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called the " terebra occulta," long since obsolete, but he will 

 be remembered chiefly for the dictum "meddlesome mid- 

 wifery is bad." 



Bartholomew Mosse saw the need for a lying-in hospital 

 that would serve the double purpose of charity and instruction. 

 He set about the task, and with unflagging energy, aided by 

 his intense gambling spirit, brought into being the world- 

 renowned Kotunda Hospital. The embryonic stage began in 

 1745 when Mosse took over a house in George's Lane, now 

 South Great George's Street, which he converted into a lying- 

 in hospital of twelve beds at his own expense. 



The good work done at the hospital in George's Lane led, 

 through many vicissitudes, to the Rotunda Hospital proper. 

 With the aid of parliamentary grants and the proceeds of 

 lotteries and public amusements, all organised by Mosse him- 

 self, the foundation stone of the Rotunda building was laid 

 in 1751 and the charter of incorporation from George II. was 

 granted in 1756. 



The Coombe Lying-in Hospital was also started as a private 

 effort. It was part of Kirby's famous school and was carried 

 on as such in 1822, providing clinical training for the students. 

 It was taken over as a public charity in 1829 for the people 

 of the Liberties. 



The problems of the early days were puerperal fever and 

 Trismus Nasentium. The groping in the dark is dull reading, 

 but the zeal exhibited by these pioneers in advancing their 

 theories, if not admirable, is amusing. 



Joseph Clarke is noted for his researches in Trismus 

 Nasentium and the application of statistics to the study of 

 midwifery. He improved the conditions of the hospital by 

 his insistence on thorough ventilation. 



Doctor Douglas' essay on spontaneous evolution is often 

 quoted. 



The College of Physicians had progressed sufficiently in 1827 

 to appoint a professor of Midwifery at the School of Physic. 



William F. Montgomery, who filled the chair, is noted for 

 his treatise on the signs and symptoms of pregnancy. 



In 1838 Evory Kennedy, one of the masters of the Rotunda 

 Hospital, founded the Dublin Obstetric Society. 



As elsewhere, Semmelweiss' discovery of the cause of 

 puerperal fever was taken up slowly. It was an uphill fight, 



