PREGNANCY, DISORDERS OF. (See also ABORTION.) General Etiology. — Although preg nancy is a normal physiological condi tion and as such should be subject to no disorders except such as are purely acci dental, it is but a truism to state that the variations from the normal are, in fact, most numerous and diverse. Penalties are these, for the most part, for the privilege of being civilized. Those who live in a state of Nature, as the wild animals live, are not, it is true, exempt flora all disorders during the pregnant state; but the number of those who suf fer is relatively smaller, and their sensi tiveness to suffering is far less acute than is the case with women in civilized communities. Serious and even fatal disorders are of occasional occurrence among the savage and uncivilized, and they may also occur among animals.
The causes of disturbance during the pregnant state may be inherent in the individual at the inception of pregnancy, they may be due to pregnancy, or they may be the result of pregnancy plus other causes to which the individual may have contributed or which may be re garded in the light of accidents.
The following classification is sub mitted:— I. Causes which are present when pregnancy is instituted: 1. Faults of structure:—
(a) Structurally-defective pelvis.
(b) Defective uterus.
(c) Tumors in various parts of the body, especially in the pelvis or abdomen. 2. Faults of nutrition.
(a) Badly-nourished uterus.
(b) Local disease in any organ, or any disease which seriously modifies the gen eral condition.
II. Causes which are due to preg nancy, the patient being apparently in normal condition at its inception.
1. Mechanical influences:— (a) Pressure of the enlarged or dis placed uterus upon contiguous struct ures.
(b) Disturbed circulation either from immediate pressure upon vascular struct ures or arrests of the current in its ordi nary channel.
(c) Pressure upon the uterus by a new growth which has developed coincidently with pregnancy.
2. Nervous reflexes, usually irritative in character.
3. Nutritive changes especially in the blood, nervous system, digestive appa ratus, or secretions.
III. Causes which are due to preg nancy plus additional provocation from within or without the individual:— 1. Improper diet or habits.
2. Trauma.
3. Nervous and mental irritants.
4. Intercurrent disease.
5. Irritating conditions within the ovum.