On the constitutional treatment of female diseases / by Edward Rigby.

  • Rigby, Edward, 1804-1860.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the constitutional treatment of female diseases / by Edward Rigby. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    leaclen-colored ring beneath the eyes; the pallor of the face assumes a peculiar sallow color, which, from its greenish tinge, has obtained for this condition the name of green sickness, or Chlorosis. Secondary, as well as primary assimilation is defective—emaciation and de- bility advance at nearly an equal pace. There is a con- stant weariness and aching lassitude of the limbs, which incapacitate her from any exertion, and induce a dispro- portionate amount of fatigue, from which she appears but little relieved, even by a long rest. The sleep is disturbed and restless—sometimes unnaturally heavy. The bowels are obstinately costive—the evacuations very unhealthy; there is constant rumbling of flatus—the breath is fetid —she has a bad taste in her mouth—the tongue is foul— the powers of digestion almost suspended—the appetite fails, or is capricious, and frequently exhibits an abnormal perversity, in unnatural craving for things which are not articles of food, and which, under ordinary circumstances of health, would create a sensation of disgust; these are usually of an antacid absorbent nature, such as whiting, chalk, slate-pencils scraped into powder, cinders burnt to a white ash, &c; and, probably, in some cases, it is an instinctive longing to satisfy the uneasy sensations of a disordered stomach; in other cases, it is evidently con- nected with the morbid imaginations of a disordered mind, seeking unnatural gratification from what, in a state of health, would produce loathing. In either case, the patient is aware that she is doing wrong, and uses concealment in the endeavor to gratify her depraved appetite. The circulation becomes more torpid and unhealthy; the nervous s}7stem is greatly depressed; she feels inca- pable of mental or bodily exertion. Palpitation and breathlessness are excited by the slightest exercise, and are frequently accompanied by hysteric tears and sob- bing. The depression of mind is most painful, and some- times verges upon actual melancholia; indeed, the cha- racters of the general health in melancholia have a strong analogy to the condition which I am now considering; there is the same torpor of the digestive organs, the same