RETENTION OF THE MENSES.
Description.
The menstrual discharge is liable, from many causes, to become obstructed at the period when it ought to appear; when this takes place it is attended with very painful or serious effects; and, if nature is not assisted, the health is impaired or the constitution undermined, inducing consumption or some other complaint.
Causes.
The remote cause of this complaint is most frequently suppressed perspiration; and it may arise, in part, from an inactive sedentary life, and such habits as are peculiar to the higher classes of society, particularly in cities and towns. The proximate cause of it seems to be a want of power in the system, arising from inability to propel the blood into the uterine vessels with sufficient force to open their extremities and to allow a discharge of blood from them.
Symptoms.
Heaviness, listlessness to motion, fatigue on the least exercise, palpitation of the heart, pains in the back, loins, and hips, flatulence, acidities in the stomach and bowels, costiveness, a preternatural appetite for chalk, lime, and various other absorbents, together with many other dyspeptic symptoms. As it advances in its progress the face becomes pale, and afterward assumes a yellowish hue, even verging upon green, whence it has been called green sickness; the lips lose their rosy color; the eyes are encircled with a livid areola; the whole body has an unhealthy appearance, with every indication of a want of power and energy in the constitution; the feet are affected with swellings; the breathing is much hurried by any great exertion of the body; the pulse is quick, but small; and the person is liable to a cough, and to many of the symptoms of hysteria. Sometimes a great quantity of pale urine is discharged in the morning, and not unfrequently hectic fever attends. In cases of a more chronic character there is a continued, though variable, state of sallowness, yellowness, darkness, or a wan, squalid, or sordid paleness of complexion, or ring of darkness surrounding the eyes, and extending perhaps a little toward the temples and cheeks.
Treatment.
As this disease proceeds from debility, it is evident that the great object to be fulfilled will be to give tone and energy to the system; and if this debility has arisen from a sedentary life, the patient must begin immediately to exercise in the open air, and, if practicable, to change her residence. The tepid or warm bath should be used in preference to the cold. The first medicine given may be the pulverized mandrake root, combined with a little cream of tartar. This, as well as other medicines, should be taken upon an empty stomach: after it has been given, motherwort, pennyroyal, and other herb teas may be freely drunk. After the exhibition of the purgative, which may be occasionally repeated, gum aloes may be taken, combined in such a manner as to prevent the piles. This medicine, from its action upon the uterus through the medium of the rectum, is very useful in retention of the menses. Emmenagogues, or “forcing medicines,” should not be used to bring on the menses, except there be a struggle or effort of nature to effect it, which may be known by the periodical pains and pressing down about the hips and loins. When this occurs let the feet be bathed, and perspiration promoted, by drinking freely of diluent teas, such as pennyroyal, motherwort, and garden thyme. Should considerable pains attend the complaint, eight or ten grains of the diaphoretic powders may be given, and fomentations of bitter herbs applied over the region of the womb. Desomeaux’s Portuguese Pills are now recommended as the best specific, especially if the disease proves obstinate.
The female should be very careful not to expose herself to the vicissitudes of the weather, and not suffer the feet or clothes to become wet: warm clothing must be worn, and particularly flannel. For pain apply a heated brick, covered, to the bowels.
The diet should be light, nutritious, and easy of digestion.