PAINLESS CHILDBIRTH.
Any method, no matter how improbable-seeming it may be, calculated to
render labor or operations upon women less of an ordeal, is worthy of
consideration by physicians, midwives, and the laity. Therefore there
may be something well worth “trying out” in the “pressure” method of
inducing relief from pain.
A number of physicians have reported results that, if confirmed by
further experiences, warrant us in believing that zone pressure
promises to be a boon to womankind.
To those who have had experience with pressure analgesia in dentistry,
and in the relief of rheumatism, lumbago, neuralgia, and other painful
affections, mitigating--or even entirely relieving--the pains of
childbirth seem quite within the bounds of possibility. In any event,
it will not be difficult to put it to a broad conclusive test. And it
is absolutely harmless, there is no danger to mother or child in its
employment, and no indication that it might be responsible for a “blue
baby.” For in almost every case in which it has been tried, labor has
been accelerated six hours or more--instead of retarded.
[Illustration: FIG. 14.--This shows method of treating lumbago and
pains in the back of the body, affecting all the zones.]
The methods are so simple that they can be utilized by any one--even
by women who may, in their hour of labor, chance to be remote from
medical attention. Two combs (broad aluminum combs about four inches in
length have been found to be the best) to clench the fingers and thumbs
over (see Fig. 14), and some sharp or edged surface to press the soles
of the feet against (see Fig. 15), are all the instruments that are
required, altho a clamp has now been devised (see Fig. 16) which can
be fastened on the hands to include both surfaces and all zones. It is
applied when contractions begin, and is kept in position intermittently
until delivery is completed. Rubber bands, bound around the great and
“index” toes, also afford a gratifying help.
To relieve the after-pains and facilitate the expulsion of the
afterbirth, it has been found that “stimulating” strokes, with the
teeth of the aluminum comb, or the “bristles” of a wire hair brush, are
most effective. It may require that these strokes be given from ten
minutes to one-half hour. But they assist wonderfully in contracting
the uterus.
[Illustration: Valens Disc Zone-Analgesic with Rope Attachment
An extension rope can be used on these applicators and attached to
the foot of the bed so a patient, during confinement, can grasp one
applicator in each hand and make traction.
This device can also be used in Zone Therapy for Sciatica by having the
patient place the foot over the wooden discs and “hang on to the rope”
with the hand.
FIG. 15.]
[Illustration: FIG. 16.--This is the hand clamp used with such
extraordinary success in relieving the pains of childbirth.]
Dr. R. T. H. Nesbitt, of Waukegan, Ill., is one of a number of
physicians who have had practical experience with pressure analgesia
in childbirth. He sends this very interesting report:
“During the past week I have been attending the lectures of Dr. George
Starr White. In this most interesting and helpful series, Dr. White
explained and exemplified biodynamic diagnosis by means of the magnetic
meridian (a remarkable discovery of Dr. White, which enables one to
diagnose diseases otherwise undiagnosible. This by means of changes
in the “tension” of organs--which occurs when a properly grounded
patient is turned from North or South to East or West). Dr. White also
demonstrated zone therapy. He asked if any of the doctors present
expected a confinement case soon. If so, he wished to give them some
suggestions in zone anesthesia in connection with delivery.
“As I was expecting a ‘call’ every hour I told Dr. White, and he gave
me some special points concerning this work. Last night I was called
to attend what I expected would be my last case in confinement, as I
have been doing this work so many years that I intended to retire. From
my last night’s experience I feel as if I should like to start the
practice of medicine all over again.
“The woman I delivered was a primipara (one who had never had a child
before, and who therefore, because of the rigidity of the bones and
tissues, has a more difficult labor), small in stature.
“When severe contractions began, and the mother was beginning to
be very nervous and complained of pain, at which time I generally
administer chloroform, I began pressing on the soles of the feet
with the edge of a big file, as I could find nothing else. I
pressed on the top of the foot with the thumbs of both hands at the
metatarsal-phalangeal joint, (where the toes join the foot). I exerted
this pressure over each foot for about three minutes at a time.
The mother told me that the pressure on the feet gave her no pain
whatsoever.
“As she did not have any uterine pain, I was afraid there was no
advancement. To my great surprise, when I examined her about ten or
fifteen minutes later, I found the head within two inches of the
outlet. I then waited about fifteen minutes, and on examination found
the head at the vulva. I then pressed again for about one or two
minutes on each foot, the edge of the file being on the sole of the
foot, and my thumbs over the tarsal-metatarsal joints as before. In
this way I exerted pressure on the sole of the foot with the file, and
pressure on the dorsum of the foot with my thumbs, doing each foot
separately. The last pressure lasted about one and a half minutes to
each foot. Within five or ten minutes the head was appearing, and I
held it back to preserve the perineum (the tissue joining the vagina
and the rectum). It made steady progress, the head and shoulders coming
out in a normal manner. Within three minutes the child--which “weighed
in” at 9-1/2 pounds--was born, crying lustily. The mother told me she
did not experience any pain whatever, and could not believe the child
was born. She laughed and said, ‘This is not so bad.’
“Another point that is very remarkable is that after the child was
born, the woman did not experience the fatigue that is generally felt,
and the child was more active than usual. I account for this on the
principle that pain inhibits (prevents) progress of the birth, and
tires the child. But as the pain was inhibited, the progress was more
steady, and thus fatigue to both mother and child was avoided.”
A Massachusetts doctor supplements this case with several
others--equally ridiculous or revolutionary--depending upon our
viewpoint. To insure brevity and accuracy I quote the Doctor’s own
words.
“Case 1. Multipara (a woman who has had previous confinements)--mother
of four. Shortest previous labor eight hours. Had had a laceration
of cervix (neck of the womb) with her first child. Also one forceps
delivery.
“When labor commenced she was given two aluminum combs to hold (as
shown in Fig. 14), and instructed to make strong pressure upon them,
with a view of inhibiting pains, particularly in the first, second
and third zones. These combs were four inches in length and slightly
roughened on the ends, so that the lateral (or side) surfaces of the
thumbs could more effectively be stimulated.
“Was called at four a.m., arrived at 5:05, and the babe had just
been born. The patient reported that she had been in bed for only 15
minutes. There had been only one severe pain. This was when the head
delivered.
“There was no exhaustion following, as with her previous labors, and
she said laughingly, ‘I believe I’ll be able to get up this afternoon.
Doctor.’
“The afterbirth delivery seemed to be stimulated, and the pains
controlled by stroking the backs of the hands with the teeth of the
combs. She became relaxed and drowsy from this stroking, and finally
fell asleep and slept almost through the night--perfectly free from
pain.
“Case 2. Primipara, thirty-seven years old. This woman had a badly
retroflexed uterus (a womb which is tilted back), which seemed to
retard the advancement of labor, for she required five hours for
delivery.
“She also used the comb pressures, and, in addition, was provided with
a rough-edged shallow box, upon which she pressed firmly with the soles
of her feet.
“Four hours after delivery she had sharp afterbirth pains, which were
controlled by the stroking method before described. This seemed to give
complete and satisfactory relaxation.
“There were three other cases, all of which responded equally well to
treatment by zone analgesia.
“It should be added that, while the pain was inhibited, there seemed to
be no diminution in the strength of the uterine contractions.”
Dr. Thomas Mournighan, of Providence, R. I., has been, for more than
two years, one of the staunchest advocates of my methods. He has
had phenomenally successful experiences in goiter, deafness, female
irregularities, and in the relief of pain and cure of conditions in the
general practice of medicine.
Dr. Mournighan has also had almost uniformly successful results with
zone analgesia in childbirth. I quote from a few of his cases.
“Case 1. Primipara, nineteen years of age. Suffered from furious
attacks of vomiting at the beginning of her pregnancy. Her family
physician wanted to abort her, fearing for her life, unless the attacks
were checked.
“She finally came under my care. I instructed her to bite her tongue
as hard as she could, about one-third the distance from the tip--thus,
as you see, ‘attacking’ the entire zone connection. This procedure
controlled the vomiting almost immediately, and instead of becoming
accustomed to it, thereby losing its beneficial effect, she became, if
anything, even more susceptible to its influence.
“When she came to term I placed a rough-edged box in the bed, for her
to press the soles of her feet on. I also provided her with a sheet,
tied to the bed post, which she gripped and pulled upon during pains.
This, I feel certain, helps pain relief by zone analgesia--as well as
by assisting in the mechanics of labor. She made traction upon the
sheets and pressed her feet on the box as the condition seemed to
require, and, as she expressed it, ‘got great comfort from it.’
“When the second stage of labor came on--that stage where I generally
resort to chloroform--I made strong pressure over the feet, sinking my
thumbs well in over the articulation of the toe and foot joint. She was
delivered in less than five hours. The afterbirth came away without the
slightest pain. I was peculiarly struck by the almost complete absence
of labor exhaustion.”
“Case 2. Mother aged forty, ninth child. She had had ‘the devil’s own
time’ with the last three or four, the attendant having been compelled
to use forceps in these births. With her last child she had had a bad
laceration of the cervix, which, however, had been skillfully repaired.
“I gave her two aluminum combs, the edges of which I had nicked with a
file, so as to roughen them for the thumb to press over. There being
no box handy I covered a coal shovel with a towel, and, when the pains
became severe, let her press the soles of her feet against the sharp
edge of this.
“Within 3 hours she was delivered--without forceps this time--of a
10-1/2 pound boy--as clean a delivery as I ever saw.
“I know it seems crazy, but any method that will, practically without
pain, stimulate women who were formerly in labor for from twelve to
fifteen hours to complete delivery--in many instances within three
hours--is a good method. I shall continue its use, no matter how
foolish it may appear.”
Another physician, who has had a large and successful experience with
zone therapy, writes:
“In obstetrics I have almost completely discarded chloroform at the
close of the second stage, where I used to almost always use it. In the
first stage, zone therapy relieves the nagging pains without retarding,
but rather promoting dilatation. In the second stage delivery is
hastened. Women seem so quiet and easy one would think ‘there was
nothing doing,’ until on examination, you are surprised to see what has
been accomplished. For this work I use a serrated strip of aluminum
1/16 in. thick, imbedded in a piece of wood of convenient size, or else
I use a seven inch aluminum comb, pressing the teeth against the inner
part of the sole of the foot, or near the ball, alternating from one
foot to the other. When I have an assistant both feet are manipulated
at a time, and that aids very materially. I exert as much pressure
as the patient can bear without pain. When I have an assistant well
trained I am going to try zone therapy for instrumental delivery.”
In connection with the subject of confinement and operations upon women
this report from Dr. G. Murray Edwards, of Denver, Colorado, is of
peculiar interest:
“Mrs. McK., age 35; pregnant four and a half months; multipara.
Placenta praevia (a grave condition, in which the afterbirth precedes
the child in delivery), aborted Dec. 5, 1915, curettement (scraping
out of the uterus), Dec. 7, 1915. Temperature 99, pulse 80. This
case occurring during Dr. White’s lecture course in Denver, when Dr.
Fitzgerald’s pressure method of analgesia was being discussed, I
decided to try it out for the first time on this patient. She being a
very nervous woman, I felt a little reluctant in the experiment. I did
not tell her, however, I was going to use a new method, but quietly
placed three elastics, an eighth of an inch wide, on each foot, one
around the large toe at the first joint, and one around the others
similarly in pairs.
“After fifteen minutes, preparing my instruments in the meantime, I
told her we were ready, and while we did not intend to use chloroform,
instructed her carefully to tell me immediately if she felt any pain
whatsoever. The curettement was conducted in every detail as though she
were under general anesthesia, and as I questioned her frequently as to
pain, she always came back with a smile and a negative reply.
“We removed fully a teacupful of placental tissue in about ten minutes,
while the patient passed the time joking, and when finished assured me
she felt much better than when we started, as she was nervous looking
forward to the anesthetic. This I consider a typical case, and have no
misgivings as to its working generally.”
In similar strain scores of letters tell of the successes attending the
employment of this method in labor, and in operations upon women.
Now, I do not contend that a few score, or a few hundred swallows make
a summer, but their presence undoubtedly indicates that summer may be
well on the way.
All this may sound foolish in the extreme. Yet there are many other
things equally foolish in the practice of medicine. And if zone
analgesia will do what we claim for it, it may well be taken gently
by the hand, lifted out of the foolish class, and placed among the
ultra-sensible procedures--where, by right, it belongs.