Aside from the delirium-like experiences often associated with the toxemias of pregnancy, none of the above mentioned conditions are referable to any disturbance of the physiologic or metabolic functioning of the patient, so far as science can demonstrate. They are merely accentuations of poor habits of adjustment to difficulties, which the patient has betrayed all her life. The psychoses of pregnancy and the puerperium require skilful handling and the nurse is not called upon to care for them except under the constant supervision of a physician. She is, however, constantly brought face to face with facts of fear and worry and conflicting desires which play a tremendous rôle in the well-being of the patient during the months of pregnancy and confinement. The chief source of happiness and of unrest is the mother’s attitude toward the coming of the baby. Just here it may be helpful to have a word about what is meant by “conflict” and the “mechanism” which produces it. As a starting point there must be a recognition of the fact that the deepest and most influential feminine instinct is maternal—the desire to have and care for a child. It is primal. It has been in women since the dawn of Creation and although in many women it is put down, stifled or complicated by other desires, it cannot be destroyed. Not a few women deny this instinct, but back of their denial is some reason, conscious or unconscious, which is not harmonious with the idea of motherhood. The woman may be selfish, for example; she may be vain and not want to lose her grace and charm through pregnancy. When some such feeling is strong it conflicts with the deeper one of maternalism and there is a lack of harmony or a “conflict.” It is just that—a conflict or struggle between two emotions and the result is a state of mental unrest. A homely comparison might be found in the digestive disturbance which may follow an effort to cope with two incompatible articles of food at the same time. The patient may have nausea, vomiting, pain or even more severe symptoms. The severity of the symptoms and their effect upon the patient depend somewhat upon the average vigor or stability ordinarily displayed by the digestive tract under a lesser strain. People with so-called delicate digestions may be greatly upset by combinations of food which others are able to cope with and suffer little or no inconvenience.