Prolapse of the ovaries / by Paul F. Mundé.

  • Paul F. Mundé
Date:
[1880]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Prolapse of the ovaries / by Paul F. Mundé. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    42/52 (page 40)
    elevate the floor of Douglas’ pouch, in retroversion, and is sup¬ ported externally, will soon learn that the same amount of sup¬ port cannot be derived from an instrument that is entirely within the vagina. For any pessary, to make pressure sufficient to hold up the ovary, must be supported externally, after the plan of Bab¬ cock’s pessary. Any instrument may be chosen if only this principle be held in view. Dr. Barker, of New York. —I will preface my remarks by saying that all who speak or prepare papers to be read should assume that the members of the Society and our guests know something, and therefore we have no right to occupy time in dis¬ cussing merely elementary principles which every well-informed man should know perfectly before coming here. I do not propose to say anything with regard to the pathology or symptoms associated with prolapse of the ovaries, for I think that has been thoroughly treated before, although two or three assertions have been made to which I should hesitate to assent, especially in connection with diagnosis, but will confine my re¬ marks to certain practical points connected with the treatment of prolapse of the ovaries. In the first place I believe it to be quite a frequent affection. My own experience is also in accord with that of the writer of the paper, and I think with most authors, that it is much more frequent on the left than on the right side, which fact is explained by the position of the rectum and the habitual con¬ stipation which acts to maintain the prolapse. Now, what are the indications as to treatment ? I should say, first, so far as possible to restore the organ to its true normal position ; second, to keep it there ; and third, to obviate or remove all the causes which develop and perpetuate this pathological condition. With regard to the methods of replacing the prolapsed organ it is not necessary to say anything because these have been suf¬ ficiently indicated. In cases in which the organ has been made adherent by plastic exudation as the result of coincident inflam¬ mation, we cannot always be successful in replacing it by mechan¬ ical means alone ; and yet it is even worth while to make the attempt to overcome the plastic exudation, and perhaps in cer¬ tain classes of cases we may be materially aided by the use of hot water vaginal injections. Another agent upon which I place considerable reliance in these cases of adherent prolapsed ovary 'is mercury. The use of minute doses of the proto-iodide of mer-