123 OF TRUE PREGNANCY. 



the impertinent directions that they give concerning the touch." 

 According to him the operation is too alarming to the modesty of a 

 respectable woman, too contrary to good morals, and gives signs 

 too vague lor it ever to be had recourse to. But Roussel speaks 

 here more like a rhetorician than a physician; his arguments, drawn 

 from its abuse, have no bearing on the rule. Though, in many cases, 

 the touch is insufficient, until two or three months have elapsed after 

 conception, to convince us either that pregnancy does or does not 

 exist, it is, nevertheless, the surest means of exploration in our power. 

 It not only serves to determine whether gestation exists, but it fur- 

 ther indicates the degree, the kind; it alone can teach us whether 

 labor is near at hand or begun, whether it is in an advanced stage, 

 whether the child presents aright, whether the assistance of art is 

 useless or necessary, whether every thing is right after labor, &c. 

 The touch then is the principal lever, or at least one of the most 

 powerful resources of tokologic science. But, in order to practise 

 it with success, to avoid the gross mistakes that it may cause us to 

 commit, to derive from it every possible advantage, it is necessary to 

 practise it for a long time inasmuch as practice alone can make us 

 skilful in such an operation. 



317. Position of the ivoman. When the woman is affected with 

 ascites, hydrothorax, asthma, organic disease of the heart or great 

 vessels, when her breathing is difficult, she should stand up during 

 the operation of the touch, so as to avoid the fatigue and even dan- 

 ger that might be incurred by placing her in a horizontal posture. 

 If on the other hand she is weak, threatened with syncope, hemor- 

 rhage, or convulsions; if the womb is strongly inclined forwards, or 

 if from any other cause the neck is thrown very far backwards, it is 

 better for her to lie down. Finally, if any difficulty be experienced, 

 she should be examined in both positions, alternately. 



318. The muscles must first be placed in a state of relaxation. 

 If the woman is lying down, she should be told to bend her legs 

 and thighs, as well as her head and breast, which are to be gently 

 raised with pillows or bolsters. In the contrary case, she is to be 

 placed against a wall, a piece of furniture or any solid body for her 

 support; she then separates and slightly bends her lower limbs 

 while she at the same time inclines her head and breast a litde for- 

 wards. To prevent the awkwardness of such a posture, she may be 

 permitted to rest her elbows or hands upon the arms of some other 

 person, or simply upon the edge of a table, or on a couple of chairs 

 placed expressly for that purpose on each side of her. 



319. Before we begin the operation, the finger should be covered 

 with mucilage of flaxseed, ar marshmallow root, olive or almond oil; 



