When And How To Use The Forceps

6904

Never apply the forceps until the os uteri is fully dilated, and until the head is in the pelvis. - Prof. James Y. Simpson.

6905

1. Traction should be made in the intervals, instead of during the pain.

2. When traction is not being made, the handles of the forceps should be allowed to lie as far apart as they will

3. During the pains the handles should be merely, gently managed, so that they may not be expelled, or do hurt.

4. During the passage of the head through the vulva the forceps should be used when necessary as a restraining power during the pains, and labor completed by traction during the interval. - Dr. H. Lowndes.

When, Not To Give Chloroform In Parturition

6906

1. Never give it to a woman who has a tendency to flood during every confinement, nor to those who have great relaxation of fibre, or weak, anaemic women in their eighth or tenth confinement, except for necessity.

2. Do not give it where labor is complicated with severe vomiting, or with acute heart or lung trouble, unless there is an imperative demand for it.

3. It should not be given to complete anaesthesia, except for operations, convulsions or spasms of the cervix, and then one person should devote his entire attention to it.

4. The inhalation should be stopped directly the pulse becomes weak or the respiration irregular.

5. Do not give it if there be grounds to fear a fatty or enfeebled cardiac wall.

6. In all cases where it has been given, there should be extra care to prevent postpartum hemorrhage. - Savill.

Calculation Of The Date Of Labor

6909

The duration of human pregnancy is about 275 days. As labor occurs in the larger proportion of cases between 270 and 290 days from the last menstruation, it is usual to reckon either from the first or last day of this period, taking as the mean 280 days, or a little over nine calender months. For this approximate calculation the first day of menstrual period may be used as being more readily ascertained. The table presents at a glance the beginning and end of 280 days for every day of the year. Find the date of menstruation in the first line of the perpendicular row and the figure adjoining, with the corresponding month, will indicate 280 days. In leap years, if the period of pregnancy includes February, the time for labor will be one day earlier than that given in the table.

- Dunglison's Reference Book.

Laryngismus Stridulus

(Spasm of the Glottis.)

Remedies Recommended

Aconite.

Ammonia.

Asafoetida.

Atropia.

Belladonna.

Bromides.

Chloroform, inhalation

Chloral, hydrate of

Cod-liver oil.

Cold sponging (spinal)

Ether.

Ipecac.

Lancing gums.

Lobelia.

Mercury, sub-sulphate of

Morphine.

Mustard.

Nitro-glycerine.

Potassium, bromide of

Quinine (prophylactic)

Cold water, dashed in the face. Coniine. Emetics.

Spinal ice-bag. Tartar emetic. Valerian. Worm, removal of