GEORGE J. ENGELMAm. 
ous effect of ergot, and a tonic contraction results. Although 
ergot at first apparently serves to increase labor-pains, the 
tendency is toward tonic contraction, to diminish that inter¬ 
val of rest between the pains which is so important in the 
entire process of parturition, especially for the safety of 
mother and child. With the lessening in this alternation 
between relaxation and contraction the dilatability of the 
os is impaired, and, as the state of tonic contraction is ap¬ 
proached, the outlet from this vise—the mouth of the womb 
—does not enlarge correspondingly, but becomes more firm 
and unyielding. 
Another danger arising from the use of this drug is in 
the relaxation which it not infrequently produces. Whether 
this is an idiosyncrasy, or due to peculiar conditions, I am 
not prepared to say. I have seen it repeatedly when ergot 
was given to check menorrhagia or hemorrhage; perhaps 
profuse menstruation due to fibroids, and also when given in 
post-partum hemorrhge. In the latter case it has been 
ascribed to a relaxation of the system resulting from nausea 
or weakness of the stomach, due to the irritation from quan¬ 
tities of the unabsorbed material in the inactive stomach. 
What, then, are the dangers which we may theoretically 
expect to arise from such a remedy ? 
Most evident is the injury which must result to the child: 
during a healthy, normal labor-pain the nutrition of the ovum 
is momentarily impaired, the beats of the fetal heart are en¬ 
feebled and diminished in number; to the auscultating ear 
they become weak and slow, almost inaudible at times; in the 
interval between the pains restoration rapidly takes place. 
Under the influence of ergot the permanent pressure is in¬ 
creased, and the effect upon the child during the pain is 
more severe, continuing, though in a less degree, in the in¬ 
terval ; perfect restitution is prevented; as the pressure is 
increased, or the intervals diminished, asphyxia and death 
must inevitably result. The child may also suffer from be¬ 
ing rapidly forced through unprepared parts. 
The mother can not escape injury. The uterine muscle 
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