An index of diseases and their treatment / by Thomas Hawkes Tanner.

  • Tanner, Thomas Hawkes, 1824-1871.
Date:
1883
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An index of diseases and their treatment / by Thomas Hawkes Tanner. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    466/540 (page 428)
    obstetric practice by Silt James Simp.sox. Tlieso iustrumc-nts are of a uarrow couical form, aud of vari(jiis sizes. They an; made by dijjjjiug a pieco of spoDge into water, and then compressing it arouDd a c.tutral wire with whipcord. Afterdrying, the cord is removed ; the .surface of the tout being then coated witli a mixture of hird and wax, while three or four inches of tnpe are fastened to its base. The tents which the Author has generally used have been made by Duxcax axd Flockhakt of Edinburgh, and they ore perfect. A metallic director, somewhat resembhng the uterine sound, with a shaqj point, is needed for their introduction up the uterine canal; while their removal is accomplished by pulling the tape. A fresh tent must be introduced every twenty- four or forty-eight hours, until the tissues are sutJiciently dilated to allow the finger to explore the cavity of the uterus. Dii. Sloax of Ayr has suggested the use of the di-ied stem of the sea-tangle {Laiainaria fllf/itcifa) as a substitute for sponge. The stem of this common marine plant is cylindrical, soft, ttexiblc^firm. and capable of being greatly reduced in size by drying. On subsequentlv being supplied with sufficient moisture it dilates to at least three or four times its size. The tangle tents produce equable dilatations, are in all respects very etlicient, are cleanly, and ought to be cheap. They are more easily introduced into the uterus than the sponge tents, but thev are also more liable to slip out again when the pressure of the flnser is removed. In employing these tents it seems best to dip them'iu hot water just prior to introducing them; avoiding the use of oil, as it interferes with their absorbing power. Q'ents may also be made of gentian and of elm bark; but the Author has had no experience with these kinds, having been perfectly salistied with the sponge and sea-tangle. 427. Gidactophora and Gdadoplnjfja. a. GaLACTOPHORA [raAci=milk + (fie'pm = to bear]. Or G.-iLACTAGOGCES [raXa + (Jv=to drive out], are remedies which increase the secre- tion of milk. Defective lactation is not common amongst be.allliy mothers, but with the weak and delicate it is verv freqiu-ut. AVheu it arises amongst the tii-st class it is generallv due to overfeeding: when amongst the second, anannia is its cau.'^e. in cither class, a torpid con- dition of the mammary gland may bo its source. JJt'fcdmc ladation from j>k/honi will be best treated bv purgatives, tlio most efficient being castor oil. All kinds of beer, wine, and spirits aro to be prohibited. Animal food is to be allowed ; with vegetables, bread, tea, &c. A mi.Kturo of milk and soda water, in o(iual parl.s, fonii.s au excellent drink in these cases. The ]iatient is not Id be weakened : but sIh! should be cautioned against the vulgar error, that a large quantiiy of food is necessary, simply because she'is nursiiig. J)cfc'clirc lacUitionfroni aiKriiiid is not uni'oniiiiKiK AVhen the weakness is not such as to forbid sucldiiig, tlu' lieallh (Xight to be improved by aiiiiiial food; by a fair allowance of ah- or portrr or wine ; and by t.nking milk, or cocoa made M illi milk, instead of tea and cntTc c. A raw egg beaten U]) in a, luinblerful of milk, once or twic a day, will do goiMi. Then ammonia and bark (]■'. ;)71) maybe given, or some nou-astringeut ferruginous tonic (F. ■In;), -Ki.)) ; ov cod liver oil. l>'/ictirfl(idiifii>iijn»n for/xjr o/tUc mamma is llie most fn^quenl variety. Jn the.-jc cases benefit will be derived from irritating the gland aud nipple