OVARIAN CYSTS. Ill 



slight ovaritis, which runs a rapid course, and terminates favorably. 

 At least, in women of suspicious character, I have often seen severe 

 pain in the lower part of the abdomen, which appeared to originate 

 in the ovaries, and was increased by slight pressure, rapidly dis- 

 appear after the application of leeches. If the disease lasts long; 

 if it causes adhesion of the ovary with neighboring parts, and thick- 

 ening of the peritoneal covering, the symptoms of ovaritis will fre- 

 quently recur periodically for a long time, particularly at the men- 

 strual periods. As the opening of a Graafian vesicle, even under nor- 

 mal circumstances, is accompanied by symptoms like those of inflam- 

 mation, it may be readily understood that, under the above-described 

 normal circumstances, it is often accompanied by those of actual inflam- 

 mation. I know a lady who was treated over ten years ago by a cele- 

 brated gynecologist for severe ovaritis, and who has had returns of her 

 disease several times a year ever since. The copious exudations in 

 peritoneal ovaritis, and the perforation of abscesses in the parenchym- 

 atous forms, may cause the above-described encapsulated effusions 

 in the pelvis, or even diffuse peritonitis, with rapid course and fatal 

 results. 



TREATMENT. In acute ovaritis we should apply ten to fifteen 

 leeches in the inguinal region, or, where it can be done readily, we 

 may apply a smaller number to the neck of the womb. Cataplasms 

 and warm baths aid their action. "We should also secure copious 

 evacuations from the bowels ; but should avoid drastics, and limit our- 

 selves to giving castor-oil and enemata. Calomel and mercurial oint- 

 ment are not needed in the treatment of ovaritis. If the disease be 

 protracted, the blood-letting should be repeated occasionally. The 

 systematic use of brine-baths and the internal administration of prepa- 

 rations of iodine and iodine mineral waters also appear beneficial. 



CHAPTER II. 



OVARIAN CYSTS. 



[THEEE are various forms of ovarian cyst. 



1. Hy drops follicularis. Here one or more Graafian vesicles 

 are transformed into cysts, which is proved by the fact that in 

 young cysts of this kind the ovulum is still to be found. It is sup- 

 posed that such cysts owe their origin to an abnormal thickness of 

 the walls of the ripe follicles, which, under the influence of the 

 menstrual afflux, swell up to the size of a pea, but do not burst, as 

 physiologically they should do. But the appearance of these cysts 

 before puberty, and even in newly-born children, proves that a mere 



