She studied soldiers, torturers, executioners, policemen, abortionists, veterinarians, bullfighters and Nazi records. Even after guaranteeing some abortionists ten clients per week, the per-abortion cost remained $500. She single-mindedly pursued abortionists and used the police and the courts to prosecute them. So-called 'backstreet' abortionists were fairly common, although their bloody efforts could be fatal. So-called "backstreet" abortionists were fairly common, although their efforts could be fatal. Many of the women went to untrained abortionists.