Dr. Child says among primitive people, woman is notoriously free from many
of the diseases to which her sister in our present-day civilization is
especially prone. As we ascend the scale of civilization, departing from a
natural and adopting an artificial mode of life we find nature enacts due
penalties for the transgression of her laws. The female among savage
tribes has every advantage and opportunity to develop physical perfection,
and her endurance suffers little, if any, by comparison with the male. How
different is our modern system when the young girls are sent early to
school and subjected daily to long hours of study, often in badly
ventilated class-rooms, for nine months in the year, and this at the time
of puberty, one of the most important periods of their life when they need
plenty of out-door exercise. Surely, as Goodell says, "If woman is to be
thus stunted and deformed to meet the ambitious intellectual demands of
the day, if her health must be sacrificed upon the altar of her education,
the time may come when to renew the worn out stock of the Republic it will
be necessary for our young men to make matrimonial excursions into lands
where educational theories are unknown."
[494 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Menstruation.--Many of the disorders of menstruation are due to
carelessness and neglect of this function. There should be rest of both
body and mind at this time, and especially at puberty. Rest is seldom
allowed, but the daily routine is gone through, regardless of what may
happen.
Dress.--The way the abdomen is now constricted, and this is now a
prominent feature of women's mode of dress, is without doubt an important
predisposing cause in female diseases. This contraction of the normal size
of the cavity of the abdomen, with the subsequent compression and
displacement of its organs, must of necessity produce dynamic (powerful)
changes in the pelvis that cannot be otherwise than injurious to the
pelvic organs. Tight lacing or any lacing, aside from the remote effects
so unnatural a practice must produce, causes marked atrophy (dwindling) of
the abdominal muscles. These are often so weakened that during labor they
cannot properly assist the uterus (womb) in effecting delivery, and as a
result instrumental interference, with its attendant dangers becomes
necessary.
Prevention of Conception.--This is a very common practice among civilized
women, and it has a most destructive effect upon the pelvic organs, as
well as upon the general system.
Criminal abortion.--The chief danger from the criminal interruption of
pregnancy is sepsis (absorption of poisons) into the system. This may be
acute in character and have a fatal termination, or chronic in nature,
leading to permanent injury of the womb and fallopian tubes, sterility and
chronic invalidism.
Child birth.--Pelvic diseases frequently come from injuries received
during labor.
Venereal diseases.--Dr. Child says, "Syphilis exerts its usual baneful
influence, but gonorrhoea is responsible for more pathological (diseased)
lesions (conditions) in the female pelvis than any other one factor. Its
attack, if not resulting in ultimate loss of life, always leaves the
tissue in an impaired condition, from which resolution (returning to
natural condition) is rare. It is doubtful if a woman once infected with
gonorrhoea ever recovers from its ravages. As a cause of sterility its
power is beyond estimation."
INFLAMMATION OF THE VULVA.--(Vulvitis).--An acute or chronic inflammation
of the vulva (external genitals) either from a specific, like gonorrhoea,
or non-specific cause.
Causes.--Veit says, "Seventy-five per cent of the cases are caused by
gonorrhoea."
Other Causes.--Accumulation and decomposition of discharges from the womb
and vagina, inflammation of the inner lining of the womb and of the
vagina. Foul, putrid discharges from neglected supports (pessaries) and
tampons in the vagina; sloughings from cancer may act as exciting causes.
Contact with ammoniacal and sugar urines has a similar effect.
[WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 495]
In Infants.--It is usually due to want of cleanliness in failing to remove
decomposing urine and feces. Mothers often allow soiled, foul smelling
diapers to remain for a long time on the baby.
Symptoms and Condition of the Parts.--In the acute stage the mucous
membrane around the opening of the vagina is red, swollen, painful and
bathed in pus. The glands in the groin and glands of Bartholin are usually
enlarged and tender. The glands of Bartholin and those around the urethra
may become infected and fill with pus. The fatty glands of the labia
majora are also sometimes affected and then appears the disease called
Follicular Vulvitis (in the chronic stage secretion is abundant). The
parts feel hot and there is more or less burning and itching. Walking
makes the trouble worse, due to rubbing of the parts. Passing of urine
increases the distress.
When the disease is caused by gonorrhoea it is more extensive and involves
the vagina, urethra, the glands around the urethra and glands of
Bartholin. This gland infection frequently results in an abscess.
Treatment.--In the acute form the patient should go to bed and remain
there for some time. The parts should be kept constantly moist with a wet
antiseptic dressing, listerine, hot water, etc., applied to the vulva and
kept there.