The Dublin practice of midwifery / by Henry Maunsell.

  • Henry Maunsell
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Dublin practice of midwifery / by Henry Maunsell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    281/328 page 265
    sure that the patient does really inspire fi^om it, for it Avill often be found that when she puts it to her mouth she shuts her lips and breathes through the nose alone. When this is perceived, she should be told to try to suck the fluid out of the instru- ment. By this manoeuvre she will be taught to breathe tkrough her mouth, and she will continue to do so. But sometimes it will be necessary to hold the nose, so as to compel her to breathe in the way desirable for our piu-pose. When tliis coiu'se is pursued, the first effect usually perceived is the extinction of the terrible aching in the back, which, continuing between regu- lar pains, is so distressing and induces the earnest demand for pressure on the back. This is removed, . and the patient expresses the greatest rehef and delight: very often she makes use of the phrase, This is heaven. She knows when the pain is approaching, and calls for the chloroform: it may now be given to her again, and after the pain is over she will teU you she did not feel it near as much. In this way, Avithout making her insensible, a vast amount of suffering is saved for many hours. If the dose is made larger, or the inhalation is longer persevered in, a buzzing and reeHng sensa- tion in the head will be experienced : this speedily passes off when the chloroform is removed. If, on- the contrary, it is persevered with, some incoherent talking may take place, the eyes wiU close, the
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image