large for the space it ordinarily fills, hence there will be more or
less _displacement_ of the womb, and crowding upon other parts, as the
bladder or rectum. In some cases, the swelling is more on one side than
on the other, so that it will be crowded over to the opposite side.
These displacements are often called _prolapsus uteri_, or "_falling of
the womb_," carrying the idea that the difficulty depends upon a morbid
relaxation of the ligaments that support the organ. Not one case in a
hundred is of this latter character, but nearly, if not all, depend upon
the inflammation and swelling above mentioned. How futile then, not to
say _hurtful_, must be all instruments for, and all attempts at
replacing and supporting it by _force_! All such mechanical meddling is
injurious, and should, with all the "supporters," be condemned and
discarded.
They may afford temporary relief, but this is at the expense of future
health. Cure the disease, relieve the inflammation, and nature will
replace the organ. Leucorrhoea is always present where there is
ulceration of the neck of the womb, and this ulcerated condition exists
to a greater or less extent, in many cases where it is not suspected by
the patient. It is vastly more prevalent than is generally supposed. The
_symptoms_ are numerous. Among the more prominent are a sense of weight
and bearing down in the pelvis, pains extending down the limbs, aching
and weakness of the small of the back, headache, more or less gastric
disturbance, dyspepsia, the food souring on the stomach. There is often,
especially when there are ulcers on the parts, a distressing sense of
heat or a smarting sensation. The menstrual function is frequently
deranged, the bowels costive, the urethra, by being pressed, becomes
irritable and burns and smarts whenever the urine is evacuated. The
sleep is disturbed and unrefreshing, and the whole nervous system is
unstrung.
The discharge from the diseased surfaces, in an ordinary case without
ulceration, is of a mucous or muco-purulent character, not unlike an
ordinary catarrhal secretion. When ulceration exists it is dark, fetid
or bloody, or sanious and purulent, sometimes it is acrid, excoriating
the parts.
TREATMENT.
Inflammation or ulceration, either acute or chronic, in these parts does
not differ essentially in its characteristics from the same affection in
other mucous surfaces.
The proper treatment for a catarrh of other mucous surfaces will be
applicable to these, though there is no doubt but that some medicines
are more specifically adapted to these than to other organs.
In the early stage of the complaint, while the inflammation is acute, or
sub-acute, the discharge thin or white, _Copaiva_ and _Macrotin_ are to
be given once in 6 hours alternately. During the same time let
injections into the vagina of warm soap and water be used twice a day,
to cleanse the parts of the secretion, followed in half an hour by a
wash of warm water, into which _tr. of Macrotys_ has been put in
proportion of 40 drops to half a pint. The application should be made
with an 8 ounce or at least 6 ounce curved pipe syringe, so as to throw
it with considerable force. If there is a burning sensation, use the
washes quite warm, until the heat of the parts is allayed. Avoid the use
of _cold_ injections as long as any inflammation exists. If the bearing
down is present with burning in the parts, _Bell._ is to be used in
rotation with the two former remedies. If the sensation is that of
smarting, _Cantharis_ is to be used in place of Bell.
Where the disease comes on soon after child-birth, _Podophyllin is the
Specific_. It is to be given at the first attenuation three times daily
in half gr. doses of the trituration. In this case let the parts be
freely washed daily with a solution of borax, quite warm. In the
_chronic_ form of the disease, especially where _barrenness_ exists,
_Macrotin_, _Podophyllin_ and _Hydrastin_, given morning, noon and
night, in the order named, will, in nearly all cases, afford relief.
For females who have never borne children, give _Phos. acid_, 2d and
_Eryrgium Aquaticum_ 1, night and morning for a week, and then give them
at the 3d dilution until the symptoms subside. If there are headache and
derangement of the stomach, _Macrotin_ and _Podophyllin_ should be
used, each once a day, between the latter remedies. When the discharge
is colored and the pains darting, cutting or smarting, indicating
ulceration, or if ulceration is discovered by examination, use
_Macrotin_ and _Hydrastin_ internally, injecting the latter upon the
affected parts freely. The ulcerated surfaces should be well washed off
every day with soap and water, or a solution of borax, and the medicine
(_Hydrastin_) in form of infusion, used half an hour after the other
wash. If the neck of the womb looks dark, and is ulcerated, or is hard
and painful to the touch, especially on probing the cavity, _Cornus
Sericea_ must be used both as a wash to the parts, and at the first
dilution internally, using them twice a day. This remedy will often cure
malignant cases.
It takes a long time in some instances to cure a chronic case, but if
persevered in, these remedies will not be likely to fail.[2]
[2] NOTE.--The late Prof. Morrow was remarkably successful, and became
justly celebrated for curing hard cases of Leucorrhoea ulceration and
"Prolapsus uteri."
Almost his entire reliance in their treatment were the _Macrotys_ and
_Caulophyllum_, given internally and by injection upon the parts. He
gave the Macrotys in the form of tincture every day to the extent of
producing specific head symptoms when he discontinued it till the next
day, using the Caulophyllum in the meantime in small doses. He rarely if
ever failed.
Morning Sickness of Pregnant Females.
The most efficient and certain remedy for this symptom is _Macrotin_. It
should be taken at the first attenuation, a dose before rising in the
morning, and one every six hours during the day, as long as the sickness
is troublesome. It will generally relieve in a few days. If the stomach
is sour use _Pulsatilla_ with the _Macrotin_.
As a _preparation for labor_, a dose (one grain) of _Macrotin_ at the
first attenuation given in the morning, and the same of _Caulophyllin_
at evening, is of great service.
Whatever others may think or say in relation to any preparatory
treatment for labor, I have reason to know as well as anything in
medicine be known, that patients treated as here directed, pass through
labor much quicker, frequently in one-fourth the usual time. Their
sufferings are comparatively trifling, and the length of time for
recovery to ordinary health after labor is abridged from three-fourths
to nine-tenths that of former labors. I am quite confident that the
medicines produced this difference.
For _irregularity of labor pains_, and for distressing _after pains_,
the _Caulophyllin_ is specific.
During labor it should be given at the 2d attentuation in about half
grain doses, every half hour, until the pains are regular. Two or three
doses at most, and generally one will suffice.
For the after pains it may be given in alternation with _Ipecac_ or
_Aconite_ if there is flooding, or with _Pulsatilla_ when the flooding
is not troublesome, a dose once in half an hour, until the pains are
checked.
For _Rigidity_ of the soft parts and severe, _retarded and long
protracted labor_, where the pains are strong and irregular, and great
pain and exhaustion is experienced on account of the unyielding
condition of the parts, _Lobelia Inflata_ given in drop doses of the tr.
in water, once in twenty minutes, in alternation with _Caulophyllin_ as
above directed, will in a short time produce the proper condition of the
parts, while they render the pains stronger, regular and progressive.
In urgent cases I have given the medicines every 5 or 10 minutes, with
decided benefit.
A Useful Hint to Mothers.
Children push beans, peas, corn, &c., into the nose and ear, causing
much alarm. To remove such a body take a syringe that works tightly, put
the end of the pipe against the bean, shot, or other substance, draw
back the piston so as to _suck_ up the article firmly as the pipe is
withdrawn from the cavity.
LOCAL APPLICATIONS.
That medicines act locally, that is, manifest their symptoms by peculiar
derangement or disturbance of some particular part of the system, more
prominently than of any other part, for the time, no one will deny. That
each one has some particular locality or tissue upon which its action is
more perceptible than anywhere else, is equally undeniable, and that the
prominent symptoms are often external and local, is also true. Yet, with
these truths clearly demonstrated, there are those of our school who
discard the external or local application of all remedies except
_Arnica_.
Why this is done, is difficult to determine, unless we can believe that
such physicians suppose it to be _heresy_ to make use of any remedy in a
different manner from what was recommended by the "Father of
Homoeopathy," and abjure all possibility of _improvement_ in our
practice.
That nearly if not all medicines, may be applied externally with
advantage, when there are local manifestations similar to those produced
by the drugs, there can be no doubt in the mind of any sensible man.
That they will act favorably when so used is _reasonable_, as a matter
of theory, and that they do, as a matter of fact, has been _proven_ to
my mind, by abundant experience in their use. Therefore, I hesitate not
to recommend the practice to others. Medicines must act either by
combination with the affected part, or by _Catalysis_, changing the
molecular action of the living tissues. In either case, they must come
directly in contact with the part to be affected. This _must_ be done
through the circulation, when taken internally, or it _may_ be done by
direct application of the remedy to the diseased tissue, when that is so
situated as to be reached. The difference is greatly in favor of the
latter mode when that is practicable, from the greater certainty of its
results. This assertion is based, not upon vague hypothesis, but upon
_actual practice_.
Entertaining these views, however heretical they may be pronounced, I
shall proceed to mention some of the remedies I have learned to use
thus, and the cases for which they are prescribed. I would remark that,
in selecting a remedy, it must be done with as much certainty of its
homoeopathic relation to the local or general symptoms for external as
for internal use. I have found, however, that much lower attenuations
are requisite and admissible.
ARNICA is highly applicable to _bruises_, and is valuable also when
applied to lacerated or mangled surfaces, to the surface of the limb
where a bone is fractured, also about the joint when it has been
dislocated. It is to be used in the form of _Arnicated water_, by
putting one or two drops to a gill of water for application where the
skin is ruptured or the surface raw, and ten to twenty drops to the
gill, upon parts where the skin is sound. It is useful also, for
_boils_, and _carbuncles_ in the _early stage_, the _strong tincture_ to
be applied when the surface is sound, and (to boils) when the surface is
open, one drop to a gill of water.
Aconite
Is applicable to inflamed eyes, in the early stage, where the disease is
in the conjunctiva, (that portion which lines the lids and covers the
front of the ball), especially if there is a sense of scratching, as
though some foreign substance is in the eye, great intolerance of light,
chilly sensations, with more or less fever, and quick pulse. Put three
or four drops to a gill of warm water, and apply it freely.
It is also very valuable for _Neuralgia_, applied strong and warm, along
the course, or at the origin of the affected nerve. In neuralgia of the
face, apply it upon the side of the face, also just behind and below the
ear of the affected side.
It is of much value as a remedy for neuralgic affections of the womb. I
have relieved the most distressing symptoms of neuralgia of the womb, in
a few minutes, by injecting warm water containing twenty to forty drops
of _tr. Aconite_ to the pint. By repeating this application at every
paroxysm, patients recover rapidly, each succeeding attack being
lighter, and the interval between being longer, until they cease
entirely. It may be used with much benefit in the same manner, for
_Hysteritis_, as well as recent cases of _Leucorrhoea_. It is the most
valuable remedy applied to the _Eye_ for a _wound_ of that organ.
In _Gonorrhoea_, it is more valuable as a local remedy, than most of
those now in use. It will frequently cure alone. In this case, it is to
be used with an equal part of the _tr_. and warm water.
Belladonna
has great power as a local remedy in _Erysipelas_, to be applied with
water in proportion of ten drops of the _tr._ to a gill of warm water.
It is also of much value applied to the surface of inflamed breasts;
also injected when there is inflammation of the _uterus_, with pressing
pains as though the bowels would be pressed out. _Very valuable_ in
parturition where there is rigidity of the _os uteri_, with fullness of
the head and throbbing of the temples. It has the specific power to
relax circular fibres without affecting the longitudinal.
Calendula,
is applied to wounds, _incised_ and _lacerated_, promoting healing by
the first intention. It is a valuable application for wounds in
scrofulous persons, which tend to suppurate rather than heal by the
first intention. It is also useful in old sores.
The _Calendula Cerate_ is one of the best of dressings for any abraded
surface.
Conium
is valuable as a _palliative_ upon cancerous tumors. As a _curative
remedy_ it is useful in chronic ophthalmia, especially the purulent of
children; useful also for _indurated_ swellings.
Thuya
is a specific when locally used for _Sycosis_, also for fungoid
cancerous tumors. I have cured well-marked cases of _Fungus Hæmatodes_
with the tinct. Thuya applied to the surface of the tumor.
The _Thuja Cerate_ is a valuable application for malignant ulcers.
Cornus Sericea
will often cure malignant ulcers both of the breast and uterus, used as
a wash.
Arsenicum
acts favorably on cancers, and is a specific when applied to the surface
of _carbuncle_.
Ipecac
acts very beneficially when applied to the surface where there is high
fever, with nausea and vomiting. Half an ounce of _tr._ Ipecac to two
quarts of tepid water, applied with a sponge to the whole surface, acts
like magic in yellow fever, allaying the nausea, producing free and
health-restoring perspiration.
Rhus Tox,
applied, with water at the strength of thirty drops of the _tr._ to a
gill, to parts affected with _Rheumatism_, acts very beneficially. It is
also a most valuable application at half the above strength upon parts
affected with Erysipelas, when the surface is swollen, and there are
vessicles filled with fluid like a blister in burns.
It is also useful for sores that exist as the chronic effects of burns
when the proper treatment had not been used in the beginning, and the
healing process was never perfected.
_Rhus Cerate_ is a very useful application to irritable ulcers.
Hepar Sulphur
is a specific for _Itch and Scald Head,_ applied in form of a wash with
twenty to thirty drops of _tr. Hepar Sul._ to a gill of water. Also for
ill-conditioned scrofulous ulcers, generally.
Cuprum Aceticum.
(_Acetate of Copper Verdigris_) applied to _Cancerous_ ulcers of the
face, _Lupus_ or _Noli-me-tangere_, in the early stage, will in most
cases effect a perfect cure, especially if for a week previously the
part has been wet daily with _tr. Thuja_. The best mode of applying the
_acetate_ is to mix the impalpable powder, as prepared for paint, with
some substance to form a cerate, as equal parts of bees-wax and mutton
suet, with 1-50 to 1-100 part of the pure _acetate_ as found in the
bottom of the can, when prepared in oil for paint; heat all together and
stir until cool. This forms a good plaster for covering and shielding
the sore while its medicinal property is in the _Cuprum Aceticum_
diluted as above. It is quite useful for any ill conditioned ulcer.
Acetic Acid
is a most efficient remedy applied to old irritable _varicose ulcers_ on
the limbs of females who have suffered from _Phlegmasia Dolens_, (milk
leg.)
It may be applied as a wash to the part once or twice a day at the
strength of 1-20th of the acid with water, or in the form of good cider
vinegar.
The manufactured vinegar of the cities does _not_ usually contain acetic
acid.
ARUM TRIPHYLLUM is a specific to allay the inflammation and excessive
pain in _scrofulous swellings_ of the neck, (_Kings Evil_.) The pure
drug in powder, wet with warm water, or the green root bruised so as to
form a poultice, is to be applied over the swelling. It soon discusses
the swelling, or if pus has already formed, allays the the pain, and
brings the pus to the surface, and if continued, disposes it to heal
rapidly.
BAPTISIA TINCTORIA applied as a poultice either in the powdered drug, or
with some other substance wet with the infusion or _tr._, _arrests
gangrene_ in a short time. It is especially useful for threatened or
actual gangrene arising from _lacerated_ wounds or scalds with wounds,
as in accidents connected with the explosion of steam boilers; when we
often have scalds and lacerations in the same wound.
HYDRASTUS CANADENSIS used as a gargler in a putrid state of the throat
in malignant _Scarlet fever_, arrests the destructive process _at once_.
It is also a most excellent application for inflamed eyes in the second
or sub-acute stage.
* * * * *
PROPHYLACTICS.
(_Preventives of Disease._)
TO PREVENT SCARLET FEVER
Give Belladonna at the 3d attenuation, three to six pellets, according
to the age of the child, every morning, during the prevalence of the
epidemic. This is for the common or mild form of the disease. If the
prevailing epidemic is of the _malignant_ kind, producing fatal
ulcerations of the throat, give _Bell._ once in two days and _Mercurius
Corrosivus_ at the 3d attenuation on the alternate day.
While _Bell._ is a very certain preventive of the common eruptive
Scarlatina, it is not as certain to prevent the _malignant_ form. Though
it renders the latter much more mild, the _Merc. Cor._ is necessary to
ward it off entirely, or so modify as to divest it of the dangerous
features.
TO PREVENT YELLOW FEVER
Take _Aconite_, _Belladonna_ and _Macrotin_, 1st in rotation one dose a
day. If there is any headache, or pains occur in other parts of the
body, or a languid feeling, take a dose twice or three times a day in
rotation.
TO PREVENT BILIOUS FEVER OR AGUE
Take _Podophyllin_, _Baptisia_ and _Gelseminum_ 1st in rotation, one
dose at night, and if symptoms of fever, as headache and loss of
appetite, or bad taste in the mouth in the morning appear, take a dose
three times a day, and refrain entirely from food for one or two days.
TO PREVENT TYPHOID FEVER
When exposed, as in nursing the sick, take _Baptisia_ 2d, and _Macrotin_
2d, a dose three times a day.
TO PREVENT SMALL-POX
Use _Macrotin_ 1st night and morning, and if nursing or exposed
frequently, use it every four hours.
TO PREVENT CHOLERA.
_Camphor_ (_pellets medicated_ with the pure tincture) _Veratrum_ 3d,
and _Arsenicum_ 3d, should be taken in rotation--a dose morning, noon
and night, in the order named; so as to take a dose of each every
twenty-four hours. If any sense of weakness or trembling comes on, use
the _Camphor_ oftener; if pain or uneasiness in the bowels threatening
diarrhoea, use the _Veratrum_, and for increased thirst with
uneasiness at the stomach _Arsenicum_ more frequently.
TO PREVENT DIARRHOEA
Where it is prevailing as an _epidemic_, _Ipecac_ at night, and
_Veratrum_ in the morning will often _suffice_. For _teething children_
give _Ipecac_ and _Chamomilla_ in the same manner.
TO PREVENT DYSENTERY
In hot weather when bilious diseases prevail, use _Mercurius_ 3d,
_Podophyllin_ 2d, and _Leptandrin_ 1st in rotation, giving one dose a
day.
In the winter, or when _Typhoid fevers_ prevail, use _Mercurius_ and
_Rhus_ tox. alternately a dose every day.
TO PREVENT ITCH.
A dose of _Sulphur_, or rubbing a little flour of sulphur on the hands,
will generally suffice.
TO PREVENT COLDS
Keep the _arms_, _hands_ and _chest_ well clothed and warm.
_Affecting_ the _head_ as _catarrh_, or the pelvic regions keep the
_feet and ankles warm and dry_. Affecting joints and muscles as
Rheumatism--protect the _Spine_ (back) from colds and currents of air.
After an accidental exposure as by getting the feet wet, or being caught
in a shower, drink _bountifully_ of cold water, and take a dose of
_Nux_; followed in an hour by _Aconite_, if any chilliness is felt, or
_Copaiva_ if the head is "stuffed up."
In winter and spring when the weather is mild, but there is snow, or the
ground is damp, more clothes are necessary than when it is freezing hard
and the air is dry.
* * * * *
PREPARATION OF MEDICINE.
As it often becomes necessary for the practitioner to make more or less
of his own dilutions and attenuations, some brief instructions
especially to new beginners, may not come amiss.
Medicine is prepared by mixing it with distilled water, or purified 98
per cent. Alcohol; or if solid and dry, by reducing it to powder and
triturating (rubbing) it in a mortar with pure sugar or Sugar of Milk.
The liquid is called _dilution_, the powder _trituration_. The
attenuations are mostly made at the decimal (1-10,) or centecimal
(1-100) ratio and numbered 1, 2, 3, &c., by putting ten drops of the
liquid with ninety drops of Alcohol, or ten grains of the powder with
ninety grains of Sugar for the 1st, and ten grains or drops of the 1st
with ninety more of Alcohol or Sugar, as the case may be, for the 2nd,
and so on to any desirable extent.
If the centecimal attenuation is adopted, one grain or drop is used
instead of ten, as in the decimal.
I prefer the decimal to the centecimal ratio. Not that there can
possibly be any difference in the action of the medicines, at the same
attenuation, whether it was brought to that state through a series of
1-10, or 1-100; the 3d at the 1-100 ratio of dilution being _precisely
the same_ as the 6th at 1-10. My preference for the decimal ratio is
based upon the greater convenience and accuracy of measuring larger
quantities.
_Accuracy_ is very desirable, but the practice of _guessing_ at the
amount as pursued by some, is anything but accurate. When one makes his
dilutions by putting the fluid into a vial and "_pouring it all out_,"
_guessing_ that he has a _drop_ left which is to medicate the
ninety-nine drops of Alcohol or water, he may put in by guess, I am
inclined to _guess_ that he knows nothing, _accurately_ as to what
dilution he is making. (See Hull's Laura, introduction, also Jahr &
Possart's Pharmacopoeia and Posology.) For if the vial is small and
quite smooth there may not be a drop left, or if it is rough, there may
be several drops.
Yet some physicians make their dilutions thus, and insist upon the
superiority of the centecimal over the decimal attenuations.
Whatever ratio is adopted, should be _accurately_ followed. Have true
scales for weighing solids, and a graduated measure marked from ten
drops up to one hundred for liquids; then _always_ weigh or measure
_accurately_ the medicine, as well as the substance with which it is to
be attenuated.
The measure and mortar, after using them for one medicine, can be
cleaned preparatory for another, with scalding water, rinsing them with
purified Alcohol, then drying.
Never smoke or chew Tobacco in any place, but if you are such a _slave_
to habit, that you must do it despite your good sense and better
judgment, never do either, or have tobacco or any other odoriferous
substance about your person when you are preparing medicines, or they
are exposed to the air. Keep the medicines excluded from the light and
air as far as practicable.
Triturate the powders thoroughly for an hour or more upon each, and
shake the dilution from fifty to one hundred times, more for the higher
attenuations.