Puerperal Sepsis: History, Causes and Interventions

puerperal Sepsis History, Ca delectations and InterventionsWhat is puerperal Sepsis? Why is puerperal Sepsis less(prenominal) prevalent now than 1900s?Lynda WilliamsAbs pamphletThe purpose of the report is to understand what puerperal sepsis is and to raise a strugglegonness of the civilise to expectant m some others, women that get hold of miscarried, families and physicians. To understand the risks that is cerebrate with the condition and to be able to spot signs and symptoms, as well as how to check yet cases by and through a septicemic techniques and principles and hand hygiene.The information that pass on be accommodated is background information on the condition what is it, how it came ab come out of the closet, what handling was employ and what bowel movementd it. The report ordain let in information on what ar the symptoms, what causes it, who is at risk, how it usher out be diagnosed, how to treat it, what be the legs and how to clog further cases from occur ring.The report entrust focus on depicted object statistics for the UK. This will include statistics to show how the prevalence of puerperal sepsis wi slim down the UK has decreased from 1900s to to twenty-four hours through medical advances and research. The research employ will be collateral books, journals, and internet. capital research will non be used as the report is based on facts and information that is already available through reports and medical advice.ContentsBackground/Historypage 4Causespage 5Symptomspage 5Who is at Risk?Page 6Diagnosispage 6Treatmentpage 6Complications page 7 streakpage 7Analysis of Statisticspage 8Conclusionpage 8Recommendationpage 8 extension ph whizzspage 9Bibliographypage 10-11Glossarypage 12Appendixespage 13Background/HistoryPuerperal sepsis is a term vainglorious to an transmitting that affect expectant mothers and those who have recently exhibited. Infections within motherhood can be punishing as the genital tract has an profit c ome on bea. (Knight, M. 2015). (Awori, N. et al. 1999). The infection can affect the cavity and w wholes of the uterus, which can range to pelvic abscesses. The suppuration can spread high into the pelvis or into the lower abdomen. Infection tends to spreads later on(prenominal) broad labor movement or severe bleeding due to haemorrhaging which can cause peritonitis, blood poisoning or termination. (Awori, N. et al. 1999).Puerperal Sepsis formerly have intercourse as trade union movement fever or puerperal fever was a mystery it killed those at the cruellest of moments. It was unders as well asd that wherever physicians went the complaint became more than prevalent, oddly within infirmarys. During the 1700s it was believed women were delivered from the peril of childbirth, not deliver a child into the world. Physicians believed sepsis occurred when there was a failure to urinate, it then became known as milk metastasis as the ingrained organs of those that had died loo ked the like they were cover in milk, it was later identified as pus. (Burch, D. 2009).It was believed that puerperal fever was caused by various environmental factors sewage, poor ventilation, cold, mists, vague putrid tendencies, not bacteria and infection control. During the late 1700s, Alexander Gordon leading obstetrician studied childbed fever and came to the conclusion that the disease was spread by physicians, it was relate to throw together infections and the only treatment was bloodletting. Bloodletting was widely accepted as a cure, yet physicians understood more needed to be done to intercept the spread of sepsis. (Burch, D. 2009).CausesPuerperal sepsis is caused by bacterium be introduced into the genital tract and women that atomic number 18 in labor or giving birth are more susceptible due to large genital tract sur locution area. The genital and urinary tracts have warm, moist environments that bacteria need to multiple. The bacterium can enter the trunk th rough pelvic exams, trauma during labour or prolonged labour. During pelvic exams the bacterium is introduced into the genital tract by unclean hands during examinations or through the use of non- uninspired instruments. (Nall, R. 2014). Bacteria that are known to cause a puerperal sepsis includeChlamydiaclostridia tetaniClostridium welchiiEscherichia coli (E.coli)GonococciStaphylococciStreptococci(Nall, R. 2014).Other causes of puerperal sepsis are mastitis, pyelonephritis, ruptured membranes, respiratory complication, first-year birth, poor socioeconomic status, caesarean delivery and superficial or deep-vein thrombosis. (Baring, N. 2013).SymptomsSymptoms for puerperal sepsis normally appear betwixt 24 hours to 10 days after infection begins. If one or more symptoms are express, action should be taken and treat as appropriate. Women should be monitored closely for any of the followers symptomsFever higher that 38C or 100.4Fshivering and chillsUterus does not return to normal sizePain and temper in lower abdomenTenderness and pain in the uterusMalaiseDischarge from the vagina foul-smelling and containing pusPale and discoloured skin succinct of breathFatigued, difficult to rouseAltered mental state oedemaFlu like symptoms(Nall, R. 2014) (Sepsis Alliance 2015).Who is at Risk?Any adult female that is pregnant, has miscarried, aborted or delivered are at risk of sepsis exclusively certain factors increase that risk. Women that are more susceptible are those that have liver disease, lupus a condition of the immune system, diabetes, congestive heart failure, are obese, first pregnancy, women that are under 25 or women that are over 40. Women over 40 are at risk of sepsis from infections due to placenta praevia and placenta abruption. Women that are underwent invasive procedures to go forth pregnant or invasive tests during pregnancy are more devoted to infections that can lead to sepsis. (Sepsis Alliance 2015)DiagnosisAbnormal changes in the patient ro le temperature, heart and breathing rate can indicate infection. The vagina and uterus will be checked for swelling and tenderness by abdominal and internal exams. Broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs will be prescribed if sepsis is suspected to prevent the infection from spreading, long term damage to the body and death. Further tests will be carried out to determine the type of infection, where it is located and if bodily functions have been affected. These tests can includeBlood and urine testWound swabsBlood pressure checks ultrasound scan, X-rays or computerised tomography (CT) scanOrgan function tests liver, kidney, heartlumbar punctureStool samples(NHS Choices. 2014) (Nall, R. 2014)TreatmentIf sepsis is suspected broad-spectrum antibiotics will be addicted orally or intravenously to prevent infection spreading. When results from further interrogation have been received then a focused antibiotic is used to kill the bacterium. Anti-fever medication and cold compresses may be use d to hold the line the fever under control. Oxygen may be given as levels in the blood can become low due to the body demand for oxygen. Intravenous fluids may be given to prevent vaporisation and kidney failure, normally given within the first 48 hours after hospital admission. Sepsis can cause the blood pressure to drop medication called vasopressors will be given to increase blood pressure allowing the patient condition to improve. Infection sites need to be keep clean and dry pus to be drained away allowing infected t reappearance to repair and to prevent bacteria from entering. (Nall, R. 2014) (NHS Choices. 2014)ComplicationsSepsis can lead to serious complications and the damage can be irreversible. Complications for the women includeSepticaemiaSeptic shockPeritonitisHaemorrhagingPyelonephritisMastitisPulmonary embolismDisseminated intravascular coagulationAbscessesDeathCompromise fertilityThe foetus can be affected cavictimization depressed Apgar scores, neonatal septicaem ia, pneumonia and death. (Dharmaraj, D. Patriquin, G. 2012)Willacy (2012) wrote that severe sepsis can cause acute organ dysfunction and has a mortality rate of 20-40%. If septic shock develops the mortality rate rises to around 60%.Prevention quest antiseptic techniques and principles is very important. Correct cleaning practice of hospital and h mankindstone environments need to be followed and use of sterile packs and equipment must be used to prevent contamination these must only be used one time then deposed of. (Johnson, R. Taylor, W. 2011. p. 80). Physicians must exercise the correct hand hygiene techniques (appendixes A) and use antiseptic soap, washes, alcohol-based rubs and sterile gloves. By doing this it reduces the risk of introducing bacterium into a sterile environment. (Johnson, R. Taylor, W. 2011. pp. 73-77). Protective clothing aprons, shoes covers must be worn to prevent spread of infection and contamination from one situation to another, these to be deposed of after one use. Use of non-touch technique is important by ensuring sterile equipment does not touch with anything unsterile to prevent contamination and potential for infection. The use of an assistant to plain-spoken packs and equipment can reduced the risk of cross contamination as it prevents moving anything non-sterile with sterile gloved hands. (Johnson, R. Taylor, W. 2011. pp. 80-82).Analysis of StatisticsDuring the early 1900s, just under 1.5% in 1000 births within the UK died from sepsis, greatly decreased on early age. Advances in medicine meant physicians were discovering asepsis was paramount in infection control. The introduction of carbolic disperse in operating room, hand washing and rubber gloves were used to inform contamination. Then in 1920, face masks were introduced into obstetrics to prevent contamination through body fluids. (Chamberlain, G. 2006).In the last hundred years there has been a significant drop in puerperal sepsis. In 2003-5 0.85% of enatic d eaths per 100,000 births were a direct cause of sepsis, which means asepsis was tackling infection. However in 2006-8 there was a rise to 1.13%, through lack of knowledge, not sampleing advice when poorly(predicate) and through infection control. Sepsis is now the leading cause of parental death within UK above hypertension, thromboembolic disease and haemorrhage, where there has been a reduction in these. It has been noted that over recent years that it has been hard to achieve a reduction in the number of deaths within the UK due to bacterial infections, more needs to be done in order to prevent maternal deaths and these statistics rising further. (Sriskandan, S. 2011).ConclusionPuerperal sepsis is now the leading cause of maternal death, which means more medical research need to be undertaken in order to reduce the number of cases. Sepsis through pelvic exams, trauma during labour or prolonged labour needs to be evaluated and assessed on how using aseptic techniques and princi ples can reduce the risk of cross contamination and introducing bacterium into the genital tracts.Over the last hundred years puerperal sepsis has declined significantly, however over recent years it has increased from lack of knowledge and infection control. The UK is a developed country and should have infection control and aseptic techniques and principles at the forefront of medical practice.RecommendationsAfter miscarriages, during last trimester and during delivery broad-spectrum antibiotic should be given orally or intravenously to expectant mothers to furnish the body with a barrier towards infections, this could reduce the number of cases sepsis.More educate and awareness of sepsis and aseptic principles should be provided to physicians, to ensure understanding and they are being diligent in regards to infection control.Expectant mother and families should receive genteelness through antenatal classes to learn the signs and symptoms of sepsis and what to do if they suspe ct it. Symptoms can be confused with flu like symptoms and education should be given to seek help and advice off midwives, health visitors and other physicians.ReferencesAwori, N. Bayley, A. Beasley, A. Bo pour down, J. Crawford, M. Driessen, F. Foster, A. Graham, W. Hancock, B. Hancock, B. Hankins, G. Harrison, N. Kennedy, I. Kyambi, J. Nundy, S. Sheperd, J. Stewart, J. Warren, G. Wood, M. (1999) Puerperal Sepsis, Primary Surgery, 1 Online. gettable at http//www.meb.uni-bonn.de/dtc/primsurg/docbook/html/x1831.html (Accessed 20/04/2015).Baring, N. (2013) OBSTETRICS Puerperal Infection. open at http//www.slideshare.net/nianbaring/obstetrics-puerperal-infection (Accessed 23/04/2015).Burch, D. (2009) When Childbirth Was Natural, and Deadly. addressable at http//www.livescience.com/3210-childbirth-natural-deadly.html (Accessed 23/04/2015).Chamberlain, G. (2006) British maternal mortality in the 19th and early twentieth centuries daybook of the Royal Society of Medicine. 99(11). 559 -563. Online. on hand(predicate) at http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1633559/ (Accessed 20/04/2015).Dharmaraj, D. Patriquin, G. (2012) Puerperal Infection. Available at http//www.sharinginhealth.ca/conditions_and_diseases/puerperal_infection.html (Accessed 25/04/2015).Johnson, R. Taylor, W. (2011) Skills for Midwifery Practice. third edn. London Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.Knight, M. (2015) What is a livelihood threatening complication in pregnancy and childbirth? Available at http//ww.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/pregnancy-children/conditions-threaten-womens-lives-childbirth-pregnancy/what-life-threatening-complication-pregnancy-and-childbirth (Accessed 12/04/2015).Nall, R. (2014) Puerperal Infection. Available at http//www.healthline.com/health/puerperal-infection (Accessed 23/04/2015).NHS Choices (2014) Sepsis Diagnosis. Available at http//www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-poisoning/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx (Accessed 25/04/2015).Sepsis Alliance (2015) Sepsis. Availabl e at http//www.sepsisalliance.org/sepsis/symptoms/ (Accessed 24/04/2015).Sriskandan, S. (2011) pure(a) peripartum sepsis Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 41 33946. Online. Available at www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/ disregard/files/sriskandan.pdf (Accessed 26/04/2015)Willacy, H. (2012) Puerperal Pyrexia. Available at http//www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Puerperal-Pyrexia.htm (Accessed 25/04/2015). manhood Health Organizations (2015) smashing Care is Safer Care. Available at http//www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/ (Accessed 26/04/2015).BibliographyAwori, N. Bayley, A. Beasley, A. Boland, J. Crawford, M. Driessen, F. Foster, A. Graham, W. Hancock, B. Hancock, B. Hankins, G. Harrison, N. Kennedy, I. Kyambi, J. Nundy, S. Sheperd, J. Stewart, J. Warren, G. Wood, M. (1999) Puerperal Sepsis, Primary Surgery, 1 Online. Available at http//www.meb.uni-bonn.de/dtc/primsurg/docbook/html/x1831.html (Accessed 20/04/2015).Baring, N. (2013) OBSTETRICS Puerperal Infection. Available at http// www.slideshare.net/nianbaring/obstetrics-puerperal-infection (Accessed 23/04/2015).Burch, D. (2009) When Childbirth Was Natural, and Deadly. Available at http//www.livescience.com/3210-childbirth-natural-deadly.html (Accessed 23/04/2015).Chamberlain, G. (2006) British maternal mortality in the 19th and early 20th centuries Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 99(11). 559-563. Online. Available at http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1633559/ (Accessed 20/04/2015).Colebrook, L. (1936) The Prevention of Puerperal Sepsis. BJOG An Inter interior(a) Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology, 43 691714. Online. Available at http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2210245/?page=1 (Accessed 26/04/2015).Dharmaraj, D. Patriquin, G. (2012) Puerperal Infection. Available at http//www.sharinginhealth.ca/conditions_and_diseases/puerperal_infection.html (Accessed 25/04/2015).Encyclopaedia Britannica (2015) Puerperal fever. Available at http//www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482821/puerper al-fever (Accessed 23/04/2015).Jessica deposit (2015) Childbed fever the facts. Available at http//www.jessicastrust.org.uk/childbed-fever/information-for-parents/ (Accessed 24/04/2015)Johnson, R. Taylor, W. (2011) Skills for Midwifery Practice. 3rd edn. London Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.Johnstone, W. (1938) Prevention and Control of Puerperal Sepsis. British Medical Journal, 2(4049) 331-335. Online. Available at http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2210245/?page=1 (Accessed 26/04/2015).Khaskheli, M. Baloch, S. Sheeba, A. (2013) Risk factors and complications of puerperal sepsis at a tertiary healthcare centre. Pakistan Journal of Medical Science, 29(4) 972-976. Online. Available at http//www.pjms.com.pk/index.php/pjms/article/view/3389 (Accessed 26/04/2015).Knight, M. (2015) What is a life threatening complication in pregnancy and childbirth? Available at http//ww.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/pregnancy-children/conditions-threaten-womens-lives-childbirth-pregnancy/ what-life-threatening-complication-pregnancy-and-childbirth (Accessed 12/04/2015).Macdonald, S. Magill-Cuerden, J. (2011) Mayes Midwifery. fourteenth edn. London Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.MedicineNet.com (2012) Definition of Fever, puerperal. Available at http//www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7921 (Accessed 24/04/2015).Nall, R. (2014) Puerperal Infection. Available at http//www.healthline.com/health/puerperal-infection (Accessed 23/04/2015).NHS Choices. (2015) Peritonitis. Available at http//www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Peritonitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx (Accessed 23/04/2015).NHS Choices (2014) Sepsis Diagnosis. Available at http//www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-poisoning/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx (Accessed 25/04/2015).OConnell, K. (2012) What is septicaemia? Available at http//www.healthline.com/health/septicemiaOverview1 (Accessed 23/04/2015).Royal College of Obstetricians Gynaecologists (2012) Sepsis chivalricime Pregnancy, Bacterial. Available at https//www.rcog.org .uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg64b/ (Accessed 26/04/2015).Sepsis Alliance (2015) Sepsis. Available at http//www.sepsisalliance.org/sepsis/symptoms/ (Accessed 24/04/2015).Sriskandan, S. (2011) Severe peripartum sepsis Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 41 33946. Online. Available at www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/sriskandan.pdf (Accessed 26/04/2015)Willacy, H. (2012) Puerperal Pyrexia. Available at http//www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Puerperal-Pyrexia.htm (Accessed 25/04/2015).World Health Organizations (2015) Clean Care is Safer Care. Available at http//www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/ (Accessed 26/04/2015).World Health Organizations (2015) Managing puerperal sepsis. Available at http//www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/4_9241546662/en/ (Accessed 20/04/2015).GlossaryApgar scores designed to quickly evaluate a newborns strong-arm condition.Asepsis the absence of sepsis or infection.Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a s erious ailment in which the proteins that control blood clotting becomeover active.Malaise is a ghost of general discomfort or uneasiness normally first extension of infection of other disease.Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue.Peritonitis is the inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen called the peritoneum.Placenta abruption part of the placenta comes away from the uterus wall),Placenta praevia all or part of the placenta covers the cervix.Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the artery that transports blood to the lungs.Pyelonephritis inflammation of the substance of the kidney as a result of bacterial infection.Septicemia is known as bacteriaemia or blood poisoning. Septicemia occurs when a bacterial infection enters the bloodstream.AppendixesAppendixes A Hand washing techniques (WHO. 2015)1 PageSeamus Heaneys northeastward Collection Postcolonial abridgmentSeamus Heaneys North Collection Postcolonial abbreviationI ntroductionThe field of postcolonial theory is of increase primacy within deprecative theory and literary theory. Postcolonial studies emphasise the re-emergence of cultural strengths and identities, personal, racial, national and the like. However, the term itself, and the existence of a field of critical theory and studies related to it, is still contested and debated. Situating a discussion or literary analysis within such a field could, therefore, be inherently problematic, although this actor will attempt to justify why Heaney can be viewed as a post-colonial poet by dint of his tame, not just the happenstance of his temporal and national placement.This essay will attempt to discuss and analyse the thematic and rhetorical characteristics of Seamus Heaneys work, focusing on his North show. The particular subject areas and dimensions of these poems are significant in relation to postcolonial theory because they so powerfully related to aspects of his cultural and racial ide ntity and inheritance, as well as to his personal write up and experience. Reference will be made within the essay to different critical views upon his work, and to the underlying and associated semipolitical dimensions of the context within which the plant life were produced.DiscussionAshcroft et al (1989 2) state that the term post-colonial can be used to cover all the culture affected by the empurpled process from the moment of colonisation to the present day. It is a literature which emerges following the decline of the Empire (Cudden, 145).What apiece of these literatures have in common beyond their special and distinctive regional characteristics is that they emerged in their present form out of the experience of colonization and asseverate themselves by foregrounding the tension with the imperial power, and by emphasizing their differences from the assumptions of the imperial centre. (Ashcroft et al, 2).Green and Lebihan (37) suggest that post colonial committal to r eport may be engaged in re penning a particular version of history, or in challenging a forceful commonplace view of politics. Loomba (103) however, suggests that the issue is complicated because the use of the prefix post leads to the implication of a decided era or discipline which is associated with an aftermath, one that is temporal, as in flood tide after, an ideological, as in supplanting. In the case of Heaney, one could view his writing as being a product of colonial inheritance, because his style is so strongly related to traditional poetic forms, particularly lyric poetry, and because the distinguish of that colonial heritage, in a post-colonial backlash, is all around him.The North collection was first published 1975, almost a year after the break through down of the Sunningdale Agreement, which was followed by an IRA backlash? and a 15 day strike by loyalist workers which ended up in the disbanding of the Faulkner-led government. The years 1974 and 1975 have been des cribed as some of the worst moments of the troubles, and it is no surprise, therefore, that Heaneys work should refer not only these occurrences, but to his ambiguous position in relation to them.The theme of hysteria is evident in the North poems in a variety of guises.those hacked and glinting/in the gravel of thawed streams /were ocean-deafened voices archetype me, lifted again/in force and epiphany. (from North in North, 1975)The consequences of force death, decay and associated conditions, are also prevalent within these works.I can see her drownedbody in the bog,the weighting stone,the floating rods and boughs.(from Punishment in North, 1975)This corpse is viewed by Heaney as a reflection of the Catholic women who, during the troubles in Northern Ireland, were publicly punished (tarred and chained to their houses) for dating and associating with British soliders. fierceness as a cultural representation, violence as a theme, and the products and representations of violence , come out to dominate many of Heaneys works (Lunday, 111). The land and the violence associated with the people of the land seem to be inextricably linked. In terms of style, this extract shows piece of music Heaney embraces simple, poetic beauty of language, it is this very beauty which starkly contrasts with his subject. The way in which Heany sets out to depict adultery and the tribal consequences of this shows a connection to both(prenominal) present and one-time(prenominal). Yet this is no romanticised past, no idealised heritage to contribute a strong sense of nationalism.I almost love you / but would have cast, I know, / the stones of silence. I am the artful voyeur / your brains undefended and darkened combs (from Punishment in North, 1975)Johnson (2005) suggests that this poem dishs to articulate and present the calamity of a people in a place, the Catholics of Northern Ireland. The responses of the speaker to the adultery are very very much linked with the conte xt, and with an awareness that, within this context, no act that could be construed as impacting upon or connecting with the politics of the time is without consequences. Therefore, Heaneys postcolonial temperament is traversing his roots in Northern Irish rural life, which allow him to exploit use of myth and certain unique aspects of the Irish experience, whilst also commenting on the contemporary context and the political conflict that forms the backdrop to the publication of these works. .The theme of death and bodies relates to his heritage and history in real ways. It could be argued that one of the central motifs in this collection is the bog, wild lands which carry the history of millions of years. This pose allows for the exploration of the past, and is how Heaney connects his political and ideological present with his past. Thus it is important lingually and emblematically. .The themes of Heaneys North collection of poems can be viewed in relation to his heritage as an Irishman, and as the son of a farming family, and as someone who has a strongly emotive connection with the land of his birth (Johnson, 2005). These poems are specifically connected to the landscapes and the history of his life and heritage.Spirituality and religion is smaller, less obvious theme of these poems, and there are significant connections between the ghostlike conflicts with which he has been surrounded, and the language of the poems, particularly in the choice to differentiate between the sacred and the secular. and shew only the secular/powers of the Atlantic thundering (from North in North, 1975). Heaney also associates religion with violence (see earlier theme) in violence and epiphany (from North in North, 1975). This is unsurprising, given the issue of the troubles and the context within which this writing has emerged. However, this is not a comfortable or easy asociation, for the contributor in particular, because the connection between the images of violence u sed and what the writer (and reader) must know and understand about Irelands history (such as the civil war) and its contemporary political stuggles, can perhaps be said to manifest within this writing in Heaneys trademark lyrical yet uncompromising style. Historical violence may be a mirror for current violence, as in, for good example The Tollund Man, where the man is not more than the obvious, a sacrifical offering to this rapacious earth mother (Johnson, 25) She tighened her torc on him/And opened her fen. He is also, as with Punishment, a symbolism of more recent victims of violence, which surround him as concepts, and as images, perhaps images too disturbing for poetic expression. While The stockinged corpses/laid out in the farmyards are a reference to Catholics murdered by protestants during the civil war (Johnson, 2005), Heany used the Tollund Man as a symbol and representation of the history of these bodies. He is all of those, from past to present, murdered for an ideo logy, as are the other bog bodies Heaney addresses, in a number of his collections. Parker describes this mythologising of the present through the past as Heaney casting around, like his fellow Northern Irish poets, in searh of appropriate strategies for addressing the political crisis. (131).I first saw his twisted faceIn a photograph,A head and shoulderOut of the peatBruised like a forceps babeBut now he liesPerfected in my memory. (Heaney 1969 The Graubelle Man).Here, we see the stylistic nature of the work as beig paramount. The poets love of, or reverence for, language, is evident here, as he pursues what Johnson (27) describes as evocative similes, which serve a number of purposes. The past perfection alluded to here is poignant because of the imperfections of the present, as if past violence becomes less appalling and more symbolic than present violence. He is using language of the present to capture and describe something that is past and ancient, much as he does in his tran slation of Beowulf (McGuire, 80). This very much makes Heaneys work a product of his physical heritage (Parker, 19 Tuan 684), and he connects his feelings, history and the history of the politics and wars of past and present with the land upon which they have taken place (Evans, 54 Mitchell and Ryan, 8).Conclusion.The works of Seamus Heaney can be strongly argued to be post-colonial, because they are a clear product of a heritage which is profoundly marked and shaped by imperialism and colonialism. The history of his nation, and of his work, is to be found within the land, and within the words that he uses to evoke both. The stylistic features of Heaneys poems, especially the North collection, adhere to conventions of lyric poetrym and is amenable to traditional expectations about poetic form and launguage (Johnson 28). It is not surprising that thematically, and emblematically, violence, retribution, and religiosity, all find their way into these works.However, this beginning woul d also argue that these themes may be as much a product of the readers interpretation, based on a knowledge of the poet and his context and history, and this raises the move of whether the work of a poet can ever be divorced from what the reader knows about how and where the poetry is produced. The power of Heaneys words lie in his achievement ful manipulation of language that adheres to familiar poetic forms but addresses powerful images and emblems. Overall, these works mimic the questions and concepts raised by the Irish troubles and show such issues compete out linguistically, stylistically, and symbolically through petry that is at once stark and gentle, uncompromising and moderate.