Having had the benefit of your professional services in my former confinements, you are well aware how greatly I suffered on those occasions. After a lapse of four years I was anticipating my sixth confinement with feelings of dread and apprehension, until assured by you that you had a means of greatly easing suffering women at these times; but I can truly say, that unless I had myself experienced the marvellous effects of your beautiful method, I could not have believed it possible that aught in medical science could have been so perfect in application and result. At the time of your arrival, I was in great agony; five minutes after you entered my room I was entirely free from pain, and unless I had occasionally removed the Inhaler, I should not have believed I was in labour: the intensity of pain then felt made me hastily replace it. During the whole time—about an hour and a half—I was perfectly conscious, able to ask and answer questions.
I did not know when my baby was born. I had not the slightest feeling of pain or distension; and even when twice assured by yourself, and also by my sister, who was present, that baby was born, I could not believe, until I saw the child with my own eyes, that my trial was over. I had no after-pains or inconvenience of any kind as hitherto, but regained my strength quickly and comfortably.
I can only say, in conclusion, that it is impossible to speak sufficiently in praise of your marvellous process, or for me to offer you thanks at all in proportion to the great blessing you have been the means of bestowing on suffering women.
I remain,
Dear Sir,
Yours very sincerely,
* * *
To Dr. Townley.
Clapham.
My dear Sir,
It gives me great pleasure to have this opportunity of stating the very great relief I received in my late confinement from your most beautiful plan of treatment.
Having had a large family, and, as you know, always suffering so much in my previous confinements, I could scarcely believe I was in labour when using the Inhaler under your direction, as I had not the least particle of pain, and only when I took it away to have it refilled was I aware that labour was going on. My husband, mamma, and nurse, who were in the room at the time, were quite astonished to see me without the least pain or suffering during the five hours my trouble lasted.