Mother's Remedies, Thomas Jefferson Ritter [reading well .TXT] 📗

in cases of this kind.

9. Leucorrhea, Home-Made Suppositories for.—"Take a small piece of medicated cotton, and saturate in pure glycerin and insert in the vagina at night, after a warm salt injection has been taken to thoroughly cleanse the parts." So many women of today are careless about taking injections, at least once or twice a week. Many of these diseases could be avoided in the beginning by women being more cleanly. This saturated cotton acts as a suppository absorbing the mattery secretion and in that way relieves the congestion.

[512 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]

10. Leucorrhea, a Good Home Remedy for.—"Cleanse the parts affected with warm water with a little castile or ivory soap in it, by means of an injection. Then inject a full syringe of the mixture, made by dropping a tablespoonful of extract of witch-hazel (Pond's is best) into warm water; repeat each night until cured." The injection of soap and water is one of the essential things to do for leucorrhea, as it cleanses the parts thoroughly and the witch-hazel is very soothing and healing.

11. Leucorrhea, a New York Doctor's Remedy for.—"Fluid extract of Oregon grape root (sometimes called mild grape) mixed with a simple syrup and given in teaspoonful doses, three times a day, is recommended by Dr. W. W. Myers, as a curative for leucorrhea."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.—First is to do away, if possible, with local disease, like inflammations, tear of the cervix, etc. The general system should be built up with tonics. The same treatment as for anemia and chlorosis will be usual for this trouble. Refer to those diseases.

Local.—The vagina should be kept as clean as possible with the hot water injections. To the hot water many simple remedies can be added with much benefit.

1. One ounce of white oak bark in a pint of boiling water makes a good injection for this trouble. Before any medicine is used the vagina should always be washed out by an injection of warm water. Then follow with the indicated injection and retain it as long as possible.

2. Tannic acid and glycerin, equal parts, one ounce to two quarts of warm water, is a good injection.

3. Lloyd's Golden Seal is splendid, used in the proportion of four teaspoonsful to a pint of warm water.

4. This combination gives good service:—

    Sulphate of Zinc 1 dram
    Sulphate of Alum 1 dram
    Glycerin 6 ounces

Put a tablespoonful to each quart of warm water and use as injection.

It is well to remember the injections must be given in large quantities, and used in a fountain syringe. A gallon can be used at one time.

5. Witch-hazel in warm water makes an excellent injection in many cases. It can be used in the proportion of one-fifth water of witch-hazel to four-fifths of warm water.

6. Many other simple remedies may be named, Cranesbill is one. Vaginal cones are now made for leucorrhea. These are used about every third night and a thorough injection taken the next day. There are many varieties, most of them are good and can be bought at any drug store.

[WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 513]

MENOPAUSE. (Change of Life). The active menstrual life lasts on an average for thirty years and ends between forty and fifty years of age. The courts have recognized the age of fifty-three years as the limit that a woman can become pregnant.

The onset of the change of life, may be sudden or gradual. The organs shrink and waste. The womb shrinks and part of its muscular tissue disappears and its walls become thin, soft and relaxed. The ovaries become small and harder. The vagina shortens and also becomes narrower. Sudden mental shock, wasting disease or change of climate, may cause a sudden appearance of the change of life.

Symptoms.—Many women hardly notice any change, as it comes on gradually. Other women have all kinds of bodily and mental symptoms, and some are afraid of becoming insane. The heart palpitates readily, feelings of heat and cold, flushes of heat of the face, followed by sudden sweating. Rush of blood to the head so quickly sometimes as to make the patient lose temporary consciousness. The spirits are very much depressed, sleeplessness is common in some women.

MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Change of Life, a Useful Herb Remedy for.— "Motherwort is one of the most useful herbs to relieve obstructed menstrual flow. There is no better herb for cleansing the womb and removing obstructions in the female at change of life. Dose: A wineglassful of the decoction three times a day."

2. Change of Life, excessive Flowing. An Old Tried Remedy for.—"One ounce of nutmeg, grated, one pint Jamaica rum. Mix well and shake before taking. Dose :—One teaspoonful three times a day as long as necessary." I tried this remedy upon the advice of a physician at the time of "change of life" and was very soon relieved, so I heartily recommend it.

3. Change of Life. Good Advice From an Experienced Mother.—"The first and most important point to consider is the general health of the patient. If the general health can be sustained there will be no danger attending this critical period of life. Therefore whatever form of disease may manifest itself the one object should be to seek a remedy in time. Take special pains to preserve general good health and take care not to overwork, take plenty of outdoor exercise and keep up a regular action of the bowels. Purify the blood with tonics if necessary."

PHYSICIANS' TREATMENT.—Exercise, fresh air, with freedom from worry, anxiety and care. Many women at this time of life need much encouragement, and cheerful company is a good tonic. Prominent annoying symptoms should be met with the proper medicine. Irregular bleeding of the womb at this time or after should lead to an examination as to its origin.

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CYSTOCELE—Cystocele is simply a tumor formed by the bladder pressing into the walls of the vagina. The bladder descends into the pelvis on account of relaxation or destruction of its normal support. The anterior wall of the vagina yields.

Causes.—Tear of the perineum allows the bottom of the pelvis to relax. Undue relaxation of the ligaments of the bladder and of the floor of the pelvis, with over distention of the bladder, are responsible for the majority of the cases.

Symptoms.—Weight and dragging feeling. A tumor can be felt in the vagina.
It decreases when the bladder is emptied.

Treatment.—Supports are suitable in some cases (Skene's pessary). An operation is necessary in many cases.

RECTOCELE.—The muscle that holds up the lower end of the rectum is relaxed or torn and this deprives the lower end of the rectum of its support so that during expulsion of the feces forward distention of the anterior wall of the rectum into the vagina results. The posterior wall of the vagina is carried before the advancing anterior rectal wall, and appears at the entrance of the vagina as a bulging tumor which is increased in size with every effort of the rectum to cast out the feces.

Causes.—Hard child-birth (labor) and the long time the head of the child was resting on the perineum. This resulted in an overstretching or tear of the muscle that holds up the lower end of the bowel and the parts were necessarily weakened.

Symptoms.—It is hard to entirely empty the rectum because of the presence of the tumor. This is soft, rounded, increasing and decreasing in size and disappears upon pressure.

Treatment.—Keep, if possible, the tumor from getting larger, regulate the bowels.

An operation may be necessary to restore the parts to their normal condition. A physician must be consulted.

[OBSTETRICS OR MIDWIFERY 515] OBSTETRICS OR MIDWIFERY

Small bodies are contained in the ovaries. These are called eggs or ova. The human egg is about 1/125 of an inch in diameter. This egg enlarges and one or more escape from the ovaries, usually about the time of the monthly sickness, and are caught by the ends of the Fallopian tube, enter its canal and are carried into the womb. After they have arrived in the womb they are, as a rule, cast off with the secretion and leave the body. If in the course of its travel from the ovaries, through the tube to the womb, the female ovum or egg meets with the male elements, fertilization or impregnation may take place. If then it is not cast off it generally lodges in the womb and pregnancy has begun. The male and female elements are usually supposed to meet in the outer portion of the Fallopian tubes, fertilization then taking place; but this can occur any place from the ovary to the womb. When the fertilized egg enters the womb it is usually arrested in the folds of the womb membrane nearest the opening of the tube and at once attaches itself to the womb wall. The folds by which it is surrounded then grow forward and their edges unite over the egg or ovum forming a sac—the decidua reflexa. Then follows the development of this ovum and with it the development of the womb, and this growth or development constitutes the process which is called pregnancy.

The Embryo or impregnated egg is nourished in the womb by measures preparing for it. The placenta or after-birth forms during the third month of pregnancy. Its function is to furnish nourishment breathing (respiration) and excreting power to the embryo or impregnated egg. The fully developed after-birth is a roundish spongy mass with a diameter of about eight inches and weighs about one pound. It is usually thickest at the center, the edges thinning out to the membranes. The inner surface is smooth and glistening and is covered by a membrane (amnion) and beneath this two arteries and a vein branch in all directions.

The cord is attached to the inner surface of the after-birth and is of a glistening white color, varying in thickness, and is about twenty-two inches long, but it may be longer or shorter. It contains two arteries and a vein, which run in a somewhat spinal course.

DEVELOPMENT AT DIFFERENT MONTHS.—

First month.—There are indications of the eyes, mouth and anus. The extremities are rudimentary. The heart is 4/10 of an inch long.

Second month.—It is now about one inch long. The eyes, nose and ears can be distinguished. External genitals. There are suggestions of the hands and feet.

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Third month.—The ovum is now the size of a goose-egg. Fingers and toes separate, nails look like fine membranes. The neck separates the head from the body. The sex can now be told. Length is five inches. Weight about 460 grains.

Fourth month.—Six inches long and now weighs 850 grains. Short hairs are present. Head equal to about one-fourth entire body. May perceive quickening.

Fifth month.—Ten inches long; weighs eight ounces. Eyelids begin to separate. Heart sounds can be heard. Quickening takes place.

Sixth month.—Twelve inches long; weighs 23-1/2 ounces. There is hair on the head, eyebrows and eyelashes are present. Testicles show near the abdominal rings (openings).

Seventh month.—Fifteen inches long; weight 41-1/2 ounces. Pupillary membrane disappears.

Eighth month.—Sixteen inches long; weight 3-1/2 pounds. Left testicle has descended into the scrotum. Nails protrude to end of finger tips.

Ninth month.—Eighteen inches long; weighs 4-1/2 to 7 pounds. Features are complete.

While this growth goes on in the embryo the womb itself shows changes. The virgin womb averages 2-3/4 inches in length, 1-3/4 inches in width and 1 inch in thickness and weighs about 12 drams. At term (confinement) the womb is about 14 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 9-1/2 inches thick. This increase in size is necessary for its growing contents and is due to both an enlargement of its tissues (hypertrophy) and to an increase in the number of its cells (hyperplasia). The muscular fibres are elongated to about 11 inches, and they are five times thicker than they are in a womb that is not pregnant. The cervix or neck of the womb participates but little in these changes, and remains practically the same until a few weeks before confinement. It becomes softened as the result of congestion, and the glands are more active, secreting a thick glairy mucus. The canal also is more or less dilated.

While this process is going on in the womb, various other conditions show themselves, sometimes in the parts of the body so distant that it may not be easy to discover the connection with the womb. Almost any part of the body is liable to show changes from its normal condition; and yet some of these changes are so constant and regular as to be regarded as