A complete handbook of midwifery for midwives and nurses / by J.K. Watson.

  • Watson, J. K. (James Kenneth), 1929-
Date:
[1914]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A complete handbook of midwifery for midwives and nurses / by J.K. Watson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    58/384 (page 38)
    Month (of four weeks). Growth and Characteristics of I-'cctus at each Month. First. j Ovum the size of a pigeon’s egg; embryo about £ inch long. Second. Ovum size of hen’s egg; embryo i to 2 inches long; permanent form ; extremities have three divisions. Third. Size of goose egg; length 3 to 5 inches; fingers and toes have nails distinct; placenta formed. Fourth. Embryo now called fcetus; length 6 inches; sex distinctly recognised; eyes, nostrils and mouth closed. Fifth. Length 7 to 10 inches; hair appearing on head and body; nails well formed; head very large. Sixth. Length ir to 13 inches; weight about 20 oz.; fat begins to be deposited beneath skin; head disproportionately large; if born makes inspiratory efforts, moves limbs and soon dies. Seventh. Length 15 inches ; weight about 3 lb.; eyelids separ- ated ; skin red, covered with vernix caseosa. If born moves, breathes and cries weakly; usually soon dies. Eighth. Length 16 inches ; weight over 4 lb.; skin still red ; child still delicate and easily dies. Ninth. Length 17 inches; weight 5 to 6 lb.; body rounded : greater mortality than mature child, but with care can be reared. Mature Child. Length 20 inches ; weight 6J lb.; skin white ; nails project over finger tips; bones of skull hard; when i born cries loudly, moves extremities freely, passes urine and meconium. N.B.—Roughly speaking the length of the fcetus amounts to twice as many inches as its age in months: eight months = 16 inches.