of the Human Uterus* 105 



ness. These alternate contractions and relaxations, or 

 clonic actions, constitute the real throes or pains of la- 

 bour. They are uniformly, except in stupor, accompa- 

 nied by an uneasy corporeal sensation, and hence are 

 termed throes or pains. The word throe itself is from 

 the Saxon term, to suffer. No throe can have place 

 without the consciousness of the woman, except, as 

 above remarked, under an affection of the common sen- 

 sibilities of the body ; and, without a throe, the gravid 

 uterus can never disencumber itself of its burthen. 



In every throe there is more or less of an uneasy sen- 

 sation of the loins, haunches, or uterine region. At 

 times, the lower extremities are distressed with most un- 

 pleasant feelings. In cases of convulsion during labour, 

 the convulsive affection simulates very much, in its pe- 

 riodical recurrences, the genuine labour-pains. 



From the antecedent premises, I deduce the fact, that, 

 as " the tonic power, however violent, does not forward 

 the child," and as there is no third agency alleged or 

 recognised by physiologists or accoucheurs in the ex- 

 pulsion of the child, there cannot possibly be an act of 

 parturition without throes or pains. 



Assuredly the most enthusiastic theorist, who dreams 

 out his cases in his closet, is not prepared to admit or 

 maintain that throes can be present, and yet the woman 

 feel no corporeal distress. This were an absurdity too 

 monstrous for any sane mind to contemplate, but with 

 disgust and abhorrence. 



VOL, III. PART I. O 



