It appears, from the statistics of the Dublin Lying-in Hospital, that in _seventy-eight thousand deliveries_, one out of every _ninety-two_ of the mothers died, and one out of every _eighteen_ of the children was stillborn. Of those mothers who were in labor with first children, from _thirty to forty hours_, one in every _thirty-four_ died, and one child in every _five_ was stillborn. Of those who were in labor from forty to fifty hours, one died in every _thirteen_. Of those who were in labor from fifty to sixty hours, one died in every _eleven_. And of those who were in labor from sixty to seventy hours, one died in every _eight_, and nearly _one-half_ of the children. It is evident therefore that, as a general rule, the danger increases with the length of time. CHAPTER XIX. CAUSES CONNECTED WITH THE MOTHER WHICH MAY IMPEDE LABOR, OR MAKE IT DIFFICULT. INERTIA, OR WANT OF SUFFICIENTLY POWERFUL CONTRACTION IN THE WOMB. This is most likely to occur in delicate females, and in those who are debilitated by disease. The contractions are very feeble, and, as the nurses say _do not tell_; the mouth of the womb dilates but slowly, and the head descends with difficulty into the passage. In many cases in fact the labor is so tedious, from this cause, that the female becomes completely worn out, and finally sinks, while the child is exposed to the greatest hazard from the delay. It is in these cases that the patient's strength needs supporting, and that stimulants may be useful. A little wine, or brandy and water, will often rouse the failing energies, and bring on a series of strong contractions that will end the labor at once.