On severe vomiting during pregnancy : a collection and analysis of cases with remarks on treatment / by Graily Hewitt.

  • Hewitt, Graily, 1828-1893.
Date:
1890
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On severe vomiting during pregnancy : a collection and analysis of cases with remarks on treatment / by Graily Hewitt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    other practitioners present. Patient 6 months advanced in pregnancy and so reduced by almost incessant vomiting that great fears were entertained as to her safety. Slight uterine action I noticed accompanying the sickness, and on examina- tion I found os uteri partially dilated so as readily to admit the finger. I advised bringing on labour without delay; the gentlemen present doubted if the patient would have strength to undergo the effort, though they agreed in the advisability of the course recommended, and asked me to perform the operation. I at once dilated the os as much as I could with the finsrer, and could feel the membranes and head of the child. Attempt was made to rupture the membranes by a catheter without success. Further steps postponed for an hour, ' when we were surprised to find that a longer period had elapsed without sickness than before, and we again waited in the hope that she might be able to take a little nourishment and so be better prepared to undergo any further proceeding.' During the rest of the night the patient im- proved, and it was determined ' to let well alone.' There was no return of sickness. She went to full term; child healthy and recovery complete. [This is the case in which Dr. Copeman first employed dilatation of the cervix uteri in a case of severe vomiting of pregnancy]. Case 56. Copeman, Brit. Med. Journ., May 1875. Patient pregnant two months, severe vomiting, some degree of anteversion of uterus, and os found to be slightly patent. The os further dilated by finger, and the vomiting ceased from that time. Case 57. Copeman, Brit. Med. Journ., May 15, 1875. Patient, mother of nine children. Now eight months pregnant. Vomiting generally present during early preg- nancy and sometimes for several months. Vomiting during last three weeks. Incessant uncontrollable vomiting present. Albumen and pus in urine, and a few casts; no dropsy. Os found to be patent, puckered and dilatable, and was further