Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: C, 1949-1950. A-71, folder 285. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

delivered, the darn thing refused to breathe: You can imagine my state of mind. It was 20 minutes before he finally began. We did everything & at last put him in water & breathed into him at the same time. Meanwhile I was to sew up the episiotomy. I had hit a good sized artery & it bled all over everything--just spurting away & having a lovely time. As I was busily trying to catch it, the nurse who was holding the leg on my side, let go & sort of unsteadily walked toward the instrument table & promptly fainted over it. What a night--and all through it the chief who is usually an old crank, laughed & joked. I think he did it because it was such an awful introduction to operative obstetrics. He said the baby would have been dead if we had not used the forceps, because the amniotic fluid was deeply stained c meconium.

Another night we had a girl miscarry & nearly bleed to death. She went into shock so fast that I could hardly believe it. At this time we had a young Dr. on the service who was very theoretical & not at all practical-She was only 1 f dilated & he tried to stretch the os and insert a Vorhees bag. He got one in but decided it was too small--& attempted to put in a larger one. That was too big & after several attempts he decided to pack the uterus. That was some trauma to one poor cervix. Two days later she

TELEPHONE : 2-4411 FOUNDED 1849

ALBANY HOSPITAL NEW SCOTLAND AVENUE ALBANY, N.Y.

E.W. JONES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

C.E. MARTIN, M.D., MEDICAL DIRECTOR

started to have a rise in temp. & continued to have one for weeks. She had seven transfusions, continuous intravenous & what not. She finally died & what a mess--peritonitis etc. Sometimes I wonder if I have the courage to be a doc when I see such things.

Gynecology was wonderful. Dr. Sampson is a perfect person to work under. We got up at 6:30 & worked until midnight as a rule, but I saw some wonderful work, as well as some wonderful pre & post operative care. I hated to leave the service. Psychiatry was a let down, & not at all as good as last year. We had too many patients for too short a time. I did not like the head of the service. He was a fanatic on many things & especially on noise. During a conference if he heard a noise, he would forget what he was saying [or?] what was being said & go find what made the noise. I was glad when the end of the 6 wks came.

Now for a rest to myself & to my

disposition!!

It's nearly supper time--and the air makes one hungry. That's one thing that worries me. Everyone gains here & I already weigh 147 lbs. My uniforms bulge now!

Write me a letter--if you still think I deserve one. I could almost promise to asnser sooner! I would like to know what you are doing & how you are--

Very sincerely Winnifred P. Chase

Post

A Volume of Anniversary Wishes

A Book of cheery wishes Congratulations, too, May each future happy year Bring added joy to You.

Catharine W. Castle