On diseases of women and ovarian inflammation : in relation to morbid menstruation, sterility, pelvic tumours, and affections of the womb / by Edward John Tilt.

  • Edward John Tilt
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On diseases of women and ovarian inflammation : in relation to morbid menstruation, sterility, pelvic tumours, and affections of the womb / by Edward John Tilt. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    was turned towards tlie riglit side, while the os was directed towards the left sacro-iliac synchondrosis. The plan of treatment adopted consisted in leeching, blistering, and the exhibition of Hummer's piU, and under it the iliac region became softer, and the vaginal roof seemed inclined to relax. Iodide of potassium was then given, and iodine ointment applied internally to the roof of the vagina, while counter- irritation was maintained without. Her recovery was interrupted by her leaving the house for a feAV days, and shortly after her return— that is to say, on the 10th Eebruary—she had shivering during the night; next day her pulse was quick, there was considerable tender- ness and tumefaction in the right iliac region, and the inability to stretch the leg was increased. During the night of the 12th, the pain in the right iliac fossa became exceedingly severe, so as to make her seize hold of the bed-post, and on the subsequent morning the tumour was found to have greatly increased both in size and tender- ness ; it formed a swelling equal in dimensions to a foetal head; it was regular on its surface, tense, but elastic. By means of an examina- tion per rectum, it was ascertained to consist of the inflamed ovary. One dozen and a half of leeches were immediately applied, and she was immersed in a warm bath ; pills of Plummer's pill, James's pow- der, and opium, were given. On the morning of the 16th the tume- faction had considerably abated, and the report on the 18th was, tumour can barely be detected. ]N'o solid lumps came away, nor was there any reason to believe it to have depended on a faecal collec- tion ; the pulse is quite quiet. Erom this period absorption appeared to proceed much more rapidly than before, and on the 10th of March she was dismissed, with the pelvic tissues restored to their natural condition. TEEATMENT OE THE AMENOEEHCEAE TYPE. Even when accompanied by its frequent attendant, chlorosis, leeches may be necessary ; the loss of a small quantity of blood is amply com- pensated by giving back to the system the full benefit of the stimulus it should derive from the healthy action of the sexual organs, and this will be effectually assisted by the administration of tonics and steel preparations. On the subsidence of the symptoms of sub-acute ovaritis, Bullock's syrup of citrate of quinine and iron is the tonic \ife generally prescribe, advising fifteen to thirty drops to be taken twice a day, in a little cold water, or in a little bitter ale. The medical attendant's sagacity will be tested in his treatment of cases of this type, which he must be careful not to confound with those of another kind of chlorosis, which we have shown to depend on the arrest of ovarian evolution ; for in such cases, antiphlogistics would do harm, while benefit would follow the use of local stimuli, such as warm plasters, blisters, or of electricity, as has been proved by Dr. Golding Bird, and even the careful exhibition of emmenagogues. TEEATMEKT OE THE DYSMENOEEH(EAL TYPE. Cases of this description are most obstinate, and require to be at- tacked for months after each menstrual period, by the rotation of the remedies to which we have drawn attention.