Women : their diseases and their treatment / by John King.

  • King, John, 1813-1893.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Women : their diseases and their treatment / by John King. 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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    THICKENING OF THE CELLULAR MEMBRANE SURROUNDING THE URETHRA. This affection is more commonly met with among females who have given birth, to several children. The cellular struc- ture of the part becomes hardened and thickened, and the bloodvessels distended and varicose, more especially on walk- ing or standing. It is owing to the vascular excitement of the parts during labor, and the irritation produced by the pressure of the child's head upon the urethra while being expelled through the pelvic cavity. Symptoms. The patient experiences more or less heaviness about the part, which is much augmented when in the erect position, or when in motion. There is frequently a constant desire to urinate. Coitus and micturition cause pain. A dis- charge of a mucous character is always present; and in the more severe forms of the malady, the patient's health suffers considerably, especially when rest is broken. An examination of the parts will discover the enlarged urethra behind the pubes, and by passing a finger into the vagina, the hardness may be followed along its whole extent, even to the bladder. Upon requesting the patient to bear down, after having separated the labia, a portion of the raised and tumid urethra will be seen, of a dark-red or purplish color, and spongy and tender to the touch; the color, as well as the swelling, are removed by pressure, but return as soon as this is discontinued. JSTot unfrequently, considerable local irritation is caused by the formation of a small pouch in some part of the urethra, in which a small quantity of urine is retained, and the existence of which pouch may be ascertained by passing in a catheter. In severe cases, there may be itching and burning of the parts; and occasionally, small abscesses form in the hypertrophied tissue, augmenting the sufferings of the patient, Treatment. The patient must be kept quiet in the horizon- tal posture; and a solution of the Xitrate of Silver be applied to the parts. This may be brought into contact with the parts by injection, or by passing a catheter in which is concealed a rod with a piece of wool or sponge upon its end; the sponge being moistened with the solution, introduce the catheter, then