This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 edition. Excerpt: ...bag is insinuated first into the os, then the vagina, and lastly the vulva, all of which it ought to open up before it bursts. This is not always so: the membrane may fracture In obstetric operations on the lower animals, at least the coat must be taken off, and the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, or further. Then the whole arm and hand, with the exception of its palmar aspect, must be coated over with lard. with the very first "pain." In this case the water escapes through the narrow os, and the uterus contracts upon and moulds itself around the foetus, which is pushed against the os as a most inefficient substitute for the soft, expanded bag of waters. This retards labour, from the os being badly dilated, the remainder of the passage becomes dry and hot, and the friction much increased. Symptoms.--The waters have burst and come away, the parts--if hours have elapsed--are dry and hot, and the presenting part of the foetus can be felt uncovered by the bag of waters. Treatment.--Inject quantities of well-boiled gruel, then seize the presenting part of the foetus and deliver by traction. 3. Dropsy of the Water-bag.--Sometimes the waters are so abundant, and the membrane so distended, that the uterus. is quite incapable of properly contracting upon it. Symptoms.--These are, lingering labour, the os soft and dilatable, and the water-bag (unruptured) to be felt beyond the undilated os. The examination should extend throughout a "pain," and the "tightness of the membrane be compared before and during the pain. Treatment.--Give a brisk stimulant, such as half a bottle of brandy in warm water. Time should be allowed, as there is not much danger to either mother or offspring. If the pains get perceptibly weaker, the...