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.

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    maybe increased, but it may be taken as a general rule that, with very few exceptions, no greater amoimt of effect will be required than that just described. Some cases will occur, in which the tolerance of the drug is so great, and the difficulty of overcoming the pain such, that the fuller effect must be produced, and the patient must be rendered insensible and kept so even for hours. In operations the deeper effects should be pro- duced, for we thereby not only relieve aU pain, but facilitate the operation by keeping the patient quiet. The dangers of chloroform have been most marvellously magnified by some of the old school practitioners; but experience shows every day more and more that a little familiarity with the medi- cine, and proper precaution in its use, are aU that is necessary to ensure perfect safety in handling it. That deaths have occurred under other circum- stances, such as surgical operations, tooth-drawing, &c., cannot be denied, but it is a striking fact that in no instance of parturition is it recorded that death has been caused by the use of chloroform. The recumbent posture, and an empty stomach, are essential for the safe employment of chloroform. Both of these conditions are fulfilled in parturition, and unless gross neglect and mismanagement in- tervene, there is no likelihood of mischief taking place. If the rules above laid down be observed,
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