Outlines of the theory and practice of midwifery / by Alexander Hamilton, M.D. F.R.S. Edin. ; Professor of midwifery in the university, and member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh.

  • Hamilton, Alexander, 1739-1802.
Date:
MDCCXC [1790]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of the theory and practice of midwifery / by Alexander Hamilton, M.D. F.R.S. Edin. ; Professor of midwifery in the university, and member of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    than is adapted to the capacity of the veffels, either of the whole fyftem, or of any particular part. This may depend on the increafe of the abfolute quantity of the fluids ; or on a conftridtion of the vcffcls. It is the former of thefe that feems to be meant by the advocates for a general plethora ; and the chief argu- ments feem to be derived from the debility, inactivity, and fvvelling of the breads. The two former, though often depending on plethora, may be produced by many other caufes ; fo that no argument can be drawn for them. The laft by no means fliows an increafed quantity of the fluids in general ; it feems much con- nected with the (late of the uterus, and takes place in Rates of the fyftem very djfadvantageous for a general fulnefs. We may, with fome confidence, therefore, reject an opinion that has many direct: arguments againft it. For many of the fymptoms are not to be explained by plethora, or by any other fuppofition. A late and probable opinion is, that the Menses '■' depend on a Topical Congestion. This opinion has been for fome time delivered at this uni- verfity by the ingenious Dr Cullen ; and is fup- portal, not only by the moft plaufible arguments, but by itsconfiltency with many other apppearances in the human body. We fhall content ourf.lves with riving a ihort view of it, which may enable thofc to form feme judgment who have not had an opportuni- ty of healing it from himfelf. He obferves, that the growth of the body de- E 2 pends,