Volume 1

An explanation of the real process of the 'spontaneous evolution of the foetus' ; With some remarks, intended to induce an inquiry, whether the practice of turning be not too generally had recourse to, in arm-presentations / By John C. Douglas.

  • Douglas, John C., 1777-1850.
Date:
1819
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An explanation of the real process of the 'spontaneous evolution of the foetus' ; With some remarks, intended to induce an inquiry, whether the practice of turning be not too generally had recourse to, in arm-presentations / By John C. Douglas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    18/56 (page 8)
    might instance the exhibition of mercury in hepatic and bilious complaints ; in some of which it may produce beneficial effects ; but surely nothing can be more absurd than to charge the system with mercury in inflam¬ mation of the liver; and yet such practice has been frequently pushed, even to the most deplorable consequences. In like manner, this improvement of Pare would have been of more decided advantage to the human race, if its application had been restricted to suitable cases ; for I will ven¬ ture to state, that no candid man of extended practice will deny the fact of his having known women to suffer irreparable injury, even death, in consequence of the violence used by practitioners in the operation of turn¬ ing. 4 To acquire conclusive evidence of this as¬ sertion, it is only necessary for a person to pe¬ ruse the writings of any candid practitioner of the last or present century, and there will there be found sufficient testimony to convince