HJEMORRHAGIES. 281 



Secondly, Those which determine the blood more copiously 

 and forcibly into the uterine vessels ; as violent strainings of the 

 whole body ; violent shocks of the whole body from falls ; 

 violent strokes or contusions on the lower belly ; violent ex- 

 ercise, particularly in dancing ; and violent passions of the 

 mind. 



Thirdly, Those which particularly irritate the vessels of the 

 uterus ; as excess in venery ; the exercise of venery in the time 

 of menstruation; a costive habit, giving occasion to violent 

 straining at stool ; and cold applied to the feet. 



Fourthly, Those which have forcibly overstrained the ex- 

 tremities of the uterine vessels ; as frequent abortions ; frequent 

 child-bearing without nursing ; and difficult tedious labours. 

 Or, 



Lastly, Those which induce a general laxity; as living 

 much in warm chambers, and drinking much of warm enervat- 

 ing liquors, such as lea and coffee. 



" Sometimes the cause may be supposed to be something 

 original in the conformation of the uterus : in certain constitu- 

 tions the uterus may have its vessels either of a larger size or 

 more easily dilated ; we can easily understand this ; and that it 

 does in fact occur I infer from hence, that the menstrual evacua- 

 tion happens much more early in some persons than in others, 

 or than is suited to the constitution of the uterus in this climate. 

 I have had instances of its occurring in girls of eight years of 

 age, and in all the years between eight and twelve, which cer- 

 tainly depends on the original conformation of the uterus, as we 

 can often discover no other cause. Thus, the instances I have 

 met with have occurred oftener in small and tender bodies than 

 in the large and full, in whom we might have imputed it to the 

 plethoric state in general arising much faster. We, accordingly, 

 refer it to original conformation when it occurs in excessive 

 quantity in bodies of a small size and slender make, without any 

 other appearance of a plethoric state." 



DCCCCLXXIX. The effects of the menorrhagia are pointed 

 out in DCCCCLXXIL, DCCCCLXXIII., where I have 

 mentioned the several symptoms accompanying the disease ; and 

 from these the consequences to be apprehended will also readily 

 appear. 



