The following uncommon accident is said to have happened at a place near Appledore, in Devonshire, to the surprize of the inhabitants: a shoemaker's wife being in labour, there were in the room with her a midwife, nurse, and two assistants; a little after the good woman was delivered, she fell down as in a fit. One of the assistants, who was supporting her, immediately followed; next the midwife fell, and then the nurse, after dropping the unclad infant on the floor. The only person remaining ran hastily down stairs to call a doctor, and she broke her thigh.
The mystery is explained thus: there being no chimney in the room, a pan with charcoal was introduced, and from the suffocating fumes of the charcoal, these disorders are supposed to have risen; but, however, the amazing fits soon wore off, and no hurt is like to accrue, unless to the poor woman whose thigh was broke.
No comments:
Post a Comment