A prize thesis on puerperal fever : for the degree of medicine in the University of New-York / by Ignacio Gutiérrez Ponce.

  • Gutiérrez Ponce, Ignacio.
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A prize thesis on puerperal fever : for the degree of medicine in the University of New-York / by Ignacio Gutiérrez Ponce. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    -6 — We see, indeed, that the ancients were struck by the peculiar state of the lochia and their final sup- pression in this disease, and, therefore, considered it to have originated in the increased flow or the cessation of that secretion. This theory had its origin with Hippocrates and Galenus, and lived for a long series of centuries. Suddenly, however, about the termination of the XVIIth 'century, the theory of the Metasta- sis of Milk was announced, and it continued many years in existence, until it lost weight by the re- searches of Bichat, the celebrated French physi- ologist. Again, investigators did not rest satisfied with the study of these external manifestations : they applied to the dead subject, and found in the vari- ous pathological lesions, sufficient ground for new and luminous speculations. The inflammation of the uterus, as it is one of the most constant features, attracted their atten- tion, and the theory of Metritis was proclaimed. Later on, however, closer observations demon- strated the inflammation, not only of the muscular textures of the womb, but also of its venous plex- uses, and the doctrine of Uterine Phlebitis was vigorously sustained. Afterwards, however, the lymphatics were also found engaged, and the theory of Uterine Ly?nphatitis proposed. Further on observers laid aside their attentions concerning the womb and considered the perito- neum as the starting point of the disease ; even, more, they connected the peritoneum with the/i