Homeopathic principles and practice of medicine / by W.H. Dickinson.

  • Dickinson, W. H. (Wilmot Horton), 1829-
Date:
1883
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Homeopathic principles and practice of medicine / by W.H. Dickinson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    The abscess should be syringed with carbolized water, and a compress applied to prevent hernia. Silicia may be given twice a day. PROLAPSUS OF THE RECTUM. This is of two kinds. The first, where only the mucous membrane protrudes; the second, where all the coats of the intestine are prolapsed, sometimes to the extent of five or six inches. Prolapsus is most frequently seen in strumous, debilitated children. The causes are relaxation of sphincter ani, consti- pation, straining at stool, chronic diarrhoea, ascarides. The protrusion is liable to increase after each act of defecation, sometimes occurring after any unusual effort, so that the pro- lapse is almost constant. In the latter case the mucous mem- brane is congested and swollen, the sphincter relaxed, and the surrounding tissues soft and flaccid. Treatment.—The protrusion should be promptly replaced after defecation. If the bowels protrude to any great extent care and patience must be exercised. The protruding mass should be oiled, and gently and steadily pressed back. A pad of lint should then be applied, and a broad piece of adhesive plaster placed across, drawing the buttocks together. The remedies are Podophyllum, Nux vom., Hydrastin, Hamamelis. Podophyllum is indicated when the prolapsus is in con- sequence of protracted diarrhoea, the bowel coming down with every stool, discharge of thick, transparent mucus, mixed with blood, after stool; prolapsus of long standing. Sulphur.—Prolapsus of mucous membrane, induced by constipation. If other treatment fails, it has been recommended to take up small folds of mucous membrane, and tie ligatures tightly around them at the base; cut off the ends of the ligatures and push up the intestine. The patient is to be kept in bed until the ligatures come away. Another method is to excise two or three folds of mucous membrane at the margin of the anus. Hitric acid, Caustic potash and Nitrate of Silver have also been used to produce superficial sloughs on the prolapsed membrane. These operations belong rather to the province of surgery than to medicine.