Southern medical journal
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This essay is a personal comparison of obstetrics in the 1930s and the 1970s. Maternal and perinatal mortality are contrasted for the two eras. Hospital delivery then and now, and hospital versus home delivery are compared. ⋯ Continuing medical education and electronic fetal monitoring are discussed. The use of drugs during pregnancy, labor, and delivery is considered. Governmental and public intervention in obstetrics is lamented.
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From Jan 1, 1971 through June 30, 1979, 113 cases of massive liver injury were managed by insertion of a viable omental pack. Significant active hemorrhage was present in all cases, while the source of hepatic bleeding was primarily venous in the 102 injuries due to blunt trauma. ⋯ Nine deaths produced a mortality of 8%. Arrest of liver hemorrhage by tamponade with viable omentum was almost uniformly successful in patients with nonpenetrating injury.