University of Virginia Library

2. The Lateral Decubitus.

The position upon the side seems almost entirely a product of modern civilization, and, I must say, of prudery rather than science; it is not adopted as the obstetric position by any of those people who still lead a natural life, though assumed, in a few rare instances, in certain stages of labor. The Nez-Percés squaws squat in the earlier stages, and lie upon the side or back during the expulsion of the child. The Modocs, on the contrary, first lie upon the side, and at the last moment take the knee-hand position. The women of the Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, who follow their own inclination almost altogether in the position which they assume, stand or walk about in the early stages, but are confined standing, suspended in a half squatting position, or, if tired, on the back or side, with pillows between the knees; this latter position is also occasionally found among the Kootenai Indians, of Washington Territory; as Dr. Morgan writes, the woman is placed on her left side, under

which is placed a pillow, or bundle of skins; another roll of skins, or a blanket, is between her knees, which are separated, so as to be about a foot apart; the patient holds a stake or cord, the arms are flexed, and the head touches the hands.

With the exception of these few data, I can find no other reference to this position.