A compendious system of midwifery : chiefly designed to facilitate the inquiries of those who may be pursuing this branch of study, illustrated by occasional cases / by William P. Dewees.

  • Dewees, William P. (William Potts), 1768-1841.
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A compendious system of midwifery : chiefly designed to facilitate the inquiries of those who may be pursuing this branch of study, illustrated by occasional cases / by William P. Dewees. 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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    my patient, who agreed to do willingly whatever I proposed. A partial shower-bath was contrived: and before the expiration of a month, not only great relief from pain, but much benefit was experienced; for sbe wa3 once more able to pull on her stockings, and draw up her feet. 40. About two months after, she expressed a great inclina- tion to try to walk, which I have often since regretted was not agreed to. She continued, however, free from pain, and in good health until December, (just twelve months from her confine- ment,) when, contrary to my wish and opinion, she was moved to her husband's house, as she had been confined at her father's. 41. She was put into a chaise, but whether from the motion of the carriage, or the confinement in which she was obliged to be in, during two hours, I cannot say, but all the unpleasant symptoms returned, accompanied with great pain, and the crack- ling of the pubis. 42. At this period I gave up my attendance, as I did not approve of the proceeding. She was put under the care of ano- ther practitioner, who, I understand, employed counter-extension to keep, as he termed it, < the opposite sides of the pelvis in op- position.' This was contrived by keeping her upper and lower extremities fastened to the bed-post; but it caused such pain, that she refused to endure it any longer: and matters having become much worse, I was requested to renew my attendance. I found her quite resigned to her situation, but without any hopes of re- covery, to which she had so patiently looked forward. I per- suaded her to return to the constant use of the shower-bath and belt, both of which had been much neglected. 43. I visited her at Easter, and staid with her two days; and was satisfied, from close observation, that she was in a fair way of recovery. She. was playing with her child on the bed, and she turned herself in various directions without making any complaint; and her sister, who slept with her, told me that she had often turned on her side in her sleep, without experiencing any bad effect the next morning. I contrived a little carriage for her, in which she could lie lengthwise, and which was easily wheeled about the garden. The delightful sensation she expe- rienced on once more breathing the fresh air, after being confined nearly eighteen months, may be readily conceived. A pair of crutches were procured, and directions given, if she should have any inclination to stand or walk, to allow her to make a trial. 44. I had a letter from her about a month ago, in which she