Transactions of the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for the Year Volume 28 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 Excerpt: ...not had bad results. I have never had bad results from the standpoint of the mother, even when the injections have been given in the second stage, but it has been necessary to resuscitate some of the babies. There are certain disagreeable factors connected with scopolaminmorphin anesthesia, for example, certain patients are delirious and almost unmanageable, but if we try to relieve patients by anesthetics, we are bound to meet with some difficulties, which, however, may be overcome. There is one thing that has not been mentioned, and that is, the use of these drugs in cases of premature birth. If we are handling a case of premature birth, we ought not to use scopolamin-morphin anesthesia for the effect upon the respiratory center is more marked and the babies cannot be resuscitated in some cases. As far as the use of forceps is concerned, objection has been made to the fact that forceps delivery was necessary in 26 to 28 per cent. of the cases. Personally I do not believe that this is a serious objection to the use of anesthetics during labor. If forceps are skillfully used, low forceps particularly, that is, simply lifting the head over the perineum, as mentioned by Dr. Rongy, there can be no objection on the ground that either the mother or babe are exposed to extra danger. Personally, I do not hesitate to terminate that part of labor, the difficult part of labor, when the head is being pushed over the perineum. It is not always done to save the life of the child; it may be in the interest of the mother as well. I cannot say from my own experience that any complications or any worse results follow from the use of low forceps than when the patient delivers the child. Dr. Henry S. Lott, Winston, North Carolina.--For twenty years I did my share of obstetric...