The principles and practice of obstetricy, in five parts ... with observations on some of the more important diseases of women ... / Edited, with copious notes and illustrations by Thomas Castle.

  • Blundell, Dr., 1790-1878
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The principles and practice of obstetricy, in five parts ... with observations on some of the more important diseases of women ... / Edited, with copious notes and illustrations by Thomas Castle. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1155/1172 (page 277)
    before directed, in operative quantities, with caution, however, and so as to act lightly on the system, for the digitalis is a remedy not without its risk, especially in weak constitutions, TREATMENT OF THE ABSCESS. : When matter forms, it may be better not to puncture the abscess, and discharge the matter too hastily; because it is asserted, that when these abscesses break of themselves, they heal in a more kindly manner than when they are opened by the lancet. In ordinary cases, therefore, I should poultice the abscess, and suffer it to open of itself ;* but if the woman suffered a great deal of pain under accumulation of the matter, in consequence of the distention of the inflamed skin, I should not hesitate to advise a small opening with the lancet, so as to relax the skin somewhat ; or if the accumulation of matter were very large, say to the measure of half a pint, I should consider whether the matter might be drawn off by little and little, in the way recommended by Mr. Abernethy, not scrupling to open by the lancet in such cases, in order to prevent the large chasm which forms, if the skin open spontaneously. If the general health be bad, this must be amended during the healing of the abscess; attend, also, to the state of the chylopoietic viscera ; support the vascular system by bark, bitters, aromatics, chalybeates, and analogous remedies ; send the patient into the country, and you will probably find in the majority of cases, the abscesses will heal pretty readily. hould the abscess still remain open, it then comes to he con- sidered, whether you should lay it thoroughly open and bare, letting it heal up from the bottom by granulations ;{ but I forbear * Owing to the subcutaneous fascia of the labia, these abscesses never break outwardly. Burn’s Principles, p. 59. + The lancet should not be used if it can possibly be avoided, since, from the vascularity of the parts, considerable hemorrhage is likely to occur, Eb. + his plan is recommended by Mr. Hey. Surgical Observations, p. 138.