Page images
PDF
EPUB

be to save the life of the mother or child, or both : Tidy's Leg. Med. (1st Am. ed.) 98; Verrier's Man. of Obstet. (1st Am. from 4th French ed.) 319.

In this country the statutes making the procuring of an abortion or miscarriage criminal, make an exception in case "the same is necessary to preserve the life of the woman, or the child of which she is pregnant:" See post, § 80; N. Y. Penal Code, § 294.

The cases in which it has been recommended to induce premature labor are as follows:

1. In cases of extreme narrowness of the pelvic rim; and in certain cases of deformity, where neither version nor forceps can succeed at full term in bringing into the world a living child. This may often be accomplished with perfect safety to the mother, by inducing premature labor at the seventh month.

2. In some cases of obstinate vomiting, where all expedients have proved fruitless and a fatal result is anticipated.

3. In case of pregnancy complicated with insanity and disease of the uterus or other organs, such as cancer, fibrous tumors, etc.

4. In case of placenta prævia, or where there is severe hemorrhage.

5. In case of rupture of the uterus.

6. In case of narrowing of the soft passages, cicatrices of the vagina, etc.

§ 78. Chief methods employed to produce abortion.

It may be observed that the methods employed to induce a miscarriage or to produce an abortion may be the same, whether it be lawful or unlawful, whether it be necessary to save the life of the mother or child, or both, or whether the purpose be otherwise and criminal.

Dr. Barnes, in his Obstetric Operations, says: The chief methods of inducing premature labor are: 1. Puncturing the amniotic sac or membranes. 2. The administration of ergot of rye, or other cebolic.

3. Separating the membranes from the lower portion of the uterus.

4. Passing a flexible catheter between the membranes and the uterus (i. e., within the womb), and retaining it there for some hours.

5. Mechanical dilatation of the cervix by instru. ments, or by sponges, or by laminaria tents, or

by india-rubber bags filled with warm water or air.

6. Galvanism.

7. Irritation of the mammary glands or breasts. 8. Injection of carbolic acid into the uterus. [Some fatal cases are related as occurring from treatment by this method.]

9. Injection of warm or cold water, or both alternately, into the vagina or uterus. The use of cold water applied externally is said sometimes to be successful. Large enemata, or the introduction of plugs into the rectum or vagina, would probably be effectual: Barnes' Obs. Operations (1st ed.), 385; Tidy's Leg. Med. (Am. ed.) 99.

§ 79. Criminal abortion; methods of procuring.

There are two means or methods of producing unnatural criminal abortion. One may be designated as general; the other local. In the former case the purpose is to produce the unnatural expulsion of the foetus through the constitution of the mother, by means of venesection, emetics, cathartics, diuretics, emmenagogues, comprising mercury, savin, and the spurred eye or ergot, to

which much importance has been attached; the other is by local or mechanical means, which consist either in external violence applied to the abdomen or loins, or in the use of instruments introduced into the uterus for the purpose of rupturing the membranes, and thus bringing on premature action of the womb. The latter is the more generally resorted to, as being the most effectual, and not unfrequently the larger cities have their experts for this purpose,-generally women. But such mechanical means of producing abortion not unfrequently produces the death of the mother as well as of the foetus.

It may be further observed on this subject that drugs taken into the stomach for the purpose of producing an abortion, and in sufficient quantities to accomplish the object, are always dangerous to the life of the patient. The most common instrumental means employed for this purpose is the uterine sound, or some similar instrument.

The introduction of a catheter or similar instrument inside the womb, which is allowed to remain, will sooner or later produce contraction of the womb and expulsion of its contents.

Water is sometimes injected for the same purpose. A galvanic stem pessory is sometimes used. And it is said that electricity may be employed in such a way as to destroy the fœtus or ovum without injuring the tissues of the mother.

A knowledge of these various modes of procuring an abortion may be useful both to the medical and the legal professions, and especially to the latter in cases of criminal prosecutions for abortion. It may be observed that the chief methods of inducing miscarriage or abortion, which we have referred to, have been resorted to by criminal abortionists in general. See ante, § 78.

§ 80. Statutory provisions on the subject.

In most if not all of the states there are statutory provisions against procuring abortions, and by the provisions of such statutes it is a grave offense, except in certain cases, to procure an unnatural abortion by any means, or to advise, aid or assist in doing so. The provisions of the Penal Code of New York on this subject are substantially the statutory provisions of other states, and they are as follows:

« PreviousContinue »