Parturition without Pain or Loss of Consciousness Part 3

Dear Sir,

When I was at Clapham last week, I heard that my confinement had been hit upon by some persons (who are much prejudiced against your splendid discovery) as an example of its _failure_; and as I do not think it should be looked upon in that light, I am writing to say you are at liberty to send any one to me, and I will tell them that, although I cannot say (as I _know_ some of your ladies can) that I never felt a pain, yet that the anodyne gave me such relief that I shall be thankful to get the same alleviation another time. You will recollect you found me in great pain, but that instantly subsided when I used the Inhaler as you told me; and for an hour or two, strictly following your directions, I could not believe that the labour was going on, as I felt nothing, though perfectly conscious the whole time. But once allowing the pains to get ahead, I seemed as if I could not listen to you. It being my first confinement, I suppose I was frightened and nervous, consequently, then, not being able to do as you told me, I suffered intensely for a time, but towards the end I must have used the Inhaler better, for I certainly did not feel my _great baby_ being born. You yourself called it a _terrific bout_; but I recovered very rapidly, which must be a proof that I did actually derive much benefit from the anodyne, notwithstanding my having that interval of suffering when I did not use the Inhaler properly, for I walked downstairs to dinner on the fifth day, and was home at three weeks, and thirty miles down in the country three days after. I speak of you and your wonderful discovery whenever I get the opportunity, and sincerely hope I may have your valuable a.s.sistance again, if I should be in a condition to need it.

Believe me, Dear Sir, Yours very truly, * * *

To Dr. Townley.

April 12th, 1862.

My dear Dr. Townley,

I cannot allow the benefits that I have personally received from the application of your valuable discovery in alleviating the pains and anguish in the hour of childbirth to pa.s.s unacknowledged. I have delayed writing earlier, being anxious to confirm the lasting benefits conferred at the time. It is now five months since you attended me, and I unhesitatingly affirm that on the three previous occasions of my confinements, I have never been so fully recovered at the end of one month, as I was on the last occasion at the end of a fortnight, as was instanced by the fact, as you know, of my being obliged to closely watch and nurse, night and day, my youngest boy, in a severe and critical illness. Apart from the general and speedy restoration to health and strength, I can safely state that while under the influence of the anodyne, which I applied myself, retaining consciousness the whole period, and when strictly following your directions, experienced no pain whatever, although you are aware the difficulty in my case was increased by being what is termed a cross-birth, and which I feel sure, under the ordinary treatment, would have left me utterly prostrated through severe and protracted suffering.

I willingly, and unsolicited, render you this simple tribute of my sincere and best thanks, that under divine Providence, you have been enabled to introduce so marvellous a relief in the hour of such momentous maternal anxiety and suffering; and I shall be most happy to satisfy any one who may wish for a reference as to the beneficial effects of your wonderful discovery, so far as I have individually experienced it, and readily accord you full liberty to make use of this communication as may be most satisfactory to you; and with best wishes for your continued success,

Believe me, My dear Dr. Townley, Yours very truly, * * *

To Dr. Townley.

13th May, 1862.

Dear Sir,

It is with great pleasure I testify to the wonderful effects of your beautiful method of treatment during the agony of childbirth. Being my first confinement, I was naturally nervous and fearful. I had been suffering great pain more or less for five hours before I sent for you, but had no sooner taken your Inhaler in my hand than all my nervousness, fears, and pain vanished, and for the next six hours that my labour lasted felt perfectly easy. The only pain I felt was when I removed the Inhaler to have it replenished, my great anxiety being to get it back again. I did not in the least lose my consciousness, but was laughing and talking with my mamma and nurse the whole time. When my baby was born, the feeling I experienced was just as if the parts had been india-rubber--a gentle expanding, but not the least pain. I had no after-pains, and there was no inconvenience afterwards, either to myself or child, and I felt perfectly well, and strong enough to get up the next day had I been allowed. Thanking you, dear Sir, for all your care and watchfulness over me during my hour of need,

I remain, Yours most respectfully, * * *

To Dr. Townley.

May 15th, 1862.

Dear Sir,

I cannot help expressing on paper, for the benefit of others who might be as incredulous as I was myself, the perfect success of your treatment. In a previous confinement, five years ago, I was obliged, after a most protracted labour and much suffering, to be delivered by instruments. This time, although it was a cross-birth from the time you came, I suffered no pain; and after three hours using the Inhaler under your direction, when you a.s.sured me the baby would soon be born, I could not believe it, having no forcing or sensation of any kind. I was perfectly sensible, and able to talk cheerfully with those around me.

Though some time under your hands whilst removing the after-birth, which adhered, I had not the slightest pain. In all my previous confinements I had been much troubled afterwards, in consequence of the protracted and forcing nature of my labour, from piles and other inconveniences, none of which I experienced under your care; consequently, I felt better on the second day than I ever had before at the end of a fortnight.

All who have used your Inhaler must be thankful that you have been directed by a gracious G.o.d to a means of mitigating such severe suffering.

Believe me, Dear Sir, Yours truly, * * *

May 20th, 1862.

Dear Sir,

With much pleasure I acknowledge the benefit I derived from inhaling your anodyne during my recent confinement.

I confess it was with some fear and reluctance I yielded to the persuasions of two of my friends (who themselves had experienced its benefit) to try it. I could not forget how much I suffered some time since from the use of chloroform administered to me for the extraction of a tooth. On that occasion, after the tooth was out, they were obliged to open the windows and deluge me with cold water. It was an hour and a half before any signs of consciousness returned, and then the ringing in my ears and distress in my head were dreadful. It was a full week before I could bear any light or noise in my room, and even now a little camphorated chloroform for toothache quite upsets me. In taking your anodyne, however, I felt nothing of the kind. I was perfectly conscious all the time, and whilst inhaling it suffered no pain. I have been stronger and better since than in any of my four previous confinements.

This time I was dressed and sat up to dinner before baby was five days old, without feeling the slightest inconvenience of any sort, and the earliest time I have sat up to dinner before has been two weeks.

I am sure that ladies who suffer much at these times, or from debility afterwards, will find it a very great boon.

I am, Dear Sir, Yours sincerely, * * *

To Dr. Townley.

THE END.