Outlines of the diseases of women / by John Phillips.

  • Phillips, John.
Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of the diseases of women / by John Phillips. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    85/332 (page 65)
    Some authorities suggest emmenagogues. The list includes many drugs, but the only ones that will be found of much avail are, 01. SabinaB in TH_iv doses, and the aloes and myrrh pill (B.P.); the value of ergot is doubtful. As the next period approaches the mustard-and-water hip-baths should be resumed, and three or four leeches applied round the anus, in unmarried women; while, if married, they may be placed on the cervix through the speculum (Fergusson's), and bleeding encouraged by warm douches after they drop off: the objection to their use is that they may escape into the vagina and cause pain, and cases have been recorded of a leech passing into the uterine cavity ;, the cervix should therefore be plugged with cotton-wool. Care must be taken that the haemorrhage is not too free. An enema of 01. Rutse . . . ... . . . Tilxx 01. Terebinth 5j in a little gruel is often of service as a stimulating injection. Scarification or puncture of the cervix is not necessary and may lead to danger : stimulation of the breasts is useless and irritating. (3) Conditions in which the amenorrhcea seems to be due to a sluggishness or want of activity of the ovarian system. In these cases no medical treatment appears to have any effect— indeed iron is productive of harm, and the only remedy of any avail is electricity. All that is required is a small G-aiffe's battery producing an interrupted current. One electrode is placed over the junction of the last lumbar and first sacral vertebrae, the other alternately over the right and left ovarian regions. The skin being moistened with salt and water, the current should be passed for from five to fifteen minutes twice a day. In married women one pole may be introduced into the uterine cavity. The most favour- able time for its application is at the date when the menstrual epoch should occur. Cases of amenorrhcea in which a local examination is advisable: (a) Where general signs of menstruation occur every month, but no flow follows, and where a slowly enlarging tumour may be felt in the median line above the symphysis pubis (vide p. 105). (b) Where the patient, in perfect health and hitherto men- struating regularly, suddenly becomes amenorrhoeic. Pregnancy should always be suspected in such a case, and the breast signs carefully inquired into; but even under these circumstances examination per rectum is better undertaken to ascertain if the uterus is enlarged. Never examine a servant without her consent, and except in the presence of a third party. K