New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-10
AN INTRODUCTORY LECTURE, delivered by Gun
MING S BEDFORD A. NJ. NJ D. Professor Of Midwife


results x
( AN INTRODUCTORY LECTURE, delivered by GUN
MING s BEDFORD A. NJ. NJ. D. Professor of Midwife
ry sc in the NewYork University.
This is the title of production, printed at the re-
quest of the Medical Students, at the Institution
named on the title-paee, but not published for gen
eral circulation yet its contents are OF character
too important to be passed over with indifference
Illustrating many of his positions by experience,
the lecturer denounces such errors in medical prac-
,ce as are most likely to be fallen into Among
these he enumerates-frst, that which TO men of n
peculiar turn of mind bears the greatest semblance
of tru,h-nameiy That parturition is natural
process and does not need artificial interference for
lis contamination. This plausible theory IS shown
BY reference to the anatomical structure OF the fe
male human being 10 be contrary to the provisions
Of nature.
Another error and one which cannot be too strong
" deprecated, is the use Of instruments almost
every occasion affording the slightest apology Ma
nvmedical men seem to regard destruction proofs
of professional skill when, in fact at best they are
evidences Of The insuffciency Of science. The re-
voting butcheries that under this precxt are
much more frequent than one not conversant with
practice would readily believe, and often attended
with incidents disgusting as they are iaal To this
public attention cannot be too frequently called. and
against it feeling cannot be too strongly excited.
The use of instruments by skful practitioners is
rarely resorted TO- In ninety cases out OF hun
dred their introduction is sheer quackery.
The final great error on which the lecturer treats,
is the practice of employing ignorant Mdwives-
This however is more prevalent in the Country than
i, the CITY and more in the South than in the North
Attached to chi!d.bearing there are many circum
stances requiring not only experience, but skill! and
decision Still we confess TO have feeling III Ia
vor of female attendance ON such occasions it the
practitioner be only wei! informed and capable
Blu, the hundreds OF valuable lives that are lost by
The practice of employing midwives impress US
with dread because in her present condition II rare
" happens that n female has acquired that know
ledge, without which relying on her services is
hazardous experiment.
1t affords us pleasure notice the literary style
of this production Heretofore medical literature,
in the English language has been OF very low order
Vague indefinite, illogical, and ineegant itpresented
no charms 10 the general scholar But ii is apparent
that brighter is approaching, and it is source
of qualification that this city is leading the van in
this progress Dr. Bedford writes clearly. strongly,
and agreeablv and not without Just preienslons 10
ELEGANCE The late and lamented Dr.. Forty, led the
way in this audabc improvement, which We trust
is destined TO become general and permanent
THE ELEcrIc MAGAzISE-The January number
Of This excellent compilation contains article on
Rober, Hall from the British Quarterly able article
ON the German Catholic Church fromm the Dublin Uni
yers;y and several interesting papers of lighter char
accr-one on Animal Magnetism, and another on Mary
Stewart and her Times. The engraving Is beautiful
mezzo,int by Sartain. Madeline.
t~ THE HARBlNGER, No. 5-Contains Miscel-
lsny Consuelo The Expa'riati; Labor in New-Yorki
Truths Victory Letter from Broadaw, No. 3, Reviews
Fosters Edition of Shelley Gillaus Literary Portraits;
Testers Artist Merchant and Statesman Musical he
view Poe,l,s Editorial Association The Democrat
Press Eugene Sue for sale BY VIM. II. Graham III
( bune Buildings.
! i.'Euu Broc chieri-Dr. Turner's Rejoindor.
/ To tle Editor Of The Tribuns:
Your correspondent an Impartial Observer asks
} Can DR.. Turner find cases in his books where he
mortgages from ruptured main bloodvesseis have been
cured by the application of simple cold ~atert ano
adds Cold water has never produced such marvellous
effects"
Surely he cannot have read the extract which
followed my communication Of Wednesday, or he
would not have asked that question. hazarded
that assertion. there quote the experiments OF
DR. Davy, man preeminent for integrity ability
and sasacity, as follows:
The results OF DR.. Days experiments show how
henorrhnge from woundng lar e artery, which would
be speedily tSs may De speedily arrested by moderate
compression with several tods linen or cotton moist
r, lcct,r; and they farther bow under his
moderate compression the in the artery may heat
and the vessel reSnsin pervous, without the superven
ton OF aneurism
What he means by large artery is evident q
few lines shove, where the iemoral and carotid ar
,eries are specified The main blood-vessels'' are
those Of the trunk, viz. the aorta and vena cava Ii
will be miraculous water, indeed, which will stop
them from bleeding, when wounded. If other ply
sicans have no, succeeded in doing what Docto'
Davy not only showed to be perfectly rational and
feasible, but actually performed ii is no fault o
DR.. Davy or of DR.. Turner.
wa. TuzNEs, NJ D. Chrome Thermal Practitioner