The Dublin practice of midwifery / By Henry Maunsell.

  • Maunsell, Henry, 1806-1879.
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Dublin practice of midwifery / By Henry Maunsell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    28/260 (page 16)
    the anterior fontanelle being in such cases the presenting part. The longest diameter of the head, is that be- tween the point of the chin and the vertex. It measures five inches, and is the opposing diameter in another variety of natural presentation, viz. when the face is the presenting part: it must be obvious that this position of the head will materi- ally increase the difficulties of its transit. The depth of the head, from the sagittal suture to the occipital foramen, may be estimated at about three inches and a quarter. The dimensions, of course, vary in different individuals, but those we have given are about the average. The heads of female children are usually somewhat less than those of males ; Dr. Joseph Clarke* estimates the difference at one twenty- eighth or one thirtieth of the circumference. The movements of the head now claim a little attention. These are, flexion forwards and exten- sion backwards, both, especially the former, capa- ble of being carried to a considerable extent. Direct lateral inclination is only admitted to a slight degree, and rotation can be carried just so far as to allow of the chin resting on the shoulder, but not farther without endangering the child’s safety. We have spoken of variations from the natural * Phil. Trans, v. 76.