ABSTRACT
In contemporary health services words such as uncleanness, contamination, contagion, dirt, exclusion and segregation epitomise the culture of everyday life; however, synonymous words such as defilement and pollution have a different meaning. It is these that I want to focus on. The notion of ‘pollution’ is not new; it has been central to theoretical discourses since the time of the Book of Leviticus. Within the anthropological literature it was as far back as 1966 that authors such as Mary Douglas examined the concept. These discussions have essentially been within the context of primitive or developing societies and in essence concerned with the links between pollution and religion and the sacred. However, the issue of pollution and rites of purification within British maternity services requires a dialogue and this chapter will provide a platform for such a discourse.
