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.)

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    978.] The effects of the menorrhagia are pointed out ill 971, 972. where I have mentioned the several symptoms accompanying the disease ; and from these the consequences to be apprehended will also readily appear. 979.] The treatment and cure of the menorrhagia must be different, according to the different causes of the disease. In all cases, the first attention ought to be given to avoid- ing the remote causes, whenever that can be done ; and by that means the disease may be often entirely avoided. When the remote causes cannot be avoided, or when the avoiding them has been neglected, and therefore a co- pious menstruation has come on, it should be moderated as much as possible, by abstaining from all exercise, either at the coming- on, or during- the continuance of themen- struatiorf; by avoiding even an erect posture as much as possible; by shunning external heat, and therefore Avarm chambers and soft beds; by using » light and cool diet; by taking cold drink, at least as far as former habits will allow : by avoiding venery; by obviating costiveness, or remov- ing it by laxatives that give little stimulus.* The sex are commonly negligent, either in avoiding the remote causes, or in moderating the first beginnings of this disease. It is by such neglect that it so frequently becomes violent, and of difficult cure; and the frequent repetition of a copious menstruation, may be considered as a cause of great laxity in the extreme vessels of the uterus. 980.] When the coming on of the menstruation has been preceded by some disorder in other parts of the body, and is accompanied with pains of the back, resembling partu- rient pains, together with febrile symptoms, and when at the same time the flow seems to be copious, then a bleed- ing at the arm may be proper, but it is not often necessa- ry ; and it will in most cases be sufficient to emplo}T, with great attention and diligence, those means for moderat- * The laxatives that give little stimulus are manna, oil, tamarinds, cassia, and such mild sub- stance^ A.oetic, and other drastic purges, must be carefully avoided. Rhubarb, in moderate doses, is only admissible in cases where there is an evident atony of the stomach or intestines; and in these cases it ought to be given in substance, or in a watery infusion. The spirituous and vinous tinctures of it are absolutely inadmissible in menorrhagia. A table spoonful of the following linctus, taken occasionally, will sufficiently obviate costive- ness, without giving much stimulus: R. Mann. opt. §ij. Ol. ricini §i. Syr. rosar. solut. 51. Crem. tartar. §ss. M. f. Linct.