All these and other long trains of symptoms whose name is legion are the results of the combined influence of the producing causes of the leucorrhoeal discharge, and of the debilitating effect of the discharge itself. And this important distinction should always be borne in mind for if we think the leucorrhoea alone causes all these innumerable and various sufferings we should naturally be depressed to seek principally to remove the discharge expecting the consequence would then readily disappear. But such expectations would be disappointed; even if we could succeed in curing the leucorrhoea by attending to that alone- which is not the case as will more plainly appear when we come to study the causes and treatment of this discharge.
The causes of leucorrhoea- These may be divided into two classes constitutional predisposition and incidental influences.
The constitutional predisposition to leucorrhoea is but another name for psoric diathesis or scrofulous taint in general. This is much more strongly manifested when it has become hereditary not only as a general predisposing influence but also by previous local development of this form of scrofulous in the mother. Thus a young women of decided scrofulous constitution may well be considered to possess a constitutional predisposition to leucorrhoea. But this predisposition will easily be understood to be very much intensified if her mother- and still more her grandmother also-had leucorrhoea before her. This hereditary predisposition to scrofula in general and to leucorrhoea in particular will require a greater or less amount of incidental influence to develop it. According as it is thus more or less strongly marked in the constitution itself. And in proportion as the leucorrhoea is the result of such constitutional predisposition it will prove more inveterate and more difficult to cure.
The psoric taint in the system tends to develop and ultimate itself either on the external surface of the skin, or in the superficial other glandular structure according as its original nature is analogous to pure psora or to scrofula. But in either case, after puberty, and in many strongly marked cases before puberty-this psoric miasm reverts from the cutaneous or glandular system to the mucous surface. And in such as have this constitutional predisposition still more remarkable and specifically developed the psoric and scrofulous taint attacks the mucous surface of the female genitals in the first instance. such are the cases of young girls, and even very young children in whom the leucorrhoea seems to have developed itself almost spontaneously- that is without the co-operation of any particular incidental influence that can be discovered.
Among the incidental influence which may produce leucorrhoea may be enumerated almost every thing which is capable of injuriously affecting the female organism. This remark however applies rather to the chronic than to the acute form of the disease.
The causes which principally excite acute vaginitis and consequently acute leucorrhoea may all be embraced under a few general heads. Exposure to cold, from which many women suffer more than they are aware, or are willing to acknowledge, may occasion a true vaginal catarrh, or acute inflammation followed by a copious catarrhal discharge. Violent of any kind may produce an inflammation, the discharge from which will exhibit more of a purulent appearance. A very similar effect may result from excessive sexual indulgence. As already stated inflammation from the vulva and even from the adjacent tissues may extend themselves in to the vagina. These however are less apt to be followed by leucorrhoea. amount the unpleasant sequelae of parturition and especially of miscarriage, acute inflammation of the vaginal membranes and accompanying leucorrhoea are the most frequently observed. This may result from the violence which these delicate tissues have experienced; and also from the impatience of the female herself, in attempting to get about too soon.
Sudden and violent attacks of vaginitis and leucorrhoea have been observed to arise from causes which may be designated as metastases such are those which follow sudden suppressing. as of perspirations; of the haemorrhoidal discharge; of diarrhoea; of the lacteal secretion of chronic suppuration; of cephalic or bronchial catarrh; of spontaneous vomiting; and retrocession of arthritic, gouty inflammations and of recent or long established cutaneous eruption. The gonorrheal virus excites perhaps the most violent acute inflammation and copious discharge of all. But the discussion of this class of disorders is foreign to our present purpose.
The influence of cold damp weather or exposure to cold and damp from the location of the residence, in a marshy district-from the nature of the house itself (stone with walls constantly moist on their inner surface),- and from water standing in the cellar,- especially when long continued is a powerful promotive of leucorrhoea. And in many cases resulting from such influence, the physician will find all his prescriptions vain, as long as he fails to explore or remove the cause. For in very many constitutions the susceptibility to such injurious influence is one of the principal features of their case. and such persons must cease taking the poison before the antidote can have the desired effect. But aside from the absolute necessity of guarding against the depraving influence of long continued exposure to dampness-especially from wet cellars, or large open eisterns immediately under the family sitting rooms- where the leucorrhoea is the direct result of such exposure, the true Homeopathic remedy may easily be overlooked so long as the cause f the complaint remains unknown.
An entirely opposite but not less numerous class of causes f this disease may be found in the high living stimulating spices, conditions and drinks in which many females indulge. As on the one hand in case of exposure to wet and cold, a low form of mucous inflammation may produce a still more constant and debilitating discharge from the vagina, so on the other hand, in those persons who over stimulate, nature seeks an outlet through the profuse vaginal secretion-attended of course by a higher range of inflammatory action-for the surplus of unhealthy food and drink. The stomach is overworked to digest these gratifications of an unhealthy appetite- and no small share of the glandular apparatus of the mucous membrane; and thus in effect the candle of life is being at the same time consumed with equal rapidity at both ends.
TREATMENT- For the remedies to be studied in LEUCORRHOEA OF THE VAGINA, consult Uterine Catarrh- where may be found the constitutional and special indications for all the medicine for leucorrhoea whether arising from the mucous membrane of the vagina alone from the numerous membrane of the vagina alone from that of the uterus; or from both as if usually the case in the severe and long continued forms of the inflammation of which the discharge is merely the consequence.
INDURATIONS OF THE VAGINA.
Inflammation of the cellular tissue of the labia, vagina, or other parts of the generative apparatus may lead to induration, with or without hypertrophy. These indurations occasion adhesion; and often result in contractions of the vagina, which may interfere with coition. Induration of the vaginal walls sometimes appears consequence of the extension of the same morbid condition from the os and cervix uteri. The simple thickening of the mucous membrane, which comes on gradually and almost imperceptible, in some cases may constitute the entire induration. In others it arises in connection with phlegmonous inflammation and infiltration of the deeper tissues. In others still, a syphilitic or schirrous taint in the system may be the cause. But in these latter instances, the indurated surface is very rough to the finger, sometimes ulcerated. Almost always the patients complain of pain at the outset of smarting, itching and increase of heat; and in proportion as the affection develops itself, the vagina becomes contracted and sometimes almost obliterated.
These indurations may be removed entirely, by radically curing the disorder from which they result, and without having recourse to the dilatations sometimes employed in Old School treatment. Observe carefully all the conditions, circumstances and symptoms of the patient; then the true similimum of the entire case may be found under one of the following remedies.
Belladonna Sense of heaviness and of fulness, and bearing down in the parts. Sense of heat, dryness in the affected parts. Sensation of pressing out of the internal parts. Throbbing sensation.
Calcarea carb.
Temperament leucophlegmatic. Calcareous complexion. Her feet feel as if she had on cold, damp stockings. Bloody tumors.
China The slightest contact causes darting-tearing pain, or tearing with pressure. The system has been debilitated by losses of fluids, especially of blood.
Clematis erecta Suitable to torpid, cachectic conditions. Swelling and induration of the glandular system. Syphilitic taint.
