Obstetric studies : comprehending A treatise on parturition; likewise the various accompanying symptoms during pregnancy, and subsequently to labour: with descriptive references and practical observations ... / by James Hogben, surgeon.

  • Hogben, James.
Date:
1813
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Obstetric studies : comprehending A treatise on parturition; likewise the various accompanying symptoms during pregnancy, and subsequently to labour: with descriptive references and practical observations ... / by James Hogben, surgeon. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    The human subject is observed to be the only animated creature whose uterus is fleshy ; in all others it is completely membranous. In a few instances, the uterus has been discovered double, having two cavities. UTERINE ACCIDENTS. The Uterus is liable to be ruptured, in time of parturition, either spontaneously or accidentally : the first may be occasioned by an irregular action of its fibres, producing partial pressure on some part of the pelvis : this may so happen when not in the least suspected, and when it is not possible to be prevented; and death immediately ensues, from the great and sudden discharge of blood into the cavity of the abdomen. Accidental rupture of the uterus may be caused by the effort of turning the child in delivering. It is seldom a woman survives a ruptured uterus ; but when this accident happens, and the child passes through the lacerated part into the cavity of the abdomen, if the Accoucheur be present, he should introduce his hand through the ruptured aperture immediately before the uterus contracts, in order to extract and save the child: but if any space of time have elapsed before proper manual assistance can be procured, passing the hand forcibly through the lacerated part after the uterus has contracted, and dragging out the child, may possibly give the mother much pain, increase inflammation, and hasten her disso- lution. A consultation, if immediately to be procured, where a young practi- tioner is first called, will ever be adviseable ; as, unless the child be extracted, he probably will be censured by the friends of the patient: for although the chance of life must, at any rate, be very small, yet there are instances related, where extra-uterine foetuses have remained in the abdomen, surrounded and protected by membranous covering, for a number of years, so as to be attended with very little inconvenience, and such women have borne children afterwards in that state. Again, we have upon record instances where the child has become putrid, and the abdominal integuments of the woman (contiguous) have been destroyed by suppuration, so that the bones, &c. of the child have been extracted, the parte healed, and a perfect recovery has ensued. m 2