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Peri-uterine Inflammation.Causes.- The most usual are abortion, confinement, imprudence during menstruation, inflammation of the womb or ovaries, injuries from instruments, coition. Symptoms.-The symptoms vary according to the severity of the case as well as the previous condition of the patient. There is frequently a pronounced chill, followed by high fever ; pain and tenderness in the lower part of the abdomen, which are aggravated by motion of the body ; sometimes nausea and vomiting occur. In other cases the onset of the difficulty is far more gradual ; there may be no acute symptoms which direct attention to this part of the body, beyond some pain and tenderness and perhaps derangement of the menstrual function. In these cases, however, there has usually existed previously some disease of the womb. The course and duration of peri-uterine inflammation vary extremely according to the attendant circumstances of the case. The affection may subside before five weeks, leaving the womb essentially unchanged ; these are the most favorable and the rarest cases. In more numerous instances the result is a displacement of the womb, which becomes bound down in this unnatural position by the products of the inflammatory process. This is the origin of so many of the obstinate cases of uterine displacement which are treated unsuccessfully by one physician after another for years ; they are in fact incurable. Another termination of this difficulty is an abscess in the neighborhood of the womb-a process usually indicated by a rapid succession of severe chills, extreme pain, high fever and general prostration. These abscesses often break spontaneously into the vagina or the rectum, or even into the bladder; in any case the most obstinate and annoying discharge usually results and the patient's general health is seriously impaired. In other still more unfortunate cases the abscess tdoes not escape externally, but causes a general inflammation of the membrane which lines the abdomen and covers the bowels-an inflammation which is technically called peritonitis. This is one of the gravest affections that can afflict the patient, and usually results either in death or in permanent invalidism. In the most favorable cases the woman's life is made wretched by obstinate and painful derangements of menstruation, displacements of the womb, and general illhealth. Treatment.-The object of treatment in the early stage is to limit the extent of the inflammation, and thereby to avoid, if possible, not only the more painful, but also the more disastrous consequences of the disease. Whenever, therefore, the symptoms already mentioned as indicating the onset of this affection are noted - chills, fever, pain and tenderness in the abdomen-the woman should go to bed and stay there. It is impossible to overestimate the important, indeed the absolute, necessity for perfect rest during this condition. The next most important measure is the application of heat and moisture to the inflamed parts ; this is accomplished first and best by frequently-repeated and long-continued use of the vaginal douche, the water being made as hot as can be conveniently endured ; the same object will be furthered by the application of hot moist cloths over the womb and between the thighs. It is important, also, to secure an evacuation of the bowels, which may be best accomplished, not by the use of cathartics, but by an injection of warm water into the rectum. From fifteen to twenty drops of laudanum, the quantity varying according to the amount of pain, may be at once administered and repeated in four hours. The further management of the case must be left to the medical adviser; it would be impossible and impracticable for us to relate to the non-professional reader the steps necessary to ascertain the progress of the disease and to prevent the manifestation of its worst symptoms, for the treatment consists - aside from the general directions already given - in local examinations and applications through the vagina, which can be performed only by a physician. In many of these cases in which the initial symptoms have been so slight that the physician was not called, the damage is done beyond repair before medical advice is finally summoned ; the patient is already an invalid, and is apt to remain one for years. In these cases medical treatment is seldom of much avail ; there is not much hope of restoring the womb and surrounding tissues to the proper and natural condition ; the chief object must be to place the patient in the conditions most favorable to health, in order that she may endure, as best she can, the array of uncomfortable symptoms constituting " female weakness. " The general directions are essentially those stated in connection with the discussion of chronic inflammation of the womb, and need not here be repeated; yet especial stress should be laid upon two items : the importance of rest and of abstinence from sexual intercourse. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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