See Hæmorrhage.
Labours.
Don't interfere unnecessarily; Nature, if left to her own unaided efforts, will accomplish her work in natural, uncomplicated labours. Many a woman has lost her life through meddlesome interference on the part of ignorant midwives. Should the labour be very prolonged, apparently for want of action or power in the womb, a few doses of Borax and Cinnamon (58) may be given. For Flooding (hæmorrhage during or after labour) lose no time in resorting to Cold Water Affusion (388), and subsequently use Vinegar locally (379). To promote the Lochial Discharge, if scanty or arrested, use Hot Water Fomentations (393). For After-pains give a dose of Opium (289). Convulsions, attendant on, see Convulsions.
Leech Bites, to arrest bleeding from.
See Paragraph 205.
Leeches, to dislodge from nose and other passages.
See Paragraph 206.
Leprosy.
Chaulmúgra (94), Gurgun Balsam (161*), Hydrocotyle (169*), or Mudar (242); with these may be advantageously conjoined a prolonged course of Fish Liver Oil (142), or the latter may be tried alone. For the ulcerations, poultices of Hydrocotyle (169) or Ním Leaves (261) may be applied with advantage. Opium (283) is often necessary to relieve pain and procure sleep. Whatever other treatment may be adopted, diligent oily frictions over the whole body should form an essential part of it (161-338). Carbolic Acid promises to prove a most valuable agent in this disease. The treatment of Leprosy by Carbolic Acid Vapour Baths, introduced by Surgeon-General W. Johnston, M.D. (Times, June 3, 1882), promises good results, and seems well worthy of further trials. All that is required is an ordinary vapour bath apparatus (397), in which the patient sits, and outside a chattie or vessel of sufficient size to contain about a quart of liquid, and made with a lengthened curved spout, to fit accurately on an elastic tube of sufficient length as to pass within the vapour-proof envelope. The calibre of this elastic tube should be such as would admit of a continuous and abundant supply of the vapour as it comes from the vessel, resting on a spirit-lamp having a flame sufficient to keep the fluid in the vessel boiling briskly. Prior to the use of this bath, sponging the body with tepid water, holding a piece of washing soda in solution, seems to aid the absorption of the vapour. The Carbolic Acid should be Calvert's Disinfecting Fluid, of which a mixture of three or four parts to six or seven of water may be employed. In this vapour bath the patient should remain from 30 to 60 minutes (care being taken that a continuous supply of vapour is kept up from outside), and it may be repeated every second or third day according to circumstances. Dr. Johnston informs me that he has never seen any ill effects result from the use of this carbolised aqueous vapour, even in cases presenting extensive ulcerated surfaces. Some care is requisite in arranging the fold or frill round the aperture through which the head protrudes. "Were the patient to breathe a little of it," Dr. J. remarks, "little injury would result, possibly good, but still, for obvious reasons, he should not be allowed to breathe too much." Dr. Aitchison directs leprous ulcerations to be treated with a solution of Carbolic Acid (one to seven or ten of Sweet Oil, according to circumstances), and that at the same time the whole body should be rubbed with a weaker solution (1 to 20). This treatment, he remarks, at once removes the horrid odour usually attendant upon these cases, and the patients will readily adopt it, when they distinctly refuse to wash or clean themselves. With a change in diet, under this treatment, these cases, he adds, improve remarkably.