The utterances of Dr. John Bartlett upon obstetrical topics always deserve and commonly receive close attention. It is the purpose of this note to discuss briefly his last contribution to the art of midwifery, "A Study of Deventer's Method of Delivering of the After-Coming Head."1
As interpreted by Dr. Bartlett, Deventer's plan differs in essential points from the procedure in vogue, known as the Smellie-Veit method. The posture of the woman is identical with that commonly assumed at the present day—dorsal decubitus, hips elevated. As soon as the child has passed so far as the base of the thorax, extractive efforts are to be made, in a direction downward and a little backward. When the arms are within reach an examination of their relation to the head should be made. Should their position be favorable, that is, on either side of the head, resting anteriorly to the parietal protuberances,