A treatise on etherization in childbirth : Illustrated by five hundred and eighty one cases / By Walter Channing.

  • Channing, Walter, 1786-1876.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on etherization in childbirth : Illustrated by five hundred and eighty one cases / By Walter Channing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    of each case justified the expectation of speedy delivery; when the os uteri was well dilated; the pains regular and severe; every thing announcing the beginning of the expulsive stage. At this period, these agents, cautiously administered, afforded the patients great relief; and in neither case occurred a single circumstance to the mother or child, to render their use unsafe or improper. I should not hesitate to employ them at the advanced periods of natural labor, provided no conditions of the constitution or health at the time contra-indicated. The use of these agents at the commencement of labor, before dilata- tion has taken place, may be injudicious, inasmuch as the time frequently required for this act is very long, especially in first labors. Like every other means in the hands of the physician, their use must depend on his judgment; and it would seem as if all accidents in the employment of ether or chloroform in labor may be prevented by the same amount of discrimination as is required for the use of other means for the relief of human suffering, which are powerful, and may be dangerous. From N. B. Shurtleff, M.D. . . . I have made it a practice to inform my obstetrical patients, that the means of relief were within their reach; and I have left the motion to come from them, and have them administer the relief. I prefer chloroform for its pleasantness, easiness of application, quickness of effect, and duration. Many of my patients have preferred to trust to their powers of endu- rance, and have not used ether or chloroform, although in the room, and at their disposal. — Respectfully yours, Nathl. B. Shurtleff. From Samuel S. Whitney, M.D. of Dedham. [The following is an extract from Dr. Whitney's opinion of etheriza- tion in labor, and in medical and surgical practice : —] As it regards the use of either of the two agents in ques- tion, you will have anticipated my opinion from what has already been said. With the experience of more than two hundred cases before me, without one solitary instance of evil resulting from their use, it would be singular indeed if the impressions received respecting their administration and effects should not have been of the most favorable character. I do not wish to be understood by this, however, as believing the exhibition of ether or chloroform to be unattended by any risk or clanger. . .