labour._

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. I,
therefore, think it unnecessary to give any larger number of cases.

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.

* * * * *

Providence Place.

My dear Sir,

Having always had a great dread of the pains of labour, I was
exceedingly pleased when you told me that you had it in your power
almost entirely to prevent their being felt, though I must confess I was
at the time rather sceptical as to the amount of alleviation you could
effect without producing unconsciousness; but having been so happy as to
be under your care during my confinement, I can truly say that the
result fully realized all you had said. I suffered very much before you
arrived, part of the time lying on the floor in great agony, perfectly
unable to rise; but from the time I took the Inhaler in my hand, and
used it under your directions, I had no more pain, lying quite still on
the bed, and giving orders to the attendants to get all that was
required (as you are aware, I was confined quite unexpectedly). I was
perfectly conscious all the time, and remembered where everything was
that was wanted. I was quite free from pain, excepting when you took the
Inhaler from me to replenish it, when the pains came on rapidly, and I
was delighted to get it back again. When the child was born, there was a
feeling of great forcing, but scarcely any pain; indeed, I did not think
it was born unti