HJEMORRHAGIES. 287 



flow of the menses, as on other occasions to their suppression. 

 There may possibly be circumstances in which they are adapt- 

 ed to both ; but from that very consideration it appears that 

 they are ambiguous remedies, and to be used with much cau- 

 tion." 



In the menorrhagia, where the disease depends upon a laxity 

 of the extremities of the uterine vessels, which are therefore 

 readily opened by every irritation applied to the system, or 

 to the diseased part : in such cases, the bark is the most pro- 

 per, and when the remote and exciting causes can be avoided, 

 an effectual remedy. Upon this subject, two remarks may be 

 made : one is, that though a haemorrhagy may seem to be ex- 

 cited by irritation, it is not, therefore, to be concluded to be of 

 the active kind, and, therefore, forbidding the use of the bark. 

 The other remark is, that the bark, in passive haemorrhagy, does 

 not act as an astringent, in which way its powers are very inconsid- 

 erable, but as a tonic, which might be hurtful in any haemorr- 

 hagy of an active kind. M.M. 



DCCCCLXXXIV. The remedies mentioned in these last 

 two paragraphs may be employed in all cases of menorrhagia, 

 from whatever causes it may have proceeded, if the disease shall 

 have already induced a considerable degree of debility in the 

 body. 



CHAP. VII OF THE LEUCORRHCEA, FLUOR ALBUS, 



OR WHITES. 



DCCCCLXXXV. Every serous orpuriform discharge from 

 the vagina may be, and has been, comprehended under one or 

 other of the appellations I have prefixed to this chapter. Such 

 discharges, however, may be various, and may proceed from 

 various sources, not yet well ascertained. But I confine my- 

 self here to treat of that discharge alone which may be presumed 

 to proceed from the same vessels which, in their natural state, 

 pour out the menses. 



DCCCCLXXXVI. I conclude a discharge from the va- 

 gina to be of this kind : 1. From its happening to women who 

 are subject to an immoderate flow of the menses, and liable to 



1 



