A treatise on etherization in childbirth : Illustrated by five hundred and eighty one cases / By Walter Channing.

  • Channing, Walter, 1786-1876.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on etherization in childbirth : Illustrated by five hundred and eighty one cases / By Walter Channing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    morning of 16th, found that she had been delirious in the night, and had Blepl but very little. Lochia scanty. Relishes food. 17th. — Milk has begun to come, and, in afternoon, was very abundant,— more than child could take. — Recovery perfect. The beneficial effects of chloroform in convulsions arc well displayed in the following case, which is extracted from the Sept. number, 1848, of the Buffalo Medical Journal; a periodical which is very ably con- ducted by Austin Flint, M.D. : — Case of Puerperal Convulsions, treated with Chloroform. By James r. Whttb, M.D. July 18th, 1848. — Was requested by Dr. Devening to see Mrs. Brady, then in labor, and suffering from a violent attack of puerperal convulsions. I found an Irishwoman, of full habit, in her third pregnancy ; the two previous labors having been favorable. Dr. Devening had been with her but a short time; the convulsive paroxysms succeeding each other with great rapidity; the face flushed, and pulse full. He had bled her twenty or twenty-four ounces with partial relief. As the pulse continued full, and the muscular efforts during the fits were violent, I deemed it prudent to repeat the bleeding, which was done to about the previous amount. On examination per vaginam, the breech was found occupying the superior strait, the soft parts dilatable, and the pelvis roomy. As the convulsions continued with but slight diminution, and the parts were favorable, though the pains were slight, it was deemed prudent to proceed without delay to deliver the child. To secure the tonic contraction of the uterus, and guard against hemorrhage, two drams of the wine of ergot were given. It occurred to me, that chloroform might assist in controlling the woman, and lessening the agitation, while making the attempt to bring down the child. Dr. Devening accordingly applied some of Chilton's preparation to the nostrils, whilst I introduced my fingers into the vagina, and hooked them into the u'roin of the foetus. The muscular agitation, which before could not be controlled, now subsided, and delivery was effected without difficulty; the uterine contraction continuing to be moderate. After applying such restoratives as were requisite to recover the child from a state of partial asphyxia, I applied a ligature to the cord, and laid it upon the bed. By placing the hand upon the abdomen, it was found to be still distended. Upon the re-introduction of the finger into the vagina, it came in con- tact with the arm of a second child, which I proceeded to turn and deliver; the patient inhaling the chloroform, and remaining quiet, with tolerably firm contrac- tion of the uterus upon the hand during the operation. The double placenta and membranes were very soon pushed down into the vagina by the tonic contraction of the uterus, and were removed by Dr. Devening. Very little hemorrhage fol- lowed ; and, the proper bandage being applied, the patient was carefully laid hack upon the bed. During the entire period succeeding the application of the anaes- thetic agent, the woman was unconscious and calm; but at no time did we carry it so far as to produce stertorous breathing. 21st. — The patient comfortable, and consciousness entirely restored. She has no recollection of any thing which occurred during her labor after being seized with convulsions. The children are of good size, and doing well. 25th. — From Dr. Devening I learn that the woman has so far recovered as to resume her usual domestic duties.