594 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



skilled surgeon should be at once consulted, as loss 

 of blood through this channel is as serious as through 

 any other. No hemorrhage of the uterus need be very 

 long continued, except under most extraordinary cir- 

 cumstances. A skilled surgeon can quickly stop the 

 flow of blood by passing a tampon consisting of a nar- 

 row strip of cheese-cloth, properly sterilized, into the 

 uterus itself. Pressure is thus brought to bear upon 

 the bleeding surface, which coagulates the blood in the 

 mouths of the open vessels, thus stopping the hemor- 

 rhage. Hemorrhage of the womb is a symptom which 

 should always give rise to apprehension, as it indicates 

 the probable existence of some grave condition of the 

 organ which requires the attention of a skilled surgeon. 

 There are to be found in every large city, and in most 

 smaller ones, able physicians who are entirely compe- 

 tent to deal with cases of this character, so that the 

 loss of blood should not be allowed to continue day 

 after day without receiving attention. 



Dysmenorrhea.— This condition is that in which 

 there is more or less pain and difficulty in connection 

 with the menstrual process. The causes are various, 

 as disease of the ovaries, congestion of the uterus, mal- 

 formation, and displacement or distortion of the organ. 



Treatment.— ^ome of these conditions require the 

 attention of a skilled physician to remedy ; but all may 

 be palliated more or less by simple treatments which 

 may be given at home. A warm sitz or hot hip bath 

 just at the beginning of the period will often give al- 

 most magical relief. The application of fomentations 

 over the lower part of the abdomen, and the corre- 

 sponding portion of the spine, or of hot bags, bottles, 

 etc., in the same localities, is of great utility. The 

 patient should be covered warm in bed, should keep 



