DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN 583 



The best means of administering the douche is by a 

 siphon syringe. The treatment should be taken in a 

 horizontal position. 



When the leucorrheal discharge is very abundant, 

 and is not relieved by the persistent use of hot water, 

 alum or tannin may be added to the last portion of 

 water used, one or two drams to the quart. 



Women suffering from uterine diseases should usu- 

 ally rest at the menstrual period. It is not always 

 necessary that the patient should remain in bed, though 

 this is sometimes required; but a large share of the 

 ordinary duties should be suspended for a day or two 

 preceding the period, and until a day or two after it. 

 By this means the aggravation of troubles which usu- 

 ally occur at each menstrual period, may after a time 

 be decreased, until nature has time to restore the mor- 

 bid functions to proper action. 



Since prolapsus of the bowels and other abdominal 

 organs, as the result of relaxation of the abdominal 

 muscles, is one of the chief causes of a large share of 

 the special ailments from which women suffer, it is 

 evident that for the relief of these ailments special 

 means must be adopted by which these prolapsed or- 

 gans may be restored to position and the weakened 

 abdominal muscles strengthened. Temporary relief 

 may be obtained in a great number of cases by the 

 wearing of a properly adjusted abdominal supporter; 

 even a wide bandage of strong muslin bound tightly 

 about the lower abdomen will afford great relief in 

 many cases. Permanent relief, however, can be ob- 

 tained only by the adoption of active measures by 

 means of which the abdominal muscles may be strength- 

 ened and developed. Massage, Swedish gymnastics, 

 manual Swedish movements, and proper applications 



