Of 369 cases in the practice of Continental practitioners, 217 mothers recovered, and 152 died, or 1 in 2⅓—and out of 187 cases, where the result to the child is given, 138 were saved, and 49 lost; or nearly 1 in 4. Researches on Operative Midwifery. By F. Churchill, M. D., Dublin, 1841. Editor.]
[99] [The propriety of an early resort to the Cæsarean section, in cases where it is necessary, has been very properly insisted upon; but the circumstances which render it necessary, are not always readily determined. M. Castel states, that in a case at the hospice de perfectionnement, in which the operation was determined on, some delay became necessary in order to find accommodation for the crowd of students who collected to witness it, and before this could be effected the woman was delivered naturally. M. Gimelle says, that at the hospital of M. Dubois, a small woman, who had five times submitted to the Cæsarean section, was delivered naturally the sixth time. Am. Journ. Med. Sc. Aug. 1838. Ed.]
[100] For the particulars of this interesting case we must refer our readers to the British and Foreign Med. Review, vol. ii. p. 270; and also to vol. iv. p. 521. [Also to American Journal Med. Sc., August, 1838, p. 526, and Nov. 1837, p. 244.—Ed.]
[101] [Those who desire farther information on this subject, may consult, with advantage, Dr. Churchill’s Researches, already quoted.—Ed.]
[102] Dr. Macauley was physician to the British Lying-in Hospital, in Brownlow Street, and colleague of Dr. W. Hunter.
[103] Barlow, Medical Facts and Observations, vol. viii. Although we are in great measure indebted to Dr. Denman for having brought this operation into general notice, it is to the late Professor May, the father-in-law of Professor Naegelé, that the merit is due for having first pointed out the advantage of exciting uterine contraction before rupturing the membranes. (Programma de Necessitate Partûs quandoque præmature, vel solo Instrumentorum adjutorio promovendi. Heidelberg, 1799.)
[104] [The student who desires to investigate this subject farther, is referred to Dr. Churchill’s Researches on Operative Midwifery, and a copious analysis of his Essay on Premature Labour, in the American Journ. Med. Sc. for Nov. 1838, p. 172, also to the Nos. of the Journal just named, for Feb. 1838, p. 516, November 1839, p. 237, and July 1841, p. 226. Editor.]
[105] “The scissors ought to be so sharp at the points as to penetrate the integuments and bones when pushed with moderate force, but not so keen as to cut the operator’s fingers or the vagina in introducing them.” (Smellie, vol. i. chap. 3. sect. 7. numb. 2.)
[106] [Dr. Churchill who has collected the statistics of this operation, states, that in 334,258 cases of labour, the crotchet has been used in 343, or 1 in 974½.
Of this number, 41,434 cases of labour occurred to British practitioners; in which, there were 181 crotchet cases, or about 1 in 228.