of the Human Uterus. 88 



be the last thing thought on by the accoucheur. This 

 is Baudelocque's doctrine. 



That, by a loss of blood to any extent whatever, 

 the practitioner will prevent the disease called the 

 " swelling of the lower limb of the lying in woman," 

 Dr. Dewees will not again assert, when he shall have 

 taken a better and nearer view of that disease. It is as 

 common in feeble, exhausted habits, as in robust, ple- 

 thoric ones. I write from observation. See also Char- 

 les White, of Manchester, Denman, &c. 



Of cicatrices I have no experience ; but I can have no 

 very exalted opinion of that remedy, which, after several 

 repetitions, leaves the case to be relieved by the forceps. 

 The lancet would be proper without question, so far as 

 irritation and inflammation might be threatened from the 

 effects of long-continued, violent throes. 



From what has been premised, I deduce the follow- 

 . ing conclusions : 



1. That pregnancy, whether with the savage or civi- 

 lized woman, is a state of nature, and parturition an act 

 of nature, but subject to interruption by disease. 



2. That the doctrine of pregnancy being a disease is 

 inconsistent with the order of nature, at variance with 

 common observation, in itself indefensible, and of the 

 school of Boerhaave. 



