Treatise on the nature and cure of prolapsus uteri, and other affections of the pelvic viscera / by Robert Thompson.
- Thompson, Robert, 1797-1865
- Date:
- 1838
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Treatise on the nature and cure of prolapsus uteri, and other affections of the pelvic viscera / by Robert Thompson. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![together with the membranous, muscular, and in short, every soft structure, internal and external, belonging to the pelvic region. Prof. Hamilton asserts that, the true cause of prolapsus con- sists in tbe softening and relaxation of the membranes of the va- gina, and of the celular tissue which unites them to the linings of the pelvis. It is evident, says the author, that the blad- der, the vagina, the rectum, and more especially the muscles lining the pelvis, and those connecting the lower part of the trunk, and the inferior extremities, mainly contribute to hold the uterus in its natural position. In commenting upon this view of the causes of prolapsus, Prof. Eberle says : We do not doubt the correctness of these re- marks, and adds, it appears to us quite evident that relaxation of the uterine ligaments is rather the effect than the cause of pro- lapsus.* That relaxation may, in some instances, result from a descent of the uterus produced by other causes, I admit—but confess that I cannot discover why those ligaments, deriving their nerves and blood-vessels from the common sources with the neigh- boring parts, which arc acknowledged to be in a debilitated and relaxed condition, should not be allowed to participate in this genera] condition. Indeed it is difficult to determine with precision, the extent to which the connection of organic debility may be traced, with ref- erence to the diseases under consideration. But of this we are certain, that whether organs and parts, situated in the immediate vicinity, or more remotely, be implicated, the general constitution suffers, in most cases, great loss of energy by their long continu- ance : and it is asserting nothing new, to declare that certain cau- ses operating upon the general health of the individual will either predispose to such diseases, or tend to their removal when already present. Who that has enumerated the cause of those affections but has adverted to the general debility as a predisponent? Or, who has advised remedial means, that has not adverted to the im- provement of the constitution? But, notwithstanding all this, I am not aware that those diseases have been referred to the cause to which I conceive they may, with great propriety, be in many * Western quarterly Journal, pp. 59.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21159294_0015.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
