MENSTRUATION AND ITS DISEASES. * 27 



Treatment. — After once occurring, the patient should be watched, 

 and the system relieved by some other means; venesection, astrin- 

 gents, sedatives, mineral acids, and if debilitated, tonics may be used. 



Leucorrh(Ba. — An excessive and altered secretion of the mucus 

 furnished by the membranes lining the vagina and uterus, by the 

 follicles of the interior of the cervix uteri, and by the lacunse d^ the 

 vestibulum ; generally white, or nearly colourless and transparent, 

 sometimes yellow, or green, or slightly sanguineous, and of varying 

 degrees of consistency. The amount of constitutional derangement 

 depending on the severity of the affection, and the susceptibility of 

 the patient [Ashicell). 



The seat of the discharge may be diagnosticated by examining its 

 characters. If it be of a jelly-like consistence, resembling partly 

 coagulated albumen, and taking place at intervals, and in small 

 quantities at a time, it probably comes from the muciparous follicles 

 of the neck of the uterus. 



If, on the contrary, it be of a whey-like or creamy consistence, 

 and varying in colour from white to green, or brown, it probably 

 comes from the mucous membrane of the vagina. In such cases 

 the mucous membrane is commonly found studded over with red 

 points, the inflamed orifices of mucous follicles. 



There is sometimes an offensive sanious ichor discharged, whose 

 origin is probably in the cavity of the uterus, or the Fallopian tubes 

 themselves. 



Acute vaginal leucorrhcea is accompanied by a sense of weight, 

 heat and soreness in the vagina, tenesmus, irritation of the bladder, 

 pain in the lower belly and thighs, &c. The discharge, at first thin 

 and acid, becomes whitish, or yellowish, and more consistent. The 

 occuiTence of the discharge generally relieves the urgent symptoms. 



Treatment. — If the patient be plethoric, bleeding should be prac- 

 tised, either general or local. Fomentations, rest, spare diet, and 

 vaginal injections should also be used. 



Chronic vaginal leucorrhcea is one of the most frequent diseases 

 during menstrual life ; sometimes, however, it precedes the menses. 

 By most writers it is considered as a local disorder, inflammatory 

 in its nature. It is frequently caused by cold, excessive coition, 

 parturition, pessaries, displacements, and irritating food. There 

 is seldom any pain accompanying it. If the discharge be great, 

 weakness and pain in the back and loins may ensue. 



The treatment consists in the use of depletory measures if re- 

 quired. The removal of pessaries. Tonics if the patient be weak ; 

 opium if pain be present ; and the use of the balsams and astringent 

 injections. 



The uterine leucorrh(Ba, which is also oflen accompanied by con- 

 stitutional symptoms, requires the use of depletory measures at times, 

 with the use of astringent injections, and tonics if the health be feeble, 



