Mother's Remedies Part 135

SALPINGITIS. Inflammation of the Fallopian Tubes.--It may be either acute or chronic in character.

Condition.--The tissues of the tubes become swollen when the inflammation runs into the pus stage; the finger-shaped end (outer end) is usually closed by adhesions, the pus acc.u.mulates in the tube and we have pus in the tube, or what is technically called [pyo. (pus) Salpinx (tube)]

Pyosalpinx. In long standing cases the pus is absorbed or degenerates into a thin watery fluid, forming watery fluid in the tube or [hydro (water) Salpinx (tube)]--hydrosalpinx.

The tube may become attached to neighboring organs. The pus or fluid may drain occasionally into the womb and v.a.g.i.n.a. It may go into the bladder or bowels.

Causes.--It is usually caused by invading germs from the womb. Gonorrhea is the cause of the most cases.

Symptom.--This disease follows the same kind of an infection in the womb and v.a.g.i.n.a; the patient complains of pain in the region of the tube, a little to the side or sides of the womb, and the pain is made worse by motion, exercise or long standing. If it is the acute variety, the temperature rises, the pulse grows faster, and sometimes there is nausea and vomiting.

[WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 503]

The Symptoms of the Chronic Variety are due to congestion and adhesions.

There is a constant pain in the region of the tube and the patient protects herself when she walks, rides or sits down. There are difficult, painful monthly periods and too much flow. The history shows gonorrhea or septic infection, that is, disease caused by the absorption of products of putrefaction.

Treatment of the Acute Kind.--First thing is absolute rest and quiet in bed. Then prolonged hot injections in the v.a.g.i.n.a of hot water, and if you wish, one teaspoonful of listerine, etc., in each injection. Put a hot-water bag to the sore side, or fomentations of different remedies, like hops, catnip, pennyroyal, smart-weed. The applications should not be of great weight. The bowels should be kept open.

For Chronic Variety.--This frequently calls for an operation. When the symptoms are due to inflammation in the tube alone, ten per cent strength of ichthyol and glycerin tampons placed behind the lower part of the womb three times a week do much to improve the condition.

This is an unfortunate disease, and it must be closely watched for symptoms that may arise from a pus condition. There are many cases of this kind in our public hospitals, and when they are due to gonorrhea they may have been caused by the husband who had an acute or latent gonorrhea--an attack he thought cured.

DISEASES OF THE OVARY.

Inflammation of the Ovary or Ovaritis.--This is an inflammation of the ovary and it may be either acute or chronic.

In the acute form the ovary is slightly enlarged and the follicles on the circ.u.mference are distended and filled with thick fluid or pus.

In the chronic variety the ovary may be small and contain cysts; there is a destruction of the follicles and a hardened condition develops. The function of the ovary is then impaired.

Causes.--Gonorrhea, septic infection from adjacent tissues, acute fever diseases, mumps, and peritonitis. Falling (prolapse) often gives rise to chronic inflammation.

Symptoms.--Pain in the lower abdomen (pelvis), difficult and painful menstruation, too much monthly flow (menorrhagia), and painful intercourse.

Treatment.--Ichthyol (ten percent) and glycerin tampons placed behind the lower back part of the womb three times a week. The bowels should be kept open with salts. The diet should be milk or liquid. Sometimes an operation is necessary. In the department on operations this subject will be touched upon in regard to operations.

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.--Change of the mode of life, and proper hygienic measures will generally be all that is needed.

[504 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

TUMORS OF THE OVARY.--Cystoma is the most common tumor of the ovary. The word "cystoma" means a cyst tumor, or cystic tumor. A cyst means a cavity containing fluid and surrounded by a covering (capsule). Ovarian cyst or tumors is often seen in print these days. Ovarian tumor takes in the cystic variety, cancer and sarcoma, two malignant tumors.

Symptoms.--These depend upon the size of the tumors. The large tumors are generally cystic. Examination of the v.a.g.i.n.a shows the pelvis filled by a tense, watery, fluctuating ma.s.s. Examining the abdomen, the abdomen is seen more or less distended by a regular swelling, and sometimes this is enormous. The abdomen is rounded and there is no bulging at the sides like there is in ascites (dropsy). The navel is not prominent. The tumor can be outlined. It cannot be in ascites.

Treatment.--In bygone years tapping was done for these tumors. If it gets large or the health fails, an operation should be performed. This is very successful in uncomplicated cases. Inside of two months the patient is about well. I know I have saved many lives of women by recommending an operation for such tumors.

For the congested ovary, treatment by tampons and medicine often helps. I have frequently given a medicine called Apis-Mel for this condition and with success. I give it in tablets of 1/100 of a grain regularly four times a day.

MENSTRUATION AND ITS DISORDERS.--Normal menstruation occurs monthly in the female. There is a flow of blood from the cavity of the womb. The time for its beginning is different in different countries, it being earlier in warm climates, ten to twelve years, and later in cold ones (fifteen to seventeen years); the average is fourteen years.

Pregnancy suspends menstruation and often nursing the child does, also.

Menstruation continues longer in robust, healthy women. Change of life (Menopause) occurs usually between forty and fifty years. The healthy girl and woman comes around every twenty-eight to thirty days. This is the usual time. The flow lasts from two to eight days and the quant.i.ty is about one ounce each day. A slight feeling of weight and fullness in the lower abdomen (pelvis) should be the only symptom present in a healthy female. The blood lost should not cause any special degree of weakness.

PREMATURE MENSTRUATION. Too early menstruation.--Premature or precocious menstruation is when it occurs before p.u.b.erty. This is in part hereditary, but bad a.s.sociations may be a cause of this early menstruation.

Treatment.--The cause, if possible, should be removed. The nerves should be kept quiet by rest and, if needed, general tonics like iron, a.r.s.enic, and nux vomica prescribed and given.

[WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 505]

DELAYED MENSTRUATION.--This is often caused by slow development of the generative organs. The girl may not come around until seventeenth to nineteenth year.

Causes.--It may be due to heredity. Lack of proper nourishment and proper exercise are the most important causative factors.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES.--l. Obstruction of Monthly Flow.--An herb combination for.

Poplar Bark 2 ounces Ginger 1/2 ounces Bayberry 1 ounce Cinnamon 1/2 ounce Anise Seed 1/2 ounce Golden Seal 1/4 ounce

Mix well and give a teaspoonful in a cup of boiling water sweetened with sugar two or three times a day. Excellent in obstructions of the monthly periods, debility, loss of appet.i.te, etc. This combination is fine when used as a tonic. It is stimulating and has been known to cure many severe cases.

2. To Promote the Menses, Smartweed for.--"Smartweed is good to promote the menses. Always steep in cold water; never boil. Dose.--Two teaspoonsful every hour. Be sure to take warm."

VICARIOUS MENSTRUATION (In place of).--When menstruation is absent or suppressed, bleeding sometimes occurs periodically, from the ear, nose, any existing raw surface, leg, ulcer, and from the respiratory (breathing) tract, and also from the bowels.

AMENORRHEA.--This is absence of menstruation.

Causes.--Delayed p.u.b.erty, anemia (want of proper blood) chlorosis (green sickness). diabetes, malaria, tuberculosis and acute illness may cause it.

Sometimes change of climate causes it and nursing baby too long.

Symptoms.--If it is a.s.sociated with atresia, that is, want of the normal outlet, of course no signs of flowing can show, but colicky, cramp-like, monthly pains appear in the lower abdomen. These increase in severity as the retained blood distends the womb.

Treatment.--If there is no opening for the v.a.g.i.n.a or cervix one must be made, by operation. If it is due to anemia or chlorosis, Blaud's pills will benefit. The following is the formula:

Dried Sulphate of Iron 2 drams Carbonate of Potash 2 drams Syrup--Sufficient quant.i.ty to make forty-eight pills.

Take one to three pills three times a day, after meals.