158 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



MOLES, OR ANIDIAN MONSTERS. 



These are evidently products of conception, in which the impreg- 

 nated ovum has failed to develop naturally, and presents only a cha- 

 otic mass of skin, hair, bones, muscles, etc., attached to the inner 

 surface of the womb by an umbilical cord, which is itself often shriv- 

 eled and wasted. They are usually accompanied by a well-developed 

 fetus, so that the mole may be looked' upon as a twin which has under- 

 gone arrest and vitiation of development. They are expelled by the 

 ordinary process of parturition, and usually at the same time with the 

 normally developed offspring. 



CYSTIC DISEASE OF THE WALLS OF THE WOMB, OR VESICULAR MOLE. 



This condition appears to be due to hypertrophy (enlargement) of 

 the villi on the inner surface of the womb, which become greatly 

 increased in number and hollowed out internally into a series of cysts, 

 or pouches, containing liquid. Unlike the true mole, therefore, they 

 appear to be disease of the maternal structure of the womb rather 

 than of the product of conception. Rodet, in a case of this kind, 

 which had produced active labor pains, quieted the disorder with ano- 

 dynes and secured a recovery. Where this is not available attempts 

 may be made to remove the mass with the ecraseur or otherwise, fol- 

 lowing this up with antiseptic injections, as advised under the last 

 heading. 



DROPSY or THE WOMB. 



This appears as a result of some disease of the walls of the womb, 

 but has been frequently observed as the result of infection after sex- 

 ual congress, and has, therefore, been confounded with pregnancy. 

 The symptoms are those of pregnancy, but without any movements of 

 the fetus and without the detection of any solid body in the womb 

 when examined with the oiled hand in the rectum. At the end of 

 four or eight months there are signs of parturition or of frequent 

 straining to pass urine, and after a time the liquid is discharged clear 

 and watery, or muddy, thick, and fetid. The hand introduced into 

 the womb can detect neither fetus nor fetal membrane. If the neck 

 of the womb closes, the liquid may accumulate a second time, or even 

 a third, if no means are taken to disinfect it or to correct the tendencjr. 

 The best resort is to remove any diseased product that may be found 

 attached to the walls of the womb, and to inject it daily with a warm 

 solution of carbolic acid 2 drams, chloride of zinc one-half dram, 

 water 1 quart. A course of bitter tonics (gentian 2 drams, sulphate 

 of iron 2 drams, daily) shoulud be given, and a nutritious, easilj^ 

 digested, and slightly laxative diet allowed. 



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