An essay on prolapse of the funis : with a new method of treatment / by T. Gaillard Thomas.

  • Thomas, T. Gaillard (Theodore Gaillard), 1832-1903.
Date:
[1858?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay on prolapse of the funis : with a new method of treatment / by T. Gaillard Thomas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Total number of still-born children,.1822 Occurring with breech presentation,. 263 “ “ transverse presentation,. 9Y “ “ placental presentation,. 50 “ “ hasmorrhage,. 86 “ “ lingering labor,. 62 “ “ prolapse of the funis,. 128 It will tlius be seen that a larger mortality was due to this than to any other cause, except breech presentation. We must not forget, however, in looking at these statistics, that in many cases the cord was pulseless before aid could be procured; as, for instance, in Dr. Collins’ cases it was so in 22 of the 73 fatal cases reported by him, and in 11 of the 25 fatal cases reported by Drs. McClintock and Hardy, Treatment. The indications for the treatment of this accident may be divided into three. 1st, we may get the cord out of danger by placing it in some part of the pelvis where it will be free from pressure as the child passes it; 2d5 we may leave the cord in the position which it has assumed, and remove the child rapidly by version, if above the superior strait, by the force]3s, if below it; and 3d, we may return the prolapsed part to the uterus, and keep it there until the presenting part has so far descended as to fill the outlet of the pelvis. The first of these methods I will mention merely, for it is fraught with so much risk to the child that no one at the 23re- sent day would rely upon it alone, but being guided by the pulsations of the cord, would, in case of need, at once avail himself of the speedy delivery practicable by the forceps. Of the second method, I would only remark, that version is an operation at all times dangerous to both mother and cliild, and the application of forceps is (though not in the same degree hazardous) by no means a harmless jmocedure. These cases, too, often happen to those inexperienced in the operations of midwifery, and whose want of skill makes the delivery neces¬ sarily slow and proportionately dangerous to the child ; Avhile,