On the Causation of the Movements of the Head at the Brim of the Rickety Pelvis (with Woodcuts)

While a special knowledge of the mechanism of labour in ordinary cases is of the greatest importance to the practitioner, such knowledge becomes imperatively necessary for proper treatment when the pelvis is deformed. It would indeed be profitable, though tedious, to compare, step by step, the wordy warfare that has raged for so many years in regard to the cases suitable for forceps and turning, with the gradual growth of our knowledge of the mechanism of labour in deformed pelves; and to observe how, gradually as the latter increased, the din of words waxed more faint, until unanimity almost has finally prevailed on what was one of the most moot points in obstetrical practice. To-night, however, I purpose simply considering the mechanism