The Beginning of Life 57 



much of its dangers for the mother, but still 

 the greatest care must be exercised at this time. 

 Danger to the child often results from too great 

 a prolongation of labor. As a consequence of 

 long pressure, a rupture of some of the delicate 

 blood vessels on the surface of the brain may 

 ensue and the child thereby be handicapped 

 for life. Holmes once described the female pel- 

 vis as the triumphal arch through which the 

 new-born infant first passed to greet the world. 

 If this arch is too narrow for comfortable exit, 

 it may require some skilful surgery to deliver 

 the child intact. 



