The Matron's Manual of Midwifery, and the Diseases of Women During Pregnancy and in Childbed - Being a Familiar and Practical Treatise, More Especially Intended for the Instruction of Females Themselves, but Adapted Also for Popular Use among Students and Practitioners of Medicine

Parturition, or the expulsion of the perfectly formed human being from the body of its mother, is a most wonderful natural function, for the complete and safe performance of which at the proper time, every requisite is found to exist. Notwithstanding the contrary experience of society, as it now exists, it is well known that extreme suffering, and danger to life, are not necessary nor even probable accompaniments to child-birth; for it is invariably found, when females live under circumstances favourable to their full physical development and health, that it occurs speedily, and with little or no difficulty or pain. Numerous proofs of this could be given in accounts of the Indians, and other uncivilized females, among whom parturition is regarded as an ordinary occurrence, for which no preparation need be made, and about which no apprehension need be felt; such facts, however, are so well known that they only need be referred to here. As the organization and requirements of society changes, by the adoption of what is called civilization, the condition of woman becomes very different to what it was originally. In many respects her lot is much meliorated, and she has great reason to be pleased with the change, but in other respects she has not been so fortunate. One great evil resulting from her altered position is, a neglect of proper physical education while young, and of the various requirements for bodily health in after life. In consequence of which she becomes constitutionally weaker, and more sensitive to various injurious influences, which she possesses diminished powers to withstand. This evil increases in proportion as civilization advances, until at last females become so imperfectly organized, and so enervated, that they are utterly unable to fulfil the duties assigned them, and they either die prematurely, or pass their whole lives in suffering and complaint. So universally is this the case at the present time, particularly in cities, that the exempt are very rare exceptions to a rule most lamentably general. Unfortunately, custom and false notions have given this melancholy state the stamp of propriety, and thrown around it the charm of fashion. The suffering invalid is called interesting, and the pale faced debilitated creature, scarcely able to crawl about, is styled genteel, while robust health and physical capability is termed coarseness and vulgarity. So infatuated, and weak minded, have females been made on this point, that I have actually known some of them quite chagrined because people could see they were well and strong; and I have known others quite alarmed for fear that they should look so. A short time ago I knew a lady who, by the adoption of a proper course of training and treatment, passed through her confinement so quickly, and with so little exhaustion, that she was up and travelling about in three days after, not only without inconvenience but with pleasure and advantage. But what was the impression made on her female friends by such a speedy recovery? did they feel quite pleased at it, and desirous that all others should be equally fortunate? No; but quite the contrary! She was actually thought deserving of reprehension, and was stigmatized as vulgar in the extreme. One person even made the remark, that she must be a very common person, and no Lady! Now what a pitiable state of ignorance, and mental imbecility, these females must be in, to be actually proud of their infirmities;[vi] and yet they are but like the majority of their sex. If they were not so unfortunate in not knowing their true interests, they would be highly culpable, but as it is they are truly deserving of our pity. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 47836
Author: Hollick, Frederick
Release Date: Jan 1, 2015
Format: eBook
Language: English