A treatise on the diseases of females / by William P. Dewees.

  • Dewees, William P. (William Potts), 1768-1841.
Date:
1831
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on the diseases of females / by William P. Dewees. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    I have been able to ascertain, arc those which affect the system at large, or the uterus in particular; such as, fever; passions or emotions of the mind; too stimulating diet 5 gastric irritations; the approach, and the cessation of the menstrual discharge at each period ; pregnancy : and excessive coition. Now, all the causes just enumerated, will be acknowledged capable of such a consequence, since, the whole arterial system is acted upon ; and of course the uterus and vagina, constituting important portions of the general system, must partake of the general effect. I know several ladies, who are not habitually liable to fluor al- bus, yet will be attacked by this discharge, whenever their sys- tems arc excited by fever. Others, will have an immediate leu- corrheeal discharge, when angered, alarmed, or overjoyed. Others, upon drinking a glass of wine extraordinary, or eating very highly seasoned victuals, will feel an increase of vaginal secre- tion ; others, when their stomachs are acid, or otherwise irritat- ed, will have fluor albus more abundantly ; very many are only sensible of the existence of this disposition of the vagina, just before the catamenia are about to take place, or immediately af- ter they have ceased. Most women, who are accustomed to leu- corrhcea, will have an augmented discharge when pregnant; while some will have it at no other time ; and all perhaps will have it more abundant, after too great venereal indulgence. Almost all the authorities I have consulted on the subject of leucorrheca, make it a constitutional disease ; and hence the nu- merous causes assigned for its origin; and hence the multiplica- tion of species and varieties by systematic writers. Thus Pinel enumerates— 1st. The constitutional. 2d. The accidental. 3d. The vicarious. 4th. The syphilitic. 5th. The critical.* While Blattin, who has written a very long and erudite work upon the subject, wishes to add to the above— 6th. From derangement of the menses. 7th. Hereditary. 8th. From indigestion. Gardien, however, makes but three— • Diet, de Scien. Med. art. Leucorrhoea.