MID 
at all ; whether the lochial discharge be 
great or little ; and whether the patient be 
fed high or fed low. So that there seems to be 
nothmg either in the nature or constitution 
of the woman, which either causes or pre- 
vents it ; neither would it appear to be af- 
fected by the labour, as it seems to arise 
alike under all circumstances. It is said to 
depend upon a translation of the lochial dis- 
charge, but this is very absurd. 
It commonly begins with shivering, the 
swelling being perceived either general or 
partial in the leg; sometimes arising over 
the whole limb at once, and sometimes be- 
ginning in the ham. It seems to have some 
connexion with the absorbent glands, as it 
frequently commences in the groin, from 
which part the swelling will continue to ex- 
tend till the whole leg and thigh are as large 
as the body : in this way the leg will be dis- 
tended to the greatest possible degree, with- 
out any redness or inflammation; but it 
will not bear moving ; if the patient be de- 
sired to move the limb, it gives her great 
pain. Swellings in general will pit, but this 
does not; and it usually occupies one 
side only ; this is observed by Dr. White, 
who states that even the labium of one side 
shall be tumid, while the other is quite un- 
affected. 
The swelling too is of a peculiar character ; 
if the hand be drawn across the limb, it does 
not give the uniform sensation which is 
commonly felt in swellings; but resembles 
an infinite number of irregularities, difficult 
to be described. The best idea that can be 
given of it is to suppose a block, in shape 
resembling a leg, covered with brass nails of 
various sizes, and these covered with skin 
stretched over it. The disease is acute, and 
the symptoms of fever will sometimes be 
considerable, and then it is by no means 
surprizing that the secretion of milk is les- 
sened, or the lochial discharge diminished 
for the reason that the circulation is deter- 
mined to other parts. In ten or twelve 
days the hardness of the swelling ceases, and 
the state of the disease is changed to a true 
oedema, and the limb remains weak for se- 
veral months. Such a limb will always be 
more affected by cold than the other; after 
any exercise, as dancing, it will be more 
stiff and weak the next morning than the 
other. This disease sometimes attacks both 
sides in succession ; it never occasions sup- 
puration: Dr. White indeed mentions one 
instance of this effect; but it is doubtful 
from his description whether it was this sort 
of swelling, for cedema sometimes resembles 
it very closely. 
MIL 
It is difiicult to determine the cause of 
this alteration of parts, or change of organi- 
zation. Dr. White attempted to explain it, 
by supposing that an absorbent vessel gives 
way at its entrance into the gland, and tliat 
the lymph still passing upwards, ovei'flows, 
and enters into the cavities of the cellular 
membrane, and there coagulating, gives the 
unequal feel observed. This, however, is 
by no means a satisfiictory explanation of 
the nature of the disease. It is difficult to 
know how we are to proceed in the cure of 
a disease with which we are so little ac- 
quainted. It is certainly useful to keep the 
bowels open, and to promote a gentle but 
continued perspiration. For this purpose 
antimonials and the saline draught will be 
efficacious ; and when the pain is excessive, 
opium should be given ; if the fever be con- 
siderable, abstinence from animal food will 
be necessary. As to the limb itself, nothing 
gives more ease than laying it in a soft poul- 
tice, which will also have the good effect of 
keeping up a gentle perspiration; it forms 
the softest pillow that can be imagined, and 
never fails to bring relief. 
Treatment of Infants. It is usual in tracts 
upon midwifery to enter upon this subject 
in detail ; but having already enlarged up- 
on it under the article Infancy, we refer 
our reader to what we have there advanced, 
which we trust wilt be perfectly satisfac- 
tory, 
MIEGIA, in botany, a genus of the Tri- 
andria Monogynia class and order. Essen- 
tial character : calyx one-flowered ; corolla 
two-valved ; nectary one-valved, involving 
the germ ; seed triquetrous rounded, in- 
cluded within the calyx, corolla, and nec- 
tary. There is but one species; viz. M. 
maritima, a native of the sandy coasts of 
Cayenne and Guiana. 
MILE, mille passus, a measure of length 
or distance, ■ containing eight furlongs, &c. 
See Measure. 
The English statute mile is fourscore 
chains, or 1760 yards ; that is 5280 feet. 
See Chain, Yard, and Foot. 
We shall here give a table of the miles in 
use among the principal nations of Europe, 
in geometrical paces, 60,000 of which make 
a degree of the equator. 
Geometrical paces. Yards. 
Mile of Russia 750 or 1100 
of Italy 1000 or 1467 
of England 1250 or 1760 
of Scotland and Ireland 1500 or 2200 
The small league 2000 or 2933 
The mean league 2500 or 3666 
