XV. Whites-Leucorrhoea. (Catarrhs).
This disease may occur at any period of female life, but is most common during the time between puberty and the critical age, i.e., during the menstrual period of a women’s life. It is a catarrh of the mucous membrane of the uterus and vagina, the result of previous inflammation or irritation.
SYMPTOMS. A discharge of a whitish, yellowish, or greenish colour, either thin and watery or thick and gelatinous, sometimes of an excoriating character, or having an offensive smell, from the vaginal orifice. In severe ceases the whole system suffers: the face becomes pale or sallow; the functions of digestion are impaired; there are dull pains in the back, loins, and abdomen; cold extremities; palpitation and dyspnoea after exertion; debility and loss of energy; partial or entire suppression of the menstrual flow. Sometimes the discharge appears to be more or less vicarious of menstruation. In slight cases the disease may exist for years without giving rise to any very marked symptoms.
CAUSES. Cold; congestion; defective health; scrofulous habit; the irritation of worms; want of cleanliness; disease of the uterine organs, or of the ovaries, etc. Leucorrhoea is very common in the rich, indolent, luxurious, and dissipated, and in those who live in crowed cities; it is less frequent in persons of industrious and regular habits, and in those who live in the country. When the disease occurs in children of tender years, it is generally the result of uncleanliness, of worms, or of some irritating substance introduced into the vaginal passage.
Other causes are-the employment of purgatives; tight-lacing; the excessive use of tea, coffee, and spices; menstrual derangements; abnormal growths; uterine debility and relaxation consequent on difficult parturition, or too early exercise after confinement; general debility and relaxation of the muscular and membranous structures, whether form natural organization or previous disease.
TREATMENT. Pulsatilla. Suitable in the majority of cases; in Leucorrhoea during pregnancy, when the discharge is a thick white mucus, or is corrosive, with itching; or in girls who have not menstruated. Shifting pains in thee abdomen, flatulence, and the Pulsatilla temperament, act., are further indications.
Sepia. Yellow, greenish, or fetid discharge, worse before the menses; scanty menstruation; bearing-down pains; costiveness; sensitiveness to cold; languor; unhealthy skin.
Calcarea. Chronic Leucorrhoea in children and in women of weak, scrofulous, and lymphatic constitution, particularly those who menstruate too frequently and too profusely the Leucorrhoea has a milky appearance, is worst just before the menses, is often attended with itching or burning, or with pains shooting though the parts, and with falling of the womb.
Iodium. In constitutions similar to those mentioned under Calcarea, when there is an offensive, thin discharge, with emaciation.
Sulphur. Chronic cases and scrofulous constitutions. It may follow either of the two foregoing remedies, or be given in turns with one of them-sulph. one week, the other the next week, and so
on.
Mercurius. Leucorrhoea of a yellowish character, containing matter (pus), with soreness and itching; profuse menstruations, the discharge being thin and unhealthy-looking; weakness, coldness, sallow complexion, etc.
China. After long-continued or excessive discharge, for the consequent debility; also after other debilitating diseases which have induced Leucorrhoea.
Hamamelis. Moderate or excessive discharge, more or less taking the place of menstruation, with much pain about the groin, scalding when passing water, etc.
Other remedies are-Helonias, Ferrum, Collinsonia, Aloes, Arsenicum, Hydrastis, etc.; the last named may be used locally also-twenty drops of the strong tincture in half a pint of water.
Administration. A dose thrice daily, for a week or ten days; in chronic cases, night and morning for a longer period.
ACCESSORY MEANS. There are several conditions which are absolutely essential to the successful treatment of “Whites,” the most important of which are-active exercise in the open air, short of inducing fatigue; avoidance of all sexual excesses, indulgence in the pleasures of the parties, lascivious imaginings, etc.; and, lastly, frequent injections of cold water, and daily ablutions, including the hip-bath, 1 For a full description of the hip-bath, and the great advantages consequent on its proper use, see The Lady’s Manual of Homeopathic Treatment are necessary, in order to ensure the most perfect cleanliness of the utero-genital organs.
The importance of this last point cannot be too strongly stated, for without a due attention to cleanliness, all other efforts may prove futile. This morbid secretion is at best exceedingly irritating, but when it is permitted to accumulate and remain for a long time in contact with the mucous membrane, it becomes partially decomposed, fetid, and highly pernicious to the healthy condition of the parts. On this account the constant and thorough use of local applications of tepid or cold water should be strictly carried out. The use of the enema-syringe, having the vaginal tube attached, is the best means of carrying out the important directions now given.
XVI. Falling of the Womb-Prolapsed Uterus (Uterus Prolapsus).
This troublesome derangement occur most frequently in married women beyond the middle age, but it also occurs in others of relaxed constitution, and after dancing, running, or too severe exertion during menstruation.
Three degrees of descent of the womb are recognized, viz, relaxation, where the slightest descent had happened; prolapsus, where it exists to a greater extent; procidentia, where there is protrusion through the external part. A slight relaxation often exists a long time without attention being called to it.
SYMPTOMS. Bearing-down, dragging sensations in the lower part of the abdomen; drawing from the small f the back and around the loins and hips; weariness, soreness, and faintness, with indisposition to stand; Leucorrhoea discharge, increased menstruation, and frequent desire to pass water; nervousness,, irritability of temper, constipation, dyspepsia, etc.
CAUSES. A relaxed condition of the system, which may be natural, or acquired by sedentary habits, too high living, etc. The immediate exciting causes are-getting up too soon and engaging in too active employments after confinement; Leucorrhoea; sexual excesses; injuries from falls, strains or lifting heavy weights; purgatives; long-continued coughs, severe vomitings, tight lacing, etc.
TREATMENT. Belladonna. Sense of weight, and bearing down, in the region of the womb, with heat and tenderness; especially suited to plethoric females who menstruate profusely.
Sepia. Prolapsus attended with great irritability and disposition to faint, or consequent upon Leucorrhoea, or when the menses are irregular, scanty, and attended with loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, bearing-down after exercise, frequent desire to urinate, drawing pains in the thighs, and a feeling as if the contents of the pelvis would fall out, Sepia is suited to women of feeble and delicate frame, sensitive skin, nervous habits, and whose muscular system is easily strained. A yellowish Leucorrhoea discharge, itchings, and eruptions, and tendency to uterine complaints and piles, are further indications.
Nux Vomica. Constant dribbling discharge, prolapsus of the womb and vagina, and constipation, especially when these symptoms occur in dark-complexioned women of irritable, active disposition, who are subject to piles, dyspepsia, sick headache, etc.
Stannum. Excessive sense of bearing-down: it is one of the best remedies.
Sulphur. May be given in alternation with Nux V.; and when the affection is associated with a strumous constitution.
Arnica. When a fall, over-exertion or other injury has led to the condition.
Helonias, Calcarea, Ferrum, and China, are other remedies. Professional treatment is, however, nearly always necessary.
Administration. In severe cases, a dose every three or four hours; in mild or threatened cases, every six or twelve hours.
ACCESSORY MEANS. In slight cases, the recumbent posture, maintained for some time, with raised hips, and the use of one or more of the above remedies, will ordinarily suffice to effect a cure. In severe forms of procidentia it may be necessary to employ mechanical means to support the womb until, by the administration of suitable remedies, the parts have recovered their natural tone and contractility. A good pessary, accurately adapted to the size of the vagina, may be used with advantage, if properly applied and not worn too long. Its injudicious use aggravated the mischief. A medical man should always be consulted.
The application of cold water to the body generally, and the daily use of the hip-bath, followed by vigorous friction, are remedial agents whose great value is authenticated by long practice.
Prolapsus uteri is so often associated with constitutional causes as to render it desirable, if possible, to confide the treatment to a homoeopathic practitioner.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."