The semi-recumbent positions are by far the most frequent
among the ancients, especially among the more civilized
people of olden times, and among the savage races
of the present day. The same position of the body is assumed
by various races in very different ways, there being
apparently no resemblance in the method of delivery, whilst
it appears, upon more careful study, that the position of the
body, the inclination of the trunk and the pelvic axis, together
with the relaxed position of the thighs, is almost
identical, the same end being accomplished in ways very
different, peculiar to each people, and in keeping with their
surroundings. Thus, the simplest of the semi-recumbent
positions, which is upon a par with the customs of the rudest
African races, is sitting upon the ground, upon a stone or
rude cushion, with the body inclined backward, leaning
against an assistant, a tree, or some other object. A marked
progress is achieved, when we find the parturient woman
seated in the lap of an assistant reclining against his chest,
a position which reaches its greatest perfection in the obstetric
chair. As the next step, I regard the dorsal decubitus,
a position modified according to the circumstances
of the people. In the wilds of Africa, and in the interior
of our western country, the patient finds her couch upon
the floor, propped up against some staves of wood or a pile
of grass, whilst in the lying-in chamber of the civilized people
we find the same position assumed upon the bed, and
this I look upon as the perfection of obstetric positions, the
easiest, most comfortable, and advantageous.
