H^MOHIUIAGIES. 291 



quence of which abortion necessarily takes place. In whatever 

 mode we may explain this, we are very sure of the fact, to 

 which we can very frequently impute the abortions produced by 

 external violence, and by all undue efforts of the body itself ; and 

 we can, with equal probability, suppose various internal causes in- 

 creasing the quantity and impetus of the blood in the vessels 

 of the uterus to act in this manner. To the same head we must 

 refer certain spasmodic constrictions excited in the muscular 

 fibres of the uterus, by which the ordinary birth is carried on, 

 but which may occur at any period of pregnancy from various 

 causes, but very often from the undue accumulation of blood in 

 the vessels of the uterus. 



" It is the latter head of causes which can be most distinctly 

 observed to take place : and it comes to be precisely a case of 

 Menorrhagia ; and both the theory and practice delivered with 

 respect to that affection will apply here, especially duly-timed 

 venesection, avoiding all the violent motions of the body, the 

 application of various modes of refrigeration, in short almost 

 every practice in Menorrhagia, as it depends either on the in- 

 creased quantity and impetus of the blood in the vessels of the 

 uterus, or merely on an ordinary impetus acting upon weak 

 and flaccid extremities."" 



CHAP. VIII. OF THE AMENORRHCEA, OR INTER- 

 RUPTION OF THE MENSTRUAL FLUX. 



DCCCCXCV. Whatever, in a system of methodical noso- 

 logy, may be the fittest place for the Amenorrhoea, it cannot be 

 improper to treat of it here as an object of practice, immediately 

 after having considered the menorrhagia. 



" When I thought it necessary to admit Amenorrhoea into 

 the Nosology, I was at a loss where to place it. I have put it 

 among the morbi locales, and to be sure, it may often be con- 

 sidered as such ; but it is too often connected with the general 

 system, to allow this to be sufficiently exact : I am not clear how 

 to relieve myself from this difficulty, but I am certain, that this 

 is the proper place for considering it with a view to practice, as 

 we properly notice the defect with the excess of evacuation. 1 ' 



T 2 



