The modern practice of physic, which points out the characters ... and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates / [Robert Thomas].

  • Robert Thomas
Date:
1834
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The modern practice of physic, which points out the characters ... and improved method of treating the diseases of all climates / [Robert Thomas]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    DISEASES OF THE PUERPERAL STATE. 957 abdomen, denote a fatal termination: on the contrary, the ensuing of a gentle diarrhoea, the lochial discharge returning in due quan¬ tity and quality, the secretion of milk recommencing, and the uterus becoming gradually softer and less tender to the touch, with an abatement of heat and thirst, prognosticate a favourable issue. When shiverings attack the patient after several days’ continu¬ ance of the symptoms, but little relief can be afforded by medicine, the event being generally fatal. In this case the woman emaciates and loses her strength, becomes hectic, and sinks under colliqua¬ tive sweating or purging. Upon opening the bodies of women who have died of this dis¬ ease, and where it existed in a simple state, little or no extravasated fluid is usually to be met with in the cavity of the abdomen. In some instances the peritonseal surfaces have been discovered free from the disease; while in others, that portion which covers the uterus and posterior part of the bladder has been found partially inflamed. The inflammation has been observed in some cases to extend to the ovaria and Fallopian tubes, which, when cut open, are often loaded with blood. The uterus itself usually appears of a firm substance, but is larger than in its natural state, and when cut into, a quantity of pus is often found. Gangrene and mortifi¬ cation are seldom, if ever, to be met with. By an early attention to the disease on its first approach, we may often subdue it, and prevent the inflammation from proceeding to any great height. Our immediate and speedy care ought, therefore, to be directed towards diminishing the quantity of the circulating fluids, and weakening the action of the heart and arteries; and this is to be done by drawing blood from the system, regulating the quantity which we take away by the violence of the symptoms, the state of the pulse, and the age and habit of the patient. In re¬ peating the operation, we are to be governed by the same circum¬ stances, and by the effect produced by the former evacuation. In plethoric habits, a second or a third repetition may be necessary ; but in those who are less robust, if the inflammatory symptoms are not entirely carried off by the first bleeding, it may be more advisable to draw off blood by the application of six or eight leeches to the belly, than to make use of the lancet again. To remove the tension, and alleviate the pain and soreness, flannel cloths wrung out in a warm decoction of bruised poppy- heads and camomile-flowers, with an addition of about an eighth of spiritus camphorse, may be kept pretty constantly applied throughout the course of the day to the abdominal region, and at night it may be anointed with a little of the linimentum cam- phorse. In using fomentations, due care must, however, be taken that they are not applied so wet as to run about the bed, and thereby occasion inconvenience to the patient. Some practitioners of late have recommended the application of linen cloths wetted in camphor mixture and cold water to the ab¬ domen, instead of warm fomentations.—See Peritonitis.
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