Observations on obstetric auscultation : with an analysis of the evidences of pregnancy, and an inquiry into the proofs of the life and death of the ftus in utero.

  • Kennedy, Evory, 1806?-1886. [from old catalog].
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on obstetric auscultation : with an analysis of the evidences of pregnancy, and an inquiry into the proofs of the life and death of the ftus in utero. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Lamar Soutter Library, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Lamar Soutter Library at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

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    and the child born aspliyxiated, and through care was resuscita- ted.] October StJi, 1830. Jane M'Nally was admitted into the hospital in labour of her first child. Some hours after her aduiission the stethoscope was applied, when the foetal heart was observed distinctly at a point midway between the symphisis pubis, and umbilicus. The pla- cental souffle was equally distinct towards the fundus of the uterus at its anterior part. After an interval of twelve hours, the stethoscope was again applied, when the above sounds were still observable. The labour proceeded very slowly, the head resting for a long tim.e in the pelvis, whilst the soft parts were badly dilated. Twenty hours from the commencement of labour matters continued in the same state, and the stethoscope having been again applied, no foetal heart could be detected ; the placental souffle still continued audible, but much less distinct than before. This woman was afterwards repeat- edly examined by Dr. Collins, Dr. Darley, Dr. Cummin, and myself, up to the time of her delivery, which was effected by her own efforts in forty-eight hours from her being taken in labour, but no foetal heart could be detected; the child was therefore pronounced dead, a prognosis which was verified by the birth of a child, which from its appearance was supposed to have been dead for twenty-four or thirty hours. It is more than probable that it died thus early in the labour from ob- structed circulation in the funis, as this organ was ob- served coiled and twisted several times very tightly round its neck. The following case will illustrate the assistance to be derived from auscultation in selecting the safest method of dehvering our patient:—
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