Dr. Chopin recommends repeated lotions with the solution of Chloride of Soda, which he says will often cure in one or two days. (Am. Journ. Med. Sc. May, 1836.)
Dr. Bard says that simply keeping a linen cloth constantly wet with rum over the nipple is frequently very useful, and as it is one of the easiest remedies, it should be first tried. (Compendium of the Theory and Practice of Midwifery.)
Stimulating ointments, such as ung. hydrarg. rub. diluted with lard, is, according to Burns, sometimes of service, as is also touching the parts with burnt alum, or dusting them with some mild dry powder. Solutions of sulphate of alumine and of sulphate of copper, of such strength as just to smart a little, are also recommended as occasionally of service by the last named practitioner. (Principles of Midwifery, 7th Ed. p. 543.)
We have found Kreosote, three to six drops in an ounce of water, very efficacious; in some cases affording more speedy relief than any other application. The mucilage of the slippery elm applied cold is often a most comfortable application, and its efficacy is sometimes increased by dissolving in it some borax.
When all these means fail, the mother must give up suckling for a time, when the parts heal rapidly. This last resource will not be often necessary.
The great number of remedies which have been employed for the cure of this complaint sufficiently attest its obstinacy. This obstinacy is owing, in some cases, we conceive, to an irritable condition of the patient’s system, a fact overlooked so far as we know, by most practitioners. In such cases a mild and nutritious diet, fresh air, keeping the bowels free, &c. will do more towards effecting a cure than local applications; though the latter even here are not to be neglected. Editor.]
[76] [Dr. Dewees regards after-pains as an evil of magnitude, and always endeavours to prevent them as quickly as possible. For this purpose he recommends camphor or some preparation of opium. (See his System of Midwifery.) We have always adopted this practice to the great relief of the patient, and have never had cause to regret it. Dr. Dewees’s observations on this subject should be attentively perused.—Ed.]
[77] See observations on Malposition of the Child.
[78] We have no words in the English language like the schrag and schief of the German to express these different species of obliquity.
[79] On the other hand, Dr. Merriman observes, that he has “twice known the presentation of the face converted by the pains alone into a natural presentation.” (Synopsis, p. 48.)