On 'supporting the perinaeum' : practical considerations respecting the causes and prevention of laceration of the perinaeum during labour / by Graily Hewitt.

  • Hewitt, Graily, 1828-1893
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On 'supporting the perinaeum' : practical considerations respecting the causes and prevention of laceration of the perinaeum during labour / by Graily Hewitt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    inform us how the operation does good ; he makes no attempt to show the rationale of the process. Dr. Fleetwood Churchill states (Manual for Mid- wives and Nurses, p. 42), in order “ that you may do so intelligently [support the perinseum], it maybe well to ascertain what it is you want to effectthat what is wanted to be effected in supporting the perinseum is “to offer some gentle support externally against the pressure internally, to guard against the sudden escape of the head, to guide it forward, and at the same time to draw the integuments gently forward, but never backward.* Here, and also in his larger work. Dr. Churchill altogether objects to attempts to retard the progress of the child. Dr. Murphy says the object in view is ‘Ho obviate the effects of too violent distension but he gives no further explanation^ of the modus operandi of the procedure, although the steps of the procedure itself are dwelt upon at some length. * In a letter published since these remarks first appeared, Dr. Murphy states that the support of the perinseum is essential in order to prevent those causes coming into operation which interfere with the act of dilatation;” the causes referred to being “congestion and inflammation.” And further on—“The object of supporting the perinseum seems to me to be twofold ;— Eirst, to prevent or allay irritation, and to diminish congestion, so that the act of dilatation may not be interfered with; secondly, to counteract too violent action of the uterus.”—Brit. Med. Journ., April 20, 1861.