Tokology : $b A book for every womanStockham, Alice B. (Alice Bunker)
Science
Tokology : $b A book for every woman
Stockham, Alice B. (Alice Bunker)
Women -- Health and hygiene
When my second child was born we had just made the trip by steamer
from New York to San Francisco. We had been out to an evening lecture,
and were guests at a Water Cure, separated from our baggage. I had
slept quietly about an hour, when I became aware that I must arouse my
husband to go for one trunk with all possible speed. Although he had
to go only a short distance, which he accomplished in haste, the child
was born without pain while I was entirely alone. I really felt no
need of assistance. With the dear boy who has blessed every hour since
his advent, we continued the journey to Santa Cruz the third day of
his life, with no bad results.
My third child was born with only half an hour’s painless expulsive
effort, and, as usual, I was up and out doors the second day after.
If women could be made to understand what is gained by _absolutely_
dressing the waist free from any pressure or constriction, we could
hopefully predict a near millennium of safety and freedom of pain
in child-birth. It seems almost hopeless to convince any lady that
the bands of her skirts and drawers are any detriment to her in the
performance of natural functions. I have known of hundreds of cases
where natural conditions have brought about results similar to my own
experience.
* * * * *
I must take from my diary one case, a strong proof of the truths
taught in _Tokology_. Mrs. H., of Philadelphia, in the fifth month
of pregnancy placed herself under my care. She was married at
thirty-five, and soon became pregnant. At her full term, surgeons
discovered deformity of the pelvis, and were forced to perform
craniotomy and instrumental delivery. She was told she never could
give birth to a living child. Twice subsequently, by eminent
surgeons, abortion was produced, in order to save her life. In this
last pregnancy she was told that her constitution was so undermined
it would be certain death to destroy the fetus, and she had better
take her chances by going full term. She came under my care with the
expectation of only four months of life, very feeble, and a great
sufferer. I was never more determined that any one should have the
advantage of the truths of _Tokology_. I kept her out doors lying on a
cot, and had her practice deep breathing and gymnastics. Three times
daily she had thorough _massage_, taking cool sitz-baths frequently.
She soon began to take short walks, although when she came she was
unable to cross the room alone. Previous to the birth of the child,
she could walk with ease a mile before partaking of her breakfast of
fresh fruit. Although deformed and apparently a physical wreck, by
reliance upon these simple methods only, discarding all drugs, she
brought forth a living child with only a few hours of suffering. She
has ever since been a proud, healthy, happy mother. May God bless you,
dear doctor, in your mission of good health to women. Ever faithfully,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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