Mix. A teaspoonful to be given to an adult every four hours till relieved.
The symptoms of inflammation of the urethra are always very pronounced, because the mucous membrane of the urethra is the most sensitive part of the bladder. In the healthy state the coloring of the lining membrane is of a pale red; when inflamed or catarrhal, it assumes a dark red, or a cherry color. The membrane is also considerably swelled and puffed, and feels hot to the touch, and imparts a burning sensation to the patient. The muco-purulent secretion excoriates or chafes the skin, so that the parts look angry and red in the neighborhood; this is oftener observed in children. The characteristic symptom of frequently urinating is never absent, while very little is passed at a time, yet the straining to pass water continues, after the last drop is voided.
The treatment is cleanliness to begin with. In grown people, the entire vulva and vagina must be rinsed out with a warm borax solution, in the proportion of one teaspoonful of the powdered borax dissolved in a quart of water. In little children the same object, that of cleanliness, is to be accomplished with a small ear syringe.
After the external parts and the vagina are thoroughly cleansed, then, by means of a hard rubber syringe, No. 1, three or four syringefuls of clean borax water are injected into the urethra for the purpose of cleaning that too. To relieve the straining and frequent desire to micturate, which is accompanied with more or less pain, I give:—
NO. V.
| Take: | Fluid ex. of gelseminum | 1 dram |
| Sweet spirits of nitre | 7 drams |
Mix. A teaspoonful in a wineglassful of water three or four times a day for an adult; children in proportion.
The patient must confine herself to a bland liquid diet, principally of milk, raw eggs beaten up in bouillon or broth. Vegetables may be eaten, but they are not to be seasoned with anything but salt; and alcoholic liquors, wine or beer must also be suspended for the time being.
NEURALGIA OF THE URETHRA.
The female urethra is sometimes the seat of simple neuralgia, by which is meant a painful condition in which there is no apparent disease or inflammation of the tissues.