A Book of Medical Discourses, in Two PartsCrumpler, Rebecca Lee
Science
A Book of Medical Discourses, in Two Parts
Crumpler, Rebecca Lee
Child care; Children -- Health and hygiene; Infants -- Care; Infants -- Health and hygiene; Women -- Health and hygiene
It is an error to suppose that certain remedies are only serviceable at
certain times and in certain places, at certain times of the year. Every
means possible should be put forth to reduce the piles before submitting
to an operation; a thing that is seldom needed, but nevertheless is
frequently done.
LEUCORRHŒA, OR WHITES.
This is a very common complaint among women of all ages and conditions
of life; but not more so, probably, than seminal weakness in men,—a
similar complaint, by the way. It frequently comes from taking cold,
after fatigue, which may run its course with some degree of fever,
languor and chill; during which time ulcers may form on the membranes of
the vagina, or entrance to the womb. These ulcers may remain quite a
while, and cause a continuance of the discharge, or they may come off,
and leave weak patches, even in virgins. This complaint is not
contagious, but if allowed to remain about the parts, may become
offensive and excoriating. It requires much the same treatment as
catarrh; hence frequently receives the name, catarrh of the womb. It may
come from getting up too soon after confinement.
_Treatment._—If ulcers are known to have formed, they should be removed
in the surest manner, that the introduction of the speculum may be
dispensed with as soon as possible. After their removal in that way, the
cure can be accomplished sooner, but ulcers can be removed without the
introduction of the speculum in very small women. If the evidence is
conclusive that ulcers have formed, the remedy for their removal can be
applied with less pain and displeasure with the vaginal syringe. No
astringent washes, such as alum, oak, bark, or lead, are in place while
ulcers remain. When there is no unhealthy discharge from the vagina,
there can be no need of using a syringe. Salt sea or home baths,
nourishing food and rest; applying a wet bandage, warm, during the hours
of rest, and keeping the bowels free without the use of severe physic;
avoiding laborious work for a while, will give great relief.
The constant use of preparations of iron is binding; and while, at the
same time, they may tone up the muscular fibre, they may but invite a
renewal of the discharges, by reason of pressure upon the vaginal walls
from the loaded rectum. It is a complaint which may at any time give
rise to evil imaginations, therefore should be cured as soon as
possible. It has been thought, that using the treadle sewing-machines
has increased the liabilities to leucorrhœa; but I have yet to conclude
whether it is from the use of the machines or the manner in which they
are used by most women.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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