SIMPLE ULCERS OF THE CERVIX. DEEP-SEATED ULCERATIONS.
The principal difference between the actual ulcers of the cervix and the erosions first described, is to be found in the greater depth of the former, which involve the substance or parenchyma of the womb. They may be supposed to result therefore form a severer form of congestion and inflammation of the parts; from severer injuries; or they may be regarded as the further development of the abrasion or superficial ulceration. And they are more easily perceptible to the touch. In their depth these ulcerations may from a few lines to a quarter of an inch. Sometimes the include and destroy a considerable portion of the cervix. The ulceration is usually on the cervix bear the os tineae; and in many instances the ulcer extends from the exterior surface into the canal of the cervix. When the inner surface of the canal is thus effected, the os uteri is much more patulous; and this will afford some indication on extension of the disease internally.
In many cases the ulceration is usually on the cervix nearly on a level with the non-ulcerated. A soft, velvety, mossy character, easily recognized by the ginger after a little practice, belong to these ulcerations.-which ware still very different from the excoriations of the mucous membrane. “This soft velvety sensation, and the open stage of he os uteri, are the most important evidences of he existence of ulceration that the touch can give. Their edges are clearly defined, neither hard nor elevated, and their surfaces present a granulated healthy appearance and usually covered by purulent matter. In other cases the granulations may be more abundant, firm, of a vivid red hue, scarcely bleeding on pressure; or they may be large. fungous, livid and bleed profusely on the slightest touch. these fungous ulcerations are generally connected with torpor of the local circulation; and when they appear, the congestion of the vagina is often very great, of a livid venous character, and the non-ulcerated surface of the cervix may present dilated varicose veins.
Simple, deep-seated, non-malignant ulceration of he cervix, is characterized by a burning or stinging pain in the centre of he pelvis; this pain is much more excruciating during coition, or during the menstrual flow; there is severe pain in the back; more or less leucorrhoea, and sometimes considerable discharge of blood. These ulcers are usually found on e inside of he os tincture, most frequently on the posterior lip; but very often they are developed in fissures of the cervix as to involve the funds of the womb.
Three distinct elements may be considered to include the principal causes of these ulcerations, -attacks of inflammation, local influences and constitutional miasm. As the erosions were deemed the result of inflammation. In connection with this must also be taken into account those local injuries which result from sexual intercourse or other violence, from injections, or pessaries, or other mechanical means, and from he friction against the cervix in cases of displacement already referred to as promoting abrasions of the mucous coat. And thirdly, some specific miasm, psora, herpes, or scrofula, may be supposed to enter into these ulcerations. Where cancerous ulcers become developed, it is because instead of one of these non-malignant miasms, the germ of the cancer was present in. the original disease. For it is not to be imagined that any simple ulcer, however severe, finally results in cancer. Nor indeed do the more virulent forms of malignant or corroding ulcerations. Where cancerous ulcers become developed, it is because instead of one of these non-malignant miasms, s the germ of the cancer was present in the original disease. For it is not to be imagined that any simple ulcer, however severe, finally result sin cancer. Nor indeed do the more virulent forms of malignant or corroding ulcer thus deteriorate or become transformed into specific disease.
This form of ulceration never exists alone;l but it is either the consequence of some constitutional dyscrasia; of general poor health,-or it may appear in connection with engorgement of chronic catarrh of he womb. In this latter case the ulceration may be either the case or the consequence of the chronic inflammation. And in either case, the ulcer cannot be made to heal permanently until the general health is more or less completely restored. For it is with the womb as with the eye, in respect to the intimate connection and profound sympathy of these was with a the general health.
Non-malignant ulcerations may heal spontaneously; that is on the recovery of the general health, and on the subsidence of the provoking causes of the ulceration. The contrary of this has been asserted by a late author. Scanzoni But cases are recorded in which cicatrices were found in. the womb of females who has died of other diseases but in whom the existence of uterine ulceration had never been suspected. But where the general health is neglected or grows worse, where the ulcerations are left to themselves or aggravated by improper treatment, they may continue to spread, and become so extensive as to destroy life indirectly by undermining the constitution, or directly by the haemorrhages which they may occasion.
Simple ulcer of the womb is far more amenable to Homoeopathic medication, and far more easily and safely treated by such gentle and yet constitutional means, than by the application of caustics either liquid or solid. At the same time the general health is restored by selecting remedies to suit all the constitutional indications and the patient is not only cured of her ulcer, but radically cured, by the removal from her system, of the dyscrasia, which, combined with incidental local causes, produced the ulceration.
FUNGOUS GROWTH, OR COCKSCOMB GRANULATION, is a form of disease which may result from neglected ulceration of the womb. These granulations may be regarded as a hypertrophied development of those already mention has connected with simple ulceration of he cervix uteri. These fungous existences spring up principally in the vicinity of the os uteri; they are sometimes found within the canal of the cervix uteri. These fungous excrescences spring up principally in the vicinity of he os uteri; they are sometimes found within the canal of the cervix; they are of a livid-red color, -composed of cellular tissue, and are very full of blood- vessels. They discharge an abundant purulent section; and are capable of giving rise to copious and almost intractable hemorrhage from the least touch.
MALIGNANT ULCERATION, PHAGEDENIC or CORRODING ULCER OF the womb, constitutes the the third form of organic diseases of he womb. This form is fortunately not very common;l and its existence as distinct from cancerous ulcerations has been positively denied. In its extent, malignancy, in the rapidity of its course as well as in the usual fatality of its termination, it is no less formidable than cancer itself. Malignant non-cancerous ulceration is more apt to happen to women at the middle period for life, or at a more advanced age; but it sometimes occurs in women who may still be said to be young. the ulcer generally begins in the cervix uteri; and the uterus is at the same time somewhat harder and larger than in the natural stage. It does not however from to an considerable size. The ulcer spreads from the cervix to the funds, and it is not unusual to see the greater part of he cervix destroyed by it, and the always confined in its boundaries to the uterus, but it sometimes spreads in to the neighboring parts, as the vagina, the bladder and the rectum, making communication between them and producing dreadful havoc. “The disease attacks females of the lymphatic temperament, and generally about he period of he cessation of the menses or soon after.
Malignant ulceration of the womb is attended by heat and pain in the pelvis., But the first important symptom is the alarming hemorrhage to which it gives rise; and which may be mistaken for a profuse menstruation. there is also fetid discharge, which varies from a light-straw color to a dark-brown. That portion of the uterus which is not ulcerated is scarcely at all enlarged, and is free and movable, thus differing from the true cancerous ulcerations. “In cancer there is extensive deposition into the cellular membrane and glands between the vagina and rectum, as well as in to the substance of the uterus itself, connecting them so as to form one large mass, and rendering the whole immovable; the finger on being introduced into the vagina, finds very little space and no power of moving the parts with which it comes in contact. Whereas, in corroding ulcer, no deposition having taken place the uterus can be move d by gentle pressure, and parts of the pelvic contents having been destroyed by ulceration, there is more space tan usual in the cavity,. From simple ulceration of the cervix, this malignant form is distinguished by the excessive fetor of its discharge, by the more intense character of the pin, and by the apis extension of the ulcerative process. Corroding ulcer of the cervix, which may also extend to the funds of the ulcerative process. Corroding ulcer of the cervix, which may also extend to the funds of the womb, slowly eats away the uterine walls; and in. the Allopathic practice is only hindered and delayed in its final and fatal termination. But in the Homoeopathic practice we possess the very important double advantage of being enabled at the same time to give remedies which shall promote the healing of the local difficult, and improve instead of still further injuring the general health. these cases can never be cured, unless by such means as shall eliminate from the system the dyscrasia which lie to the foundation of the ulceration.-and at the same time ready both the bad health which caused and that which followed the ulcerations itself. these ends are far beyond all he means of the Allopathy, or general principally, and even both combined, usually has the effect to leave the case worse than before.
