384

CHILDBIRTH.

sage ought to be gently rubbed with a little soft pomatum orfresh butter, and cloths wrung out of warm water applied overthe belly. If nature seems to sink, and the woman is greatlyexhausted with fatigue, a draught of generous wine, or someother cordial, may be given, but not otherwise. These direc-tions are sufficient in natural labors ; and in all preternaturalcases a skilful surgeon or man-midwife ought to be called assoon as possible.

We cannot help taking notice of that ridiculous custom,whictustill prevails in some parts of the country, of collectinga number of women together upon such occasions. These,instead of being useful, serve only to crowd the house andobstruct the necessary attendants. Besides, they hurt thepatient with their noise, and often, by their untimely and im-pertinent advice, do much mischief.

After delivery, the woman ought to be kept as quiet andeasy as possible. Her food should be light and thin, as gruel,panado, &c, and her drink weak and diluting. To this rule,however, there are some exceptions. I have known severalhysteric women whose spirits could not be supported in child-bed without solid food and generous liquors ; to such a glassof wine and a bit of chicken must be allowed.

Sometimes an excessive hemorrhage or flooding happensafter delivery. In this case, the patient should be kid withher head low, kept cool, and be in all respects treated as foran excessive flux of the menses. If the flooding proves vio-lent, linen cloths, which have been wrung out of a mixture ofequal parts of vinegar and water or red wine, should be ap-plied to the belly, the loins, and the thighs. These must bechanged as they grow dry, and may be discontinued as soonas the flooding abates.*

If there be violent pains after delivery, the patient ought todrink plentifully of warm diluting liquors, as tea with a littlesaffron, or an infusion of camomile flowers, and to take smallbroths, with caraway seeds or a bit of orange-peel in them.An ounce of the oil of sweet almonds may likewise be fre-quently taken in a cup of any of the above liquors ; and if thepatient be restless, a spoonful of the syrup of poppies may now

* In a violent flooding after delivery, I have seen very good effectsfrom the following mixture : Take of pennyroyal water, simple cin-namon water, and syrup of poppies, each two ounces, acid elixir ofvitriol a dram ; mix, and take two table-spoonfuls every two hours,or oftener if necessary.