An explanation of the real process of 'spontaneous evolution of the foetus'.

  • Douglas, John C.
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An explanation of the real process of 'spontaneous evolution of the foetus'. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    72/90 (page 56)
    VV hether the present exposition will have any claim to the rank of a doctrine destined to super- sede an erroneous theory, by explaining1 more satisfactorily the nature of this untoward occurrence in midwifery, must rest with the judgment of the experienced practitioner. We all know that the placenta is usually expelled within a short period after the birth of the child, without any particular interference on the part of the accoucheur. Cases of retention* are not now very numerous ; its recurrence gradually becoming less frequent, in consequence of increasing improve- ment in this branch of the medical profession. It has been a maxim universal with authors and teachers of midwifery, that detentions of placenta are attributable to three causes, and are occasioned indifferently by any one of them, viz. irregular, or hour-glass contraction of the uterus, morbid adhe- sion of the placenta, and inaction of the uterus. * By the term retention or detention is to be understood, un- toward or protracted delay of the placenta, after the birth of the child.