Clinical lectures on diseases peculiar to women / by Lombe Atthill.

  • Lombe Atthill
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Clinical lectures on diseases peculiar to women / by Lombe Atthill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    352/366 (page 330)
    females of a leuco-phlegrnatic temperament. Arsenic should be given after meals, in gradually increased doses of from three to ten drops of the liquor arsenicalis B. P. It can be ad- ministered by directing the patient to take the number of drops ordered on a crumb of bread, after meals, or if preferred can be given in combination with a bitter, such as the com- pound tincture of gentian, or, if that be objectionable, with the compound tincture of chloroform. In several cases I have found its efficacy increased by the addition of ten drops of the tincture of digitalis to each dose. That strychnia exerts a direct action on the uterus is, to my mind, clearly established. Added to ergot in cases of parturition, it greatly increases the efficacy of the latter drug, being specially useful when post partum haemorrhage is anti- cipated. It appears to have the power of increasing the tonic contraction of the uterine fibres and of preventing their undue relaxation when the pain has subsided. Its use is contra-indicated in all cases where any inflammatory condi- tion of the uterus or ovary exists. Stiychnia is also specially useful in many forms of amenorrhcea where it seems desirable to stimulate the uterus and ovaries, and in such cases it is often prescribed with advantage in combination with iron. It should be administered cautiously, commencing with two or three drops of the liquor, the doses to be gradually in- creased to eight, or even ten drops, three times a day. I have, however, known even small doses produce very unplea- sant symptoms; some patients being apparently very suscep- tible of the effects of this drug. Mercury seems beneficial in some forms of chronic uterine disease, specially in those in which a low form of chronic in- flammation exists, with thickening of the uterine wall and induration. It should be administered in small doses for a considerable length of time. The only preparation of mer-