Volume 1

An introduction to the practice of midwifery / [Thomas Denman].

  • Denman, Thomas, 1733-1815.
Date:
1805
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introduction to the practice of midwifery / [Thomas Denman]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    348/478 (page 282)
    of the body, efpecially when the patient is ac- cuftomed to fleep on one fide, a change of the pofition generally affords temporary relief. At all events it is not in itfelf of fufficient im- portance to require any medical affiflance, and is entirely removed foon after delivery. Erratic pains in various parts, efpecially about the face, ears, and teeth, fo often occur in preg- nancy, as to be thought certain indications of that flate. They are evidently occafioned by uterine irritation; and although they will fome- times be eafed by cether, by folutions of opium, or other fuch local applications, or by blifters applied behind the ears, yet thcfe cbmmonly af- ford only temporary relief, and in fome inftances they aggravate the pain. The fame obfervation may be made of the cramp, whatever part of the-body it may affed:. This is a very pertina- cious fymptom, and often exceedingly trouble- fome, efpecially in the night; but being void of danger has too little attention paid to it. In cither of thefe cafes, real benefit is to be ob- tained only by bleeding, and the ufe of fuch means as abate irritation in general, or that of the uterus in particular, fuch as fmal] dofes of thi6i. opll, of the fyrup. papaver. alb., the infpif- fated juice of acuta, and other medicines of that clafs. However, in cafes of violent and repeated cramps,^it isnotunufual to meet with unfavourable feparations of the placenta after the birth of the child.