miscarriage differs from a normal birth in that it is unnatural, for
other reasons are apparent. One of them, the retention of placental
tissue, has just been mentioned, but serious consequences resulting
from it are almost inexcusable, for, although the placenta may
separate less readily and be cast off less thoroughly after
miscarriage, modern medical skill can successfully cope with such
conditions. Another fruitful source of unfortunate after-effects is
the imprudence of the patient. Women should remain in bed fully as
long after a miscarriage as after the birth of a mature infant; if
they would consent to do so, many ill-effects would be averted. But
physicians frequently encounter strong opposition to precautionary
measures such as this. Many patients argue, illogically, that less
precaution is necessary since pregnancy failed to attain its natural
conclusion, and infer that the earlier that it ends the more quickly
one may leave the bed. In point of fact, even greater precaution is
required than if all had gone normally. Still a third cause for ill-
health may be found in physical ailments which antedated the
miscarriage but were not recognized until after its occurrence.

Invalidism which follows pregnancy and which may be fairly regarded
as chargeable to it depends, in most instances, upon an infection
acquired at the time of delivery. Infection occurs more frequently
when pregnancy ends during the early months, because in this category
is included the great majority of criminal abortions, which are
usually induced without regard for surgical cleanliness. Fatal
complications, or serious consequences which narrowly escape a fatal
ending, are common among women who attempt to rid themselves of an
unwelcome pregnancy. As they are ignorant of aseptic precautions,
their manipulations must necessarily contaminate the site of
operation; for this reason and others as well women who attempt to