Two cases illustrative of the advantages of turning as an alternative or substitute for craniotomy and the long forceps in certain cases of pelvic contraction / by J.G. Wilson.

  • Wilson, J. G. (James George)
Date:
[1857]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Two cases illustrative of the advantages of turning as an alternative or substitute for craniotomy and the long forceps in certain cases of pelvic contraction / by J.G. Wilson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of thirty hours in labour, was getting exhausted, and becoming fretful and impatient, and extremely anxious that something should be done for her without any further delay. The pulse was 120, skin feverish, vagina hot and dry. For reasons similar to those mentioned in the foregoing case, it was agreed to have recourse to podalic version, and I was requested to undertake the operation. After the patient was put thoroughly under the influence of chloroform, the left hand was introduced into the uterus, the right knee was seized, and the foot brought into the vagina. After the extraction Operation. of the body, the head remained fixed high up, with the chin resting upon the promontory of the sacrum, and the occiput overlying the pubes. After considerable exertion, and the use of much extractile force, the head was brought into the cavity of the pelvis, through its right oblique or diagonal diameter, a couple of fingers introduced into the mouth, aided by traction in the direction of the axis of the pelvic outlet, sufficed to complete the delivery. The forceps were in readiness, in the event of manual extraction of the head not being sufficient, but were not required. The child, a full grown male, when born was in a state of asphyxia, but by the persevering use of the ordinary resuscitative means, it was at length restored. The mother made an excellent recovery. The child survived its birth seventy-four hours, and its death was ascribed by Dr. Gooldie to inflammation and suppuration of the integuments of the scalp, undoubtedly induced by the protracted pressure before delivery. This affec¬ tion of the scalp was best marked and most distinct over the posterior and superior quarter of right parietal bone. Soon after the operation, Mrs. R. again became pregnant. Fearing lest a repetition of the operation would not be attended with such a favourable result to the patient, the membranes Subsequent were punctured, with a view to induce premature History. delivery, on the forenoon of Friday, the 5th Sep¬ tember, 1856—she having then arrived at about the eighth month of utero-gestation. It was regretted at the time that the operation had not been performed at an earlier period, but circumstances did not admit of it. Labour pains supervened in a couple of hours after the rupture of the membranes, which increased in intensity till 10J p.m., when the child was born. It is worthy of remark, that the infant was a female, smaller than ordinary at the eighth month, and that it presented with the breech. Mother made a good recovery. x Hope Street, Glasgow.