288 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



this from causes weakening the vessels of the uterus. 2. From 

 its appearing chiefly, and often only a little before, as well as 

 immediately after, the flow of the menses. 3. From the flow of 

 the menses being diminished in proportion as the leucorrhcea is 

 increased. 4. From the leucorrhcea continuing after the menses 

 have entirely ceased, and with some appearance of its observing 

 a periodical recurrence. 5. From the leucorrhcea being accom- 

 panied with the effects of the menorrhagia (DCCCCLXXII. 

 DCCCCLXXIIL). 6. From the discharge having been nei- 

 ther preceded by, nor accompanied with, symptoms of any topi- 

 cal affections of the uterus. *]. From the leucorrhcea not hav- 

 ing appeared soon after communication with a person who might 

 be suspected of communicating infection, and from the first ap- 

 pearance of the disease not being accompanied with any inflam- 

 matory affection of the pudenda. 



DCCCCLXXXVII. The appearance of the matter dis- 

 charged in the leucorrhcea is very various with respect to con- 

 sistence and colour ; but from these appearances, it is not 

 always possible to determine concerning its nature, or the parti- 

 cular source from whence it proceeds. 



DCCCCLXXXVIII. The leucorrhcea, of which I am to 

 treat, as ascertained by the several circumstances mentioned in 

 DC CCCL XXXVI., seems to proceed from the same causes as 

 that species of menorrhagia which I suppose to arise from the 

 laxity of the extreme vessels of the uterus. It accordingly often 

 follows or accompanies such a menorrhagia ; but though the 

 leucorrhcea depends chiefly upon the laxity mentioned, it may 

 have proceeded from irritations inducing that laxity, and seems 

 to be always increased by any irritations applied to the uterus. 



DCCCCLXXXIX. Some authors have alleged that a va- 

 riety of circumstances in other parts of the body may have a 

 share in bringing on and in continuing this affection of the 

 uterus now under consideration. But I cannot discover the 

 reality of those causes ; and it seems to me, that this leucorr- 

 hcea, excepting in so far as it depends upon a general debility 

 of the system, is always primarily an affection of the uterus ; 

 and the affections of other parts of the body which may happen 

 to accompany it, are for the most part to be considered as ef- 

 fects, rather than as causes. 



