In writing this book I have attempted to follow the gen- eral pattern of
the lectures which I have given to pupil midwives at Worcester Royal
Infirmary for the past 21 years. In hospital it has been possible to
illustrate what I have had to discuss by reference to cases at present
in the wards. This unfortunately is not possible to the same extent in a
book, but I have no doubt that my readers will be able to apply the
principles described to cases under their care. I am sure that this is a
most helpful way of fixing in one's mind the information which is
required not only for examination purposes but so much more importantly
for the better understanding of the clinical problems with which one is
faced, and for the purpose of bringing to them the best possible
management. The chapter headings and the arrangement of the chapter
content may be regarded as unorthodox, but I have presented the topics
in the way in which they seem to me to arise in clinical practice. This,
I hope, will make easier the understanding of all aspects of a problem.
[ have tried to avoid duplication, and when a topic appears in more
than one place, it does so in order to discuss its relevance in a
differ- ent context. Cross-references have been used throughout the
text, in order to facilitate reference to the other facts of importance.