Part 4

To Dr. Townley.

* * * * *

Kennington Lane.

Dear Sir,

It was with no ordinary apprehensions that I looked forward to my hour of peril. My previous labours had been seasons of the most prolonged and intense suffering, at times rising to intolerable agony. My medical attendants in the country have been compelled to remain, with slight intervals of absence, from twelve to twenty-four hours, yet utterly unable to afford aught but momentary relief.

My anxiety was somewhat abated by the statements I received from ladies whom you had attended, by hearing the great relief they had received from your plan of treatment; and I am happy to have it in my power to corroborate their testimony.

No one but those who have experienced it can conceive or describe the immense alleviation of suffering it produces, without in the least taking away the power of consciousness; and when baby was born I did not feel the least pain or inconvenience, and did not know that it was born till you assured me it was.

My recovery, too, was marked by the absence of pains and other inconveniences, which sometimes awakened the greatest apprehensions on the part of my family.

Very grateful am I to you for your attention; and sincerely do I thank God, who has enabled you to mitigate to a most wonderful degree the pains and agony of child-bearing.

I will only add, that after you came I can conscientiously say that I had no pain at all.

I am, Sir, Yours most respectfully, * * *

Dr. Townley.

* * * * *

Epsom.

Dear Sir,

With pleasure I write to tell you of my safe return home and continued good health. My rapid restoration and early return is a subject of wonder and astonishment to my friends, who have been accustomed to see me at the end of six and eight weeks in a precarious and suffering condition. My six former confinements being very severe, the time of labour varying from twenty to thirty-six hours, followed by violent inflammation, leaving me much exhausted.

I was looking forward to my seventh with great fear and dread, when I heard of the wonderful efficacy of your system from two of my sisters, who had received such great relief from the liquid they inhaled. I came to town doubting I should derive the same benefit, when I considered the agony I had endured on every previous occasion, both during and after. I feel I cannot sufficiently express on paper the astonishing fact, that for six hours, using the Inhaler myself the whole time, I was perfectly free from pain, and without one moment's loss of consciousness, occasionally talking and laughing with those around me; and when told by yourself that my trouble was nearly over, it appeared to me impossible; and so great was my joy, that I did not replace the Inhaler the last few moments, consequently felt a pain with distension. I quite believe, had I attended, and replaced the Inhaler in time, I should not have felt the slightest pain. I was suffering much when you came to me, but you were not in my room more than three minutes before I was perfectly easy, and remained so the whole time until the birth of my babe, when I experienced the pain I have named.

The after effects of your skilful process are equal, and even surpass, the time of labour; not one adverse symptom attended or followed on the present occasion to retard my recovery. I was better at the end of a fortnight than I had previously been at two months. I assure you that I cannot realize that I have been in so short a time reprieved from pain, and feel most grateful under Providence to your skill and kind attention from not being, as hitherto, not hours or weeks, but months, in a state of suffering in mind and body.

Earnestly do I wish every such patient could receive the boon of your assistance in their hour of anguish. Accept my own and my husband's best thanks; and should I again require assistance, our chief anxiety would be to secure the inestimable benefit to be derived from the use of your Inhaler.

I remain, Yours very truly, * * *

To Dr. Townley.

* * * * *

Camberwell New Road.

Dear Sir,

Allow me to express my gratitude for the benefit I received under your care during my two last confinements.

I had had four children when I first heard of your treatment in alleviating the pains of childbirth; and having a great dread from severe suffering in my former labours, I determined to place myself under your care.

The first time you attended me, when you came I was in much agony; immediately upon inhaling the vapour you gave me, I felt as if it ran down my back to the exact spot where the pain was, which it immediately relieved, and a sense of forcing, with a trifling uneasiness, was all I experienced during the birth of my babe; and I can truly say that its benefit during my labour this last time surpassed the first.

Having had chloroform three times previously, I can testify that the effects of your treatment are quite different, and infinitely superior; for while in the one case I lost my senses and power of action, under you my senses were as acute as at any time in my life, and my bodily powers the same.