of "labor" by which the womb empties itself. [95]

THE BEGINNING OF LABOR.--When the first so-called pains of actual labor
begin they are not always recognized as such. The explanation of this
seeming paradox is that the "pains" are not always painful. A woman will
experience certain undefined sensations in her abdomen; to some, the
feeling is as if gas were rumbling around in their bowels; to others, the
feeling is as if they were having an attack of not very painful abdominal
colic; while others complain of actual pain. The fact that these sensations
continue, and that they grow a little worse; and that the day of the
confinement is due, or actually here, impresses them that something unusual
is taking place; then, and not till then, does the knowledge that labor is
really approaching dawn upon them.

In due time one of these new sensations, which constitute the first stage
of labor, will be more emphatic; there will be a little actual pain so that
she will feel like standing still, holding her breath and bearing down.
That is the first real labor pain and marks the beginning of the second
stage of labor, and may be the first absolute sign that will leave no doubt
in her mind that labor has begun.

The nurse will now inquire into the condition of the patient's bowels. If
they have not already moved freely that day, she will give the patient a
rectal injection of one pint of warm soap suds into which one teaspoonful
of turpentine is put. After the bowels have been thoroughly cleansed, the
patient will be made ready for the confinement. The clothing necessary
consists of dressing gown, night gown, stockings and slippers. These are
worn as long as the patient is out of bed, when all but the night gown will
be discarded. The entire body of the patient, from the waist line to the
knees, should be thoroughly cleansed, paying particular attention to the
private parts; first with warm water and castile soap, and then rendered
aseptic by washing with four quarts warm boiled water into which has been
put one teaspoonful of Pearson's Creolin. A soft napkin is then wrung out
of water that has been boiled and cooled to a suitable temperature, and
laid over the genital region, and held in place by a dry clean napkin, [96]
and allowed to remain there until the physician takes personal charge of
the case.

LENGTH OF THE FIRST STAGE OF LABOR.--There is no definite or even
approximate length of time for the first stage of labor,-