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.)

    20/298
    1005.] 2dly, The action of the uterine vessels may be excited by stimulants applied to them. Thus those purga- tives which particularly stimulate the intestinum rectum,* may also prove stimulant to the uterine vessels connected with those of the rectum. The exercise of venery certain- ly proves a stimulus to the vessels of the uterus; and therefore may be useful when, with propriety, it can be employed. The various medicines recommended as sti- mulants of the uterine vessels, under the title of Emena- gogues, have never appeared to me to be effectual; and I cannot perceive that an}' of them are possessed of a specific power in this respect. Mercury, as an universal stimulant, may act upon the uterus, but cannot be very safely em- ployed in chlorotic persons. One of the most powerful means of exciting the action of the vessels in every part of the system is, the electrical shock; and it has often been employed with success for exciting the vessels of the uterus. 1006.] The remedies (1002—1005.) now mentioned, are those adapted to the retention of the menses; and I am next to consider the case of suppression. In entering upon this, I must observe, that every interruption of the flux after it has once taken place, is not to be considered as a case of suppression. For the flux, upon its first appear- ance, is not always immediately established in its regular course; and therefore, if an interruption happen soon after the first appearance, or even in the course of the first, or perhaps second year after, it may often be considered as a case of retention, especially when the disease appears with the symptoms peculiar to that state. •These stimulant purges are in general the drastic resins, as Scammony, Aloes, &c. Various formula; of them have been recommended in these cases; the Pilulae Rufi is commonly used with good effect. It tray be given in the quantity of half a drachm, or, in strong constitutions two scruples. It outfit not to be repeated above twice a week ; and, in the intermediate days' we may employ the tonic medicines above mentioned. The Piluls ecphracticae of the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia is another very effectual medicine in these cases. Its dose is half a drachm twice a week, if we intend to purge briskly ; but, bv .■Jiving a smaller quantity, as ten, twelve, or fifteen grains once a-day, a constant stimulus is preserved, which some practitioners prefer The following pills are also much recommended: Be. Pil. Gummos. Aloes Socotorin. aa Jji. Vin. Aloet. q. s. M. f. Massa in pilulas. 48. dividend. The dose is3 or 4 pills at bed time. The tinctuta sacra is also frequently u,ed as a brisk purge in these cases; its dose for this pur- pose must not be less than an ounce and a half in most habits; but a strong constitution will re• quire two ounces or mere. Other stimulants than purges have been employed in amenorrhoca, as the Tinctura sabina eomposita of the new London Pharmacopoeia ; its dose is thirty or forty drops, in anv suitable vehicle. The Tinctura myri hx of the same Pharmacopoeia, in doses of twenty or tlv'v drops is often recommended on the authority of Bcerhaave. * '