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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    ing the discharge which have been mentioned in the last paragraph. 981.] When the immoderate flow of the menses shall seem to be owing to a laxity of the vessels of the uterus, as may be concluded from the general debility and laxity of the person's habit; from the remote causes that have oc- casioned the disease (977.) from the absence of the symp- toms which denote increased action in the vessels of the uterus (970.) from the frequent recurrence of the disease, and particularly from this, that in the intervals of menstru- ation the person is liable to a leucorrhoea; then in such case the disease is to be treated, not only by employing all the means mentioned in 979. for moderating the hemorrha- ge', but also by avoiding all irritation, every irritation hav- ing the greater effect in proportion as the vessels have been more lax and yielding. If, in such a case of laxity, it shall appear that some degree of irritation concurs, opiates may be employed to moderate the discharge; but in using these, much caution is requisite.* If, notwithstanding these measures having been taken, the discharge shall prove very large, astringents,f both external and internal, may be employed. In such cases, may small doses of emetics be of service ? 982.] When the menorrhagy depends on the laxity of the uterine vessels, it will be proper, in the intervals of men- struation, to employ tonic remedies ; as cold bathing and chalybeates.J The exercises of gestation, also, may be * Opiates used too liberally generally increase the discharge, in consequence of their very great power in relaxing the whole system. + The astringents for internal use, are alum, catechu, tincture of roses, &c. Ten grain: of alum, and as much catechu may be given in a powder, every two or three hours, with three or tour spoonfuls of tincture of roses to wash it down. The bark is sometimes of use in these ca- ses, especially when joined with alum. The external applications are, cold cloths soaked in vi- negar and water applied to the lower region of the abdomen, or to the pudenda ; or a strong decoction of oak bark, with an ounce of alum dissolved in every pint of it, may be applied cold to the same parts. t The following form is very convenient: R. Rubigin. ferri 3ij. Cort. Peruv. §i. Syr. simpl. q. s. M. f. Elect. The dose of this electuary is to be varied according to the constitution ; the size of a nutmeg twice a day is usually given. The best forms of chalybeates, in these cases, are the mineral waters which contain iron dis- solved by fixed air. Chalybeate waters should not, in this disease, be drank in such large quan- tities as to pass off by stool. A gill taken every three or four hours throughout the day, with a spoonful ot Port wine, is more efficacious than a pint or even a quart, taken at once in the morning. The dose, however, of these waters, varies according to the strength of the particu- lar w.iter we use. Along with the chalybeate water,a scruple or half a drachm of Peruvian bark liven twice a-day. Hie following form is very agreeable, and is at (he same time singularly efficacious: R. Extract, cort. Peruv. §i. Extract. Campechens.