Outlines of the diseases of women / by John Phillips.

  • Phillips, John.
Date:
1897
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of the diseases of women / by John Phillips. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    119/332 (page 99)
    the fine ducts and reaches the glands themselves. This is espe- cially the case with the gonorrhoeal form: under certain circum- stances the disease remains limited to the ducts; these then become blocked by their swollen mucous membrane, and a cyst is produced in the gland from retention of secretion. This cyst may contain ordinary glairy fluid, or pus if suppuration takes place. Symptoms.—Probably the symptoms of vulvitis have existed for a few days. Then the patient notices that one of the labia majora is much swollen, and that there is sympathetic enlarge- ment of the inguinal glands on the same side ; pain of a throbbing nature, heat and pruritus, difficulty in micturition (dysuria), and in walking (dyskinesia), are frequently observed. Physical Signs.—There may be considerable labial swelling, with redness and superficial oedema, the orifice of the gland may appear inflamed and discharge pus; on drawing the labium aside the inner surface is found projecting, reddened, and glistening; probably fluctuation may be obtained on palpation. Treatment should be that observed in cases of abscess situated elsewhere; a free incision being made on the inner labial surface, and a strip of lint passed into the cavity, to prevent premature superficial healing; sprinkle the vulva with iodoform powder. The object of this proceeding is to obtain healing from the bottom of the wound. If not freely opened the abscess recurs, or burrows in the cell- ular tissue in the perineum and around the rectum, requiring subsequently a thorough search for any suppurating tract. In chronic cases, where there is a pyogenic lining membrane, apply strong liniment of iodine, and stuff the cavity with anti- septic gauze ; if the abscess repeatedly recurs, the diseased gland should be dissected out entire. In the event of prolonged suppuration taking place, constitu- tional treatment will be found necessary. Abscess of the labia majora may occur independently of the vulvo-vaginal glands. The connective tissue which forms the greater portion of the labia becomes acutely inflamed, as the result of either vulvitis, injuries, or the like. It differs from the vulvo-vaginal form in the fact that it is not so circumscribed. III. Syphilis. This may occur either as a primary sore, condylomata, or a coppery rash about the vulva. The primary sore is not often seen, as a woman may feel no discomfort from it, and it heals up without treatment, although