First lines of the practice of physic (Volume 2).

  • Cullen, William, 1710-1790.
Date:
1806
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: First lines of the practice of physic (Volume 2). 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.)

    11/298
    barrenness in married women, may be generally considered as immoderate and morbid. 974.] Generally, also, that flow of the menses may be considered as immoderate, which is preceded and followed by a leucorrhoea. 975.] I treat of menorrhagia here as an active hemor- rhagy, because I consider menstruation, in its natural state, to be always of that kind; and although there should be cases of menorrhagia which might be considered as purely passive, it appears to me that they cannot be so properly treated of in any other place. 976. The menorrhagia (967. et seq.) has for its proximate cause, either the hemorrhagic effort of the uterine vessels preternaturally increased, or a preternatural laxity of the extremities of the uterine arteries, the hemorrhagic effort remaining as in the natural state. 977.] The remote causes of the menorrhagia may be, 1st, Those which increase the plethoric state of the uterine vessels ; such as a full and nourishing diet, much strong li- quor, and frequent intoxication. Idly. Those which de- termine the blood more copiously and forcibly into the uterine vessels ; as violent strainings of the whole body ; violent shacks of the whole body from falls ; violent strokes or contusions on the lower belly ; violent exercise, particu- larly in dancing ; and violent passions of the mind. 3dlyf Those which particularly irritate the vessels of the uterus ; as excess in venery ; the exercise of venery in the time of menstruation ; a costive habit, giving occasion to violent straining at stool; and cold applied to the feet.* 4t/ily, Those who have forcibly overstrained the extremities of the uterine vessels ; as frequent abortions ; frequent child- bearing without nursing ;f and difficult tedious labors, Or, lastly, Those which induce a general laxity ; as living much in warm chambers, and drinking much of warm ener- vating liquors, such as tea and coffee. * II is difficult to account for this cause of menorrhagia : It may perhaps be owing to the cir- culation through the lower extremities being obstructed or impeded, and consequently a greater flow of blood to the uterus. The fact, however, is cettain ; for experience sufficiently evinces that menorrhagia frequently follows an imprudent e\po,uie of the feel to cold, especially damp cold. Sitting in wet shoes, or in a damp cold room with a stone floor, ought to be carefully avoided by ladies of a delicate constitution. + By nursing, the fluids are determined to the breast, and in a peculiar manner derived from the uterus. This part of the economy ot natuie physiologists have not yet sufficiently explained, but the fact is well ascertained- Nursing is not only useful in preventing menorrhagia, but, as it derives the fluids from the uterus, it prevents also frequent cnild-beanng; and consequently, which is the greatest advantage of all others, time is allowed to the uterus for regaining its for- mer tone and strength : The subsequent child births are also rendered more easy than they would otherwise be, and the children more health). It would be improper to enumerate all the ad- vantages ot nursing in this place, as I shall reserve the consideration of them for a future pub- lication.