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.
[514 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
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]