The principles and practice of obstetric medicine / Carefully revised & corr., with ... additions and notes by Alexander Cooper Lee and Nathaniel Rogers.

  • Blundell, Dr., 1790-1878.
Date:
[1840]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principles and practice of obstetric medicine / Carefully revised & corr., with ... additions and notes by Alexander Cooper Lee and Nathaniel Rogers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    150/1188 (page 126)
    SECTION4.-EFFECTS PRODUCED ON THE SOFT PARTS BY THE PASSING OF THE CHILD. When parturition occurs, certain-effects are more or less liable to be produced on the various soft parts which are involved in the pro- cess. I shall now, therefore, enumerate and explain some of the most important of those effects. Dilatation of the Parts — When delivery occurs, there is an exten- sive dilatation of the parts in question. ‘The os uteri, when con- tracted, will scarcely admit the catheter; but when dilated, it becomes so widely expanded, as to allow the passage of the head with facility. The vagina, small in its capacity, relaxes gently and softly under the pressure of the cranium ;—so as to sustain the transmission with- out injury; while a further softening prepares the genital fissure, in such a manner as to fit it for the emersion of the head. We wits perinzeum yields ; and suddenly the child’s head bursts into the world. Against this accident the accoucheur should always be prepared ;