This work was done in the Obstetrical Clinic of the Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. The city has a colored population of about 75,000. Our clinic serves the total charity population, which is practically the entire population, and is the only refuge for badly handled cases. Sixty per cent of all negro births reported are cases delivered on our service.All of the normal cases in our series were delivered by senior students, under the direction of the resident obstetrician. The operative work, in large part, was done by a colleague and myself. The service in our clinic has been entirely indoors for the past several years, enabling us to exercise a closer supervision at all times. All of our obstetrical teaching revolves around two things: the mechanism of labor and conservatism.At the present time a majority of the cases admitted may be classed as poor surgical risks. Their living conditions are poor, hygiene miserable, food insufficient and poorly balanced. Nearly all of the cases are anemic. Four-plus Wassermanns are present in 30 to 35 per cent of the cases. Oral sepsis, chronic tonsillitis and constipation are the rule. Only 50 to 60 per cent of the cases delivered have attended the prenatal clinic.