584 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



of electricity are of the greatest value for this pur- 

 pose; indeed, we consider it next to impossible to treat 

 successfully a large share of the ailments peculiar to 

 women without the employment of the measures last 

 mentioned. Abdominal supporters and bandages are 

 of great value as palliatives, but they are practically 

 valueless as curatives, and the same must be said of a 

 large number of the surgical operations which are in- 

 dicated and performed for the relief of the multitudi- 

 nous morbid conditions from which women suffer. 



Leucorrhea, or Whites.— This most common of 

 all maladies peculiar to the sex is not always an inde- 

 pendent condition, but sometimes a symptom of other 

 disease. It is often indicative of a serious disease, and 

 should receive prompt attention. A slight whitish dis- 

 charge may take place just before or just after the 

 menstrual period, which is entirely natural; but when 

 it continues during the interval between the periods, 

 it is evidence of disease, either of the vaginal mucous 

 membrane or of the womb, or both. Viscid mucous 

 discharges are generally from the womb. Curdy dis- 

 charges are occasioned by catarrh of the vagina. 

 Offensive watery discharges indicate tumors of the 

 womb, which are sometimes malignant. Bloody dis- 

 charges are the result of tumors of various kinds, and 

 cancers, and lacerations of the womb. A very offen- 

 sive discharge is often indicative of cancer. 



Treatment.— The hot vaginal douche should be 

 used daily, and, if necessary, more than once a day. 

 Wlien the discharge is profuse, but not offensive in 

 character, ordinary alum may be advantageously em- 

 ployed in the proportion of a teaspoonful to a quart of 

 water. The whole amount of water used for the douche 

 need not contain alum, but only the last quart or two. 



