Volume 1

On the induction of premature labour in cases of pregnancy, complicated with albuminous urine, dropsy, and amaurosis / by Robert Lee.

  • Lee, Robert, 1793-1877.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the induction of premature labour in cases of pregnancy, complicated with albuminous urine, dropsy, and amaurosis / by Robert Lee. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    in a state of complete insensibility. Pupils were widely dilated, the saliva flowing from the mouth. The jaws were clenched, and the muscles of the face and the extremi¬ ties were convulsed. Pulse was rapid and feeble. There was no symptom of labour. The os uteri had not begun to dilate, but on passing the finger the head of the child was felt presenting, and the membranes distended with liquor amnii. I immediately ruptured the membranes, pressed up the head, and this was followed by the escape of a large quantity of liquor amnii. The os uteri was afterwards gently dilated with the finger. Cupping to the extent of seven or eight ounces from behind the ears was prescribed. The urine had previously been drawn off by the catheter, and ascertained by Dr. Smith to be albuminous. The patient remained insensible till the evening, when labour supervened, and the child was expelled alive. She remained completely insensible for several days after her confinement, but the convulsions gradually ceased. She has since been removed into Burton Ward, St. George's Hospital, and the consciousness has been completely restored, but not the vision. She cannot y£t see any object distinctly. The albuminous condition of the urine has been gradually disappearing, and is now almost gone, and there is every prospect that this patient will be restored to complete health.