360 EUTOCIA. 



any thing particular to be done, and that in two opposite cases; 

 1. In young nervous women at their first lying-in, and who are of 

 a rigid and excitable fibre; 2. In those of a delicate, feeble, and 

 l)'^mphatic constitution, or where the os tineas is very soft for some 

 time before the full term. In the former, the labor can with diffi- 

 culty set in fairly, because the orifice is too resisting, or of too great 

 a degree of sensibility; here a small bleeding, if warranted by the 

 state of the pulse, and the strength and habitual coloration of the 

 patient, a tepid bath, unctions with belladonna ointment, and slightly 

 narcotic and soothing drinks may sometimes be employed with advan- 

 tage; in the latter, it seems as if the womb were in a state of uncer- 

 tainty, as if it were assaying its strength, as if under the necessity of 

 preparing in silence before entering openly into action; I have seen 

 some remain two, three or four days in this state; but when the con- 

 tractions once acquire a certain degree of energy, the labor termi- 

 nates in general with an extreme rapidity, which singularly contrasts 

 with its former slowness; indeed, it is to this circumstance that a crowd 

 of remedies are indebted for the vogue they enjoy. Nature, here 

 has no need of assistance, this slowness is necessary for her, and it 

 ought not to be disturbed in any way; we are merely permitted to 

 support the strength by giving some analeptic aliments, or a few 

 spoonfuls of wine, repeated from time to time, and always with the 

 greatest reserve. 



847. On other occasions, the pains, after having been regular 

 and pretty smart, begin to return only at long intervals; sometimes 

 this is owing to the general weakness of the woman or the fatigue 

 of the womb, sometimes, on the contrary, it must be referred to ill 

 directed efforts of the womb, or to its not possessing a great share 

 of excitability. In the former case, rest, and some broth, if there be 

 any appetite, a little wine if there be not too much thirst and heat, 

 and resignation, are all that we can recommend. In the latter, we 

 also recommend rest if the woman is much fatigued, but otherwise 

 she should be advised to walk about; for it cannot be denied that 

 walking about and a vertical posture positively accelerate the pro- 

 gress of labor. 



Time and patience are here the great remedies; but this is a sad 

 resource for one who is in a state of suffering, and the accoucheur 

 must expect the most multiplied solicitations, and all sorts of proposals 

 and entreaties from all the by-standers. As long as they are satis- 

 fied with amulets and inert topical applications, and do not insist on 

 giving active substances internally, they should be allowed to say 

 and do as they like; it is one way to amuse the women; while they 

 see us busy in regard to their suff'erings, they bear them more cou- 



