Under such circumstances the nurse must feel under compulsion to do all in her power to make the home delivery satisfactory, from the standpoint of the patient’s happiness and contentment and from the standpoint of surgical cleanliness and efficiency as well, so that normal cases, at least, may be attended with reasonable safety at home. We know that the deaths, incident to childbirth, throughout this country at large, have not declined during the past decade, in spite of improved obstetrical methods and skill and the large percentage of recoveries in hospitals where they are applied. In the homes, in general, young mothers continue to die in distressingly large numbers, chiefly from infection, which we know is largely preventable. Apparently, then, in some important particulars the conditions surrounding the majority of home deliveries are still such as to be almost a menace to life and health. And as it is manifestly impossible for all obstetrical patients to be cared for in hospitals, home deliveries need to be made safer, which virtually means, made _cleaner_. This grave need cannot be dismissed by the nurse as something outside of her province. She may aid greatly, and therefore is under obligation to do so, in making home confinements surgically clean, by being conscientious and thoughtful and thorough in her preparations and assistance. A relatively small percentage of obstetrical patients require operative assistance, but without a single exception they all require cleanliness; cleanliness of appliances and cleanliness of methods. As the first labor is usually longer and more difficult than later ones, and the percentage of lacerations and operative interference is higher, primiparæ should be delivered in hospitals when possible, as well as all cases presenting any complication or abnormality. But women who are normal, particularly multiparæ, and these constitute the vast majority of obstetrical patients, should be able to remain at home in safety. In most instances the patient who is to be delivered at home will have to occupy her accustomed room and there is no alternative. Should there be a choice of rooms, however, one should be selected that is cool and shady, if the confinement takes place during the summer, but bright and sunny for occupancy during most of the year; it should be conveniently near a bathroom if possible, and have an adjoining room for the nurse and baby to occupy. The arrangement and furnishings of the room will not of necessity vary greatly from those of a room which is to be occupied by any patient. Carpets, upholstered furniture, heavy draperies and curtains are no more suitable in this than in any patient’s room.