A practical treatise on the diseases of women : prepared with special reference to the wants of the general practitioner and advanced student / by John Thorburn.

  • Thorburn, John, active 1866-1885.
Date:
1885
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A practical treatise on the diseases of women : prepared with special reference to the wants of the general practitioner and advanced student / by John Thorburn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

    71/604 (page 49)
    \Mien vulvitis becomes chronic, it is often exceedingly ohstinute, and ijiiiy by its continual irritation give rise to considerable hypei-trophy, especially of the nymphce. One form deserves special mention. Like the inHauimations of other mucous surfaces, vulvitis may assiime sl follicular form, that is to say, the mucous or submucous glands may be chiefly affected (fig. 33). Such cases are usually subacute; they occur not infrequently during pregnancy, and they have rarely a specific origin. The redness and swelling or purulent contents of the inflamed glands give to the surface a granular appearance— there is less purulent discharge, and this is often mixed with or re- placed by a white cheesy-looking secretion from the follicles. These cases tend to a chronic condition. Diagnosis in vulvitis should be free from any difliculty except that of diflierentiating the specific and non-specific forms. The treatment in all cases may require to be antiphlogistic at first, necessitating low diet and cooling purgatives, and avoidance of every kind of stimulant. In the acute stage constant warm fomentation is required, and the common lead and opium, or borax and hydrocyanic acid lotions, arc most serviceable. I have no experience of the heroic treatment by very strong solutions of nitrate of silvei-, imintcd on during this stage, and I do not think I dare try it. As the acute stage subsides, the applications must become more astringent. Sulphate of zinc (gr. iii.-x. ad 5i-)) sulphocarbolate and chloride of zinc in the same strength, but not stronger, and permanganate of potash solution gradually increased in strength from 1 or 2 grs., ad §i., according to the result, arc among tin- most reliable of them, but others will be mentioned when speaking of vaginal inflammation. I prefer watery solutions to gh'ceroles or more solid applications, but in the chronic granular or follicular form I have seen much benefit accrue from wiping the diseased surface carefully with cotton-wool, and then painting it with the tincture of iodine (B.P.). A few applications, at intervals of one or more days, according to the tenderness, will sometimes promote a ra])i<l cure in cases tliat liave been Fig. 33.—Follicular Vulvitis (Thomas).