_Description._
In this disease there is a partial or total obstruction of the menses in
women from other causes than pregnancy and old age. The menses should be
regular as to the quantity and quality; that this discharge should
observe the monthly period, is essential to health. When it is
obstructed, nature makes her efforts to obtain for it some other outlet;
if these efforts of nature fail, the consequence may be, fever, pulmonic
diseases, spasmodic affections, hysteria, epilepsy, mania, apoplexy,
green sickness, according to the general habit and disposition of the
patient. Any interruption occurring after the menses have once been
established in their regular course, except when occasioned by
conception, is always to be considered as a case of suppression. A
constriction of the extreme vessels, arising from accidental events,
such as cold, anxiety of mind, fear, inactivity of body, irregularities
of diet, putting on damp clothes, the frequent use of acids and other
sedatives, &c., is the cause which evidently produces a suppression of
the menses. This shows the necessity for certain cautions and attentions
during the discharge. In some few cases it appears as a symptom of other
diseases, and particularly of general debility in the system, showing a
want of due action of the vessels. When the menses have been suppressed
for any considerable length of time, it not unfrequently happens that
the blood which should have passed off by the uterus, being determined
more copiously and forcibly to other parts, gives rise to hemorrhages;
hence it is frequently poured out from the nose, stomach, lungs, and
other parts, in such cases. At first, however, febrile or inflammatory
symptoms appear, the pulse is hard and frequent, the skin hot, and there
is a severe pain in the head, back, and loins. Besides, the patient is
likewise much troubled with costiveness, colic pains, and dyspeptic and
hysteric symptoms.
_Treatment._
It will be necessary, in the treatment of this disease, to remove urgent
symptoms if they are present. If the patient is in severe pain, give the
_diaphoretic powders_,[3] and at the same time let a strong infusion of
_garden thyme_ and _pennyroyal_ be freely given. Immerse the feet in
warm lye water, and rub well with coarse flannel. If relief is not
obtained in the course of an hour, or in a very short time, a strong
decoction of bitter herbs should be thrown into a proper vessel, and the
patient steamed fifteen or twenty times, as long as she is able to bear,
or until perspiration is produced; immediately after which let her be
put in bed, covered warm, and the herbs be enclosed in flannel or
muslin, and applied to the lower part of the abdomen or belly. This
process will almost immediately relieve the urgent symptoms. After this
our next object will be, to regulate the menstrual discharge, by a
proper course of strengthening medicine; that recommended under the head
of _chlorosis_, or _a retention of the menses_, may be taken with
advantage. Inasmuch as both proceed from debility, it is evident that it
must be removed in order to effect a cure; and, therefore, that medicine
and treatment which strengthen and invigorate the system, will
invariably benefit the patient. The skin, stomach, and intestines, all
seem concerned in the production of this disease, and hence our
attention should be directed to a restoration of their proper offices:
the stomach and bowels should be cleansed and stimulated to a healthy
action; perspiration must be promoted, and, in short, every secretion
and excretion of the system. If the stomach is in a morbid condition,
let an emetic be occasionally given, and afterwards a dose of
_mandrake_; both of which may be repeated as occasion requires. The
patient may then take the following tonic bitters: Take prickly ash
bark, two ounces; wild cherry tree bark, two ounces; Seneca snake-root,
one ounce; tansy, one ounce; gum socotrine aloes, half an ounce; devil’s
bit, two ounces: pulverize; to every two ounces of the powder add half a
pint of boiling water and one quart of Holland gin, and half a
wineglassful taken three or four times a day. This may be continued
while it agrees with the patient, or as long as benefit is derived.
About once a month there will generally be felt more or less symptoms
preceding a catamenial discharge; considerable pain will be felt through
the lower part of the abdomen, hips, and loins, showing that there is a
strong effort or struggle of nature to return the menses. Our principal
object, when this occurs, should be, to aid her salutary efforts, as
directed in the Retention of the Menses. The patient should sit over the
steam of _bitter herbs_ for ten or fifteen minutes, retaining the steam
by means of a blanket, to concentrate it upon the lower part of the
body; at the same time the feet may be bathed, and tansy tea freely
drunk. The abdomen should also be fomented, as before directed. It will
not be necessary, however, to use these means, except there is an
obvious indication to return the menses.[4]
It must be recollected that when the patient labors under some other
disease, there is such debility that there is not superfluous blood
sufficient to keep up the menstrual discharge; and in this case our
attention must be directed to the primary affection, without any regard
to such symptoms; it is also very necessary to bear in mind the fact,
that the menses are often suppressed from pregnancy. By a proper
attention, we can always discriminate between a suppression of the
menses and pregnancy; and the principal diagnostic symptom is, that in
the former complaint there is a pain or affection of the head, attended
with dizziness.