One of the greatest and most common errors in regard to the diet soon after labor, is that of partaking of articles which are of too fine and concentrated a nature. The bowels tend naturally to sluggishness for some days after confinement; hence the diet should be of an opening nature, such as brown bread, cracked-wheat mush, good fruit in its season, and good vegetables. It is a poor practice to keep the patient for nine days on tea, superfine bread, toast and butter, and the like articles. It is no wonder that women dieted in this way become constipated, nervous, low-spirited, and feverish.
LETTER XXIX.
MANAGEMENT OF THE CHILD.
Of Separating the Umbilical Cord—Practices of different Nations—Of Still-Birth, and Resuscitation of the Child—Washing and Dressing it.
It was necessary, in describing the three stages of labor, to pass over for the time an important matter, namely, that which relates to our attention to the umbilical cord. In treating of this subject, it will be necessary for me to repeat some things which I have said in another volume, a “Treatise on the Management and Diseases of Children.”
Soon after the birth of the child, separating the umbilical cord requires our attention. How shall this be done? Shall we use a sharp or a dull instrument in making the division? Shall we apply a ligature? where, and in what manner to the cord?
It is reported of the aborigines of Brazil, that they merely bite or chew off the cord, as many of the animal tribes are found to do. This is imitating nature closely enough, certainly, and more so, perhaps, than the usages of civilized society would warrant us in doing at the present day.
Dr. William Hunter, in 1752, remarked in his manuscript lectures concerning the method which the instinct of animals leads them to adopt, as follows:
“I will give you an idea of their method of procedure, by describing what I saw in a little she dog of Mr. Douglass’. The pains came on, the membranes were protruded; in a pain or two more they burst, and the puppy followed. You cannot imagine with what eagerness the mother lapped up the waters, and then taking hold of the membranes with her teeth, drew out the secundines; these she devoured also, licking the little puppy as dry as she could. As soon as she had done, I took it up, and saw the navel-string much bruised and lacerated. However, a second labor coming on, I watched more narrowly, and as soon as the little creature was come into the world, I cut the navel-string, and the arteries immediately spouted out profusely. Fearing the poor thing would die, I held the cord to its mother, who, drawing it several times through her mouth, bruised and lacerated it, after which it bled no more.”
This chewing, bruising, or tearing a part in which blood-vessels exist, causes them to contract in such a way as to prevent the occurrence of hemorrhage. This fact we see exemplified in cases where an arm or other limb is torn off with machinery, in which it is found that no bleeding of consequence takes place. But if a limb is severed with a sharp-cutting instrument, the arteries must be secured.
The New Zealanders, I am informed by a medical friend who spent some time among that people, cut, or rather tear off the umbilical cord with the edge of a shell, something like that of the clam or oyster of our own country.