DROPSICAL accumulations in the uterus, may consist of mucus or serous fluids. In the former case, they appear to be simply the result of such of its natural secretions. In the latter the fluids assume, in quality and quantity, rather the character of ordinary dropsical effusions.
Displacements of the uterus, by producing i of the cervix and so bringing its walls in contact the point of flexion, may occasion such an obstruction of its orifice as to cause the mucous accumulation the same result may follow the pressure of a polypus or tumor, or other approximation of the wall of he cervix. And as amenorrhoea is nearly always associated with uterine dropsy, this mucous secretion appears sometimes to take the place of the menses. Cases have been recorded in which these mucous accumulations would occur from time to time, in the obscene of he menses; and then again disappear on the return of the proper menstrual flow.
This mucous form of dropsy of the uterus may thus be called recurrent, in contradistinction from the other, serous variety, which is more continuously;persistent. Mucus from the accumulation sometimes appears to break away with more or less regularity; discharging itself and again reforming. This variety appears income instances to have relation other menstrual nisus; aggravating about the time of the usual monthly periods.
In many women the cessation of the menstruation extinguished the inflammatory affection of the womb, which has been kept up by inflammatory affection of the womb, which, has been kept up by the menstrual molimen. But in some cases the deprivation of the monthly discharge increases the inflammation nd renders chronic the congestion, which before had been but occasional and relieved by the menstrual flow. In such cases while the body of the womb becomes he seat of a persistent morbid activity, its neck becomes atrophied, d so as to impede more or less the exist of the fluids contained within the cavity of the uterus. The result is that the womb becomes more and more distended by a sero-sanguinolent, a much-sanguinolent or a much-purulent fluid. Severe uterine pains of an expulsive character may repeatedly occur, till at last the fluid is rejected and the patient is relieved. The same process of formation and expulsion of such accumulations may be renewed again and again.
While in. the persistent form of uterine dropsy the fluid appears to be of a a much more decidedly serous nature; and to be connected with a true dropsical diathesis. Reasoning form the analogy of similar disorder in other parts of the system, we may suppose that in this case, there is considerable thinning of the mucous membrane of he uterine walls and that this serous fluid is secreted from the submucous cellular tissue,-or rather from the vessels which it contains. This is the idiopathic dropsy of he uterus; and the accumulation may go on for years,-until relieved by art, or terminated by death.
Either of these forms of dropsy may be assisted with hysteria or anemia. And in those cases of dropsy of the uterus which appear in consequence of structural disease of hat organ, the fluid is generally mixed with purulent matter or blood. while in certain conditions of the system, the dropsical accumulations in the uterus, principally those of the mucous variety, become decomposed, and so give rise to volumes of gas, which may escape with a loud report. This is termed physometra; where both water and gas are contained in the womb the term pneumo-hydrometra is descriptive of this anomalous and unusual condition.
Dropsy of the uterus may be recognized by the enlargement of the uterus itself; but the sharp pains, which may be present; by the suppression of the menses by which it is attended; by the displacements, severe losses of blood, and other and perhaps malignant disorders of the womb which accompany or precede it; by tea constant oozing or occasional gushing of fluid from the uterus; or where no such escape of the fluid occurs, by the long continuance and gradual increase of the the enlargement of the uterus itself.
By a careful observation of all the attendant symptoms and circumstances of the cases, uterine dropsy may be distinguished from pregnancy, with which it is most apt to be confined; and from physometra, by the duller sound on percussion, and greater gravity of the concomitant symptoms. And in cases where the catheter or uterine sound can be introduced the discharge, whether mucous serous, purulent or bloody, will go far to determine both with existence of he dropsy and the nature of its cause. And where flexion for the disease prevents the introduction of the sound, this circumstance will prove scarcely less certainly diagnosis.
In case, especially recent ones, principally dependent inoculation of the cervix resulting from flexion, in displacement, the removal of the cause may at once relieve a careful comparison of all the symptoms and conditions, as well constitution as organic and local. And in cases of more direct dropsical condition, idiopathic dropsy; or where the dropsy appear sin connection with scirrhus or other malignant disease of the uterus or its appendages, symptomatic dropsy, the evacuation of the accumulated fluids may afford temporary relief, and give more time and better opportunity to remedy both the organic disease and its consequences
Those forms of dropsy which occur in cognition with pregnancy, whether the accumulation be formed between he membranes of the ovum and the uterus, or consist in an excess of he liquor amnii itself, will be considered with the other disordered accompanying the pregnant state.
Dropsy of the uterus, like that in all other organ of the human system, will case a corresponding sympathetic affection of the whole body.
Apis. Absence of thirst is very characteristic of Apis in uterine Dropsy. Stinging pains, as of be-stings. Abdomen very tender to the touch.
Arsenicum. Very thirty for small and often repeated portions of water. Water disagrees with her; it does no pass from the stomach; but seems to remain there and distress her. the lower limbs seem almost paralyzed. She can hardly walk. She is very weak, and easily warned from exertion. she wants to be in a warm place, and to be wrapped up warmer.
Belladonna. The characteristic symptoms of pressure as if all would pass out of the genital organs, particularly early in the morning. Urine dark and scanty; sometimes it is as yellow as gold. she is usually worse after three in the afternoon. the tenderness of the abdomen is aggravated by the least jar even of the bed or chair upon which she sits and she is obliged to step with great care, in walking, for fear of a jar.
Bryonia. The selling increase during the day and diminishes during the night. Her lips are dry, she wishes to moisten them often. She is thirsty for cold water. There urine is dark and scanty although discharged frequently, a nd it deposits of pinkish colored stain. All her symptoms are aggravated by motion. He stools, are hard and dry, as if burnt.
Calcarea carb. In persons of a leucophlegmatic temperament. She has been menstruating too often and too profusely; she has some vertigo on going up stairs; fluttering of he hear and faintness. Damp, cold feet. Swelling at the pit of the stomach. She is very weakly in general.
Camphor. Red urine, depositing a thick sediment, with much coldness of the external surface. the urine is emitted very slowly, the bladder being nearly paralyzed. the urine is sometimes green.
Cantharis. More or less strangury. Tenseness of the cervix vesicae. Bloody urine. Pains in the limbs, coryza. There is much swellings of the uterus; pain in the abdomen, vomiting an fever.
China. The dropsy has been developed by profuse hemorrhages, or in aged women. Uncomfortable distention of the abdomen, she wishes to belch up wind frequently, -whichever affords no relieve. Urine dark, scanty and sandy.
Colchicum. The urine is very dark, very scanty and discharged in drops depositing a whitish sediment. Watery stools without sensation. the dropsy has supervened upon he sudden suppression of he menses, which had but just made their appearance. Much flatulence.
Conium. the mammae sympathize very much; they enlarge, become hard and painful. The urine intermits. There is vertigo when lying in a recumbent position, especially on turning over.
Digitalis. the heart sympathizes very much; the pulse is accelerated; or intermittent. The stills are very light-colored.
Dulcamara. This remedy will be indicated when the dropsical affection makes its appearance after the suppression of perspiration by cold damp air. Every cold change in. the whether makes he worse.
Ferrum. Dropsy of he uterus with germ debility and fiery red face.
Helleborus. the secretion of urine is almost suppressed the urine is very dark, and deposits a dare,. coffee-ground sediment. Debility; coma somnolentum; piercing pains in. he limbs; loose gelatinous evacuations.
Kali carb. Will often be found particularly indicated in aged women.
