The Science of Therapeutics - Classical Homeopathy Online

Full text of "The Science of Therapeutics: According to the Principles of Homeopathy"Page 39 of 653Puerperal fever sets in under the operation of the same causesthat have been indicated for simple metritis ; two weighty circumstances, hoisvever, have yet to be added. One is the epidemic appearance of the disease, which shows that general atmospheric ortelluric influences are at work in producing the disease, and itseem as though stormy and damp cold weather exerted the greatestinfluence as an exciting cause ; and the other circumstance is thcommunication of the disease by infection. In this respect opinioalthough not by any means agreed, incline to the theory that thedisease is not communicated by a contagium, but, like cholera, bymiasmatic agencies. We do not deem it expedient to discuss thismatter more fully in this place. A number of cases in lying86 Diseases of the Female Sexual Organs.hospitals nndoubtedly originate in this source, although there arexceptions.Si/inptoms and Course. In order to intelligently appreciatethe phenomena characterizing the morbid process of which we arespeaking, it is well to familiarize one's mind with the anatomicachanges that this morbid process develops. The disease alwayscommences in the first days after confinement, at a period when tuterus has not yet completed the process of involution. This retuto a normal condition is checked by the inflammation, on whichaccount the uterus remains larger than in its normal condition, iwalls are soft and flabby. The interstices of the internal liningsometimes puffed up only in part, and covered with a purulentsecretion ; and at other times they are covered with a croupous,membranous exudation, more especially round the portion wherethe placenta was attached. All such exudations incline very stronto gangrenous disorganization, in which case the mucous membraneis transformed into a fetid, dark-colored pulp. The uterine parenchyma scarcely ever remains uninvaded ; sometimes, however, itsinner layer only is interstitially distended and infiltrated. Ifinflammatory process spreads, exudation takes place here and therin the muscular layer, with abscesses or ichorous deposits, the vbecome involved in the inflammation, and likewise the lymphaticvessels, after which a more or less considerable peritoneal exudais scarcely ever absent. In xjonsequence of a further spread of tinflammation of the veins and lymphatic vessels, the femoral vessnot unfrequently become inflamed and closed up, giving rise to thso-called phlegn:asia alba dolens ; or else metastatic abscessesinate in consequence of the inflammation communicating itself toremote parts.Simple puerperal metritis rarely commences before the second,and equally rarely after the eighth day of confinement, almost always with a severe chill followed by burning heat. At the sametime or very soon after, the uterus becomes painful, with or without pressure, and very soon shows a decrease of resisting power.Generally the lochial discharge ceases as soon as the inflammatiosets in. One of the most common symptoms at the very outset isa violent, painful vomiting and retching, and more or less frequediarrhoeic discharges with tenesmus. The fever is very intense; tpulse, if vomiting is present, is at first empty, but seldom lessone hundred, and afterwards full and hard. The patients are torhttp://www.archive.org/stream/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog/sciencetherapeu00kafkgoog_djvu.txt