210 DM. CHASES RECIPES 



nancy, the stomach, the bowels, and digestive functions are in very frequent 

 instances exceedingly deranged. The brain and nervous system, the function 

 of respiration, and the state of the breasts, are all very much influenced by the 

 condition of the womb. 



The womb is subject to a variety of disorders, the most common and im- 

 portant of which are as follows: 



1. Bearing Down or Falling Down signifies that the womb is lower 

 than it ought to be. The first symptom is an uneasy feeling in the lower part 

 of the back, while the patient is standing or walking; with a sense of pressure 

 or bearing down. As the complaint increases, a swelling appears to come in 

 the way of the discharge of urine, which the patient cannot pa.ss without lying 

 down, and pushing aside the tumor which prevents it. In more advanced and 

 severe cases, the womb is forced altogether out of the parts, as a bard and 

 bulky substance hanging between the thighs. In many cases the protruded 

 parts are ulcerated, and give great uneasiness by their being fretted. Many 

 complaints arise in other parts of the system from this local disease. There is 

 sickness and other disorders of the stomach and bowels, with hysterics and 

 nervous affections; while the inability to take exercise is itself a great evil, 

 and tends to impair still more the general health. 



Causes. — Every woman should know these, and avoid them as far as pos- 

 sible. "Whatever tends to weaken the general system or the passage to the 

 womb, may give occasion to its falling down. In the unmarried state, all 

 violent or long continued exercise when the person is unwell, has a tendency 

 to bring on the complaint; hence, young women at these times should avoid 

 dancing, riding, and long walking or standing. Married women have it 

 brought on by frequent miscarriage, improper treatment during labor, and 

 taking much exercise too soon after delivery. 



Treatment. When the disease has occurred recently, and is not very 

 bad, the system is to be strengthened by nourishing diet, by the cold bath, by 

 moderate exercise; and a mild astringent fluid is to be thrown into the passage. 

 This may be made of 20 grs of white vitriol to 1 pint of rose-water. But 

 when the complaint is of longer standing and more severity, the patient must 

 be confined to the horizontal posture; bark and wine, and chalybeate medicines 

 must be employed, and a stronger astringent, as a decoction of oak-bark, with 

 some acid added to it, must be thrown up. Sometimes these means are all 

 ineflfeqtual, and an instrument of wood or ivory, called a pessary, must be 

 worn, to fill the outer passage and prevent the womb from falling down. This 

 instrument should be removed every two or three days, and cleaned. Some- 

 times this soon effects a cure; but, in general, it requires to be worn for years. 

 If a person liable to this disease becomes pregnant, it disappears about the third 

 or fourth month ; and if proper measures be taken after delivery, the return 

 of the complaint may be prevented in many instances. 



2. Tumors or Polypi in the Womb and Vagina.— These are of 

 various sizes and consistency; they are sometimes broad and flat at their base, 

 Bomertimes they have a narrow neck. They occasion a discharge of blood at 



