Acetate of lead 1 dram
Laudanum 1/2 ounce
Water enough for six ounces.
Mix and apply constantly with sterile cloths.
2. For chronic form Dr. Child says, "The vulva should be shaved, thoroughly
cleansed and a mild ointment applied daily thereafter," such as:
Salicylic acid 20 grains
Oxide of zinc 2 drams
Petrolatum enough for 1 ounce
Mix and make an ointment and apply daily.
If it is due to irritating discharges that cannot be checked, cleanse the
parts thoroughly and use the Zinc ointment to protect.
ITCHING OF THE VULVA.--Vulvae or Pruritus.--This intense itching is the
characteristic symptom. With the itching there is more or less swelling of
the parts and extreme nervous irritability.
Causes.--This is doubtful; some think it is a purely nervous condition.
Parts irritable.--The upper angle of the labia majora and the mons veneris
are the usual locations. The skin is inflamed thickened, raw, from the
continual scratching."
Symptoms.--The itching and burning are almost unbearable at times,
beginning most often around the clitoris, coming in paroxysms and made
worse by warmth and motion.
In chronic cases the skin is a little thickened and looks dull and dry and
is covered with small cracks and scratches, the result of the patient's
efforts to stop the itching.
[496 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Treatment.--Systematic, general tonic treatment. Diabetes, gout,
irritating discharges from the vagina and rectum should be removed. Pin
worms and highly acid urine sometimes cause it in children. Internally the
bromides to quiet the nerves and arsenic to build up the system should be
given.
Local.--Strong solutions of corrosive sublimate (1 to 1000), nitrate of
silver, tincture of iodine, and cocaine ointment give temporary relief.
Sometimes an operation is necessary.
CYSTS OF THE VULVA.--A cyst is a cavity containing fluid and surrounded by
a covering (capsule). The duct (canal) of the gland of Bartholin, situated
in the labia majora, sometimes closes and the secretions of the gland are
not cast out, thus forming the cyst.
Cause.--The closing is nearly always the result of gonorrhea.
Condition.--The cyst is formed in the duct, the gland itself being
affected rarely. It contains a thin sticky mucus. If the cyst arises in
the gland, the swelling is more deeply situated. These cysts may be
attacked with an acute inflammation and finally pus is formed in them, and
a very painful abscess is the result,
Symptoms.--There are no symptoms except from the size of the swelling
unless an abscess occurs. Then there is an acute local pain, quite tender
on pressure, and often high fever.
Treatment.--If the cyst is large it should be removed, especially if it
causes annoyance. If it becomes inflamed, rest in bed and cold
applications are indicated. If it goes on to an abscess, a free cut should
be made, the abscess scraped and good drainage given. Sometimes it is best
to use pure carbolic acid in the walls of the cyst.
INFLAMMATION OF THE VAGINA, (Vaginitis).--Vaginitis is an inflammation of
the mucous membrane of the vagina.
Varieties.--l. Catarrhal or simple 2. granular; 3. gonorrheal; 4.
diphtheritic, and 5. senile.
1. Catarrhal or simple form.--This is the most usual form. There is a
general redness of the membrane with swelling and increased secretion.
2. Granular.--This is an advanced stage of the simple type, and is due to
long continued or repeated attacks.
3. Gonorrheal form.--Is due to infection by the gonococcus of Neisser (due
to gonorrhea). This form is hardest to cure and may continue for years or
life, The infection may extend to the womb, fallopian tubes and peritoneal
cavity and produce inflammation of the womb (endometritis) pus in the
tubes, (pyosalpinx) and peritoneal cavity. This is more common than even
some physicians realize.
[WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT 497]