On the Excision of the Fetus

Hippocrates. Oeuvres complètes d'Hippocrate, Vol. 8. Littré, Émile, editor. Paris: Baillière, 1853

A Digital Corpus for Graeco-Arabic Studies · CC BY-SA 4.0

Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.

This work is an ancient obstetrical and surgical manual aimed at saving the mother's life during difficult childbirth (dystocia). The central theme is the detailed procedure of intrauterine embryotomy (the excision of the fetus) performed when the fetus is abnormally positioned and natural delivery is impossible. The text begins by explaining the anatomical mechanism of transverse fetal presentation, which is a major cause of obstructed labor. It then outlines non-invasive corrective measures, such as shaking therapy (succussion) applied to the pregnant woman to realign the fetus, as well as treatments for uterine prolapse. Ultimately, prioritizing the safety of the mother, the treatise systematically presents a range of practical approaches from direct surgical intervention to conservative physical therapies.