_Description._
The menstrual discharge is liable, from many causes, to become
obstructed at the period when it ought to appear; when this takes place
it is attended with very painful or serious effects; and, if nature is
not assisted, the health is impaired or the constitution undermined,
inducing consumption or some other complaint.
_Causes._
The remote cause of this complaint is most frequently suppressed
perspiration; and it may arise, in part, from an inactive sedentary
life, and such habits as are peculiar to the higher classes of society,
particularly in cities and towns. The proximate cause of it seems to be
a want of power in the system, arising from inability to propel the
blood into the uterine vessels with sufficient force to open their
extremities and to allow a discharge of blood from them.
_Symptoms._
Heaviness, listlessness to motion, fatigue on the least exercise,
palpitation of the heart, pains in the back, loins, and hips,
flatulence, acidities in the stomach and bowels, costiveness, a
preternatural appetite for chalk, lime, and various other absorbents,
together with many other dyspeptic symptoms. As it advances in its
progress the face becomes pale, and afterward assumes a yellowish hue,
even verging upon green, whence it has been called green sickness; the
lips lose their rosy color; the eyes are encircled with a livid areola;
the whole body has an unhealthy appearance, with every indication of a
want of power and energy in the constitution; the feet are affected with
swellings; the breathing is much hurried by any great exertion of the
body; the pulse is quick, but small; and the person is liable to a
cough, and to many of the symptoms of hysteria. Sometimes a great
quantity of pale urine is discharged in the morning, and not
unfrequently hectic fever attends. In cases of a more chronic character
there is a continued, though variable, state of sallowness, yellowness,
darkness, or a wan, squalid, or sordid paleness of complexion, or ring
of darkness surrounding the eyes, and extending perhaps a little toward
the temples and cheeks.
_Treatment._
As this disease proceeds from debility, it is evident that the great
object to be fulfilled will be to give tone and energy to the system;
and if this debility has arisen from a sedentary life, the patient must
begin immediately to exercise in the open air, and, if practicable, to
change her residence. The tepid or warm bath should be used in
preference to the cold. The first medicine given may be the pulverized
_mandrake root_, combined with a little _cream of tartar_. This, as well
as other medicines, should be taken upon an empty stomach: after it has
been given, _motherwort_, _pennyroyal_, and other herb teas may be
freely drunk. After the exhibition of the purgative, which may be
occasionally repeated, _gum aloes_ may be taken, combined in such a
manner as to prevent the piles. This medicine, from its action upon the
uterus through the medium of the rectum, is very useful in retention of
the menses. _Emmenagogues_, or “forcing medicines,” should not be used
to bring on the menses, except there be a struggle or effort of nature
to effect it, which may be known by the periodical pains and pressing
down about the hips and loins. When this occurs let the feet be bathed,
and perspiration promoted, by drinking freely of diluent teas, such as
_pennyroyal_, _motherwort_, and _garden thyme_. Should considerable
pains attend the complaint, eight or ten grains of the _diaphoretic
powders_ may be given, and _fomentations of bitter herbs_ applied over
the region of the womb. _Desomeaux’s Portuguese Pills_ are now
recommended as the best specific, especially if the disease proves
obstinate.
The female should be very careful not to expose herself to the
vicissitudes of the weather, and not suffer the feet or clothes to
become wet: warm clothing must be worn, and particularly flannel. For
pain apply a heated brick, covered, to the bowels.
The diet should be light, nutritious, and easy of digestion.