. A system of midwifery, including the diseases of pregnancy and the puerperal state. of the embryonic with the uterine ovoid is not an essential condition; but, even thus early, theFlG- 72- ovoid form is being assumed, as is shown by the bending forwards, which ap-proximates the cephalic to the caudalextremity. In this attitude, the devel-opment of the trunk and extremitiesproceeds, and, even at a period whenthere is still room for the foetus tostretch itself, and extend its limbs, wefind it constantly with back and neckbent, and limbs drawn up and attitude of the foetus becomes m
. A system of midwifery, including the diseases of pregnancy and the puerperal state. of the embryonic with the uterine ovoid is not an essential condition; but, even thus early, theFlG- 72- ovoid form is being assumed, as is shown by the bending forwards, which ap-proximates the cephalic to the caudalextremity. In this attitude, the devel-opment of the trunk and extremitiesproceeds, and, even at a period whenthere is still room for the foetus tostretch itself, and extend its limbs, wefind it constantly with back and neckbent, and limbs drawn up and attitude of the foetus becomes moremarked as pregnancy advances; and,ultimately, at the full term, it is veryconstantly to be observed, as is shownin the accompanying diagram, with thevertebral column bent forwards, the chininclined upon the sternum, the thighsstrongly bent upwards on the belly, theknees bent, and the dorsum of the footAttitude of the foetus in utero. inclined towards the shin-bone. The arms, more or less apart, are bent at theelbows, and the forearms are crossed or folded on the breast. In such. VII.] CAUSES OF CEPHALIC PRESENTATION. 129 a posture the child best adapts itself to the shape of the cavity in whichit is inclosed, and which it pretty nearly fills. In no fewer than 96 per cent, of the cases of children born at thefull term, the head of the child is turned—as in the figure—downwardstowards the cervix of the uterus. The investigation of the causeswhich give rise to this law in gestation has long attracted the attentionof obstetric writers. But, much as has been written on the subject, andingenious as are many of the theories which have been advanced, itmust be confessed that the problem has not yet been clearly have prominently noticed the fact above mentioned, that the ovoidform of the foetus is assumed while it is yet the embryo, and before ithas been subjected to any influence arising from contact with the uter-ine walls. Manifestly, however, there is a cause,—su
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1870, booksubjectobstetrics, bookyear1
