A practical treatise on the diseases peculiar to women, illustrated by cases / [Samuel Ashwell].

  • Ashwell, Samuel, 1798-1857
Date:
1845
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A practical treatise on the diseases peculiar to women, illustrated by cases / [Samuel Ashwell]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    753/766 (page 733)
    had a short, hacking cough; complained of pain at the epigastrium and in the chest, particularly on the right side of the thorax; the pulse was 120, quick, and easily compressed; there were morning perspirations, and the sputa were purulent. Fifteen months had elapsed since her confinement; and during the last six, there has been constant alvine and stomachic derangement. ‘The diet and porter have been increased largely during the last six months, in the vain hope that a larger supply of milk would be furnished. Frequent pur- gatives have been employed; and the indigestion and flatulence, as well as the evening fever, have been correspondingly aggravated. The stethescope detectes a large vomica in the apex of the right lung. Immediate weaning was enjoined; and every measure adopted calculated to arrest the progress of the organic lesion. She died, however, in a few weeks. Cassk 4. SOFTENING AND ABSCESS OF THE BRAIN FROM UNDUE SUCKLING. Mrs. C., aged 30, had been confined in April 1830, of her first child. She was attended by Mr. E. Smith of Biliter Square; and although the labour was natural, it was protracted, and she was a good deal exhausted ; there was some hemorrhage subsequent to the expulsion of the placenta ; and the ergot was given for thirty-six hours afterwards, in doses of fifteen drops of the tincture every four or six hours. Her recovery was slow, but satisfactory; she nursed the child well; and three months prior to her death, having then suckled her infant nearly twelve months, she com- plained of great weakness, but especially of headache. She was advised very strongly to wean the child, but peremptorily refused to do so. An improved diet, and vegetable tonics, were prescribed; and care was ob- served in preserving a healthy condition of the alvine evacuations. It ought to be observed, that she had menstruated for the two preceding months. At intervals of a week or ten days, I saw Mrs. C., and never failed most pertinaciously to urge the weaning, without success, till about a month before her death. The headache had become so severe as to produce temporary loss of consciousness; and the pain occurring periodically in paroxysms, it assumed the character of an epileptic seiz- ure. Ina day or two afterwards, the intense suffering was confined especially to the right side of the head; and as it was often preceded ‘ by shivering, and attended with violent jactitation, it was presumed it