The cause of death in the still-born / by Dr King.

  • Richard King
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The cause of death in the still-born / by Dr King. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    69/76 page 65
    Although syncope, as I have shown, can but arise in the preternatural still-born child from one cause, asphyxia may arise from three causes, compression of the um- bilical cord, the injudicious use of ergot of rye, and pressure on the detached after- birth. The first two causes of suspended life are generally admitted, but the third has yet to be recognised, and I therefore offer, in support of my views on the subject, the following case of Harriet Smart, of 25, Buckingham-place, Upper Cleveland- street, who was delivered of a footling, in a quarter of an hour from the time the feet were expelled. The after-birth came away with the head, upon which it had been hard pressed by the uterus for some time. The accoucheur feared there was serious injury done to the scalp, until the indus- trious use of the sponge demonstrated that it was merely the dry blood of the after- birth. The child was still-born, and in a livid state. It breathed freely in ten minutes after birth, and in three days the livid appearance was no longer per- ceptible. E
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