s
incident to labor, and only a few of especial interest will be given.
Cases like rupture of an aneurysm during labor, extensive hemorrhage,
the entrance of air into the uterine veins and sinuses, and common
lacerations will be omitted, together with complicated births like
those of double monsters, etc., but there are several other cases that
deserve mention. Eldridge gives an instance of separation of the
symphysis pubis during labor,--a natural symphysiotomy. A separation of
3/4 inch could be discerned at the symphysis, and in addition the
sacroiliac synchondrosis was also quite movable. The woman had not been
able to walk in the latter part of her pregnancy. The child weighed 10
1/2 pounds and had a large head in a remarkably advanced stage of
ossification, with the fontanelles nearly closed. Delivery was
effected, though during the passage of the head the pubes separated to
such an extent that Eldridge placed two fingers between them. The
mother recovered, and had perfect union and normal locomotion.

Sanders reports a case of the separation of the pubic bones in labor.
Studley mentions a case of fracture of the pelvis during instrumental
delivery. Humphreys cites a most curious instance. The patient, it
appears, had a large exostosis on the body of the pubes which, during
parturition, was forced through the walls of the uterus and bladder,
resulting in death. Kilian reports four cases of death from perforation
of the uterus in this manner. Schauta pictures such an exostosis.

Chandler relates an instance in which there was laceration of the liver
during parturition; and Hubbard records a case of rupture of the spleen
after labor.

Symphysiotomy is an operation consisting of division of the pubic
symphysis in order to facilitate delivery in narrow pelves. This
operation has undergone a most remarkable revival during the past two
years. It originated in a suggestion by Pineau in his work on surgery
in 1598, and in 1665 was first performed by La Courvee upon a dead body
in order to save the child, and afterward by Plenk, in 1766, for the
same purpose. In 1777 Sigault first proposed the operation on the
living, and Ferrara was the one to carry out, practically, the
proposition,--although Sigault is generally considered to be the first
symphysiotormist, and the procedure is very generally known as the
"Sigaultean operation." From Ferrara's time to 1858, when the operation
had practically died out, it had been per