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<p>I should have phrased that differently. It wasn’t the illegal part that was inherently dangerous. It was the untrained woman who decided to call herself a midwife that was inherently dangerous.</p>
<p>Now that I think of it, the reason Isobel was eating at home that night and not at Downton clearly is that if she had been there she would have (1) correctly diagnosed the pre-eclampsia, (2) known about the magnesium sulfite remedy and (3) had the social standing and iron will to be able to insist that Sybil have the correct treatment.</p>
<p>I wonder what the proper treatment would have been at that time? I agree with Surfcity that Robert would have wanted a second opinion for such bad news. What could they have done at that time? A C section would have been so very risky…short of that what were the treatment options then?</p>
<p>Yes, Daisychain, I do think that the reason they kept Isobel out of the way was that they wanted two medical opinions, not 3.</p>
<p>Hugcheck – options at the time were C-Section (especially favored in Germany), morphine to attempt to avoid the seizures (popularized by a Dr. Tweedy in Dublin, and used well into the 30s in some places), and magnesium sulfate, which I believe is used pretty universally now. I haven’t been able to figure out how widespread the magnesium treatment was by 1920. By later in the decade, it was well known. (If someone wants to hire me to really look into it, I might be able to do better! lol)</p>
<p>Daisychain, that makes perfect sense. I agree. That may come up in the next episode lol.</p>
<p>Oh, milkandsugar, can you imagine? Isobel in the mix telling everybody that she could and would have saved Sybil? Then a Cora/Isobel alliance forms, and they turn Downton into a maternity ward for the county. Robert will have to go find the housemaid from last season to cheer him up.</p>
<p>One thing to note about preeclampsia and eclampsia is that magnesium sulfate is not a cure. It can temporarily help reduce the risk of seizures but does nothing to cure the underlying illness. Then as now, the only cure is the birth of the baby (and more importantly, the placenta) by either induced labor or c-section.</p>
<p>As symptoms develop (usually some time after the 20th week of pregnancy) the balancing act that docs have to manage is keeping the baby on board long enough that it can survive outside the womb without catastrophic premature birth complications while juggling that against the preeclampsia symptoms so as not to put the mother at serious risk. If a hard choice has to be made they will sacrifice the baby to save the mother. Left untreated both usually die.</p>
<p>Am I the only one who is torn over what to watch on February 10th - when “The Walking Dead” returns?</p>
<p>Zombies or aristocrats - which are more compelling?</p>
<p>Me too!! I think it will depend on what they do with Rick ( on WD) and Edith (on DA) for me. People look at you funny when you watch both ;)</p>
<p>Daisy chain I think you have it. I was wondering if things would have gone differently if Isobel was there. Then I remember its TV and not real life. I think your reasoning is correct. I also dont think her father trusted the local doc, commenting on how he had misdiagnosed two things previously. I think cora will get over it, but right now she needs someone to be mad at.<br>
I think Mary wants to be pregnant, I think she was consulting the doc on why it hasnt happened. Although do know one spoiler so am wondering how this is all going to gel out. I am learning many things here</p>
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<p>Ain’t that the truth! Actually, each series has its own charms and I’d hate to miss either one. Fortunately, I think WD is on-demand here.</p>
<p>Re post 1146 from anouilh: “Robert will have to go find the housemaid from last season to cheer him up.”</p>
<p>I have always thought we have not seen the last of Jane the housemaid. She and Robert seemed to have a very strong connection. I think he will bump into her in the village or in a shop and they will become involved. She is still young…able to get pregnant…a possibility for Season 4 (or 5 or 6).</p>
<p>I never thought of Isobel. She would have been all over that situation. But alas, she was busy trying to make sure Mrs. Byrd did not sully herself by becoming a prostitute. :)</p>
<p>And why does everyone think Edith is homely? I think she is totally rocking that flapper bob and is cute. Her personality in the first couple of seasons was a little bitter. But I certainly thought she was cuter than Sybil, who looks like she can’t possibly be sisters with them, with her full lips and bigger eyes, etc.</p>
<p>Ispobel, as a character, has always been bossy, and has always been right on the medical front. So if the writers were determined to have the plot trajectory of Sybil dying they couldn’t have Isobel there without changing her character.</p>
<p>I don’t think Edith is homely, but I think what she did to Mary in Season 1 was horrendous. Unlike many others, I like Mary. :)</p>
<p>Edith is homely because the character is meant to be homely - as part of the plot. Laura Carmichael, the actress who plays Edith is not homely. In real life she looks more or less like any other glamorous actress:
<a href=“http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/resources/images/2215901/?type=articlePortrait[/url]”>http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/resources/images/2215901/?type=articlePortrait</a></p>
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<p>Isobel isn’t always right. She was wrong and Dr. Clarkson was right about the patient (the young husband) in the local clinic who was suffering from edema and thus was having trouble breathing. I thought at the time that might humble the medical know-it-all Isobel a bit and make her less forthcoming with all her diagnoses and therapies, but no such luck.</p>
<p>Most of the actors are more attractive in real life than in the fictional world of Downton.</p>
<p>Look at O’Brien:</p>
<p>[Because</a> it’s Friday: Downton Abbey behind the scenes](<a href=“Revolutions”>Because it's Friday: Downton Abbey behind the scenes (Revolutions))</p>
<p>Wow, what a difference!</p>
<p>Especially the Labradors!!</p>