of the highest value from the very beginning of
pregnancy. Instructions carried into effect at this early date, as to
personal conduct, exercise, diet, etc., will have a distinctly beneficial
influence, not only on the patient's health and the character of her
confinement, but on the physical vitality of the coming baby.

REGARDING THE CHOICE OF A PHYSICIAN.--This is a matter that should receive
the most careful consideration. While it is just to admit that every
physician is capable of successfully conducting maternity cases, there are
certain characteristics in the individual temperament that would seem to
indicate that some physicians are better adapted to this special work.

Trustworthiness is an imperative essential in a physician who assumes the
responsibility of confinement engagements. He must be clean in his personal
habits as well as morally. He should possess the virtue of patience and be
tactful, and above all he should be made to feel that he has your implicit
confidence. If you will analyze these qualifications you will understand
just what they imply. The physician who has the reputation of having the
largest practice is not necessarily the man you want, nor does it imply
that he is the best fitted to conduct your case to your satisfaction. The
fact that he is a very busy man may be distinctly detrimental to your best
interests. If the physician has the reputation of being an excellent
doctor, but, "You can't always depend on him,--he may be out of town, or he
may send his assistant, or substitute," you don't want him; it is too [70]
important an event to you to take a chance with. Rely rather upon the man
who, though his charge may be a little higher, is known to be trustworthy;
who will take a personal interest in you, and is known to be patient and
capable.

THE SELECTION OF A NURSE.--A choice must be made between having a trained
nurse and what is known as a maternity, or monthly, nurse. The choice may
be dictated by the financial means of the patient. A trained nurse is paid
from $25 to $30 per week, while a maternity nurse usually gets $15 per
week.

A trained nurse is a graduate from a hospital where she has successfully
completed a course of training. She is to be preferred, if she can be
afforded, for the reason that she has been trained to obey absolutely the
orders of a physician, and because she has the requisite knowledge to
detect emergencies, and the necessary skill and experience to ena