Dysmenorrhoea / by Robert Bell.

  • Bell, Robert, 1845-1926.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Dysmenorrhoea / by Robert Bell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    extend its growth up an incline. It must have a level surface to develop itself upon. We observe this in sores where the granulations are too prolific. Who ever saw what is commonly known as proud flesh covered with epithelium 1 No, the redundant crrowth must either atrophy or be destroyed before we get this result. So with what we designate fungosities of the uterus, which are neither more nor less than an exuberant growth of the lining membrane, and which, moreover, are not covered with epithelium; hence a constant oozing of blood emanates from them. As soon as these are destroyed, the bleeding ceases, the lining membrane becomes covered with epithelium, and the bleeding orifices close. I hope, gentlemen, you will pardon me dwelling so long on one view of the natural history of this membrane, but as it appears to me to be nearly correct, my conclusions are naturally based upon it, therefore I have ventured to give you the result of my observations as briefly as possible. I have done so because I may frequently have to refer to this hypothesis in the course of my further remarks. We must bear in mind that the uterine canal in health is not to any extent a secreting cavity; I refer, of course, to that portion above the internal os. As we all know, the cervical canal secretes a glairy mucus peculiar to itself. We then have the fundus and body in the healthy condition quite inactive (if unimpreg- nated), except at the monthly epochs. If, therefore, a discharge is observed oozing from the os which differs in character from the cervical secretion, it would suggest the presence of disease, but as any discharge