BUILDING THE NATION THROUGH WOMEN'S HEALTH: MODERN ...

profession and sustaining their poor public image. For this reason, Yang decided to accept only
women with better qualifications into her program. In this way, she could help to create a
legitimate profession (see Chapter Four). She also advocated government regulation of this new
profession, as well as cooperation with existing medical missionary institutions:
“Midwifery is one of the professions. It can only be controlled by government
through registration and enforcement of regulations. The situation requires
governmental schools of good standards. Cooperation should be effected with
missionary hospitals and other private institutions who however should have their
training schools comply with government standards and regulations.” 314
In 1926, three hospitals in Beijing formed a joint midwifery school, the North China
School for Midwives, a precursor to the First National Midwifery School. Its purpose was to
train certified nurses who could “fill institutional posts as head midwife, or take part in the
training of midwives in purely Chinese midwifery schools.” 315 The participating institutions
were PUMC, plus the two women’s hospitals in Peking: Sleeper Davis Hospital and Douw
Hospital. Its governing body was made up of the heads of the women’s hospitals, as well as the
heads of the Departments of Nursing and of OB/GYN at PUMC. Only six certified nurses were
eligible for admission to the 15-month course, which began in September 1926 and was
conducted entirely in Chinese. The course consisted of lectures given by physicians from the
three hospitals and practical clinical work in the Public Health Demonstration Area, the three
hospitals, and patients’ homes. The first three months (September to December) were dedicated
to lectures in obstetrics and nursing and rounds in the women’s and children’s wards.
314 Marian Yang, "Report of the Training and Supervision for Midwives," (Peiping: Division of Medical Service,
Health Station, First Special Health Area, Department of Public Health, 1928), folder 371, box 45, series 601, RAC.
315 H. Barchet, memo to M.K. Eggleston, June 11, 1926, folder 669, box 94, RG IV2B9, RAC.
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