maintenance of strict cleanliness during and after childbirth. This
fact fortunately is widely appreciated at present, and not a few
women inquire voluntarily the means of observing the proper
precautions. It is true, of course, that even today many women are
delivered in filthy rooms and upon dirty beds, and that in spite of
such surroundings some of them make a good recovery. Yet grave
complications develop much more frequently among those who have not
paid attention to the preparations for confinement.

The surgical dressings and other supplies do not require attention in
the early months of pregnancy. A number of articles, invaluable when
delivery occurs at full term, are useless if the fetus is immature
and cannot live, and therefore it is unnecessary to provide them
until two or three months before the confinement is expected. In the
event of a miscarriage what is needed can be procured upon very short
notice. But, on the other hand, delivery subsequent to the twenty-
eighth week may require all the equipment useful at full term so that
everything should be in readiness by that time.

ENGAGING THE NURSE.--As soon as the existence of pregnancy is clearly
recognized the patient should select the doctor and the nurse who
will attend her. Prompt selection of a nurse will assure the widest
choice, for proficient nurses are in demand and book engagements far
in advance of the date they will be needed. Furthermore, it is a
relief to the patient to have her attendants selected. The
possibility of premature delivery never interferes with engaging the
nurse very early in pregnancy, for that accident releases both
patient and nurse from their contract.

Nurses demand that the date be specified upon which an engagement