. On the theory and practice of midwifery . isturned partly forwards, and the chest in the third and fourth. This pointhaving been established by observation, we are enabled in many cases to * The vernix caseosa is a viscid fatty matter, of a yellowish white colour, adheringto different parts of the childs body, and in some cases in such quantity as to coverthe whole surface; it seems to be a substance intermediate between fibrine and fat,having a considerable resemblance to spermaceti. From the known activity of thesebaceous glands in the foetal state, and from the smegma being found in the g
. On the theory and practice of midwifery . isturned partly forwards, and the chest in the third and fourth. This pointhaving been established by observation, we are enabled in many cases to * The vernix caseosa is a viscid fatty matter, of a yellowish white colour, adheringto different parts of the childs body, and in some cases in such quantity as to coverthe whole surface; it seems to be a substance intermediate between fibrine and fat,having a considerable resemblance to spermaceti. From the known activity of thesebaceous glands in the foetal state, and from the smegma being found in the greatestquantity about the head, arm-pits, and groins, where these glands are most abundant,there is every reason to consider it as the secretion of the sebaceous glands of the skinduring the latter months of pregnancy. m2 138 UTERO-GESTATION. ascertain the position of the infant before labour has commenced, bymeans of the stethoscope, according as the pulsation is heard at one sideor other of the abdomen, and more or less clearly. Fig. 192. Various causes of the position of the fetus in utero have beenmentioned, such as gravitation, voluntary movements, &c. ProfessorSimpson has entered into an elaborate investigation of the subject, andhas arrived at the following conclusions:— 1. The usual position of thefoetus, with the head lowest and presenting over the os uteri, is not as-sumed till about the sixth month of intra-uterine life, and becomes morefrequent and more certain from that time onwards to the full term of utero-gestation. 2. Both the assumption and maintenance of this position arevital and not physical acts, for they are found dependent on the existenceand continuance of vitality in the child ; concurring with its life, but beinglost by its death. 3. In human physiology we do not know or recognizeany vital power or action, except muscular action, capable of producingmotions calculated to alter or regulate the position, either of the wholebody or of any of its p
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