this enquiry, applicable to all lying-in wards, the evidence shows that very much indeed of the success depends on good and intelligent administration and management.
Suppose that all these precautions could be carried out, will the cost and difficulty of giving effect to them necessarily lead to the abolition of all accommodation for midwifery cases, or for teaching midwifery?
We reply, No. The facts already adduced clearly show what may be done in this matter.