CHAP. III.
Of the Suppression of the LOCHIA, or Child-Bed-Purgations.
THE LOCHIA are nothing else, but the ignobler part of the Blood and congested Humours, which after the BIRTH Nature evacuates and discharges out of the Uterine Vessels, in consequence of the Divulsion and Separation of the Placenta from the Womb. Which LOCHIA however differ always according to the Constitution and Disposition of the Woman, and that not only in Quantity, but also in Quality: For if the PATIENT be otherways Healthy, and Well-disposed, these are at first of a florid rosy Colour, degenerating day by day into a Pale-dye; Whereas if otherways, they are sometimes Aqueous, and sometimes Bilous, Melancholick, &c. And, according also to the usual Habit of Body, and Way of Living, some Women flood more plentifully, others more sparingly; some a longer, and others a shorter Time: as for Instance——
A Woman given to Ease, and high Living, being delivered of a Male, may cleanse from twenty to thirty Days; and if of a Female, from thirty to forty-two Days at most, however still declining in Quantity from Day to Day: Whereas another given to Exercise, may flood only from eight to fifteen Days; and that also perhaps more sparingly, or by Intervals of one or two Days. But it oftentimes happens, that this Evacuation is either suppressed in Whole, or in Part; of which Suppression or Preternatural Retention, I am now about to speak.——
FIRST then, the Cause of this Evil, proceeds either from an Obstruction of the Uterine Vessels, occasion’d by thick BLOOD stopping the Passages: Or, Secondly, from a Constriction or Compression of the same Vessels, occasioned by an oblique Situation of the Womb, or by cold Air, cold Drink, or the like, which readily constrict their Orifices, as well as contract the Womb itself: Or, Thirdly and lastly, the Cause may proceed from the BLOOD’s being retracted and converted to some other Part of the Body; which is most commonly occasion’d by some Passion or Perturbation of Mind, that may not only turn the Shock of the BLOOD to the Breasts, but also retard the Motion, and thicken the Mass of the same BLOOD.
THE DIAGNOSTICKS however of this Distemper are manifest; for either no BLOOD is voided at all, or too small a Quantity, in respect to the Size, Temperament, and Constitution of the PATIENT: But besides, it may be also known by the following Symptoms; viz. a SWELLING of the BELLY, upon the Retention of the Humours that ought to be evacuated; a Difficulty of Breathing arises; Pains seize the Abdomen, as also the Loins and the Groins; a Fever and Tremblings follow; as Faintings do upon a weak, quick and unequal Pulse; something fuliginous appears in the Urine; and a livid, black, grumous, or nauseous Matter is excreted.
HENCE proceed various PROGNOSTICKS; viz. Fevers, Spitting or Vomiting of Blood, Melancholy, Inflammations of the Liver, Quincy, Pleurisy, Frenzy, Dropsy, Apoplexy, and Madness itself: The least of which may prove of fatal Consequence, wherefore Delays in this Condition are most dangerous; because when any of these heavy Symptoms has befallen the Woman, there is scarce any Hope left for her Recovery; whereas before, they may be artfully prevented, and the Cure duly perfected by convenient DIET, Venæsections, Revulsive Medicines, &c.
BUT more particularly the Cure ought to vary, according to the difference of the co-incident Symptoms: For since continual Fevers and Inflammatory Diseases most commonly follow upon this Suppression or Diminution of the Lochia, we must take great Care that, endeavouring to promote the FLUX, and to open the Uterine Vessels, we do not augment the FEVER and Inflammation; which will certainly happen, (if without distinction) we use the hot Medicines prescribed by many Authors.
WHEREFORE in this Case repeated Venæsections sometimes in the Ancle, and sometimes in the Arm; and cupping Glasses applied to the Thighs and Shins; as also Rubbing of the Legs and Thighs well, are generally sufficient Remedies; especially if followed with one or more Cleansing, or partly opening, partly cooling, and Emollient CLYSTERS, of a Decoction of Mallows, Pellitory, or the like; in which strain’d Liquor, the Pulp of CASSIA with a Dram of Nitre, and Sugar, and Honey may be dissolved: As also Fomentations and Fumigations of Emollient and Aperient Medicines that are not sharp, may be very pertinently used. Finally, the Infusion of Jesuits-Bark in Water, may be properly given three or four Times a day; and purging PTISANS, after the first days, are of good Service in the present Case.