constitutionally so from a lack of sanguinity in their temperaments. Some
men and women are so constituted that they never can rise above drudges
in society; for if they are industrious they have no confidence in
themselves.
THE NATURAL LAWS OF MARRIAGE, AND OF THE TEMPERAMENTS.
It is well known that marriages between near relatives produce unhealthy
and imperfect children, but the causes of such a result are not generally
understood. These causes extend far beyond the circle of a family, for it
is quite as improper for two persons of the same temperament to marry, as
it would be for a brother and a sister. The laws of the Temperaments of
the human family may be enumerated as follows:
1st. When both parties to a marriage are constitutionally the same, there
will probably be no children.
2d. The vital elements are incompatible with each other, and if children
are born to parents who are alike in this respect, they will probably be
idiotic, or rachitic.[1]
3d. When parties who marry are nearly alike—if their temperaments differ
only in part—they will have children who may live to adult age, but
who will then probably die of tubercular phthisis (consumption). In
illustration of this, I have known whole families of children to be taken
off by consumption between the ages of twenty-two and twenty-seven years,
where this disease had not previously existed in the families of the
parents or their progenitors.
4th. If the constitutions of a married couple assimilate to the extent
of one-half, their children will be apt to die before the first seven
years. The diseases of such children are tubercles in the glands of the
intestines, or in the membranes of the brain.
5th. When persons marry who are alike in temperament, and whose
constitutions materially differ, a majority of their children will be
still-born, and none will probably live to be two years old.
6th. When one of the parties to a marriage is exclusively vital, and the
other similar, but of a nervous and melancholy turn, the children will
generally be promising.
7th. To produce smart and healthy children, one of the parties should be
of sanguine-bilious temperament, with good vitality, and the other of a
quiet, lymphatic turn.
Scrofulous forms of disease result exclusively from marriages illustrated
by the first five laws above given. More than half the children that die
are those of constitutionally incompatible parents. People who live in
health to a good old age, owe more to their parents giving them a sound
constitution than to any efforts of their own to preserve health. So many
diseases are traced by skillful physicians to improper marriages, that
the study of Physiology, and of the human temperaments, seems to be as
necessary to young people as the most common branches of education.
Fortunately for the human race, marriages are oftener contracted from
instinct than from motives of policy; and individuals of opposite
temperaments are apt to experience that natural attraction towards
each other that results in marriage. But marriages of interest are
still occurring sufficiently frequent to fill our lunatic, idiot, and
deaf-and-dumb asylums, and we are glad to notice that the subject is
attracting attention, and that new laws are proposed to prevent the
marriage of blood relatives.
It is also proper to state that there should not be an extreme
disproportion in stature between a married pair. A delicate, slightly
formed, small woman, whose pelvis is small, should not marry a large
robust man. If she does, her offspring will be too large for her to
bring into the world without much suffering, and sometimes mutilation,
and destruction of health. This is also the fate of many girls of small
stature who become mothers at too early an age, and before the hip and
other bones, which form the cavity through which the infant comes into
the world, is sufficiently developed.
Early marriages (if not too early) are better than late ones, for the
natural state of mankind, after puberty, is a rational association of the
two sexes. Woman was adorned by Providence with her graces and charms
to delight the opposite sex, and she possesses those graces in full
perfection only while she is young. At that period she is indued with
power to give and to inherit a sort of terrestrial paradise, to multiply
her species, and to become matron, queen, and mother. Her early ripeness
proves that it was the intention of Providence that mankind, while young,
should settle in matrimony, and exercise those gifts which reproduce
their equals. In many young people the marriage state, when properly
enjoyed, augments the energies of the sanguineous system; the distended
arteries carry warmth and animation through the body; the muscles become
vigorous; the walk is more free; the voice firmer—in short, both men and
women by this means improve their health, strength and beauty, and assist
the development of their intellectual faculties.
[1] Softening and distortion of the bones.
ON THE INFLUENCE OF VITAL FORCE.
The base of the brain is the source and foundation of motion, thinking,
and feeling in the human body. The breadth of it indicates the vigor,
and its depth the tenacity of life. Men generally have the base of the
brain more developed than women, and as a consequence exhibit, in both
body and mind, more of what is called force of character. A man whose
brain is very full at the base, seldom, if ever, suffers from chronic
forms of disease, and never dies from consumption, except in old age
when the brain is decayed. His ailings will be confined to inflammatory
diseases, gout and rheumatism. Men of this class are never drudges. They
are usually energetic, either for good or evil, and are more apt to be
leaders of their fellow-men than otherwise. Vital force is as necessary
to the promotion of health as pure blood. Those who are deficient of it
sooner or later become afflicted with some functional form of disease.
Intellectual men of this class usually pursue the profession of a
minister, a physician or a college professor, though they make very
indifferent doctors or teachers. They do not possess sufficient force
or energy of character to make their talents and worth appreciated by
the multitude. The trustees of schools and colleges employ them without
making any inquiries as to their ability to govern youth, and the
consequence is frequent difficulties and fruitless disputes with their
pupils.
TENACITY OF LIFE AND LONGEVITY.
The depth of the base of the brain is a true index of vital tenacity,
or duration of life in any individual. This depth varies in different
persons from less than a quarter of an inch up to an inch and a
quarter.[2] A full inch in an individual fifty years of age indicates
a life of eighty or ninety years. One-half to five-eighths of an inch
shows that though the person may live many years, yet he has not the
vital power to resist formidable assaults of disease. And those persons
whose base of brain presents a depth of less than half an inch, must be
exceedingly careful of their health, and may expect to die from the most
trivial cause. On the contrary, those with three-fourths of an inch, and
above it, will probably survive the most powerful attacks of disease.
The base of the brain, being the seat of vitality in all animals, the
exact size of it shows the quantum of life possessed by any individual.
Hereditary diseases may be excepted, in certain cases.
[2] Take a piece of twine and pass it from the outer corner of each
eye around the back of the head, letting it touch the most projecting
protuberance on the hind part of the skull. The distance between this
line and the ear-hole gives the depth alluded to.
HOW TO DETECT PREGNANCY.
Almost every married woman considers the stoppage of her usual monthly
turns a warning that she is in the family way; and this will hold true in
nine cases out of ten. Nevertheless, in some women the menses continue
for a couple of months or more after impregnation takes place. So, also,
there are many other causes for the suppression of the menses, and the
failure of the monthly turn is not, therefore, conclusive evidence of
impregnation. Other peculiarities may be noticed which will go to confirm
the fact, and one is an enlargement of the neck. Singular as this may
appear, it is true: and some married ladies keep the exact measure of
their necks so as to be able to detect this sign. Pains similar to colic,
fainting fits, shuddering and creeping of the skin, longings for unusual
food and drinks, loss of appetite, morning sickness, fretfulness and
peevishness, hysteria, and a dozen other changes in the feelings, temper
or desires of a woman, are strong presumptive signs of conception.
The breasts, being always in sympathy with the womb, usually begin to
enlarge a little, the nipples become hard, and their color turns from
the usual delicate pink to a chestnut brown, with little dots or pimples
on the circle. This alteration in the nipple must be closely observed to
indicate positive pregnancy, as it frequently becomes dark from other
causes. The hue occasioned by conception is peculiar to itself, and is a
sure indication that gestation has commenced.
Soon after conception, in some females, the face and eyelids will
swell; and many girls are suspected from this cause alone by their more
experienced sisters. Others are warned of their condition by flying
pains, palpitations, &c., and by pains at the top of the head. If the
urine be kept in a clean vessel for several days, and a white scum arises
at the top, this is considered by some physicians as conclusive evidence
of pregnancy.
When a woman has become pregnant, the white line on the abdomen,
extending from the navel to the pubis, becomes darker, and the navel
itself swells out a little. The mucus membrane which lines the Vagina,
which is usually of a delicate rose color, turns blue or purple.
The above are the most prominent and conclusive evidences of conception
during the first three months, though some of them may not be experienced
until a later period. At the end of thirteen weeks the enlargement of the
womb begins to develop itself so as to leave no doubt whatever of the
interesting situation of the lady. In some cases even this enlargement is
the result of other causes; and should a doubt exist, an examination by a
physician, or any experienced person who can feel the mouth of the womb
with a finger, will determine the state of the case. The mouth closes and
contracts together immediately after conception, and this condition of it
can be easily detected if the finger be applied in the right place. If
the mouth of the womb is not closed, then the enlargement is surely from
other causes.
LABOR AND CHILD-BIRTH.
A healthy and natural birth usually takes place after the fifteenth day
of the ninth month of pregnancy. It may be delayed until the end of the
month, but is seldom so protracted. Shortly before labor is to commence,
the belly sinks, and the hitherto snug-fitting dress will become loose.
This is caused by the descent of the womb into the bottom of the belly.
The motions and weight of the child are also felt to be lower than usual,
and if in a natural position, the head will fall down to the orifice of
the womb, and press upon it. This drives forward the membranes which
restrain the water at the orifice, and at the proper moment they break,
and labor then commences.
Labor is caused by involuntary contractions of the uterus and abdominal
muscles. By their force the liquor amnii flows out, the head of the fœtus
is engaged in the pelvis, it goes through it, and soon passes out by the
valve, the folds of which disappear. These different phenomena take place
in succession, and continue a certain time: they are accompanied with
pains more or less severe, with swelling and softening of the soft parts
of the pelvis and external genital parts, and with an abundant mucous
secretion in the cavity of the vagina. All these circumstances, each in
its own way, favor the passage of the fœtus.
The precursory signs of labor are as follows: Two or three days before
it is to commence, a flow of mucus takes place from the vagina, and the
external genital parts swell and become softer: it is the same with the
ligaments that unite the bones of the pelvis; the mouth of the womb
flattens, its opening is enlarged, its edges become thinner, and slight
pains, known under the name of _flying pains_, are felt in the loins
and abdomen. At the next stage pains begin to be felt in the lower
part of the back, or lumbar region, and tend towards the womb, or the
rectum: these occur at intervals of fifteen to thirty minutes, and each
is accompanied with contraction of the womb, and tension of its neck,
which begins to open. If a finger is now introduced into the vagina, a
considerable tumor may be felt, which is a protrusion of the membrane
coverings of the fœtus, containing the first waters. The pains gradually
become stronger up to the time when the membranes break, and labor
actually begins.
The uterus now contracts on itself, and is applied to the surface of
the fœtus. Soon the pains and contractions of the uterus increase
considerably, and are accompanied by the contraction of the abdominal
muscles. The woman should favor this state of things by making all the
muscular efforts in her power, (straining.) As the labor progresses,
her pulse will become stronger and more frequent; her face becomes
animated; her eyes grow brighter; her whole body is in extreme agitation;
perspiration flows in abundance; until the head of the child descends
into the lower strait of the pelvis.
At this stage there is a discharge of whitish matter from the vagina,
and pains occur which extend from the small of the back, or loins, and
the groins, down towards the front, or private parts; and sometimes the
membranes will even protrude through the external opening. Presently a
strong pain comes on, crack go the membranes, the liquor amnii gushes
out with a rush, deluging the bed. After this there are longer intervals
between the pains, and on the midwife’s introducing her finger, she can
feel the head of the child. As the pains increase in intensity, the
patient is apt to scream, though some women of firmness will suppress
their feelings: she lays hold of a towel, which is commonly fastened to
the bed-post for this purpose, and bears down with all her might: her
pulse now is rapid, and her skin is hot; the process still goes bravely
on; the pains are now more frequent, stronger and lasting.
The head of the child now gradually descends lower and lower in the
vagina until it presses on the perinœum, or outer edge of the private
part adjoining the anus. In this stage of the labor an inexperienced
midwife would think that a few pains more would expel the child, but
although the head rests upon the perinœum, and shows itself at the
external orifice, yet it may be some hours before it is expelled,
more especially if it is a first child; but if the second or third,
half-a-dozen more pains will generally be sufficient to complete the
process.
During this time the woman usually suffers some from head-ache, looks
intensely red in the face, and often experiences a trembling of the lower
limbs.
The outer passage will now begin to enlarge gradually, and the head
appears. When it is advanced as far as its ears, it is said to be “in the
passage.” When the birth has advanced one-third, the midwife may assist
the expulsion if she chooses, though Nature alone would accomplish it.
When the child is born, the midwife should lay it upon her knees, with
its face down, so as to give exit to the mucus, waters, &c., from the
mouth, if any has been imbibed, which is most generally the case.
Now that the child is born, there is a freedom from pain and the mother
feels rejoiced at the sudden transition from severe suffering to
comparative ease. In about ten minutes she again begins to experience
pains, which are, however, slight, or less violent than before, in
the region of the uterus, coming and going about every five minutes.
On examination, the accoucheuse will find a quantity of clotted blood
expelled, and on passing up the finger along the cord, she will discover
the after-birth, or placenta, as it is called, forced into the upper
part of the vagina. If not attached to the womb, which is easily known
by carefully pulling at the cord, the midwife will separate it gently,
by introducing her hand. The navel-string must be divided as soon as the
child is born; which may be done with a pair of scissors, having first
tied a string as well on the child’s side of the cord as the mother’s, to
prevent hemorrhage. The placenta being taken away, the labor is now over.
An hour after, let the mother take a little oil of sweet almonds, to
ease the after pains; and let a poultice of oil of sweet almonds, and
two or three new-laid eggs, be boiled together, and laid to the parts,
renewing at every six hours for two days. Fifteen days after the birth,
the parts may be bathed with an astringent decoction of red roses, alum,
or nut-galls in red wine, in order to brace them. The following is the
formula I usually employ: Red-rose-leaves, 1 ounce; Alum, 2 drams;
Ordinary Claret, half a pint. Put them into a sauce-pan and let them
boil for five or ten minutes. After having stood for fifteen or twenty
minutes to cool, strain, and apply warm to the parts.
The above is a brief description of a healthy delivery; and such are
the usual ones. In some cases, however, the labor may be tedious and
difficult, when the lower part of the belly must be covered with a
flannel cloth dipped in a hot decoction of bitter herbs, as tanzy, hops,
wormwood and catnep, of each a small handful, to which put three pints of
equal parts vinegar and water; boil for half an hour in a covered vessel.
Wring the flannel out and apply warm over the region of the womb, which
will relieve the tension and ease the pain, besides gently stimulating
the uterus to contract more forcibly on its contents, whereby the labor
is facilitated.
Stimulating injections by the bowels, may now and then be
administered—especially if the woman be at all costive. The midwife
should also push back with her longest finger the os coxygis, which tends
to excite the labor and ease the pain. If the parts are in a stiff,
straitened condition, as in the first child, especially if the woman is
not young, emollient liniments are to be used, and the parts must be
anointed with fresh butter or oil, and to be dilated gently with the
hand. If there is a tumor, carbuncle, or membrane opposing the birth, the
assistance of an experienced surgeon is required.
Always in difficult labors, the patient should be made as cheerful as
possible by her friends, by the recital of lively and amusing anecdotes,
and by every species of encouragement in their power; as a depressed and
melancholy state of mind invariably retards the labor.
Women in labor, who have a languid circulation and a weak constitution,
are benefited by cordials and good nourishment. Let half a glass of wine
be given every two hours, which will invigorate the system, and render
the action of the uterus more powerful.
If the feet present first, the midwife must be very cautious lest there
be twins, and lest she should take a foot of each. The feet must be
wrapped in a dry napkin, and the child must be drawn gently, till the
waist is in the orifice of the uterus. Then the infant’s hands must
be drawn down close to the sides; and if the nose be turned towards
the pubic bone in front, it should be placed in an opposite direction
to prevent any obstacle. If the chin is embarrassed, the midwife must
disengage it, by putting her finger into the mouth, in order to turn to
advantage. In case the infant’s head presents across the passage, or
laterally, it must be gently thrust back, and carefully turned to its
natural situation. If the shoulder presents, the same _tact_ and talent
must be employed, although the difficulty is greater. If the belly, hip,
or thigh appears first, the child must be extricated by gentle traction
made at the feet, and the mother must lie flat on her back. If one or
both hands are directed upward, above the head, and lie close to it,
the case is not so bad as some would apprehend; for they will keep the
orifice equally dilated till the head passes, and thus prevent strangling.
When the fœtus dies before the time of birth, and the membranes are not
yet ruptured, it will not putrefy; therefore the work must be left to
Nature, for the pains of labor will at length come on spontaneously.
Baudelocque says, if the navel-cord first appears, and is compressed soon
after by the head of the infant, its life is in danger; and the remedy
is to return the infant, and reduce the cord, till the head fills the
opening. But if this cannot be done, the woman must be put in a suitable
posture, and the child must be extracted by the feet.
When the _placenta_ first presents itself, which is known by its spongy,
soft texture, and the great quantity of blood flowing at the same time,
it requires speedy assistance. If the membranes are entire, they should
be broken, the placenta and membranes should be returned into the
uterus, and the child be extracted by the feet (which is more readily
effected in the membranes than in the uterus), and put into a proper
situation. When there is a great flow of blood from untoward accidents,
the infant should be immediately delivered by art, though the mother be
not in true labor.
I would caution all how they use the instruments when the mouth of the
womb is not fully opened, and never to resort to them unless actually
compelled to do so by some serious danger which is to be apprehended from
delay. Many cases of this kind do occur, it is true, in large cities, if
one happens to have a large practice in this branch of the Healing Art.
ABORTIONS AND MISCARRIAGES.
The anxiety of a woman who desires to avoid pregnancy will often lead her
to such dangerous extremes that she is ready to risk health, and even
life itself, rather than become a mother. Hence she earnestly seeks the
means to destroy her unborn child. When this is done so early that the
fœtus cannot live, it is called an abortion. After the sixth or seventh
month, it is a miscarriage. Abortions are always dangerous, though
some females get over them without much suffering or harm. The most
propitious periods for an abortion are at three, five, and six months.
Both abortions and miscarriages are brought about by irregularities of
conduct, such as too eager gratification of sexual desires, remaining
too long in a warm bath, lacing the corsets too tight, violent exercise,
such as dancing, riding a hard trotting horse, romping, jumping long
distances, &c. Any of these imprudences will be apt to kill the fœtus,
which will soon thereafter be expelled from the womb. Women know the
moment the fœtus dies, for it falls to the bottom of the abdomen and lies
there a dead weight, feeling like a foreign substance in the body.
Sudden and unexpected violence, such as falling down stairs, or being
knocked down unexpectedly, will produce abortion or miscarriage, but
as these mishaps would be a severe shock to the nervous system, they
endanger the life of the mother. Any unnatural efforts to produce
abortion, such as forcing the mouth of the womb, or taking powerful
medicines, are also dangerous, as these may cause flooding that cannot be
stopped. Bleeding too freely will bring on an abortion in some women, and
on others will have no effect.