Problems and difficulties in the clinical teaching of obstetrics and gynecology as of today

Abstract

I N BYGONE years the teaching of obstetrics and gynecology was on a very casual basis. In the early French hospitals the obstetrical patients were usually found in the cellar of the hospital in order t.o assure privacy, and the whole process of care during labor was conducted in an atmosphere of secrecy. This was the time, too, when it was considered to be highly immoral for the lying-in woman to be seen or attended by a male physician. Obviously, clinical instruction under such conditions was all but impossible. In Germany, conditions were somewhat better; and when Johann Fried organized the first Prauel\-(bars later my own experience was comparable but slightly better. 7 obser\-cd four deliveries, palpated the abdomen of one pregnant woman at the time of my final examination, never did a rectal or vaginal examination, and never had a pelvimeter in my hands. From what has been said, it is obvious that the clinical teaching of obstetrics in this country was in a sad state up to a fairly recent period. As for the clinical teaching of gynecology, it was a.lmost noncxistcnt. Fortunately, however, from the early part of this century, great improvement can be recorded. This improvement; coincides with the establishment of