“This is about the substance of what I learned of this interesting and extraordinary woman. I proceeded with great caution in the investigation of her case, and after a faithful and critical survey, most minutely made in reference to every point, I stated in broad and unequivocal language that she was not pregnant. The only reply the gentle creature made on hearing my opinion, was—‘Doctor, you are right.’ The father was soon made acquainted with the result of my examination, but he indicated not the slightest emotion. He asked me whether something could not be done to restore her to health, and I thought that the old man’s heart would break when I told him that his daughter was in the last stages of consumption.
“It was the misfortune of this young lady to labor under an affection of the womb, which simulated, in several important particulars, the condition of pregnancy, and which the world in its ignorance and undying thirst for scandal, might have readily supposed did in fact exist; yet, there was no excuse for the physician, guided as he should have been by the lights of science, and governed by the principles of sound morality. The result of my investigation impressed me with the conviction beyond any shade of doubt, that the entire train of symptoms indicating pregnancy was due to the presence of a large fibrous tumor occupying the cavity of the uterus. About four weeks from this time I received a note announcing her death and asking that I would hasten to the house for the purpose of an examination. Dr. Ostrom, now practicing in Goshen, assisted me in the autopsy. As the father stood before me he was not unlike the stricken oak in the forest, which, though stripped of its branches, was yet upright and majestic. The moment I removed the tumor from the womb he seized it convulsively, and exclaimed, ‘This is my trophy; I will return with it to England, and it shall confound the traducers of my child!’
“Here, you perceive, both character and life were sacrificed by error of judgment on the part of those whose counsel had been invoked. Without a due responsibility, heedless of the distressing consequences, the medical gentlemen rashly pronounced an opinion which consigned to an early grave a pure and lovely being, and broke the very heart strings of a devoted and confiding parent.”
CHAPTER XXVII.
PRECAUTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS TO PREGNANT WOMEN.
There is a hygiene of pregnancy which the enceinte female should observe, for by so doing, she will not only make the period of her gestation less onerous to herself, but she will be able to materially contribute toward the accomplishment of a natural childbirth. Although pregnancy is a physiological process, the conditions in the female economy, under which this is carried on, are at variance with those which are to be found in the unimpregnated state, and as a consequence it rationally follows that the pregnant female should endeavor to conform to the demands which the altered relations require.
If the pregnant woman is properly clothed to begin with, she will greatly mitigate some of the symptoms which very often mar her well-being. The clothing should neither be too heavy in summer, nor too light in winter, she must dress so as to conform to the season and feel comfortable; but by all means the chest and abdomen should be kept free from pressure, the skirts must be supported from the shoulders, and the corset also, should be dispensed with, and a waist worn instead, one that partly answers the purpose of a corset, and to which the skirts can be fastened or buttoned at the same time. I have no respect nor patience for those women who desire to conceal by tight lacing, the appearance of their pregnancy. Motherhood, whether active or prospective, is a divine function, and as creatures are the instruments of the Creator, there is nothing to be ashamed of by those who have complied with the usages of civilized peoples, and wherever an exhibition of pregnancy becomes indelicate, a person who hopes or expects to be a mother should not be. If a woman has the true characteristics to make a good mother, she cannot, nor will she trifle with her own health or that of her child; in truth, mothers cannot begin too soon to consider the welfare of their offspring.
To guard against taking cold is one of the maxims, that the pregnant woman should heed, especially during the last half of gestation when the prominence of the abdomen shortens the skirts in front and removes them off from the limbs. Flannel drawers properly adapted to the limbs and worn underneath the muslin ones affords the best protection that can be adopted, and it replaces cumbersome skirts. Sudden extreme variations of temperature should also be avoided, like going from an overheated apartment into the cold outside air, or into another cold chilly room. In making these changes, one should gradually cool off, and then by putting on additional clothing, wraps or shawls, the danger of taking cold may be removed. Hot coffee or tea or hot alcoholic beverages are equally as dangerous as overheated apartments, for anything which stimulates the circulation of the blood in an inordinate degree is liable to produce a congestion of the placenta, and thus incite an abortion; hence fevers of all kinds are known to have brought about an expulsion of the fetus. On the whole, either very hot or very cold temperatures are to be avoided, for instance, prolonged staying in cold weather or lengthened exposure to the rays of the sun should be prudently guarded against by the pregnant female. Of course this is not to be construed as meaning, that she should not partake of exercise in the open fresh air—far from it, but the exercise shall not be forced or driven, it shall at all times be voluntary and passive, so that when a tired feeling comes on, she can rest and refresh herself. The best time for these little walks is in the morning and evening in the summer season and in the middle of the day in cold weather. A rough, uneven walk should be avoided because she may stumble; jolting in either street cars or wagon is equally pernicious. A great deal of stair climbing is injurious, and when it becomes necessary it must be done slowly; running the sewing machine has caused many miscarriages. Avoid running, jumping, riding on horseback, and lifting heavy weights, hanging laundried clothes on lines, in fact everything that can strain the muscles, bear down, increase the intra-abdominal pressure and excite the nervous system.