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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    1007.] Those which may be properly considered as cases of suppression, are such as occur after the flux has been for some time established in its regular course, and in which the interruption cannot be referred to the causes of retention (1001, 1002.) but must be imputed to some re- sistance in the extremities of the vessels of the uterus. Ac- cordingly, we often find the suppression induced by cold, fear, and other causes which may produce a constriction of these extreme vessels. Some physicians have supposed an obstructing lentor of the fluids to occasion the resistance now mentioned: but this is purely hvpothetical, without any proper evidence of the fact; and it is besides, from other considerations, improbable. 1008.] There are indeed some cases of suppression that seem to depend upon a general debility of the system, and consequently of the vessels of the uterus. But in such cases, the suppression always appears as symptomatic of other affections, and is therefore not to be considered here. 1009.] The idiopathic cases of suppression (1007.) sel- dom continue long without being attended with various symptoms or disorders in different parts of the bodv; very commonly arising from the blood which should have pass- ed by the uterus, being determined more copiously into other parts, and very often with such force as to produce hemorrhagies in these. Hence hemorrhagies from the nose, lungs, stomach, and other parts, have appeared in conse- quence of suppressed menses. Beside these, there are commonly hysteric and dyspeptic symptoms produced by the same cause ; and frequentlv colic pains, with a bound belly. 1010.] In the idiopathic cases of suppression, (1007.) the indication of cure is to remove the constriction affect- ing the extreme vessels of the uterus; and for this purpose the chief remedy is warm bathing applied to the region of the uterus. This, however, is not always effectual, and I do not know of any other remedy adapted to the indication. Besides this, we have perhaps no other means of removino the constriction in fault, but that of increasing the action and force of the vessels of the uterus, so as thereby to over- come the resistance or constriction of the extremities. This therefore is to be attempted by the same remedies in the case of suppression, as those prescribed in the cases of re- tention (1003. 1005.) The tonics, however, and cold- bathing (1003.) seem to be less properly adapted to the