The Four Epochs of Woman's Life; A Study in HygieneGalbraith, Anna M. (Anna Mary)
Science
The Four Epochs of Woman's Life; A Study in Hygiene
Galbraith, Anna M. (Anna Mary)
Women -- Health and hygiene
The third and last variety includes those cases which may be referred
to some disease of the pelvic organs themselves. Anatomic changes may
lead up to pathologic conditions. A chief feature characteristic of
uterine disease is malnutrition from atrophy-- a sudden curtailing of
the blood-supply from the degeneration of the genital-nerve apparatus
and consequent impaired vitality of tissue from defective nourishment.
The anatomic changes in the glands and substance of the uterus also
favor the irritation, and the development of new growths, which may be
malignant or benign-- as cancers, fibroid growths, and so forth.
Hemorrhage at the Menopause a Significant Symptom of Cancer.-- Not
only should any excessive and prolonged bleeding at the time of the
menopause be a source of great anxiety to the woman, but even the
irregular appearance of a slight show of blood just sufficient to keep
the clothing stained, or a slight bleeding following coition; since
all of these are symptoms of very great gravity, and demand an
immediate local examination and appropriate treatment.
The widespread belief among the laity that hemorrhage at the time of
the menopause is a normal condition, and that if left alone it will
stop in the course of a few years, is most erroneous and fatal. On
this altar of ignorance thousands of women sacrifice their lives every
year. The case-book of any gynecologist will testify to the truth of
this statement. The following three cases will serve to illustrate
different types of hemorrhage in cancer patients, in no one of which
did the patient even suspect that she was suffering from anything more
serious than the "vagaries of the menopause."
Case I.-- Woman aged seventy years; came on account of incontinence of
urine, which had been troublesome for two years. The menopause
occurred at fifty. She stated that three or four years previous to her
visit, she had had a return of the flow of blood, perhaps twice in the
first year, and that during the past year there had been a flow every
month-- about the same that there used to be. This she took to be a
return of the menstrual period. She said, further, that there was a
constant bleeding-- enough to necessitate the wearing of a napkin--
and an occasional severe hemorrhage; that she could not take long
walks or drives because of the excessive flow which followed.
The case was one of cancer of the uterus which had spread to all the
pelvic viscera; and in addition to this, the patient's general
condition was such that any operation was out of the question. Yet the
patient had never thought of the possibility of any uterine trouble
sufficiently serious to make a local examination necessary. It was
only the loss of control over the bladder that drove her to seek a
physician's advice.
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