Identifier: nurseshandbo00cook (find matches)
Title: A nurse's handbook of obstetrics, for use in training-schools
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Cooke, Joseph Brown. (from old catalog)
Subjects: Obstetrics
Publisher: Philadelphia and London, J. B. Lippincott company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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nd unnatural one, andas the uterus is not prepared to cast off the placenta as it wouldat the normal end of pregnancy, some part of it is almost certainto be retained in the cavity of the womb. These retained frag-ments of placental tissue cause chronic inflammation of themembrane lining the uterus, even if they do not decompose andresult in blood poisoning, with the possible death of thepatient. In any event the outcome is bound to be serious unlessthe case is most carefully and intelligently treated, and even in Curettage. 263 those cases in which the entire ovisac has apparently come awaya thorough curettage under general anaesthesia is usually indi-cated as the safest procedure to follow. The nurse should useall her influence to impress rpon patients the serious nature ofabortion and miscarriage when proper treatment is negle:tedor refused, and it is safe to say that the dangers to the womanare considerably greater than afe those which follow in thetrain of a normal labor at term.
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Fig. 126.—Lithotomy position. Limbs supported in Robbs leg-holder and covered withcanton flannel leggings. If curettage is to be performed after abortion or miscar-riage, the preparations for the operation are the same as when itis indicated in any other condition. If there is sufficient time asoapsuds enema with one drachm of turpentine should be givento thoroughly empty the lower bowel. No solid food should be 264 A NURSES HANDBOOK OF OBSTETRICS. allowed within six hours of the operation, on account of theether. The woman is to be etherized and prepared for operation inprecisely the same manner as for forceps delivery except that,if possible, she should lie on a firm table instead of on the bed.She is to be placed in the lithotomy position (Fig. 126), andthe 1-egs are to be supported in some form of leg-holder (Figs.127 and 128), or with the metal leg supporters screwed to the

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