On the use and abuse of pessaries.

  • Bantock, George Granville.
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the use and abuse of pessaries. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    condemnation with which it has been assailed. For my part I have never seen any harm result from it, and I certainly fail to see the superiority of the uterine repositor which finds so much favour across the Atlantic and German oceans. Some there are who tell us that it is not necessary to use any instrument at all; that the uterus can be replaced with the fingers ; while others do not even take the trouble to replace the uterus, but at once introduce the pessary, apparently under the belief that it is going to correct the displacement and support the uterus all in one. I have seen this done by a very eminent gynaecologist, with the result which ex- perience had taught me to anticipate. These methods fail to yield us the valuable information which the sound gives. I cannot hope to influence those who have already settled down into their own grooves, but I address myself to my younger brethren, who are perhaps only commencing practice, and have yet so much to learn, and I ask them not to be too much influenced by the advice of those experts—experts from long experience—who tell us that the replacing of the uterus by the finger is a simple and easy thing to do, and that the sound is a dangerous instrument, but rather to try them all in order to find out the best method. As to the verdict I have no manner of doubt. The sound is one of the most valuable instruments for diagnosis we possess, and it is no less valuable in treatment when properly employed. It is as the compass to the Mariner, as the steam-gauge to the Engineer.