Therapeutic abortion To the editor: I would like to comment on certain points made by Dr. W. W. Watters (Can Med Assoc 1 111: 900, 1974) and others in recent issues of the Journal. Dr. Watters says that he and others working for repeal of the Criminal Code provisions on abortion are not actually pro abortion, they just want the decision regarding abortion to be a matter between the patient and her physician. But this is the situation in countries with the most liberal abortion laws. Short of making abortion compulsory, the proabortionist could not devise any more effective legislative means to encourage abortion than the abandonment of legal restraints on abortion. The statement that abortion, being a medical matter, should be a matter for decision between a woman and her physician, deceives many. A small number of legalized abortionists could perform a large number of abortions, irrespective of the recommendations of the patient's own doctor. The country that liberalizes abortion creates an atmosphere that encourages abortion. In such an atmosphere the demand for abortion becomes so great that illegal abortionists, whom Dr. Watters describes as backstreet butchers (and I share his profound distaste for them), are 'by no means put out of business. Is abortion really no different than any other operation? The people who see no difference are the same people who see all the difference in the world between feticide and infanticide. In debates on abortion, reference to the sorry plight of the unwanted child is usually made in such a way that it seems that the logical way to deal with the problem is to provide easy abortion. It is common knowledge, however, that women's attitudes to their pregnancies change as the months go by, and many women who were desperately unhappy in the early st.iges feel entirely different later. When the babies are still not wanted by their natural mothers after birth, there are couples anxious to adopt them - far more couples than there are babies available. This is true in Canada and in most, if not all, countries that have legalized abortion. Dr. Watters refers derisively to the "pro-life" group as the "Canadian Crusaders for Compulsory Pregnancy.. because they would encourage a pregnant woman to complete her pregnancy even though her desires at that particular time might be to the contrary. Is it so difficult to understand that in certain circumstances principles come before expedients? History is replete with examples of man finding it wiser to refrain from taking the obvious step that would furnish quick and seemingly

beneficial results because of the amount of harm that could arise from that step in the long run. Killing has always been one of the most tempting ways for man to achieve his immediate ends. The numerous complications that may result from abortion, especially the long-term ones, provide good medical reasons for encouraging a pregnancy to continue. Dr. Watters is critical of the organization Birthright. Although I am not a member, I know enough about this organization to be impressed by what its workers are doing in the way of helping women who are pregnant and distressed. These women are going through a phase in which they need sympathy, practical and material help, and just plain kindness, and this is certainly provided by the members of Birthright. PG. COFFEY, MD, FRCS[C]

Kemptville, Ont.

Food asphyxiation

from a personal communication I recently received from Dr. Henry J. Heimlich. He states: "There are more than 70 documented cases of lives saved by using the Heimlich maneuver. No unsuccessful reports have been received." In addition, he states that there are brochures and posters available that show clearly and concisely in colour how to recognize food choking and how to perform the Heimlich maneuver. These are available directly from C. Rosenthal, PG Box 20006, Cincinnati, OH 45220. The prices range from $5 for five posters to $1210 for 10000 (plus tax) and less for the brochures, which measure 8½" x 3¾". The posters measure 17" x 22". It would seem logical that a poster should appear in the waiting room of every physician's office in Canada, as well as in all dining areas. I believe that it is the duty of The Canadian Medical Association to disseminate information about procedures that prevent food choking (and drowning).

To the editor: To add to my comments on food asphyxiation (Can Med Assoc J 111: 1186, 1974) I would like to quote

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118 Giles Blvd. E. Windsor, Ont.

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CMA JOURNAL/FEBRUARY 8, 1975/VOL. 112 283

Letter: Therapeutic abortion.

Therapeutic abortion To the editor: I would like to comment on certain points made by Dr. W. W. Watters (Can Med Assoc 1 111: 900, 1974) and others in...
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