Postmortem cesarean section

CORRESPONDENCE

Postmortem cesarean section To the Editors: In the very interesting article by C. E. Weber entitled “Postmortem cesarean section: Review of the literature and case reports” (AM. J. OBSTET. GYNECOL. 110: 158, 1971), there is an error of historical fact in the first paragraph. The author states that the third wife of Ring Henry VIII, Jane Seymour, died during childbirth and that it was popularly believed that the infant, the future Ring Edward VI, was delivered by postmortem cesarean section. There is indeed more than a suggestion that Queen Jane Seymour was delivered of her infant by cesarean section. Miss Agnes Strickland, who wrote classical volumes on the Queens of England, goes into great detail about the matter. There is no question that the Queen had a long and difficult labor, but the only real evidence beyond rumor for the cesarean section is a statement made by the Ring when he was told it would be necessary to terminate the labor and His Majesty’s direction in the matter was requested. The Ring replied, “Save the life of the child, another wife can be easily found.” Jane Seymour died on October 24, 1537, twelve days after the birth of Edward VI, according to the records in Heralds College. The question of whether the infant of Jane Seymour was delivered by cesarean section will probably never be solved, but there can be no doubt that her death took place more than a week after the birth. Louis M. Hellman, M.D. Editor for Current Developments Department of Health, Education and Welfare Washington, D. C. 20202

Reply to Dr. Hellman To the Editors: I am very much indebted to Dr. Louis Hellman for the valuable addition which he provided to the historical background of my recent article, “Postmortem cesarean section.” Unfortunately, in preparing the article I did not have access to the two references which he quotes in his letter. The source of my information on the particular issue to which he refers was the book, Eternal Eve, the History of Gynecology and Obstetrics, by Harvey Graham, published in 1951, Doubleday & Company, Inc. On page 140 of this book, the author states, “Ann Boleyn was beheaded in 1536 and Henry VIII married Jane Seymour the day after Ann’s execution. Jane died in giving birth to Edward VI on October 24, 1537, and it was popularly believed (author’s italics) that Dr. Owen brought the prince into the world by performing what was, in effect, a postmortem cesarean section.” Graham does not give any specific reference for this statement, and I must state that this is as far as my research on this particular aspect of the history was carried. I am delighted that my article evoked this degree of interest on Dr. Hellman’s part. Charles E. Weber, M.D. 7300 Girard Avenue La Jolla, California 92037 Natality, Pearl Harbor, New York City blackout

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To the Editors: Borstr and Trail and Borst2 have claimed that human sexual behavior may be associated with such events as Pearl Harbor and the New York City blackout. I believe they may be correct, though perhaps not in the way they suggest. I want to argue that their method of demonstrat-

REFERENCES

1. Clippingdale, S. D.: J. Obstet. Gynaecol. Br. Commonw. 28: 104, 1921. 2. Strickland, A.: Lives of the Queens of England, Philadelphia, 1853, Blanchard and Lea. 1123