234 



Professor Mussey of Cincinnati, says, he has used chloroform in 

 a considerable number of surgical operations without its being fol- 

 lowed by a single unpleasant symptom. 



Dr. James Stewart of New York, states that he has information 

 of chloroform having been used in twenty-two cases of midwifery in 

 that city, with favourable results. 



The use or Ice to promote Uterine Contractions. — Dr. Louis 

 Mackall, a highly respectable physician of Maryland, in a commu- 

 nication to the committee, states, that for several years past he has 

 been in the habit of employing pounded ice in cases of suspended 

 or protracted labour. That when this had been swallowed freely, 

 the pains had immediately returned, the uterus had contracted 

 strongly and the labour been speedily completed. 



He also communicated letters from Dr. B. Mackall, Dr. Skinner, 

 and Dr. M'Cubbin of Maryland, strongly corroborating his state- 

 ment of the efficiency of ice in promoting the contractions of the 



uterus. 



Dr. B. Mackall remarks, that his experience in the use of ice for 

 this purpose extends through a period of ten or twelve years. "Dur- 

 ing that time" he says, "I have had frequent opportunities of ob- 

 serving its effects, and I can safely declare, that in no single instance 

 have I been disappointed in its action. I have used it under a variety 

 of circumstances and always with the most satisfactory result. In 

 cases where labour pains had been suspended for twelve or twenty- 

 four hours, they have been renewed promptly and efficiently. In 

 cases of inevitable abortion, where the uterine contractions are feeble 

 and inefficient, and where hemorrhage is considerable, I regard it as 

 invaluable. In retention of the placenta from imperfect contraction 

 of the uterus, and in cases of alarming hemorrhage after delivery 

 and expulsion of the after-birth, it is equally applicable. In short, 

 wherever the firm contraction of the uterus is desirable, that object 

 will most certainly be attained by the administration of ice." "In 

 no instance have I witnessed the slightest ill effect from its adminis- 

 tration." 



Dr. Blackburn of Barnesville, states, that he has used a strong 

 decoction of the roots of the cotton plant, in two cases of labour 

 with successful issue, to promote uterine contractions where ergot 

 had failed. 



