The family doctor : a dictionary of domestic medicine and surgery; especially adapted for family use.
- Date:
- [between 1890 and 1899?]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The family doctor : a dictionary of domestic medicine and surgery; especially adapted for family use. Source: Wellcome Collection.
12/776 (page 4)
![strong purgatives or emetics, excessive in- dulgence in venery, or aught which may tend to debilitate the system; malformation of the generative organs ; fevers and severe inflammations; syphilis or constitutional disease of any kind; the growth of polypi or tumours in the cavity of the uterus, or adhesion to the surrounding viscera; too great contractibility of the uterine fibres, and blood vessels: most frequently, perhaps, it is a diseased condition of the foetus itself, which wanting the elements of growth and vitality, is rejected as a useless and trouble- some incumbrance. Two classes of females, very different in constitution and appear- ance, are more than commonly liable to abortion, viz., those of a voluptuous and plethoric habit, and those of a weak and irritable frame. For obvious reasons it is more common for women of the lower orders to miscarry than those of the middle and upper classes; those who continue to suckle after conception has again taken place, render themselves liable to it, because a certain amount of nutriment required by the fmtus, goes to the formation of the acteal fluid. Effects. Miscarriage is generally at- tended with much pain; it weakens the system, and often severely tries the con- stitution of the sufferer, whose liability to the accident increases with each occurrence. The periods at which it is most likely to take place, are said to be about a month after conception, again in twelve weeks, and again in the seventh month, the lia- bility increasing in those stages Avhich cor- respond with the periods of menstruation. Some females invariably miscarry at a cer- tain stage, and thus although often in the way to become parents, are never blessed with offspring. By this it will be sufficiently plain that pregnant women ought to avoid all violent exonnses of the body, strong mental excite- ment, over indulgence of sensual ap])etites, exposure to wet, or any extremes of weather, or aught which may tend to constitutional derangement of whatever kind ; and those who liave once abort(ul should be doubly careful on account of their greater liability. Symptoms of miscarriage vary consider- ably according to the more or loss advanced stage of pr'egnanc)^ and state and condition of the patient; but usually she feels at first slight pains in the loins, and parts about the Avomb; there is a sense of bearing down, a frequent desire to make Avater, or to evacuate the bowels, and a feverish state of the system generally. A discharge of blood commonly follows, pmnetimes in clots. at others in gushes, in longer or shorter interAmls; and this will continue until the foetus is expelled. As the patient cannot be considered out of danger, until relieved of the oAuim, the discharge ought to be carefully Avatched, and preserved for the examination of the medical man, should ho not be present during its progress, Avhich is much to be be preferred. Treatment. The first object, when Kie premonitory symptoms above mentioned set in, is if possible to prevent abortion; to this end the patient should at once assume a recumbent position, and on no account be suffered to move more than ma} be absolutely necessary; if she is of a plethoric habit, and complains of a sense of fulness, and espe- cially if there be a strong quick pulse, and febrile symptoms, from eight to twelve leeches may be applied to the loAver part of the stomach, (Buchan says, “that sanguine and robust Avoinen Avho are liable to mis- carry at a certain time of pregnancy, ought always to be bled a feAv days before that period arrives,”) and salines administered, such as the common effervescing draughts of soda and tartaric acid; or if an aperient is required, seidlitz poAvders Avuth cold clysters to assist the action, if necessary. If there is much heat in the abdomen, cloths Avet Avuth vinegar and Avater in equal pro- portions should be applied thereto, and re- moved as often as they get Avarm. When the haemorrhage becomes at all profuse, all hopes of prevention are at an end, and the efforts should be directed to relieve pain, prevent utter exhaustion of strength, and finally to remoA^e as quickly as may be, the ovum from the Avomb; to effect the latter object, mechanical means are some- times resorted to, but only one thoroughly acquainted AAuth the anatomy of the parts should attempt this. As the flooding pro- ceeds, the patient should be kept as cool as possible ; she should be exposed to, and suffered to breathe, cold air; acidulated drinks should be administered ; if ice can be obtained let it be used to lower tbeir tempera- ture. Should fainting ensue from loss of blood, cordials may be given, but not hastil}’, or frequently; a tea spoonful of brandy, or fifteen drops of Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia, in half a Avine-glassful of c'-'ld water, is the best stimulant for the ]»urj>o.--o. When the discharge is A'ery profuse, lint, Avadding, or a piece of sponge, dipped in a Solution of Alum, and then in Olive Oil, may be introduced into the vagina, or an injection of the same gently throAvn iiji by means of a syringe ; or a decoction of Oak I Bark may be used for the same purp<>sf.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28124844_0012.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
