CHAPTER I.

PAINLESS CHILDBIRTH.

Painless childbirth--Testimony of travelers, missionaries and physicians--Sufferings in childbirth greater in this country than in any other--Is this a curse upon woman?--Indian women do not suffer in labor--Dr. Dewees--Prof. Huxley--Remarkable cases of parturition without pain--Author’s professional experience--Anecdote of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes--Proofs of science--Lay aside prejudice 17-24