A compend of obstetrics : especially adapted to the use of medical students and physicians / by Henry G. Landis.

  • Landis, Henry G. (Henry Gardner), 1848-1886.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A compend of obstetrics : especially adapted to the use of medical students and physicians / by Henry G. Landis. 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.)

    74/144
    How may inhalation of mucus occur ? The child may respire while the head is detained in the passages, and may draw mucus or fluids into the lungs, causing either asphyxia or pneu- monia after birth. How may the arms be extended ? The arms are naturally flexed upon the child's body, and pass out with it, but if arrested by the pelvic walls, they may be extended alongside of the head, increasing its diameter, and making delivery impossible until they are brought down. How are the arms to be brought down ? One or two fingers are to be passed by the child's head and laid upon an arm from behind. The arm is then to be pushed across the child's face, and so on until brought down by the side of the body. This may be repeated with the other, if both are extended. How may the head be extended ? The head is usually so tightly grasped by the uterus and vaginal walls as to be kept flexed, but if the pelvis is small, or improper traction is made upon the body.it may be extended, and will then present a large outline in passing through the pelvis. This makes its advance more difficult, and may cause a laceration of the perineum. What is the fcetal mortality in the breech presentation ? From thirty to fifty per cent. How should a breech case be managed throughout ? As a rule it should not be interfered with until the breech is born. The physician should then— 1. As soon as the-hips are delivered, draw down a loop of the cord, as otherwise it maybe compressed between the child's head and the pelvic brim during the descent of the former, and, not being able to pass down as rapidly as is required, it may be torn off at the umbilicus or so stretched as to interfere with the placental circulation. If the cord is pulsating strongly, place the loop thus drawn down out of the way in the postero- lateral part of the pelvic excavation. If the pulsation is feeble or absent, hurry the delivery. 2. As the shoulders are coming down, endeavor to secure anterior rotation if it is in a posterior position. 3. As soon as the body is born, bring down the arms, if extended. 4. If the head is not at once born, pass two fingers to its mouth, to secure a supply of air and to admit of respiration.