OBSTETRICS, OR MIDWIFERY 



WE shall not attempt to enter into the technicali- 

 ties of this subject, as this is forbidden both by 

 the object of this work and the space which can 

 be properly devoted to it. We wish, however, to espe- 

 cially emphasize the fact that the art of midwifery is 

 one which is worthy of the very highest skill and ability. 

 The once popular notion that it is something that should 

 be left entirely to nurses and old women is in the high- 

 est degree pernicious. While childbirth is a function 

 which, when naturally performed, is attended by little 

 risk to either mother or child, and requires but a very 

 moderate amount of skill or knowledge to meet all the 

 necessary requirements, yet various accidents, irregu- 

 larities, abnormal conditions, and unexpected deviations 

 from the natural course of events are likely to occur 

 at any time, without previous warning, being often of 

 so serious a nature as to threaten the life of both 

 mother and child. To meet some of these emergencies, 

 the very highest skill and the fullest knowledge are 

 often required. Hence this essential art should not 

 be left in the hands of the ignorant; and it is impor- 

 tant that the public should be informed upon the sub- 

 ject sufficiently to at least appreciate the necessity for, 

 and the full value of, skill and experience in this de- 

 partment of medical science. 



In cases in which the pain begins and ends with the 

 menstrual flow, relief may generally be obtained by 

 dilatation of the neck of the womb, an operation which 



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