CHAP. XXV.
Of the INFLATIONS and TUMOURS of the LEGS.
THESE bloating Symptoms not only happen to some Women before, but also after BIRTH; especially when the Lochia, or Child-bed Cleansings, do not flow in a regular Measure or sufficient Quantity.
THE Cause of the present disorder’d Case, proceeds either from the Suppression of some Aqueous Flux of the Womb; or from some such watery serous Blood descending to the Legs; or from the Abundance of retain’d Menstruous Blood, more than the Infant can dispense with: which, being of no Service either to MOTHER or CHILD, settles downwards to these aggriev’d Parts. But these Things are to be considered with this Distinction and Difference, that if the LIVER be debilitated, and the Blood becom’s Pituitous or Aqueous, the Woman’s Legs are so Oedematous or Tumid, that when pressed with the Finger, it leaves the Impression of a Dent and Hollowness: But if the Blood grows corrupted and bilous, her Legs are inflam’d, and sometimes occasionally exulcerated, as in Scorbutick Cases: And if none of These happen, then a gross thick Blood only abounds, tending vitiously downwards. Upon which there are only some Livid or Blueish Marks[81] to be discover’d with those Tumours, such as the VARICES or Swellings occasion in the preceeding Case.
IN fine, the Woman troubled with these Symptoms, commonly bears a Female; as all Women, having sickly times of GESTATION, generally do. However yet, tho’ this swelling Affection is very troublesome, its Danger is not great; because it ordinarily ceases of it self with good Care after the BIRTH. Wherefore in this Condition a CURE is not always to be attempted, lest the Humours recoiling upwards, affect some nobler Part. Nevertheless, if the SWELLING be too considerably Painful or Troublesome, proper Digerents and Discutients may be apply’d, and the Legs fomented with a convenient Lixivy, Decoction, or Cataplasm.