GEORGE J. ENGERMANE. 
4 
post-mortem examination reveal abnormal conditions of pel¬ 
vic wall or uterine muscle. In one the vertex presented, 
in the other the shoulder. In both, ergot was given by the 
impatient practitioner to hasten labor—given until the uter¬ 
ine fiber was strung in tonic contraction to its utmost, finally 
beyond endurance, and two lives were sacrificed at one 
stroke. 
Such is the experience which has forced me to the posi¬ 
tion I now take. It is my firm conviction that the abuse of 
this dangerous drug must be checked—a powerful drug and 
valuable in its place, but worse than poison to women in 
labor, because so often at the time apparently useful, whilst 
the injuries consequent are masked and but slowly appear; 
because cause and effect are indistinct, unperceived by the 
sufferer, and it maims oftener than it kills. From this 
Society must issue the fiat; hence let us inquire into the 
abuse—the present use of ergot—and its action. What are 
its dangers, and where is its proper place? Last, but not 
least, how can we, with safety and certainty, attain what is 
supposed to be accomplished by ergot ? 
The uses of ergot to which I would call attention are in 
obstetric practice, in labor and abortion. 
In labor, ergot is used in the earlier stages to hasten par¬ 
turition—-to increase the frequency and force of labor-pains 
—partially with the sincere wish of affording the best possible 
attention to the patient and giving more speedy relief, as 
often to relieve the impatience of the practitioner himself. 
Should the pains lessen in force or frequency, or cease 
altogether for a time, ergot is given to bring them on again; 
it is given if labor progresses too slowly, if the os does not 
dilate, or the ovum descend with sufficient rapidity; later, 
in the second stage, if the head is slow in making its way 
through the utero-vaginal canal, or in sweeping the perineum, 
regardless of proper rotation or relaxation of the parts. 
It is frequently given a short time before the expected 
delivery of the head ; in the third stage, to further uterine 
action and the expulsion of the placenta; after delivery 
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