Dewees W. An essay on the means of lessening pain, and facilitating cases of difficult parturition, 1819.

Catalog Record: Dewees W. An essay on the means of lessening pain, and facilitating cases of difficult parturition, 1819.

Title: An essay on the means of lessening pain, and facilitating cases of difficult parturition / by William P. Dewees.

AccessKey: adhg

Author: Dewees, William, 1768-1841.

WLM Call Number: WO 450 D51 1819 RB

Accession No.: RB8856

Publisher: Philadelphia : Thomas Dobson & Son ; William Fry, printer, 1819.

Edition: 2nd ed.

Physical Descrip: viii, pp. [9]-156. ; 24 cm

Language: eng

Subject: Analgesia, Obstetrical.
Subject: Obstetrics.

Type of Trace: Short Title
Title: An essay.

Abstract: Dewees argues that “pain as a disease, since it cannot be proved necessary.” He provides details of female pelvic anatomy and the physiology of labor, and describes interventions to relieve obstetric pain, opium, warm bath, or bloodletting, referencing a number of case studies. His conclusion cautions the use of opium and warm baths, but advocates for the use of bloodletting.

General Notes: A quarter century before the discovery of anesthesia, DeWees showed great foresight on the relief of labor pain.

General Notes: Digitized by Northern Micrographics October 22, 2009.

General Notes: First published in 1806 as the author’s inaugural dissertation for the M.D. degree at the University of Pennsylvania. Republished “with some additions and corrections.” Pref.

Note Bib: Includes footnotes.