THE FEMALE PELVIS AND ITS CONTENTS.
=The Pelvis.=--The pelvis is the bony framework which forms the lower part
of the body. On each side it forms a union with the hip bone to make the
hip joint.
The female pelvis contains the reproductive organs (uterus, vagina, and
ovaries), and also the bladder and lower bowel.
Fig. 2 gives a very good idea of the shape and general structure of this
bony framework; while a careful study of Fig. 3 will enable one to form
a very correct idea of the relative size and position of the various
parts contained in this framework.
~FIG. 2. The female pelvis. The flanging sides form the hips. The union
of the bones in front forms the pubic arch which is felt at the front of
the lower part of the body. The lower end of the spinal column, or
backbone, is seen at the back of the figure.~
=The Vagina.=--The vagina is a membranous canal extending from the surface
of the body to the uterus, or womb. Its posterior wall is about 3-1/2
inches long, and its anterior about 3 inches. A careful study should be
made of our illustration, in order that the relation of the vagina and
uterus to the rectum behind and the bladder in front may be thoroughly
understood; also the angle which is formed by the vagina and the uterus.
Notice should be taken, also, of the opening of the uterus into the
upper part of the vagina; as inflammation of the uterus often causes a
discharge which passes into the upper part of the vagina and finally out
of the body. This gives rise to the belief that the only trouble is in
the vagina itself, whereas the real seat of the disease may be high up
in the uterus.
~FIG. 3. A lateral view of the contents of the female pelvis. 1. the
vagina; 2. uterus; 3. bladder; 4. lower bowel; 5. bone forming the pubic
arch; 6. the spinal cord, with bone in front and back of it.~
=The Uterus.=--The uterus, or womb, is a hollow organ formed of muscular
tissue, and lined with a delicate mucous membrane. The bladder is in
front, the rectum behind, and the vagina below.
=Three Parts.=--Physicians divide this important organ into three
parts,--the fundus, body, and neck. The fundus is all the upper rounded
portion; the body all that portion between the fundus and the neck; and
the neck all the rounded lower part.
=The Cavity of the Uterus.=--This is divided into the cavity of the body
and the cavity of the neck. By consulting our illustration it is seen
that these cavities differ greatly in shape; that of the body being
triangular, while that of the neck is barrel-shaped.
By referring again to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the cavity of the body
has three openings, one on either side at the top going to the Fallopian
tubes, and an opening at the bottom passing into the cavity of the neck.
A constriction exists between these two cavities; but after childbirth
this is largely done away with, and there is not that marked difference
which existed formerly.
=Glands in Uterus.=--In the mucous membrane lining the uterus are vast
numbers of minute glands which secrete mucus. It has been asserted that
in the cavity of the neck alone there are from ten to twelve thousand
of these glands. It is in this mucous membrane that such remarkable
changes occur each month during menstruation, and still more wonderful
changes during pregnancy.
=The Ligaments of the Uterus.=--By referring to Fig. 5 it will be seen
that there are on each side of the uterus flat bands of tissue known as
"broad ligaments." These ligaments are attached to the sides of the
pelvic cavity, and aid greatly in holding the uterus firmly in place.
There are also other ligaments concerned in this same work, although the
broad ligaments are most important. The illustration also shows the
walls of the vagina cut open, in order that the position of the mouth of
the uterus may be easily seen.
~FIG. 4. This illustration shows the cavities in a uterus which has been
pregnant. 1, the vagina; 2, cavity of the neck of the uterus; 3, cavity
of the body, above which is the fundus of the uterus; 4, Fallopian
tubes, extending to the ovaries.~
~FIG. 5. The female generative organs. 1, the vagina; 2, uterus; 3,
broad ligament of left side; 4, a smaller ligament; 5, Fallopian tube;
6, ovary; 7, fringed end of Fallopian tube.~
=Blood-Vessels Surrounding Uterus.=--The uterus is well supplied with
blood-vessels, as Fig. 6 shows. Indeed, there is all over the walls of
the uterus and through its tissue a vast network of these vessels.
Whenever, for any reason, the circulation of the blood through the
pelvis is disturbed, these blood-vessels are likely to become engorged,
over-filled, producing congestion and inflammation.
~FIG. 6. The blood-vessels of the right side of the uterus. 1, blood
vessels; 2, end of the Fallopian tube; 3, ovary; 4, right edge of
uterus.~
=All Parts Closely Related.=--The close relation of these blood-vessels to
the blood-supply of the bowels, liver, etc., makes it possible for most
serious disturbances to take place even from slight causes.
=Study the Illustrations.=--By studying these illustrations it can be
readily seen how an over-distended rectum may produce such an impediment
to the circulation that there will be congestion of all the neighboring
parts. Or, the intestines themselves may become over-distended with
faecal matter, or gas, from dyspepsia, and the pressure induced thereby
may be sufficient to interfere with the free circulation of these parts,
and thus uterine congestion produced.
It is also seen how improper dress may compress the organs about these
parts, and thus interfere with the circulation. Again, it is easily
understood, simply from studying the illustrations alone, how any of
these causes might produce dislocation of the uterus itself.
=Object of Uterus.=--The uterus is the source of the menstrual discharge,
a place for the foetus during its development, and the source of the
nutritive supply of this foetus. It is the uterus which contracts at
full term and expels the child.
=Uterus Not Rigidly Fixed.=--In a perfectly normal condition there is
considerable mobility to the uterus; in other words, it is not fixed
firmly by the ligaments already mentioned. It is rather simply
suspended, or hung in the pelvic cavity, by these broad flat bands of
tissue.
A full bladder will push it backward, while a distended rectum will move
it forward; as the body changes its posture, so will the uterus change
its position by force of gravity.
=Cannot Be Bent Upon Itself.=--The uterus cannot be bent upon itself
without producing injury; neither can it be pushed too far forward or
backward, nor crowded down too far without causing great distress and
actual disease.
=Fallopian Tube.=--Figs. 4 and 5 show that there is given off from each
side of the upper part of the uterus a tube. This is called the
Fallopian tube.
Each tube is about four inches long. Near the uterus its cavity will
just admit an ordinary bristle; but near its free end, at the ovary, it
is as large as a goose-quill.
It is a peculiar tube in that it terminates in a number of fringe-like
processes, one of which is always attached to the ovary itself.
~FIG. 7. Part of an ovary, showing a ripe ovum, or egg, about to be cast
off, as occurs at each menstrual period. It is here this egg may be
fertilized or impregnated by the male elements.~
=Object of This Tube.=--The Fallopian tube conveys the sperm of the male
from the uterus to the ovary, and also takes the germ-cell (or ovule, or
egg) from the ovary to the uterus.
When a ripe egg is about to be discharged from the ovary, one of these
fringe-like processes of the Fallopian tube grasps it and receives it
into the mouth of the tube, whence it is conveyed directly into the
uterine canal.
=Ovary.=--On each side of the uterus and in each side of the pelvic cavity
is an ovary. It is about one and a half inches in length, three-fourths
of an inch in width, and one-third of an inch in thickness. It weighs
from one to two drachms, and is an elongated, oval-shaped body.
~FIG. 8. This figure illustrates the course followed by an ovum. The
ripened egg leaves the ovary (1), passes down the Fallopian tube (2),
and thence into the uterine cavity (3).~
~FIG. 9. An exceedingly minute piece of an ovary, highly magnified. It
shows eight ova or eggs.~
=Object of Ovaries.=--The ovaries are the essential organs of generation
in the female. In each ovary are large numbers of cells, ovules, or
eggs, one of which, at least, is supposed to pass into the uterine
cavity with each menstruation. Anatomists tell us that each human ovary
contains as many as 30,000 of these ovules, or eggs.
LOCAL TREATMENT.--FAST PASSING AWAY.
=It Makes One Indignant.=--When I recall the terrible and almost horrible
treatment which women have had to undergo in the past, I cannot help but
become deeply indignant. It seems as if all medical study had gone for
naught, as if the teachings of nature had been forgotten, and most of
all, as if no such thing as delicacy and modesty existed.
=This Makes Confirmed Invalids.=--It is only necessary for a woman to
complain of discomfort in the back, a bearing-down pain, or some
unnatural discharge, when some physician says that local treatment, and
local treatment only, must be taken.
Women so thoroughly understand what their physician is going to say that
they do not consult him, but go on suffering more and more until they
become almost confirmed invalids. Others, after they are told what must
be done, return home and become gloomy and melancholy over the outlook.
=Specialists Are Crazy for Work.=--The specialists are so crazy for this
kind of work that it seems as though they would gladly scrape and burn
the inside of the stomach for dyspepsia, if they could do so! Or, they
would take a long probe and go down into the interior of the lungs and
apply strong caustics, if such a thing were possible!
=The Patient Is Deceived.=--If the ache, or the pain, or the discharge was
on the back of the hand where it could be seen, and where these
"treatments" could be watched, the specialists would have a hard showing
indeed, for the patient herself would then see that little good came
from these local applications.
But being situated within the body, so that only the physician himself
can examine the parts, the patient has to rest content, not knowing
whether a little pure water is applied (and the fee collected), or
whether the strongest acids which burn deep into the tissues are used
(and the fee collected).
=Local Treatment Unnecessary.=--Now all of this is almost invariably
unnecessary. It is not showing ordinary common-sense, not in accord with
nature, and not in keeping with the best medical science of to-day.
Yet thousands upon thousands of women are undergoing the worst kind of
mental and physical torture in taking these local treatments, while all
the savings of the household have to go toward paying the enormous bills
of the specialist.
=The True Doctor Not Blamed.=--_Do not misunderstand me, please. I am not
talking against doctors, not against the real, true, genuine, noble
physicians and surgeons._
There is no nobler profession than that of the physician, none practiced
more faithfully than the good old family physician of this country
practice theirs. The best of them are glad to help their patients in any
way they can, and in spite of professional prejudice, many have tried
Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound upon their patients and have been
delighted at the wonderful success of the trial.
=Nature the Best Teacher.=--The trouble with so many of these physicians
who call themselves "Specialists on Diseases of Women" is that they get
it into their head that they know more than nature. They map out a
course of their own, and pay no attention whatever to the laws of
health. Just as if a dog barking at the moon would make it shine less
brightly!
Now any one who has given any thought to the preservation of the health
can readily understand how impossible it would be to cure an
inflammation of the uterus or ovaries, or check an unnatural discharge
from the vagina, by applying strong acids, nitrate of silver, pure
carbolic acid, strong tincture of iodine, or other destroying, caustic,
irritating, and dangerous drugs.
All of these must be injurious, must postpone recovery, and if their use
be continued for any great length of time must make a cure quite
impossible.
=A Good Medicine Needed.=--Of course what is needed in these cases is
something that will restore the natural circulation of the blood through
the tissues of the uterus, something that will relieve congestion and
cure inflammation. When the swelling and irritation have subsided, then
the nerves are no longer irritated, and all pain disappears.
=What This Will Do.=--Then all these parts become better nourished, the
weakened and diseased tissues take on new strength, and all unnatural
discharges cease.
When the relaxed ligaments are properly fed and toned up, then they hold
the uterus in its natural position, and all bearing-down pains and other
symptoms of displacement quickly disappear. Of course this
constitutional treatment with Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound is
hastened by keeping the parts perfectly clean, which can be easily done
with Lydia E. Pinkham's Sanative Wash.
=A Hearty Welcome to the Perfect Cure.=--A hearty welcome to the most
scientific treatment; a hearty welcome to the most natural, the most
easy, and the most perfect method of cure; a hearty welcome to Lydia E.
Pinkham's Vegetable Compound; a hearty welcome to the remedy that never
fails to restore the uterus to perfect health and natural position.