A lecture introductory to the theory and practice of midwifery.

  • John Leake
Date:
1782
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A lecture introductory to the theory and practice of midwifery. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

    124/140 (page 10)
    [ ] Remarks on the prefent fubject.—In his defcription of the Forceps he fpeaks thus: “ H. CrantZy profefl'or of Midwifery at Vienna and Levret of <c Paris, both obferve, 'that when the Child’s head is wedged “ within the bones of the Pelvis, (capite incuneato) it can fcarcely “ ever be ex traded by the common Forceps recommended by Smellie, “ becaufe of their ihortnefs ; and as their blades are only curved “ in one Direction, whenever it happens that the Hind-head is “ forced over the Symphyfis of the Pubes, it cannot be got hold “ of within the curve of the Blades, which being only applied “ along the Ears in a {freight Direction, are therefore apt to “ flip downwards over the Face, and to foil the Operator in the t( Extraction of the Head: This will the rather happen, becaufe <l they are made taper towards their Points, which will diminifh “ their contact on the head and prevent them from taking a “ firm hold;—fo that they are the leaji ferviceable in thofe very <c Cafes where they are the mof wanted,—that is, where the Pelvis is narrow , for it muft be allowed, of all Difficulties that “ which happens from the above caufe, is by far the moil in- “ furmountable obftacle to the birth, fince it can only be over- “ come by very ftrong Pains, which comprefs the head and force “ it to conform to the bony Paflage.’* Your remarks on the preceding Paragraph are as follows When the Head is incuneatum, enclavee, or wedged in the Pelvis, it is a cafe in which Forceps of any kind cannot be ufed with prudence. If we did try them, we fould happily mifcarry in the attempt, for if we fucceeded, dreadful would be the confequence to the parts of the Mother, crufed between the Child's head and Forceps on one hand, and the bones of the Pelvis on the other. The Reader is here prefented with a difh of all forts,—a perfect Oleo, but wi.thout a Angle grain of fait or feafoning, curioufly garnifhed with frelh rhetorical flowers, but of the exotic kind;