The reposition or replacement of the womb may be accomplished through
natural agencies, that can be employed by the patient herself. These
are, in a great measure, the same forces to which the womb’s posterior
displacements are to be attributed, namely, intra-abdominal pressure
and gravitation. To employ these for the purpose of remedying the evil,
the so-called knee-chest position must be assumed by the patient. The
first step towards assuming this position is to get down on the bended
knee, the thighs in a vertical position, then the body is gradually
inclined forwards until one or the other shoulder touches the floor or
level of the knee. If this position is retained for ten minutes it will
alone replace the organ forwards, sometimes suddenly, at other times
gradually, provided the organ is moveable and not squeezed into the
pelvis or adhered by inflammatory exudation.
Dr. Henry F. Campbell, of Georgia, introduced this natural therapeutic
agent into the profession, but it appears to be very little known or
understood by the profession, perhaps because it is so very simple.
Dr. Mundé, in an article on “Uterine Displacement and Its Curability,”
in the _American Journal of Obstetrics_, indorses the knee-chest
or knee-shoulder position in the following language: “A moment’s
thought will demonstrate the utility of this combined _vis a fronte_
(gravitation of the abdominal viscera towards the diaphragm) and
_vis a tergo_ (air suction into the vagina and pressure against the
vaginal roof). This position is to be assumed several times daily, and
maintained each time as long as the patient can bear it, continued for
months, if necessary; the best time is at night at retiring, when the
lateral position is to be taken for the night.”