272 STAGES OF LABOR. 



two hours. The mean term of this function, therefore, as is remarked 

 by M. Desormeaux, is about four hours. 



The four most constant and essential phenomena of labor are, 

 as may have been above seen, the contraction of the uterus, or 

 pain, the dilatation of the cervix, the formation of the bag of waters, 

 and the discharge of glairy mucus. 



§. IV. Of liabor-Pains. 



686. In midwifery, the word ,pain is synonymous with uterine 

 contraction; nevertheless, it should not be forgotten that this is only 

 conventional language, employed by physicians to make themselves 

 understood by the vulgar, and that these two things are essentially 

 distinct. It is true that pain is connected with contraction of the 

 womb; that they begin, progress, decrease, and cease together, 

 that the energy of the one is most commonly in a direct ratio to the 

 acuteness of the other; but it is very certain, also, that the contrary 

 may be met with, so that no labor can be concluded without the 

 contraction, while many may be cited as having taken place without 

 pain. Every body has observed, like M. Flamant, that in most wo- 

 men the contractions come on a good while before the pains. 

 Nevertheless, it is by the pain that we estimate the contraction and 

 its strength; the former is the sign of the latter. However, there 

 may be numerous shades of difference in the intensity of the pains, 

 without the strength of the contraction being on that account 

 necessarily different. In a nervous and extremely irritable woman 

 a very slight contraction sometimes produces the very severest pain; 

 on the contrary, a woman of a lymphatic temperament, indifferent 

 as to small matters, and who has but little sensibility, scarcely suf- 

 fers at all, although the womb contracts powerfully; some women, 

 from an excess of timidity, fear, or pusillanimity, cry out aloud upon 

 the slightest contraction of the womb, while courage and resigna- 

 tion lead others to bear the strongest contractions without complain- 

 ing. Finally, there are a few, who, for the purpose of securing more 

 attention or inspiring more compassion and pity, scream and worry 

 themselves in a most extraordinary manner, although they, in re- 

 ality, suffer but very little. There are also those who arm themselves 

 with artificial courage, who resolve beforehand not to complain nor 

 cry out, no matter how strong the pains may be, and at the ex- 

 pense of life make the most incredible efforts to impose silence 

 upon the most violent sufferings, and refrain from the most legitimate 

 outcries; so true it is that charlatanism and ostentation find occa- 

 sions for exercise even in human infirmities! It may also happen 



