Medical Botany. | 51 
ment of the placenta over the os-uteri, and not accompanied 
by efficient contractions. 
Third. In puerperal convulsions, in which action is mor- 
bid, and misplaced, and speedy delivery becomes neces- 
sary. 
Fourth. In lingering labour, connected either with the 
death of the child, or owing to a cessation of contraction, 
the os-utert being sufficiently dilated, and the other soft parts 
properly relaxed. This is its most important use, as it is 
here capable, in all cases, of superseding the employment 
both of the forceps and vectis, instruments, which, previous 
to the discovery of the powers of the Clavus, were not un- 
frequently necessary, but could seldom be used without 
some injury, either to the mother, or child, and usually to 
both. 
Fifth. In retention of the placenta, from deficency of con- 
traction, it is in general, if not always, capable of superse- 
ding the introduction of the hand. 
Sixth. In subjects liable to hoemorrhage after delivery, 
from laxity and-deficiency of contraction, this effect may be 
entirely prevented by the exhibition of a suitable quantity 
of the Clavus fifteen or thirty minutes previous to the time, 
when the labour would otherwise have terminated sponta- 
neously. 
Seventh. It may even be employed with advantage after 
delivery, to restrain the heemorrhage, and moderate the ex- 
cessive lochial eee which results from laxity, and de- 
bility. - 
In too early a stage of labour, before the os-uterz is suffi- 
ciently dilated, and when there is much rigidity of the other 
soft parts, or when there is any maleconformation, or a pre- 
sentation that requires changing, the Clavus seldom pro- 
duces any benefit, but in general, greatly increases the suf- 
ferings of the Tmober retards her ultimate recovery, and 
most commonly causes the death of the child. 
As a Partus-accelerator, the substance in powder, or bet- 
ter the infusion or decoction, in the quantity of ten grains, 
to an ounce of water, may be exhibited every ten minutes, 
till its effect is produced. 
It sometimes, though very rarely, proves inoperative, but 
not oftener than twenty-five grains of jalap fail of purging, 
or eight grains of Tartrate of Antimony fail of vomiting. 
