atrum, and Arsenicum deserve some attention; but I am unable to discover their homœopathicity to any form of it, nor have they ever cured a case to my knowledge. Perhaps this may be said of all the remedies I have named for paralysis glottidis; but at least these have this merit, that their symptoms correspond closely to the disease.

In conclusion, gentlemen, I can only express the hope that you may cure every case of laryngismus which falls to your lot, and with this wish I bid you farewell and Godspeed.

ARTICLE XXXVII.—Before, During, and After

Parturition.*

BY HENRY N. GUERNSEY, M. D.

How many anxious thoughts have arisen, and ever will continue to arise, from a contemplation of this important subject. It is a theme so weighty that the pen shrinks almost from the task imposed upon it, of writing upon a subject so important to the health and happiness of the race. It is true that volumes have been written on it, and that possibly nothing new can be said about it; but novelty is not a prerequisite of medical truth, and medical truth will bear reiteration, especially when, as in this case, a thorough conception of its revelations is fraught with so great an import to the welfare of mankind.

In considering these subjects, I shall take them up in the order mentioned above-before, during, and after parturition.

Before parturition, embraces the whole period of pregnancy, commencing with conception and terminating with the insetting of labor.

In order that this period may be gone through with in a thoroughly physiological manner, all unphysiological and

*

Prepared by special request for the Cumberland Valley Hom. Med. Society, and read before that body, May 3, 1870.

unphilosophical habits must be laid aside, and all pernicious practices abandoned. The pregnant woman should strive to cultivate for herself the utmost cheerfulness and tranquillity of mind; she should strive to be at peace with all the world and at peace with herself, for her mental and moral state will surely be engrafted upon her offspring, the education of the future being commencing while yet in utero. And in this effort she should be seconded by her husband, whose responsibility very great at this period; whose conduct towards the wife of his bosom, at this period, acting upon her mental organization, will be transmitted to their joint offspring, for weal or for woe. Medical men cannot be too particular in urging this point on all suitable occasions, as it falls to their lot not alone to cure diseases, both mental and physical, when they exist, but, as well, to prevent their occurrence when it is at all possible to do so.

is

A pregnant woman, during the whole course of her pregnancy, will require more sleep than at other periods; and an ample allowance of "tired nature's sweet restorer" should always be indulged in. And yet, at the same time, habits of slothfulness are to be deplored and decried. "Early to bed and early to rise," applies with additional force at this juncture, and nine or, at the latest, ten o'clock at night should always find her in bed, and six or, at the latest, seven o'clock in the morning should find her up. Habits of regularity in all things should be cultivated-regularity as to hours for sleeping and waking-regularity as to meals, exercise, stool, etc. As much exercise in the fresh air as is possible, should be taken. Walking is indispensable, and every day should find her taking a walk leisurely and with the mind at ease; and this rule should be observed even in cold and, cæteris paribus, unpleasant weather, excepting when the walking is dangerous from snow or ice. A walk is often an excellent remedy for the slothfulness and heaviness that sometimes steals over the pregnant woman like an incubus; a much better remedy than taking a nap, or even than a prescription from the doctor. Useful employment, reading, or useful and agreeable conversation, should engage the waking hours not

otherwise employed. In fact, the physician should enjoin upon his pregnant patients the importance of cultivating a proper condition of mental vitality as well as physical. How important is it that the expecting mother, as a new thread of life is being spun within her, should think and do that alone which is good and right; for of a certainty her offspring will have woven into the tissue of its existence the resultant of what she is and does during her pregnancy.

It is a fact worthy of notice, that as pregnancy advances, the fluids of the body are increased in quantity, and, of course, an increase of circulating capacity is demanded. This has, in connection with other points a decided bearing on the question of dress during pregnancy. Unusual looseness about the waist is requisite, and, as well, about the neck, wrists, and lower extremities; even an elastic garter spanning the leg may be injurious, and everything that can retard or in any way interfere with free circulation should be, if possible, avoided. The proper warmth of the clothing should be studied with great care. It should be composed of such fabrics as combine lightness with warmth, so that proper heat of body may be maintained without the discomfort of oppressive clothing. In the latter months, particularly, the clothing should not be tightened about the waist at all. The dress should be allowed to fall loosely and gracefully from the neck and shoulders, showing but little waist; and this will be found not only most becoming, but far better for the mother and the fruit of her womb. One fact in connection with this question of dress is here noteworthy, viz.: that women in the latter months of pregnancy, often complain of and really suffer from coldness of the abdomen; the protruding abdomen causing the clothing to set off to the extent of almost completely exposing that part of the body to direct contact with the air. In view of this the clothing should be so adjusted, or an extra garment worn, to obviate the difficulty. Physicians will greatly benefit their patients by giving strict directions in regard of all these matters which are so apt to be regarded as minor and insignificant points.

The diet during pregnancy should be generous in meats,

vegetables and fruits, and at the same time simple. The less tea and coffee are indulged in the better, for both mother and fœtus, as these have a tendency to produce nervousness, and even convulsions. Sugar, salt, and spices should be taken in moderation. Stimulants of all kinds should be most strictly and religiously avoided.

Very many of the discomforts arising at this period may be promptly relieved or removed by a strict conformation to the laws of a rational mode of life. If, however, they should persist, and help seems necessary to adjust and properly balance the deranged vital forces, help is to be sought within the pale of homoeopathic medication, and the law of the similars—here, as elsewhere, applicable--should be brought to exercise its wondrous health-giving powers. Thus pregnancy, judiciously managed, prepares the way for the act of parturition; and, it may be remarked, just as pregnancy has been free, or freed, from sufferings and from complications, will, cæteris paribus, the act of parturition, and its post partem consequences, be likewise free from dangers and disorders.

During parturition, embraces the period commencing with the first onset of labor, and ending with its termination in the birth of the product of conception.

When this grand function commences, the pregnant woman comes into a new physiological state, and if harmony exists throughout her entire organism, her labor will be comparatively free from suffering, and parturition will be accomplished as speedily as is consistent with safety. If a want of harmony should exist, symptoms will be developed and manifested in some way, by means of which the follower of Hahnemann will be guided to make that selection from the great storehouse of the Materia Medica, which shall at once relieve and remove the disarray, and re-establish harmonious action. Anaesthesia should not be resorted to; oblivion should not be courted at the risk of safety-for, the symptoms masked and suffering suppressed-crushed under the ponderous action of chloroform or ether-what guide has the physician to the selection of a remedy for disorder, or to a knowledge even, that disorder has arisen?

During this entire period, the comfort of the patient should be the consideration of the accoucheur. The room should be well ventilated; the temperature never rising above 70° F. The patient should be allowed to choose her own position, provided it be compatible with safety. Her clothing and the bed coverings should be so adjusted as to make her comfortable; so light as to be not cumbersome, and yet sufficient to insure agreeable warmth, even to her feet. Bright light should not be permitted to strike the eye, as being liable to induce nervous irritation. Cold water should be allowed "ad libitum," as well as other beverages of a cooling and refreshing nature. Particular care should be taken that the feet are comfortably warm, not alone for the sake of personal comfort, but the pains of labor will be more apt to be natural; and the same is true of whatever may be done to put the patient in a comfortable and natural condition.

The accoucheur should visit his patient early, and then occasionally, until his continued presence at her bedside is demanded. During all this time he should be ever on the watch, and quick to grasp at deranged conditions and abnormal manifestations, and as quick to select and apply, in accordance with true Hahnemannian principles, the required remedy, or to afford such manual aid as may be needed. Especially should his ear be open to her complaints, and the slightest deviation from the natural should call forth its appropriate antidote. In this particular too little has been done in our school (and, apart from anesthesia, nothing in any other school) towards lessening, by medication, the pains and perils of childbirth. We have done something, but but much more yet remains; it is yet one of the richest and most promising fields in the domain of our science and art.

The accoucheur should determine the position and presentation as early as possible; and if it be one of the usual and natural ones, he has little to do but watch and wait-watch the conditions, note the symptoms, and apply the homoeopathic remedy when needed, and wait for nature to complete