James Townley

“ I cannot help expressing on paper, for the benefit of others who might be as incredulous as I was myself, the perfect success of your treatment. In a previous confinement, five years ago, I was obliged, after a most protracted labour and much suffering, to be delivered by instruments. This time, although it was a cross-birth from the time you came, I suffered no pain; and after three hours using the Inhaler under your direction, when you assured me the baby would soon be born, I could not believe it, having no forcing or sensation of any kind. ”

“ It is generally admitted that the suffering of first labours equals, if not surpasses, that of subsequent ones. In three of these six labours there was the additional drawback of age, the youngest being more than twenty-eight years old. In one of these cases also there was a contracted outlet, which retained the head for one hour. It follows, therefore, that if in the severer cases of labour, with obstacles to impede delivery, women can be so fully relieved as not to suffer pain, the more ordinary and milder cases will also have the same relief. ”

“ It is possible for a woman to be delivered with less pain from the beginning [Pg 19] to the end of her labour than a rhubarb draught would occasion.
2nd. It is possible to afford that relief without interfering with the regular and natural action of the heart or brain.
3rd. It is possible for the child to be born without the mother experiencing any pain whatever, while at the same time she retains her consciousness and power to bear down when told to do so; and her first knowledge of the birth of her child shall be from hearing it cry. ”

“ Mode of administering the anodyne vapour.—The great object to be attained is to so far influence the nerves of sensation as to prevent pain, and yet not carry the anæsthetic agent to the extent of producing unconsciousness. This can be effected in the following manner:—The woman, in the upright or recumbent position, as the case may be, holds the Inhaler in her right hand. She is directed to take a full inspiration, and then to apply the Inhaler to the mouth and nose. ”

“ I will only add, that in all these cases the patient deserved as much credit as the accoucheur, as it was by her quickly altering and exactly following his directions in the manner of inhaling that enabled her to go through the labour without pain. Some patients, with the best intentions of doing what you wish, find it difficult, and then they have a little pain at times, but so little that I am within bounds when I say it is not one-twentieth of what they would otherwise have suffered. ”

“ I will now give an account, seriatim, of my inhaler, the anodyne fluid which I employ, and the mode in which I direct the inhalation to be made.
The Inhaler [A] is similar to one very commonly used in administering chloroform. It has, however, in addition, two tubes, an inch and a quarter long and a quarter of an inch in diameter, running parallel to the floor of the inhaler. These tubes, being placed above and to the sides of the inspiring valve, admit two small streams of [Pg 11] fresh air, which to a great extent are inspired unmixed with the vapour of the anodyne. ”

“ The Inhaler should then be removed immediately, and one or two full, deep, quick chest-inspirations taken. This will be found sufficient to [Pg 14] relieve all pain, and there will be no loss of consciousness. During the entire process it is desirable to have a full light upon the face, to watch the countenance and feel the pulse occasionally, and observe the pupils. These, in some cases, are very quickly affected, and then the inhalation requires to be suspended for a time. ”

“ That when a woman is delivered without suffering pain, although she shall have had inflammation after each of six previous labours, the prevention of the suffering will have the effect of preventing the usual inflammation.
5th. That by preventing the suffering of labour, the woman does not lose her strength, and always has a speedy recovery.
[Pg 20]
CASES.
Of the following Letters from Patients which I have selected for publication, six relate to cases of first labour. ”

“ She is then to breathe rapidly for six, eight, or more inspirations (the inspirations and expirations being equal) only with the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, the chest being kept a fixture all the time. ”