A lecture introductory to a course on midwifery, and diseases of females and children, delivered at the Anglesey Lying-in Hospital / [G.T. Hayden].

  • Hayden, G. T. (George Thomas), 1798-1857
Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture introductory to a course on midwifery, and diseases of females and children, delivered at the Anglesey Lying-in Hospital / [G.T. Hayden]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    are not uncalled for, to improve on the plans and suggestions of the former; and thus, by legitimate induction, furnish us with those useful conclusions which are to form the general guides and principles of practice.” In no branch of the healing art is there more necessity for great kindness of manner,—for inexhaustible patience and long- suffering,—steadiness of deportment, and rectitude of conduct: being a married man is almost a sine qua non in this practice. A late practitioner of this city presents us with a solitary exam¬ ple of an accoucheur making an immense fortune without being a Benedict. The practice is precarious and slavish; and, no doubt, character may be disposed of by the old ladies, when no blame is attributable to the individual—the mens conscia recti is then the only consolation left for the unfortunate practitioner. Great confidence is usually reposed in the profession at large, but more particularly so in obstetric practice. The reputation of many, in very numerous instances, depends on the secrecy of the accoucheur: communications with him are to be esteemed as confessions, the unwarranted disclosure of which should justly stigmatize the betrayer as a disgrace to the profession. The accoucheur should most studiously avoid all allusions to his profession in general society ; he should not let the crotchet and forceps be seen on these occasions, like the surgeon who, I am told, had always a bougie sticking out of his pocket, I suppose on the same principle as a barber erects a pole at his shop door, to invite the passing customers. You will be fre¬ quently asked your opinion of medical men. Do not say, such a man is very clever, but Mrs.-died under his care—I am quite sure no blame was attributable to him. This is a good- natured sort of way of damning a character. People in general are good judges of the charitable act, and will invariably think the worse of you for detracting in this manner from the merits of perhaps a deserving individual. Let the golden rale of life,— “ And as you would that men should do to you^ do ye also to them lihewise^' Luke vi. 31,—be preserved in mind, as applicable to professional as well as every day concerns. It will be perhaps only right to cultivate an acquaintance with a newly married couple; but dp not make a practice of thrusting c
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