We read of the
ancient wild Irish women breaking the pubic bones of their female
children shortly after birth, and by some means preventing union
subsequently, in order that these might have less trouble in
child-birth--as it were, a modified and early form of
symphysiotomy. In consequence of this custom the females of this
race, to quote an old English authority, had a "waddling, lamish
gesture in their going." These old writers said that for the same
reason the women in some parts of Italy broke the coccyxes of
their female children. This report is very likely not veracious,
because this bone spontaneously repairs itself so quickly and
easily. Rodet and Engelmunn, in their most extensive and
interesting papers on the modes of accouchement among the
primitive peoples, substantiate the fear, pain, and difficulty
with which labor is attended, even in the lowest grades of
society.
In view of the usual occurrence of pain and difficulty with
labor, it seems natural that exceptions to the general rule
should in all ages have attracted the attention of medical men,
and that literature should be replete with such instances.
Pechlin and Muas record instances of painless births. The
Ephemerides records a birth as having occurred during asphyxia,
and also one during an epileptic attack.
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