Aids to obstetrics : double part / by Samuel Nall.

  • Nall, Samuel.
Date:
[1885?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Aids to obstetrics : double part / by Samuel Nall. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    131/150 (page 127)
    (<d) The poison of scarlet-fever may be carried to a puerperal woman, and give rise either to a virulent form of the same disease or to puerperal fever. The poison in these cases may be carried by the hands of the medical man or nurse, by dirty sponges, etc., or by the atmo- sphere. The Nature of the Septic Poison.—Incases of puerperal fever bacteria have been found in the decomposing products in the uterus, in the inflamed tissues around the uterus, in the lym- phatics and various organs, and in the secondary inflammatory products. The universal presence of bacteria, and experiments on animals with septic fluids, lead us to think that the bacteria play some important part in the production of the disease ; but whether they are the essential septic matter, or serve merely to carry it or produce it, is not known. The Absorption of the Septic Matter takes place through the open vessels and lymphatics at the placental site, or by open wounds of the cervix and vagina. Possibly, in some cases, the septic material is absorbed by the intact vaginal surface, as in those cases where the disease begins before the commencement of labour. Lesions which may be Produced by Absorption of the Poison. A. Local Lesions. (a) Inflammation of the Mucous Membrane of the Uterus and Vagina, the mucous membrane and lacerations becoming- covered with yellowish diphtheritic patches. (b) Metritis.—The uterus may be simply infiltrated with serum, or pus formation may take place. (c) Inflammation of the Pelvic Cellular Tissue, which may spread to the iliac fossae, and result in serous infiltration and sometimes in pus formation and abscess. (cl) Pelvic Peritonitis, involving Douglas’s pouch and the broad ligament, and resulting in the exudation of fibrin, or in pus formation ; if not limited by adhesions, general peritonitis may arise.